CLS Human Rights Fellow

alanman

3 6

Posted Dec 02, 2014 02:59

Anyone know much about the Human Rights Fellowship at Columbia beyond the information on the website?

How many applicants and how many offers? Does the Fellow cover tuition? Is this fellowship for those who already have considerable experience in human rights? I am looking to work in the field but at present do not have too much previous experience.

I am a UK student with an LLB from UCL. My academic results were good but not stellar. I would only consider an LLM in the US if I get a full scholarship.

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jsd

116 192

Posted Dec 02, 2014 14:00

Anyone know much about the Human Rights Fellowship at Columbia beyond the information on the website?

How many applicants and how many offers? Does the Fellow cover tuition? Is this fellowship for those who already have considerable experience in human rights? I am looking to work in the field but at present do not have too much previous experience.

I am a UK student with an LLB from UCL. My academic results were good but not stellar. I would only consider an LLM in the US if I get a full scholarship.

You do realise, my dear chap, that at the moment full scholarships are rarer than democrats in public. You mat as well not apply for a US LLM if thats your criteria and save yourself some money

<blockquote>Anyone know much about the Human Rights Fellowship at Columbia beyond the information on the website?

How many applicants and how many offers? Does the Fellow cover tuition? Is this fellowship for those who already have considerable experience in human rights? I am looking to work in the field but at present do not have too much previous experience.

I am a UK student with an LLB from UCL. My academic results were good but not stellar. I would only consider an LLM in the US if I get a full scholarship.</blockquote>

You do realise, my dear chap, that at the moment full scholarships are rarer than democrats in public. You mat as well not apply for a US LLM if thats your criteria and save yourself some money

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alanman

3 6

Posted Dec 07, 2014 03:44

You do realise, my dear chap, that at the moment full scholarships are rarer than democrats in public. You mat as well not apply for a US LLM if thats your criteria and save yourself some money

I actually have friends who obtained full (or near full, the stipend can a little on the low side) scholarships to study at US law schools.

Maybe, my dear chap, you don't realise that there are ultra competitive full scholarships out there.

<blockquote>You do realise, my dear chap, that at the moment full scholarships are rarer than democrats in public. You mat as well not apply for a US LLM if thats your criteria and save yourself some money</blockquote>

I actually have friends who obtained full (or near full, the stipend can a little on the low side) scholarships to study at US law schools.

Maybe, my dear chap, you don't realise that there are ultra competitive full scholarships out there.

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jsd

116 192

Posted Dec 07, 2014 08:38

I actually have friends who obtained full (or near full, the stipend can a little on the low side) scholarships to study at US law schools.

Maybe, my dear chap, you don't realise that there are ultra competitive full scholarships out there.

You and I seem to be referring to law schools in different leagues. Of the best (and I know only about the east coast) it's well known that since 2009 Harvard, Columbia and NYU have almost stopped awarding large scholarships (as opp. to student loans) to anyone except those who are from impoverished countries *and* who do not have sufficient experience that makes it likely that they will have savings.

All these law schools have seen their endowments shrink by 15-30% due to the economy. That's billions of $ up in smoke. Harvard lost about $8 billion - read about it here - http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/harvard-endowment-shrinks-still-wealthiest-in-us/article/feed/2033921. It's caught them off guard and they are scrimping on every expense possible to reduce costs. One of the budget cut victims has been the full scholarships except the institutional ones (like the Appel scholarship at CLS).

Last year the average 'financial aid' awarded to students with impeccable credentials at these places was between $5,000 and $15,000. That's between 6-20% of the cost of the LLM. I'm assuming that's not what you understand as substantial scholarship. Since you say you are from the UK and your grades are good but not stellar you're practically ruled out of the slim chances of getting a full scholarship - those get handed out to the students who make it on the basis of their grades (as opposed to reccos/ personal statement). If you were hoping for a feel-good post assuring you that you have a 'good' chance, I can post one of those as well but this is the harsh truth.

Lower ranked law schools are far more generous with aid but that's needed if they have to draw in the best students.

<blockquote>
I actually have friends who obtained full (or near full, the stipend can a little on the low side) scholarships to study at US law schools.

Maybe, my dear chap, you don't realise that there are ultra competitive full scholarships out there.
</blockquote>

You and I seem to be referring to law schools in different leagues. Of the best (and I know only about the east coast) it's well known that since 2009 Harvard, Columbia and NYU have almost stopped awarding large scholarships (as opp. to student loans) to anyone except those who are from impoverished countries *and* who do not have sufficient experience that makes it likely that they will have savings.

All these law schools have seen their endowments shrink by 15-30% due to the economy. That's billions of $ up in smoke. Harvard lost about $8 billion - read about it here - http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/harvard-endowment-shrinks-still-wealthiest-in-us/article/feed/2033921. It's caught them off guard and they are scrimping on every expense possible to reduce costs. One of the budget cut victims has been the full scholarships except the institutional ones (like the Appel scholarship at CLS).

Last year the average 'financial aid' awarded to students with impeccable credentials at these places was between $5,000 and $15,000. That's between 6-20% of the cost of the LLM. I'm assuming that's not what you understand as substantial scholarship. Since you say you are from the UK and your grades are good but not stellar you're practically ruled out of the slim chances of getting a full scholarship - those get handed out to the students who make it on the basis of their grades (as opposed to reccos/ personal statement). If you were hoping for a feel-good post assuring you that you have a 'good' chance, I can post one of those as well but this is the harsh truth.

Lower ranked law schools are far more generous with aid but that's needed if they have to draw in the best students.

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Qc1990

8 16

Posted Dec 07, 2014 16:54

I totally agree with jsd's post. I can't understand why a great University such as Columbia would award a FULL scholarship (or even any amount of money) to someone with good but not stellar grades and without work experience in the field...

I don't want to be rude and I can't pretend that I perfectly know how they award scholarships, but I can easily assume that you will compete with hundreds of people that have stellar grades AND work experience. It just sounds logic that they might obtain a scholarship and you probably won't.

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