Law School, Here I Come…But Where Am I Going
Choosing which schools to apply to for law school is a serious decision that requires intentional thought and good decision-making skills. The first step in this all-important process is to determine what it is that YOU want out of your legal education in four key areas: Personal/ Lifestyle Preferences, Academic Interests, Professional Goals, and Financial Needs. Within each of these areas are many factors to consider.
As you examine yourself in each of these arenas, check the boxes for those that you feel will be important in determining where you apply to law school.
Personal/ Lifestyle Preferences
Diversity of faculty and student body
First-year class size
Geographic area of the school
Geographic area in which you want to live and work
Part-time enrollment option
Religious affiliation of the school
Student groups/organizations
Student services/support (disability, LGBT, etc.)
Academic Interests
Breadth of curriculum
Faculty accessibility
Faculty expertise
Faculty research opportunities
Innovative technology
Interdisciplinary study
Joint degree programs
Journals
Law library resources
Law school environment
Quality of teaching
School resources
Skills instruction
Study abroad programs
Professional Goals
Area of specialization within law
Bar passage rates
Breadth and support of alumni network
Career planning services
Clinical programs
Employment outcomes
Externship options
Reputation of the school
Financial Needs
Cost (tuition, books, fees)
Cost of living in area of school
Financial aid available (merit based aid vs. need-based aid)
Loan repayment assistance program (LRAP)
Other _________________________ _________________________ _________________________
Now that you’ve chosen the factors that you feel will be most important to your law school experience, go back and prioritize them in an order that makes sense for you. What will be the top most important factor that you consider when evaluating a law school? What will matter to you the most? Doing this exercise will help you determine whether or not a given school is right for you, and should be added to your list. Remember…the question to ask is not “what is the best law school?” but rather “what is the best law school for me?”
