WHICH LAW SCHOOL SHOULD I GO TO?

One of the main questions to ask yourself once you’ve decided you want to go to law school is where? Read below to see how location, rank, class size, money, and more are all important factors in your decision. The weight that is given to each factor varies from person to person; however, each is important to evaluate when narrowing down the list of schools you plan on applying to.

One more thing…for those of you who only have one dream school you want to attend, more power to you…but try to open yourself up to discovering all of the potential opportunities that various schools may offer. You never know what you’ll be able to find. 

LOCATION

Many people recommend intentionally attending a law school in the state or region you would like to establish a legal career. After graduating from law school, you will take the bar exam for the state in which you’ll practice, in order to receive your license to practice law. The content for this exam differs from state to state; therefore, attending a law school in the location you would like to practice can help you become more familiar with that particular state’s laws, as well as increase your connections with other legal professionals in this region.

RANK

Law schools have traditionally been ranked according to a number of factors such as graduation placement, student achievement, and professor accomplishment. Many law firms and students place particular prestige on the top 14 law schools in the country (T-14). Attending a T-14 law school is a desirable goal for many aspiring law school students. These institutions can provide a vast network and may increase the amount of employment doors available after law school. However, specifying that you want to go to Yale Law School, just because it’s Yale Law School, probably won’t get you very far in the application process. Be sure to really research why you want to attend a T-14 law school and prepare the strongest application you can for your target schools. Also, don’t get too caught up in the numbers. You do not have to perfectly fit within the published GPA and LSAT criteria to be accepted into one of these schools. Try to be as close to these markers as you can, but don’t use them as the determining factor for your decision to apply. 

Note: If your GPA or internship/leadership experience is not as high or as strong as you’d like, gap year experiences tend to strengthen applications when applying to these institutions. 

CLASS SIZE

Some law schools are larger and have a bigger class size than others. In most cases, your class will be divided into sections and you will take classes with the same group of students that make up your section. Research the incoming class size of the law schools you’re applying to, and even more specifically, the section size. These numbers can help you evaluate how much individualized/one-on one attention you will likely have, especially in your first year courses.

PROFESSORS 

Research the faculty within a law school and the amazing research or work that they are doing! Who your professors are and the research they are completing is important and will likely set the tone and pace of your learning environment. Research possible adjunct professors that are currently teaching courses, as many of them may be actively practicing law as well. If you have a strong interest in the work or backgrounds of certain professors, include this in your personal statement as the admissions committee will note that you have truly researched the school and the opportunities that will be afforded you upon admission. 

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Wherever you attend law school, you will want to feel included. As a black woman who attended an HBCU, I know that diversity spans beyond racial differences. Diversity of thought and experience can create a classroom setting that explores a wide breadth of conversation that one would not be able to experience in a more homogenous space. Not only does diversity create deeper dialogues, but it can also bring people together. Feeling included in an academic setting is important and having multiple students to talk about shared experiences should be a key factor when researching a law school to attend.

CONCENTRATIONS & SPECIALIZATIONS 

Investigate the various concentrations, centers, and specializations offered at the law school you’re interested in. Some law schools have specific tracks/specializations for students as they hone into the type of law they are specifically interested in pursuing. Evaluating schools that have a specialization of your interest will open the door to key faculty who may be leaders in the field and more employment opportunities for you to take advantage of. 

MONEY!!!!

As much as many of us can get caught up comparing the rankings of different law schools, the amount of support you receive in scholarships and grants should be a considerable factor when deciding which law school is best for you. Student loan debt is unattractive to everyone. Therefore, consider the aid that schools provide and whether you fit into these categories. If your decision comes between a top 14 law school and a lower ranking school for free, it may be reasonable to choose the prestigious law school for the high return on your investment after graduation, regardless of the current loan burden. However, if you are debating between two law schools that are not many rankings away from each other, it may be more reasonable to choose the school that is ranked a little lower, but will cost you a significantly smaller amount of debt.