Law school can be expensive and selective; choosing the wrong law school could leave you saddled with student debt for life.
Take our quiz to help determine whether law school is the right path for you! It was developed using advice from top experts in law school admissions.
1. The best law school for you
Selecting a law school that best meets your individual needs and goals is one of the most critical decisions you will ever face. It requires both financial investment and career advancement – so take your time in making sure it is the best decision for your future life and career goals.
Your four to five years in law school are going to be spent carefully considering various factors and choosing a suitable law school isn’t always about going for top rankings; there may be different considerations which are unique to you and your goals.
At first, it is necessary to identify what area of law you wish to practice. While this may sound simple enough, there are numerous areas of the law and an array of specialties within each one. In order to select your ideal field of law practice and clientele type, some preliminary consideration is necessary in identifying appropriate specialization.
If you’re still exploring your career options or simply unsure which path is the right one, finding a law school with a diverse array of programs is key. Particularly beneficial are programs focused on gender and sexuality issues, international issues or innovation and technology as they will equip you with all of the skills required to become an accomplished lawyer in any chosen field.
Another important consideration should be school culture and community. You will spend considerable time with fellow students, so it is crucial that they enjoy where you study. While some schools provide more competitive environments that might suit some individuals better, others might prefer an atmosphere with a collaborative spirit.
At each law school, it is also essential to inspect their faculty and staff. This will involve considering the number of full-time and adjunct professors as well as their areas of expertise, as well as whether professors are accessible and what their research interests are – this will give an accurate picture of what type of discussions will occur in classes as well as an overall sense of the school culture.
2. The average law school for you
Selecting law school will be one of the most consequential decisions you ever make in life, with lasting implications on every aspect of your existence. As it will likely be expensive and time consuming, making sure it is worthwhile investment is paramount.
When it comes to choosing the appropriate law school, the key is taking your personal preferences as well as academic and professional qualifications into account. One rule of thumb would be picking one that falls below your LSAT score while still exceeding your GPA; this gives you time to improve before committing full time – while also protecting you from overcommitting too soon!
Admissions officers take into account more than just LSAT and GPA scores when reviewing applicants for law school. They consider undergraduate major, course rigor, grade trends, graduate coursework (if applicable), recommendation letters, leadership experience in legal fields as well as leadership experiences to make sure you will fit seamlessly into a law school setting while possessing all of the skills needed to become successful lawyers.
Law schools each have unique specializations, and you should take this into account when selecting your law school. For instance, some have smaller class sizes which could provide for more personal attention from faculty and peers while larger ones might provide greater networking and diversity opportunities. You’ll also want to consider whether you prefer traditional campus settings or urban ones when making this decision.
While most law school students should avoid working while attending, some may be required to do so. If this is the case for you, research each school’s policies carefully before trying to limit your hours in your first year so as not to distract from studies. It may also be worthwhile joining student organizations; these provide great opportunities to meet fellow law students while building connections within the industry.
3. The meidiocre law school for you
Law school can be an immense investment of both time and money; therefore, the decision should not be taken lightly. A solid education can open doors leading to lucrative and prestigious careers; on the other hand, bad experiences could leave you crippled in debt with no legal career at all.
Best law schools may be harder to enter, with higher LSAT scores and GPA requirements necessary for admission. But that doesn’t preclude anyone with adequate credentials and motivation from attending one – so if law school is something you are considering, make sure that your goals align with this career path before investing in your education.
Hosid, a law school admissions counselor from New York University, states that one of the greatest mistakes people make when selecting law schools is choosing prestige over career goals. “Going closer to the top may provide more postgraduate opportunities but doesn’t guarantee better fits for everyone,” according to her.
Law school tuition costs can add up quickly. Before considering attending law school, research the schools and their admission requirements carefully so you have a strong chance of acceptance. Furthermore, find out about graduates’ success rates in their careers as well as overall student experiences.
There’s been an emerging movement against elite law schools that long dominated U.S. News rankings, where graduates often secure high-paying legal jobs or Supreme Court clerkships upon graduating. Yet some lower-ranked law schools may still merit consideration based on academic credentials, career placement rates, extracurricular activities and their alumni networks.
Cooley Law School of Michigan should be high on your list when searching for law schools to attend. Though not as highly-ranked as some other institutions in the US, Cooley has an attractive admission rate (76%) and pass rate (81%). Tuition costs are below average compared with law schools outside the top 100 rankings.
4. The attrocious law school for you
Though passing the LSAT may be one reason to attend law school, there may be other compelling motives as well. It is essential that you attend for the right reasons or you risk ending up with an impressive law degree but no employment prospects afterward.
At first, you need to decide what your ideal career goal is. If becoming a lawyer seems like the easiest path to making six figures, that may not be ideal; law is an arduous profession that takes hard work and commitment if one wants to achieve success; therefore it may not be appropriate for everyone.
If you are uncertain of your goal in life, law school may not be right for you. This is particularly true if the school of your choice has an employment rate below average – there are plenty of other things you could be doing with your time and even top schools won’t guarantee employment after graduation!
At my law school, they asked all of the class to raise their hands if they hoped to work for the government or in public service after graduation. At least 100 raised their hands; three years later only three still held that job position – this should give an idea of how certain job offers are from various law schools.
As well as considering your undergraduate degree choice carefully, which can have an enormous impact on your chances of entering a good law school, consider your GPA as this plays a vital role in how well you perform once enrolled in law school.
If you are serious about going to law school, take our quiz that can help you assess if this decision is the best choice for you. It will analyze your skillset and whether or not they fit with what awaits as a law student – such as training sessions, exams and debates.
