<p>SLS and YLS seem to have relatively flexible joint degree programs with their public policy/environment/engineering schools. I was wondering if admission to these law schools is made easier for students who are already enrolled in a grad programs at Yale/Stanford. For instance, would it be a cakewalk for a Yale FES graduate student to opt for and join a joint degree with the law school one semester into his home(FES) program?</p>
<p>No. You’d be held to the same standards as any other YLS applicant.</p>
<p>Thanks bluedevilmike. I agree - I’m sure that these schools wouldn’t dilute their standards and expectations. However, what I meant to understand was - are you placed at a greater advantage as compared to someone who is not already at Yale, since you have access to YLS advisors, Yale FES advisors and their recommendations? Further, you are essentially part of a very small cohort of joint degree candidates in a specific area (in this case - environment)</p>
<p>Again, no, not really. I’m not sure what you mean by YLS and FES advisors, since so far as I know neither school does pre-law counseling. A forestry degree is sort of interesting; if well-stated and combined with high LSAT and GPA then it might be a useful “hook.” But you have to remember that YLS applicants (and probably SLS ones) mostly have equivalently interesting things.</p>
<p>My YLS small group of 12 had:</p>
<p>–A competitive skydiver
–A think-tank analyst routinely cited by ESPN for college football expertise
–Ex-special forces Army paratrooper
–PhD in neuroscience from Oxford
–MD candidate
–PhD in English
–Experience with the Baltimore Public Defender, getting shot at while trying to subpoena witnesses
–Peace Corps in Costa Rica
–Guatemalan national who worked on public source briefing for DC officials</p>
<p>Etc. So being a master’s candidate in forestry is sort of interesting, but it’s hardly going to make admission a “cakewalk.”</p>
<p>You sound like such a tool. Just sayin’</p>
<p>Interesting. Especially, the MD candidate, since that would be the closest to what I’m thinking of in terms of a joint/dual degree. Stellar LSATs and GPAs are a given, but it’s a little discouraging to know that coming from Yale/Stanford wouldn’t be a “hook” for their respective law schools.</p>
<p>Regarding FES and YLS advisors - I think its not so much about pre-law counseling as it is about vital points of contact who have a say in admissions. For instance, being in Yale FES, you could have Prof. X as your research advisor (or if you know him through classes, projects, conferences etc). If Prof. X serves on the joint degree admissions committee for YLS and FES, wouldn’t that be a massive hook? </p>
<p>SLS has “advisors” from both departments (Law + Engineering/Bio/Public policy) who possibly provide pre-law counseling. Perhaps, having a good relationship with your “home” school could be advantageous?</p>
<p>Of course, this is not to disregard that a unique profile is a prereq anyway.</p>
<p>@hypsmc42</p>
<p>I’m sorry - I do realize that I sound like a ****** trying to find loopholes in the admissions process. However, from past experiences, I’ve realized that its foolish not to use your fringe connections to the maximum :P</p>
<p>Not really about you trying to find a back door to Yale. Just the way you phrase your posts…I hope you don’t talk like that irl lol.</p>
<p>@hypsmc42</p>
<p>I’m a little confused. Do I have my semantics all messed up? Or is it the fact that I consider using the word ‘semantics’ in casual conversations? :P</p>
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<p>I don’t think any such committee exists. YLS admissions are done by dispersing applications amongst the YLS faculty, and joint-degree admissions does not have a separate process.</p>
<p>@bluedevilmike - I wasn’t aware of that. Thanks. I guess that explains why there are only about 30 joint degree candidates at YLS this year. Oh well…</p>
<p>Even though YLS is the most prestigious school at Yale, attending YLS wouldn’t make it easier for you to enroll in dual degree programs with SOM, Arts & Sciences, etc., I can’t imagine pursuing another degree at Yale would make it easier to get into YLS.</p>
<p>Unless things have changed…</p>
<p>Vermont Law has a joint degree program with Yale FES. So, there are always a fair number of law students in the FES class–they are Vermont Law students, though, not Yale law students.</p>