Did Ruth Bader Ginsburg actually graduate from Harvard or Columbia?
I'm working on a project about famous alumni and I'm a bit confused about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I know she attended Harvard Law School and was really well known for being one of the few women in her class, but my research keeps mentioning Columbia Law as well.
Did she actually get her law degree from Harvard, or did she graduate from Columbia? Also, if anyone knows why she switched, I'd really appreciate the explanation. I'm trying to make sure I have my facts straight for this project, but the info online seems pretty split. Any help clearing this up would be awesome!
Did she actually get her law degree from Harvard, or did she graduate from Columbia? Also, if anyone knows why she switched, I'd really appreciate the explanation. I'm trying to make sure I have my facts straight for this project, but the info online seems pretty split. Any help clearing this up would be awesome!
2 weeks ago
•
15 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 2 weeks ago
Advisor
Ruth Bader Ginsburg attended both Harvard Law School and Columbia Law School, but she received her law degree from Columbia.
She started her legal studies at Harvard Law in 1956 as one of only nine women in a class of about 500 men. During her time at Harvard, she made history as the first female member of the Harvard Law Review. In her third year, her husband, Martin Ginsburg, got a job in New York City, so she transferred to Columbia Law School to be with him.
At Columbia, Ginsburg continued to excel academically and was also named to the Columbia Law Review. She graduated at the top of her class in 1959, earning her LLB (the law degree awarded at the time) from Columbia. To be specific, she completed one year at Columbia after two at Harvard, and Columbia awarded her the degree.
If you’re looking for a concise way to put it: Ginsburg attended Harvard Law School for her first two years, but officially graduated from Columbia Law School due to her transfer.
This situation is somewhat rare, and it's a fun fact you can include in your project. Many publications mention both schools because she has strong connections to each—Harvard for her pathbreaking experiences, and Columbia as her official alma mater. For your alumni project, it would be accurate to list her as a Columbia Law School graduate, but it’s totally fair to note her significant time at Harvard as well.
Example: When Columbia University awarded her an honorary degree later in her life, they emphasized her status as a groundbreaking alumna. On the other hand, Harvard Law holds her legacy in high regard, often honoring her contributions and time spent there.
Hope this helps clarify things for your project!
She started her legal studies at Harvard Law in 1956 as one of only nine women in a class of about 500 men. During her time at Harvard, she made history as the first female member of the Harvard Law Review. In her third year, her husband, Martin Ginsburg, got a job in New York City, so she transferred to Columbia Law School to be with him.
At Columbia, Ginsburg continued to excel academically and was also named to the Columbia Law Review. She graduated at the top of her class in 1959, earning her LLB (the law degree awarded at the time) from Columbia. To be specific, she completed one year at Columbia after two at Harvard, and Columbia awarded her the degree.
If you’re looking for a concise way to put it: Ginsburg attended Harvard Law School for her first two years, but officially graduated from Columbia Law School due to her transfer.
This situation is somewhat rare, and it's a fun fact you can include in your project. Many publications mention both schools because she has strong connections to each—Harvard for her pathbreaking experiences, and Columbia as her official alma mater. For your alumni project, it would be accurate to list her as a Columbia Law School graduate, but it’s totally fair to note her significant time at Harvard as well.
Example: When Columbia University awarded her an honorary degree later in her life, they emphasized her status as a groundbreaking alumna. On the other hand, Harvard Law holds her legacy in high regard, often honoring her contributions and time spent there.
Hope this helps clarify things for your project!
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years