Gordon says he doubts there is much difference in the level of work demanded at the two schools. However, he adds, differences may appear in the focus of this work

"Yale's environment is only superficially less competitive; and its intellectual culture is intense," Gordon says. "I think Harvard students probably invest a bit more in coursework-preparation and exams, Yale students in writing papers and in work on journals and other enterprises.".

Theory vs. Practice

The differences, however, may extend beyond the basics into the theory of teaching at each school.

Many say that YLS is more interested in the philosophy of the laws, while Harvard's approach is to examine the application of the law.

"Yale is definitely a more 'academic' law school than Harvard," Ahsan says.

"The conventional wisdom is that Harvard is a 'black letter' law school where they teach you what the law is and how best to interpret and apply the law," he adds. "At Yale the institutional emphasis is somewhat more on why the law is the way it is, and how it can be improved. In essence the focus is perhaps more philosophical at Yale."

Yale Professor Gordon, however, plays down the difference.