Factors to Consider

The process of choosing law schools is something that most applicants will have to do twice: first when you're applying to law schools, and later when you're deciding among the schools that have chosen you. Unless you selected out of some decision-influencing factor (by applying to schools in only one city, for instance), you'll want to reconsider all the factors that were of concern to you when you first chose where to apply.

There are nearly 200 American Bar Association [ABA]-approved law schools in the continental United States; they are as diverse as any other set of institutions. They range from urban to rural, from liberal to conservative, from enormous to tiny. They have modern facilities, or proudly historic ones, or old buildings poorly maintained. They offer diversity or homogeneity. What is it that you want?

In starting your law school search, you should ask yourself some questions; the answers will help narrow your search to a workable twenty or thirty schools.  Choose any one of the links above to learn the basics about choosing a law school that will suit your needs.

If you'd like an idea of what sets each school apart from its peers, click here for my Christmas 1999 list of law schools and what makes them special.  Or read below to learn about some of my favorite law schools.

Some of you may still be wondering whether law school is the right choice for you. Others of you aren't wondering, but should be. If you're debating yourself about whether to get a J.D. or an M.B.A, M.P.A. or other graduate degree, look here.

Bad and Good Advice

A good prelaw advisor will have both the time and the resources to help you choose law schools. The advising library should have several books on law schools, such as the ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools and the NALP Directory of Law Schools.  Catalogs of all law schools are free, so there's no reason not to have them.  Books and handouts about choosing law schools, discussing topics like the ones here, should help you focus your search.  The prelaw advisor should be familiar with the campuses, facilities and admission philosophies of a number of schools.  And (s)he should be available to discuss schools with you in the spring and summer before your senior year.

When I help clients choose law schools, we discuss all the topics listed in this section.  In addition, we discuss the "feel" of each campus, the student body, and the administration.  And I provide contacts among my clients at the school whenever possible.

If your prelaw advisor isn't personally familiar with a number of different schools, has no insight into various programs, or doesn't have the time to discuss them with you, you're getting bad advice.