Access to brilliant scholars. Your classmates are exceptional and you'll have a network for the rest of your career.

It's still law school. Most YLS students are ambitious strivers also.

New Haven is a perfectly pleasant place to spend your law school days. It might not be New York, but it's close enough (literally).

Yes

The school is great! The professors are the best, and the world's best law firms recruit from here.

The workload is a lot, and there isn't a lot of opportunity for a social life outside of school.

I would definitely recommend coming to Yale Law if given the chance but be aware of the crime rate here in New Haven.

Yes

Excellent clinical program that offers meaningful hands-on experience. Opens many doors upon graduation.

Not super transparent; many opportunities are not publicly advertised and are instead communicated via word-of-mouth connections.

Even if you aren't sure if you want to be a lawyer, a Yale Law School degree is valuable.

Yes

Freedom to pursue whatever your heart desires

Intelligent, thoughtful classmates

Opens a world of opportunity

Limited course offerings given its size

Some professors are too far in the clouds

Sometimes annoyingly PC, even from a traditional liberal's perspective

If you get into YLS and you do not attend, you have made a mistake. The experience alone is worth the debt and the opportunities is affords you are amazing.

Yes

Tons of highly influential speakers visit YLS, which is a nice perk. The benefits arising out of a JD from Yale are numerous.

Lack of diversity--both racially and economically. Most students come from privileged families and are highly reserved. It can feel like the entire student body is worried about the day they're running for office and some horrible story from law school surfaces.

The weight of a degree from YLS is unmatched. It is totally worth it to spend 3 years in the frigid cold for the payoff it will have.

Yes

Wonderful access to professors, who are the top legal minds in the field; amazing classmates; no grades; incredible opportunities

No grades can lead to some pushiness in getting professors' attention

If you get into YLS, you should definitely go to YLS.

Yes

YLS, due to its unique structure and grading system, will really let people specialize within the first year of law school. Also, the school has a very strong academic bent, so if you're a thinker you will enjoy the place. For more practical work/opportunities, as long as you're a go-getter, you will be able to find opportunities in every practice area/field you want. Finally, the YLS name itself opens many doors (sometimes unwarranted).

The school makes a huge point about it not being a competitive place ("you are off the treadmill"). This is false. The school actually facilitates and encourages the fierce competition for so-called gold stars (clerkships, FIP, RAships, etc). People get sucked into chasing these gold stars even if they did not mean to do so coming in.

YLS has/opens up SO MANY opportunities - so many so that you will inevitably get some FOMO. However, keep your eyes on the goal and really pursue what you came to law school for.

Yes

Small, collegial environment; diversity of academic offerings; great professor to student ratio

Professors aren't always invested in teaching; More funding for student organizations needed

You can't go wrong coming here, it's a fantastic opportunity to define your own law school experience. Undoubtedly, YLS will set you up for future success.

Yes

The intellectual and theoretical environment and the wide range of opportunities

The intelligence and accomplishments of your peers can be intimidating

If you have the chance to attend Yale Law School, attend Yale Law School

Yes