Starting your career in law is exciting as well as challenging. The most important thing to begin with is to choose the right law school for yourself. Everywhere you go, you will be asked a question, “ Which law school did you go to?” The answer to this question will impact your reputation in front of others.
While choosing the right law school, consider factors like-
A law school’s reputation is defined by its past performance, alumni, opportunities provided, and accolades.
Research the rankings and accreditation of the law school to know what it is known for.
Faculty is the heart of any institution. Anyone can teach you from textbooks, but a good teacher makes the subject come alive. Research on faculty profiles on LinkedIn. You can even get first-hand reviews from current and former students.
Identifying your area of interest is a good point to start your research. Maybe your interest lies in intellectual property rights, criminal law, corporate law or anything else. But remember to keep your options open and choose an academically balanced law school, as your interests can change.
Review the curriculum of the law schools. Make sure the school offers a wide range of electives so that you get exposed to a variety of law subjects.
Research about the existence of specialized programs, legal clinical aid, and externship opportunities available at the law school.
You should research the surrounding city as much as the law school. This will give you an idea about the average salary offered, the hiring needs, types of industries located in that area, and will help you assess your job prospects after graduation.
Proximity to a particular legal industry affects your chances of getting an internship, learning opportunities, and jobs.
Sometimes, ranking and reputation are not enough to convince you to be admitted to a law
school. If there is something that does not feel prospects in that industry.
Attending a law school means you will spend considerable hours there. The surrounding of the campus matters as it will provide opportunities for socializing. This becomes even more important when you will be staying in the university hostel. Look out for basic facilities on the campus like mess, gymnasium, clinics, sports grounds, library, etc.
Consider various costs to calculate the annual cost of studying. This will help you evaluate the worth of the school according to your budget.
While education loans are readily available, starting your law school with debt would not be the best idea. Many law schools offer scholarships to students. Look for the eligibility criteria and apply.
Law schools charge a hefty fee, and you want the best return on investment (ROI). Do a cost-benefits analysis of the law program.
State Bar Association maintains statistics on law school passage rates. The passage rate fluctuates every year but that is normal. Law schools with an above-average passage rate are the ones you should consider joining. This indicates the ability of the school to prepare students to pass the bar exam.
Law schools are required to publish their employment statistics for every graduating class. Please review it to get an idea about the growth opportunities you can expect.
Career services help students get internships and job opportunities. Research if the law school has such services in place and how successful they are in their support.
It is essential to visit the campus, take a tour, and connect with students and faculty before joining. This will give you an insight into in-campus life.
The diversity statistics are mostly available on the law school’s website. Attending a law school that accommodates diversity will help you learn from a wide range of perspectives.
Extracurricular activities provide you relief from stress and help you network with students, alumni, and future employers. Research if the law schools have political groups, hobby societies, student bar associations, and organize moot court competitions.
Follow the threefold plan - dream a little, be realistic, and be safe. Some law schools might be your dream school, but they are beyond your reach. At the same time, others may be safe schools where you are sure of getting admitted. Evaluate your personal preferences and chances of getting into a particular law school.
While online reviews can lack authenticity, seeking inputs from current students and alumni can give you deep insights into the campus life, faculty expertise, teaching methodology, placement opportunities and growth prospects available at the law school.
With a number of good law schools in place and a lot of factors to consider, it becomes daunting to choose the right one for you. But since you will spend three to five years in that school, it is important to choose the one that suits you the best. Consider all the factors mentioned above while researching the best law school for you.Best Wishes!
The past performance, placement records, accolades, and alumni network of a law school
directly point toward its reputation.
Having a clear picture of the specialization you want to pursue is great. But since the span of an ideal law degree is 3-5 years, there is a possibility of a shift in your interests. So, it would help if you considered a law school that offers a variety of legal subjects.
Firstly, you should see if the law school is located in an urban or rural area. Secondly, you should consider the proximity of the school to legal hubs and industries. Thirdly, you should consider the distance of the law school from your residence.
Go through the website of the law school thoroughly. Look at various university ranking lists to access the ranking of the school. Talk to the current and former students to get first-hand reviews.
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