Finding the ideal law school can be a difficult challenge. You should carefully consider aspects such as class sizes, specializations, financial aid packages, job prospects and location when making this important decision.
Location can have an enormous influence on your law school experience, from internships and experiential learning opportunities, alumni networking and post-graduation job prospects, all the way through graduation.
Location
Your academic grades were outstanding; your LSAT performance was stellar; professors wrote glowing letters of recommendation for you; and your personal statement and supplementary essays are impeccable. Now is the time to select the law school where you will devote three years of your life.
Your choice of law school location will have an enormous impact on everything from cuisines you encounter to how much of the year it will require trudging through snow to classes. In addition, its impact could shape what type of opportunities or jobs will become available upon graduation.
Make sure to consider a school’s placement statistics across various sectors of the legal industry, as well as how many graduates end up practicing where you would like. Doing this will allow you to choose schools based on what’s important to you – that way, creating the most well-rounded list of schools from which you will apply.
Specializations
Remember when choosing the ideal law school that it takes more than campus culture and student body to find your match. Consider what sort of legal career interests you, as well as any areas of law which might interest you specifically.
Some law schools offer specializations that can help you specialize your studies and increase the odds of finding employment in specific fields, like admiralty law. A concentration in admiralty law will equip you for working on issues related to shipping, navigation, waters, insurance and canals.
Human rights law courses can equip you with the skills necessary to advocate for people’s rights, while studies in labor and employment law can address issues such as worker compensation, wages, overtime pay and family leave policies. Specializing in any field can make your resume even more impressive – an effective way of standing out from the crowd!
Financial Aid
As part of your law school experience, you will also live and participate in a new city’s social scene; these experiences will influence how well you adapt to life as a lawyer.
Be sure to consider these factors when selecting schools, and look into statistics regarding employment post-graduation such as bar passage rates and employment rates.
Law school can be expensive and most students graduate with substantial student debt. If financial need is an issue for you, be sure to apply to as many schools as possible to increase the likelihood of acceptance and financial aid offers.
Research the types of scholarships and grants being offered by each school you are considering; as some may only be open to certain applicants. Furthermore, don’t forget to factor in cost of living and amenities when determining where you will apply; though these should not necessarily be deal-breakers.
Job Prospects
If you know which field of law interests you, the next step should be finding schools that specialize in it. That way, classes like international human rights law or corporate governance could prove invaluable as you develop skills that could come in handy later when entering this type of legal work force after graduation.
As your school’s location can have a substantial effect on your job prospects, consider choosing Boston as it offers a vibrant tech corridor; alternatively, New York City features an outstanding financial district which would make an excellent place for studying corporate or compliance law.
As part of your research process for choosing a law school, there are numerous other considerations, such as class size and alumni support. Prioritize what matters most to you so that your list of prospective schools remains balanced.