When selecting the ideal law school, many factors should be taken into account when making your choice. Activities offered, ideology expressed and diversity within classes should all be carefully taken into account when making this important decision.
Dream a bit, be realistic and select schools you know you can easily get into as “safety schools”. However, don’t make your decision solely based on rankings.
Location
Law schools can be found across the country, and choosing one can have a profound effect on your life. From what cuisines might be available for dining out to how often snowfall will prevent class attendance – your school’s location will have a considerable influence over your legal education experience.
No special major is necessary to attend law school; rather, your undergraduate degree should reflect your personal interests and career ambitions. For instance, if criminal law is your path forward, an English degree could prepare you to think critically and write well – essential skills necessary for law school success.
Researching school rankings is also key. Examine their methodologies, and compare several years’ worth of results for accuracy.
Specializations
Law schools’ academic programs will have an immense effect on your future legal work. Narrow your school list by looking for specializations that meet your professional interests.
E-commerce law deals with laws and policies pertaining to online commerce; education law covers school finance and equality issues; while environmental law may offer unique opportunities for those interested in environmental activism.
Consider your potential classmates’ ideologies when making your choice of law school. Do you prefer conversing with similar thinkers or do you enjoy lively debates? Look for law schools which report class diversity through USNews’ law school rankings page.
Academics
Curriculum should certainly be a consideration when selecting a law school. But other elements, including class size, student body population, stated or unstated ideology and clinic opportunities should all factor into your decision-making.
Size and reputation can have an enormous impact on your future career options. If you know that Florida is your desired state of practice, for example, attending one of its top law schools rather than one from another state makes more sense.
Syracuse University’s Law School is widely considered one of the top in the nation. While admission can be tough, having a solid LSAT score can help gain admission. While students at this institution must work hard, there’s also an active social scene and healthy work-life balance.
Careers
An investment of both time and energy, law degrees are significant investments that should not be taken lightly. Make sure you can manage the workload, choosing programs that suit both your schedule and career goals.
Prioritize your needs and find a law school that meets them instead of solely looking at rankings; these rankings can be determined by multiple criteria that don’t always indicate which law schools would best meet those needs.
Before choosing a law school, it’s important to carefully consider class sizes and housing costs as well as your desired student community and alumni support available. Spend some time researching these details before making your decision.
Life on Campus
Making an educated choice when selecting a law school can be challenging. Many factors must be considered, from curriculum and bar passage rates to student body size and stated or unstated ideology.
When applying to law schools, it is crucial that you visit campuses and gain an understanding of their culture. Prioritize criteria that matter most to you in order to narrow down your options and make an informed decision – for instance if alumni connections are of great importance then schools with large networks might be worth exploring; similarly a school with an active social scene or high student support levels might warrant further consideration.