How to Choose a Law School
Choosing a law school will have an impact on your future career as an attorney. The right school will open professional doors, while attending a mediocre school can hinder your job search when you graduate. Not everyone has the grades or the finances to attend the most prestigious law schools, but there are other factors to consider when choosing a school besides reputation and prestige.
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Things You'll Need
- Average LSAT scores for schools of interest
- Average overall costs of the schools of your choice
Instructions
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Make a list of the schools that interest you. Start by listing your ultimate schools, like Harvard Law, then move on to the schools in which you have a good chance of being accepted, and finally, the schools where you know you will be accepted, but aren't sure that you would want to attend (last resort or safety schools).
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Check the average LSAT scores of new students for your schools of interest. Compare the average score with yours to evaluate whether or not your scores are competitive enough to be considered.
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Investigate the curriculum available at each school in the area of law you plan to study. Cross the schools off your list that do not offer many classes available in your chosen area of law.
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Consider your finances. The cost of tuition, room and board, and books is a huge factor when choosing a law school. Don't apply to schools that are out of your financial reach and make sure you have the financial backing for each school on your list.
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Decide if location matters. Law school is stressful and you must evaluate whether or not you can handle those stresses in unfamiliar surroundings without friends and family nearby for support.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider attending a law school near where you live to save on costs.
Look for scholarships and grants to help offset your expenses.
List all of your extracurricular activities and other achievements on your application. These are other factors that will be considered during the admission process.
Remember that you have to pay an application fee to each law school to which you apply. This can get costly, so consider each school carefully.
Properly prepare for law school. Study hard for your LSAT and keep your GPA high. Not being properly prepared will diminish your chances of being accepted to the law school of your choice.
