Student Life

On this page:

Housing in Cambridge
Student Activities
Inclusion, Belonging, and Student Services
News and Announcements

A group of students walking down the second floor hallway of the WCC

You Belong at HLS

“If we have a critical mass of people saying ‘yes, I worked my tail off, but I also had a lot of fun, and I was in an environment where I found my niche, I found good friends, I built lasting relationships, and I was part of a community’? That’s a win to me.” 

Stephen Ball ’10, Dean of Students, HLS

Studying law is a collaborative endeavor at Harvard Law School. We work together to create a student-centered environment in which learning is inspiring, transformative, and supportive. We know you will strengthen the HLS community and we want you to be strengthened by it.

Our goal is for you to thrive in every aspect of your experience at Harvard Law School.

  • Courses 500+
  • Student Organizations 100+
  • Student Journals 17
  • Clinics, Externships & SPOs 47

Housing in Cambridge

Your life at Harvard Law School unfolds within a major research university, giving you access to a world-class campus: unparalleled libraries, acclaimed museums and theaters, enriching extracurricular activities, and a wider community of diverse and engaged students.

You have access to everything Harvard has to offer.

[HLS] taught me so much about friendship, inclusion, what the law is, and what the law should be.”

 —Jessica Zhao ’22

Student Activities

Walk into any gathering of an HLS student organization and you’ll encounter a remarkable spectrum of life experiences and perspectives. You will find your people.

Inclusion, Belonging, and Student Services

“There’s a huge support system that’s here to help you.”

—Nicholas Gozales JD ’24

“The [HLS] community has been a place where I’ve really found not only a voice, but a sense of companionship and friendship that I’m going to miss and cherish for the rest of my life.”

—Emily Chazen ’22

Dean of Students Office

From Orientation through Commencement, DOS staff are here to support you. Whether you have a quick question, a more serious personal or academic concern, or just need guidance or support, contact or stop by DOS!

a group of students talking in a group outside the WCC
student and judge talking while walking

HLS Students in the News

  • Featured image for New year, new friends article

    New year, new friends

    Harvard Law Today introduces you to a few incoming members of the Harvard Law School community.

    September 4, 2024

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HLS Announcements

  • Winter Term Abroad: Upcoming Deadlines

    Deadlines to apply or register for independent clinicals and research and writing projects during Winter Term, and apply for Winter Term International Travel Grants, fall between Monday, October 21 and Tuesday, November 12. Visit our Winter Term Abroad: Eligibility, Funding and Applications web page for more information.

    October 11, 2024

  • International Legal Studies Post-Graduate Fellowships

    Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 International Legal Studies Post-Graduate Fellowships, supporting recent HLS graduates who will be clerking or interning at an international or foreign regional/supranational court or tribunal. These fellowships are open to graduates from the HLS classes of 2022-2025. Applications must be submitted by Monday, January 13.

    October 10, 2024

  • Research Assistant Needed for Prof. Hannah Shaffer

    Prof. Hannah Shaffer is seeking an RA to help with a literature review of Police Body Worn Camera in Economics, Law, Criminology, Political Science, and Sociology. The RA will also do research on which law enforcement agencies in Virginia have body worn cameras, and the year they adopted this technology. The position will ideally begin

    October 9, 2024

  • Visiting Prof. John Palfrey seeks a Research Assistant and Teaching Fellows

    Visiting Professor of Law John Palfrey seeks a Research Assistant and Teaching Fellows for course preparation this Fall and teaching assistance during Winter Term for the 1L JET course “Technology and the Public Interest.” A Research Assistant will work on updating the course syllabus and related case research this fall, which may feed into a

    October 8, 2024

  • Opportunity for Student to Join Cross-National Team design Ghana Agricultural Justice Clinic

    Professor White seeks highly motivated students to join the Ghana/HLS team designing an Agricultural Justice Clinic at the University of Ghana Law School. The Clinic will build on work by the HLS Ghana Clinic to use creative advocacy tools targeting forces that keep Ghanaian farmworkers in poverty.. The students’ tasks will be varied, including research;

    October 7, 2024

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HUHS Announcements

  • Flu Vaccine Coverage

    The Harvard University Student Health Program provides coverage for the flu vaccine. Here’s where and how you can get your shot covered…….

    October 20, 2023

  • Update your mailing address

    Update your mailing address Don’t miss out on any correspondence regarding your health or dental insurance. Be sure to keep your mailing address. Most students can update their local/mailing address directly through my.Harvard. If you are unable to update your address via my.Harvard, please contact your Registrar’s office to request the changes. Once the update……

    February 6, 2023