How to Choose a Law School

Choosing a law school can be tough and it is very important that you pick the right one as where you go can define how much debt you have, getting a job and passing the bar exam. It is important that you think this process through and don’t rush to make a decision. In this blog post I will walk you through in more detail of how to go about this process. I just recently went through this process and have lots of fresh knowledge that I will be able to share with you.

Scholarships/Financial Aid

The biggest most important question to me is cost and finances. Law school is a very hefty investment and it’s something that needs to be considered as the average law student graduates with about $130,000 in student loan debt. This is definitely a big factor. There are many ways to pay for law school without taking on debt. The most common one being scholarships. Schools may give you scholarships upon acceptance and you can also apply for additional scholarships. You could also do a work study program and some law schools offer this. Another way to pay for law school is to pay as you go which is by going part time and working your way through. When looking for a law school attend keep these factors in mind. Usually, public law schools tend to be cheaper than private law schools so if cost is your biggest worry attending a public law school might be the right answer for you.

Prestige

Unfortunately, the field of law can be pretty elitist and where you go does matter to a certain extent. If you want to work for a massive law firm or be a supreme court judge, then you should aim to go to a top 10 law school. It is not impossible to get these positions at a lower tier law school, but it is much harder to do so as you won’t have the reputation and the connections to do so. However, if you want to help you local market then going to a local law school may be the right answer for you. This brings me to my next point…

Location

Where do you want to practice? You don’t have to practice in the area of where you went to school but keep in mind that is where most of the schools’ network is from. For example, if you go to school in Florida most of the attorneys you will meet through your school will be based in Florida. So, ask yourself where you would like to practice. If you want to practice in the northeast, then you should look for a school that is in that region. The location of the law school matters just as much prestige.

Programs/Opportunities

The last thing that you should ask yourself is what is the school’s program like. Some schools have different types of law that they specialize in. For example, a school might specialize in employment/labor law so if that is what you are interested in then you should look to go to a school that focuses on that. This is also important as it will help you connect with people in the field that you are interested in.

Conclusion

Where you go to law school matters and this should be a decision that is chosen carefully. No matter where you go be sure that you are confident in your decision and make the most of the opportunities that are given. Good luck on your journey!!!!!