How to Choose the Right Law School for You

If you are already beginning the application process to get into law school, you have probably given some thought as to which law school you would like to attend. Unfortunately, many students have their minds made up for months or years before beginning the law school application process, without doing the slightest investigation. Many factors should be taken into consideration as you sort through the brochures and make your law school visits. Here are some tips from an experienced attorney on how to choose the right law school for you.

One. The "best" is not always the best for you. Keep in mind that the "best" law school on your list of prospective institutions may not be the best law school for you. Many law schools are incredibly competitive, and not all of them (or even most) are competitive in a good way. Law students can be vindictive and back-stabbing. You have likely heard horror stories about students hiding books in the library and stealing other students' outlines and notes before a big test. It happens, more so at some law schools than others. If that doesn't sound like a desirable way to spend the next three years of your life, you may want to investigate which schools' students have a reputation for that kind of behavior. The best way to do that is to speak with current students at each law school you are considering. Whatever school you choose, you do not want to be overwhelmed. So do not simply select the "best" law school you get accepted to; choose the law school that is right for you.

Two. Location can be key. If you want to practice law in a certain state, you may want to consider attending a law school in that state. A large part of law school involves networking and making connections. Many of my fellow law students felt "trapped" into practicing law in New Jersey after law school even though they never had any intention of remaining in the Garden State. But they felt that if they returned home or moved to another state, they'd have to start from scratch. Also, many law schools offer procedural classes on its home state's law.