How to Search for Law Schools
Once you decide you want to become a lawyer, you face the challenge of deciding which law schools to apply to. The most important information to search for is location, size, cost and reputation. Although the basic required curriculum is the same at all law schools, some law schools are better known for certain legal specialties. State schools are less expensive than private schools if you are a resident. Both private and public law schools have scholarship programs based on merit or need. There are online resources you can use to search for law schools.
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Instructions
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Visit the website of the Law School Admission Council, Inc. (See Resources). Decide where you want to practice law after graduation. Search for laws schools in the state by clicking on the state. It is easier to get a job in the same state because employers will be familiar with the schools in their state.
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Click on each law school on the state list. Review the school description to get general information about the location, size and culture of the school.
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Click on the American Bar Association (ABA) button. This will give you data about the school. For example, the ABA data sheet for the Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida shows that it is a private school and the tuition as of 2010 is $35,380 per year.
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Review the job-placement ratio statistics. This shows what percentage of graduates surveyed have obtained employment, and what type of jobs they are working in. Look for schools that have a high percentage of graduates working in legal jobs, whether they are in law firms or government.
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Compare tuition costs of the schools you are interested in. Review the estimated costs of living expenses shown, whether on-campus or off-campus.
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Check the percentages of students who pass the bar exam the first time. This indicates whether the law school is successful at educating its students and what caliber of students attends the school.
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Review the law school rankings on the most recent U.S. News rating. The website link is in the Resources section of this article. Click on a school you are interested in to see data on costs, student-to-faculty ratios, and employment percentages after graduation. Compare the rankings of different schools on the list.
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Tips & Warnings
You should only consider law schools that are fully accredited by the American Bar Association.
Beware of online law school programs. The classroom participation in traditional law school programs is an important part of the preparation for practicing law.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit graduation day image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.com
