Your answer to which law school should I attend ultimately rests on your career goals. Before making your choice, be clear on which kind of lawyer you wish to become and whether or not you are prepared to put in the required hard work.
Location can play an essential part in choosing a law school; many law graduates end up practicing in their state of origin after attending law school, so geography matters as an indicator of academic excellence and class diversity. Other considerations might include activities available, any stated ideologies and class diversity policies as well.
1. Academics
Law school is more than a place to earn degrees; it’s also an experience and hub of lifelong connections. Prospective law students should carefully consider each school culture to ensure it complements their goals and passions.
Considerations may include legal externships, student organizations and research opportunities offered by each school. Bar exam pass rates and employment success rates also should be evaluated carefully.
Many top-ranked law schools provide merit scholarships to undergraduate students with high GPAs and LSAT scores, making the difference when applying. Some are highly selective; others can be more open. Some even accept students with lower grades into part-time externship programs or offer part-time externship options for them.
2. Careers
If you have specific goals in mind for your legal career (i.e., an industry or type of law in particular), make sure your school offers programs and resources to meet them – this could include specialized law clinics, externships or internships as well as faculty research or teaching opportunities.
Consider the size of classes when making this decision: smaller classes often provide more individual attention and improved classroom dynamics, whereas larger ones may create an impersonal atmosphere.
Consider where your school is situated when making this decision; its location could impact your career choices significantly, as certain cities (e.g. Boston’s tech corridor) offer greater concentrations in intellectual property or compliance law; others boast world-class financial districts that foster strength in corporate or litigation practices.
3. Community
Conventional wisdom dictates that you should attend the best law school to which you’re admitted, but other considerations beyond US News rankings must also be considered. A school may meet all your ideal characteristics such as reputation or alumni success rates but might still not fulfill all your practical requirements.
Not only should you consider typical statistics like student body, faculty to student ratio and class size when choosing your law school, but you should also pay close attention to its culture. Some schools have more of a competitive environment that will push you toward excellence while others offer more informal environments that promote teamwork. This should play an integral part of your decision process.
4. Lifestyle
Law school can be an exhausting experience. While academics must remain the top priority, students should also remember to care for themselves both physically and emotionally during this period.
Fast-paced learning, overcrowded exam rooms and prolonged stress (especially exam week) can create an adverse environment for physical health. Acute illness during law school can have significant repercussions; especially given that most law students live within an insular community of other students.
As well, law school can be expensive. Nearly all law students incur some debt; however, there are ways to minimize it and still attend an excellent law school – such as eating out less or cutting back on tobacco and alcohol consumption.
5. Value
Undergoing law school can be an enormous commitment of time, money and effort; make sure you choose an institution which offers good value.
Assess the curriculum, available activities, stated or unstated ideology, class diversity and other relevant factors when making your selection of law schools. Doing this will give you peace of mind that the right one has been selected for you.
An educational institution offering excellent curriculum, bar passage rates, and high post-grad salaries might justify its higher tuition cost. A school with outstanding alumni might also warrant paying the extra money.
At the end of the day, it is best to follow your gut. If a school feels right and fulfills all three criteria – cost, outcomes and values – go with it! Trust that everything will fall into place later. Good luck with your search!