Just about every fantasy author got some of their ideas from Tolkien, so I don't get why people bring things like this up. And a school that teaches magic? RJ didn't come up with that idea, I wouldn't be surprised of Rowling hasn't read the book.

Well its obvious everyone gets ideas from Tolkien, the man redefined fantasy forever. But its still an interesting subject to discuss the similarities in fantasy books.

Firstly, go ahead, give spoilers for Harry Potter. This is the biggest fantasy series of...about ever, or so. I'm sure pretty much everyone who wants to read it has. Secondly, what similarities did you find? Vaguely hinting that you've found some without giving any indication of what they are isn't very conducive to debate. Also, bear in mind that any similarities you find might not be Rowling copying from Jordan, so much as both copying from the same source. Now, the similarities between the WT and Hogwarts... both are schools for magic, I suppose. Anything else? Because that's hardly an indication that JKR has even heard of WoT, let alone read it. So, come on, what similarities?

One similarity I have found as that there are people within the White Tower that were called Black Ajah's and disrupted the school in the third or fourth book, mind you the books are complicated and thick (and its been a while since I've read those two books) so I'm not exactly sure which book it was. Something like this happens throughout the Harry Potter series, especially in the 7th book.

There are other similarities that I can't think of at this point. But every time I re-read Harry Potter, which is at least once a year, I come across the similarities. I'm currently re-reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and if I come across anything there I will relay them in this post. I know there are others who have seen similarities, especially from my friends.

The similarities may not be as prominent as one would hope and it just may be fantasy cliche lol.

I'm a big fan of Harry Potter and WoT (of course WoT is better!). While I read Harry Potter I sometimes question on whether or not J.K. Rowling has read WoT. I find many similarities in her books, some not as subtle as others. I really don't wanna give any spoilers for Harry Potter, or WoT but most if not all the similarities concern Hogwarts and the White Tower. There are just so many similarities and I can't seem to find anything online about whether or not Rowling has read WoT.

Both are excellent series and it doesn't matter to me that their are similarities. If Rowling did take some elements from WoT and incorporated them into HP I wouldn't consider it stealing but more of an homage. Just a thought.