My VC on the orientation day said that we were not competing with NLSIU or NALSAR, we have to compete with the best in the world-Harvard. It made me happy that I was going to be in an intellectually stimulating environment. An environment that would sharpen my legal acumen and develop those analytical skills to pierce through any legal problem.

The year started with everyone being great friends in the first year. Our seniors warned us and said child trust me even if half of them stick with you, consider yourself lucky. By second year you realize that after all your seniors were not all that wrong, the group shrinks down, your friends start hiding where they are going to intern and you follow suit. But is that wrong? I mean being friends and being professionals are two different things- and this is a professional course! Before taking the CLAT I remember I read somewhere- people will steal moot research, your project work…but that’s the nature of this profession.

I don’t know how it works in Harvard(I haven’t been there yet but inshallah some day)…but is somewhere legal education missing the mark. Are we churning out lawyers or just batches who we club as a class but in the end no one really cares for anyone? Or should we not ponder over this and live through the cut throat competition? Just run the race and see where it takes us.

The cut-offs for the DU admissions just prove how the competition is only going to rise…it’s everywhere for our generation. Should we pause and think or just keep running the rat race like others…publish research papers, do your debate and moot, intern in a couple of nice places-Get your degree and get out…? But my concern is if it’s already like this…what happens when I join a real law firm-will it get worse…? Because right now we fight for opportunities to get there, will I have to put another fight again to get somewhere?

My Maths teacher in High school tried to explain to me…In the end all that you will have is yourself . Law school is just a reflection of any place where you put hundreds of aspiring students who have their dreams. In India we learn the rule ‘Only the fittest survive at a very young age’. I wish I can do something about this environment one day….but till then my generation must run….Bhaag Bhaag Vakeel Bhaag.