Which Law School is Right For Me?

Making the decision to attend law school can be an exciting one, but should not be undertaken lightly. You will spend both money and time on classes, debates and lectures.

To select an ideal law school, it is important to consider your desired area of law practice as well as your social life and academic pursuits.

Careers

As part of your decision process to select a law school, it is helpful to have an idea of your intended career goals after graduation. A JD degree primarily serves to advance careers so it’s imperative that you select a program which aligns with both these factors.

Law school can be invaluable to helping you build connections in clinics, broaden your horizons through international law and business courses, and open doors to opportunities which could boost your legal career after graduation. All these resources will ultimately contribute to helping you thrive as a legal practitioner.

Finding the ideal law school can be challenging, so for best results it is wise to research alumni from your prospective programs and compare their career paths to your interests. Furthermore, take note of local opportunities available and the salary/employment statistics of local lawyers as you make your choice. In addition, make sure to assess realistically your chances of admission using LSAC’s helpful UGPA/LSAT Score Credential Search tool.

Social life

Law school takes over your life in many ways – altering your sleep schedule, your relationships with people, eating habits and more. Furthermore, law school will place you among a population of motivated and competitive people whom you will spend several hours each day five days a week for three years.

Maintaining a social life in this academic environment may not always be easy, but there are ways you can still have fun and meet some great friends despite your busy academic schedule. Utilize extracurricular activities offered at your school such as journals, moot court competitions or advocacy clinics for extra enjoyment – these may all offer something unique!

Staying out of the drama that plagues every law school can also help make things enjoyable. Keep this in mind: that girl in Property 1 could one day become your client; therefore it is wise not to get wrapped up in any gossip surrounding a grade or someone talking about you; such situations only cause unnecessary anxiety and stress.

Academics

No doubt that a student’s experience at law school will be heavily shaped by its academics. Law school requires extensive reading, writing and critical thinking – students who struggle with these abilities may struggle in a top law program.

As part of any law school’s curriculum, its environment also plays an integral part. Law schools frequently offer externships, clinics, and courses outside the classroom that provide hands-on learning experiences allowing students to acquire necessary tools for legal career success.

As you create your law school list, take the time to carefully evaluate each school’s admissions statistics and academic specialization. Also consult individual law school websites as well as LSAC official guides in order to find an institution that fits with your career aspirations best. Using these strategies can help ensure a list that is both reasonable and strategic.

Location

Selecting your law school location involves more than simply the curriculum; it involves moving to a new place and becoming part of its social scene as well as developing relationships with professors and fellow students that could eventually lead to job opportunities after graduation. You could make these connections through law clinics, externships or just meeting people within different fields of law and gathering their insights.

Prioritizing what’s most important to you can help narrow your list of potential law schools. Consideration should be given to type of law you want to practice, housing options available to you and class sizes when making this important decision. By investing the time necessary in making an informed choice you will increase your chance of success – good luck!