As part of selecting a law school, candidates should carefully consider all aspects from fields of study and career paths to admission requirements. While not essential, some applicants do choose schools specialized in their desired legal field.
However, following their passion rather than following money could bring about more lucrative job offers in the long run.
Location
Prospective law students aspire to attend one of America’s prestigious law schools – known as “T14”. This includes Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Northwestern, Duke, University of Pennsylvania and Cornell. Attending these institutions brings prestige in the legal community along with promising employment and salary prospects for graduates.
However, you must also consider the location of the school as it will likely influence where you choose to practice post-graduation. Ideally, attend one in your desired city or region; that way you can form connections quickly and transition seamlessly into work after graduation. To increase your chances of admission to top law schools, improve both GPA and LSAT score as much as possible.
Size
2021’s law school admission cycle was truly extraordinary, featuring record applicant volumes and strong growth across all groups – leading to class sizes being larger than usual at many schools.
Most law schools require two to three years of study to earn a Juris Doctorate (JD). Courses could include administrative law, constitutional law, criminal law contracts evidence family and property law as part of your studies.
Some law schools provide small class sections which enable students to build relationships with both fellow students and professors, while others favor larger ones for providing more individualized instruction. The best way to determine your ideal law school size is speaking with a coach.
Curricula
Your decision of law school will play an essential role in shaping your career path. When selecting your program, select one which provides maximum experience in your chosen area of law – legal clinics, externships or similar opportunities can give invaluable learning experiences.
Curriculum can differ significantly between schools, but many first year courses use a case method approach that uses reading judicial opinions, or cases, followed by classroom discussions to develop analytical skills rather than simply memorization.
Student culture can have a dramatic effect on your experience at law school. Finding somewhere you feel at ease – be it in New York City or upstate – could make all the difference between law school being stressful and thrilling or mundane and draining.
Careers
No matter if your career objectives lie with government agencies, private firms or nonprofit organizations; choosing an ideal law school location depends on personal preferences and professional ambitions.
Use law school rankings and admissions grids to identify schools where your grades and LSAT scores provide realistic odds of admission. Note, however, that these numbers only take into account applicants from one application year; fluctuations in applicant volume might alter these odds significantly. Ideally located law schools might also offer special features like proximity or career prospects – you should carefully weigh these factors against cost and prestige before selecting one as your “safety law school.” Investing time and energy finding the perfect one pays dividends!
Financial Aid
No matter if or when you receive any merit aid, it’s wise to research all available financial aid resources at your law school – including institutional grants, federal loans and scholarships.
Consider all costs related to attendance, such as tuition, housing, books, meals and transportation costs. This will enable you to determine how much debt is acceptable.
Be sure to apply for all available merit and need-based financial aid, and scholarship opportunities that fit your situation. Many schools provide grants and scholarships for those with high LSAT scores and GPAs – helping reduce tuition and other fees costs significantly. Students may also explore external scholarship options which could cover some or all their law school expenses, which often come up when applying early.