Locating an ideal law school can be an immense undertaking that can change every aspect of your life – but it should never be made without due consideration and guidance from others.
Curriculum is just one factor to keep in mind when selecting a law school; consider also location, specializations and financial aid as you make your selection.
Location
There are several factors to keep in mind when selecting a law school, as selecting the ideal institution can allow you to make connections through clinics and expand your worldview and knowledge in certain areas of law. Furthermore, choosing wisely could set you up for a successful post-graduation career path.
Another key consideration when selecting a law school is location. No matter whether your goal is private practice or government service, location can have a dramatic effect on your job prospects. Different law schools emphasize different things when it comes to real-world experience or academics versus practical education.
Consider your surroundings when making decisions regarding study and research activities. While large cities often offer abundant opportunities, smaller towns tend to offer more community warmth with less distraction. This factor should especially come into play if you plan on joining student bar associations, legal subject area groups or other social activities; joining these can provide much-needed stress relief while connecting you to alumni of your program. Just don’t forget to make room in your schedule for studying and researching too!
Specializations
Many law schools provide courses and legal clinics on various specializations of law to help you identify which area best interests you; additionally, certain specializations could open doors you hadn’t considered previously.
Admiralty Law (or maritime law) deals with legislation that governs economic transactions involving marine trade, sailors and navigation – making this area of law ideal for professionals interested in shipping, canals and insurance.
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), on the other hand, involves finding peaceful solutions without litigation – making this skill useful to prosecutors, defense lawyers or family counselors. Knowing in advance what type of law you want to specialize in will enable admissions officers to understand your interests as well as help narrow your school list down and create more manageable applications.
Financial Aid
When choosing a law school, consider factors beyond curriculum alone. Take into account factors like location, weather and culture when making your decision. Speak with current students, faculty and alumni at each of the institutions on your list for advice and recommendations.
Primarily, determine how much law school tuition will cost and whether or not you can afford it. Law schools must publish an estimated costs of attendance (COA) estimate on their websites; many also offer merit scholarships or financial aid options as a form of assistance.
Don’t forget that a law program lasts three years. Your interests could shift during this period, making it important to select a school with a diverse curriculum, in order to be properly prepared for what lies ahead.
Admissions
Prioritizing all of the factors to keep in mind when choosing a law school is no easy feat, so keeping track of your research in one convenient place will allow you to get an accurate picture of which schools fit your needs best. Speak to people who have attended law school about their experiences so you have an idea of what you can expect as you make this important decision.
At the end of the day, your perfect law school will be the one that accepts you; therefore, admissions processes can provide invaluable insight into potential school options. All schools publish LSAT and GPA medians for their incoming class so you can compare your credentials against these and recent admitting classes to assess your chances.
Be sure to compare admissions statistics across schools by visiting each law school’s “ABA Data” link on its website. Many also offer details of merit scholarships available and how much they typically cover, so that you can gain a clear picture of your potential financial situation.