I have a student who is sitting on two acceptances: one to George Washington University in the States and one to a top school in Tokyo. For a student who is intending to go into law as a profession which school would be a stronger choice? Additional information: the student is interested in studying law in America specifically.
I would especially welcome advice from people in the field. Thank you!
13 comments
If he wants to practice law in the US, it seems like a no brainer they should go to law school in the US. I don’t think any law school in Japan would qualify or prepare you for the Bar exam in any State.
George Washington University is a great university in the heart of the lawyerlyest city in the world. The connections your student makes there are worth a lot just on their own.
Although I don’t hold a lot of faith in “rankings,” there are many that do, and the top Unis in Japan do not crack even the top hundred or so on most global lists.
> Additional information: the student is interested in studying law in America specifically.
US no question
George Washington U. If student is interested in studying law in the US, how is this even a question?
Japanese universities are just drinking clubs. You will learn nothing and make zero connections.
I’m going to law school in the states later this year and have gone through the application process for over a year now. Hard fact is that going to an institution outside the US puts you at a major disadvantage, doesn’t matter if it’s Oxford or anywhere else. There are very few seats for international Uni students at the T1 and T2 law schools. If you want to study law in the U.S., you really should be doing undergrad there if you can help it. Especially for KJD it’s statistically incredibly difficult to be both come from an international Uni and be straight out of school. GW 100% — it’s just that black and white. A good plan will get you into the T14, winging it without one will make it difficult. PM for more advice if needed, best of luck to the student.
GWU. Don’t look back and just go for it! You got this!
Are they interested in studying law or do they want to live and work in Japan? Japan and the US practice two completely different systems: common and civil law. A degree in one will most likely not get him a job with the other. There are universities in Japan with agreements with GWU, so they can study japanese law with a focus on the us. Do they want to be a lawyer or work in Law? Do they want to work in an international firm? They should focus less on where to study and more on their career prospects. Lawyers in the US are plenty, while there is a demand here in japan.
The student can also always do a year abroad here or there and broaden their horizons
where will they be practicing law? i’d choose the school in the corresponding country
No go for GWU. It’s a no brainer for law or anything policy related. Plus it’s in DC, where some of the policy making related to the world happens. Did my masters at UTokyo and none of the school in Japan can compete with US schools like GWU or any of the R1 institutions (US universities with high output).
There’s no question: George Washington.
Agency/autonomy is a big part of what makes education in the United States so powerful. Especially higher education. It may seem alot less comfy to leap over here and assimilate, but it is hands down the best place to be for something as complex as law. Network, daily exposure, opportunities, practical and useful experience.
“I have a student who wants to study law in the US who has an acceptance to a good US university. Should they go to Japan?”
Come on man.