Choosing the best law school for your future can feel like an overwhelming task.
With so many factors to consider, from tuition costs to average LSAT scores, it’s easy to get lost in the details.
This article aims to simplify the process by providing you with 14 essential resources to help you find the law school that best fits your needs.
These resources offer valuable insights and tools that will make your decision easier.
Whether you’re looking for free courses, quizzes, or forums to connect with law schools, this guide will help you navigate your options effectively.
1) American Bar Association Resources
The American Bar Association (ABA) is crucial for law students.
Their website lists ABA-Approved Law Schools.
This is a valuable tool for finding schools that meet ABA standards.
You can also find specific criteria, like schools on probation or those with provisional approval.
This helps you make informed decisions about which schools to consider.
The ABA also offers a Resource Center for Law Students.
This section provides tips, encouragement, and help for those facing challenges like substance abuse or mental health issues.
Knowing there’s support can ease the stress of law school.
For students needing financial advice, the ABA provides information on scholarships, internships, and job placements.
These can drastically reduce the financial burden of law school.
Furthermore, the ABA publishes guidelines and updates about tuition and other educational costs.
This transparency can help you plan your finances better.
Using ABA resources ensures you have accurate and reliable information while navigating your law school journey.
Accessing these resources is straightforward and beneficial for any prospective law student.
2) LSAT Prep Courses
If you’re serious about law school, LSAT prep courses are essential.
They provide you with the tools and practice you need to do well on the test.
One of the top options is Kaplan.
Known for its extensive resources, Kaplan offers video lectures and expert tutors.
Many students find their comprehensive approach helpful for achieving high scores.
Another popular choice is The Princeton Review.
They offer a score guarantee, promising you’ll get at least a 165 if you follow their program.
This is a huge confidence boost if you’re aiming for top law schools.
If affordability is crucial, consider Magoosh.
Starting at under $200, it provides solid study materials and real practice questions.
They even offer some free resources like a prep blog and online downloads.
For official materials, the Law School Admission Council offers their own prep courses.
They aim to make test preparation accessible and fair for all.
These courses are created by the same people who design the LSAT.
Lastly, Test Prep Insight’s list of the Best LSAT Prep Courses for 2024 can help you compare different options.
They review and rank the top courses so you can find the one that best fits your needs.
Choose a course that matches your budget and learning style.
The right prep course can make a huge difference in your LSAT score.
3) Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) is a nonprofit organization that helps you with the law school admission process.
LSAC offers various services and products, such as LSAT prep courses, law school forums, and credential authentication.
More than 200 law schools in the United States, Canada, and Australia are members of LSAC.
This includes all ABA-approved law schools.
You can find information on tuition and costs, acceptance rates, and average LSAT scores of different schools through LSAC.
LSAC also provides CAS Reports, which compile all your application materials and send them to law schools for you.
This saves you time and ensures consistency in your applications.
Using LSAC’s resources, you can thoroughly research and choose the best law school for your needs and goals.
4) Campus Visit Programs
Attending campus visit programs can be essential in choosing the right law school for you.
These visits provide a firsthand look at the school’s environment, culture, and facilities.
They help you gauge whether you feel comfortable and excited about spending the next few years there.
During the visit, you can attend class sessions and observe teaching styles.
This gives you a feel for the academic environment and interaction between students and professors.
At some schools, like Harvard Law School, classrooms are dynamic and engaging, offering insightful discussions.
Meeting current students can offer valuable perspectives on the school’s community and daily life.
Talk to them about their experiences, challenges, and what they love about the school.
This insider information can be crucial in making an informed decision.
Taking notes during your visit can be beneficial.
Jot down your thoughts and impressions while they are fresh.
It can help you compare different schools later.
If possible, follow up with a virtual tour.
Virtual tours can provide another layer of insight, especially if you can’t visit in person.
Be sure to ask specific questions.
Inquire about part-time programs if that might be an option for you.
Tailoring your questions to match your interests ensures you get the information you need to make the best decision for your future.
Utilizing campus visit programs helps you make a well-rounded choice.
5) Online Law School Rankings
When choosing an online law program, rankings can be very helpful.
They give you insight into the program’s quality and reputation.
Various organizations provide these rankings based on factors like faculty, resources, and student success.
One source to check is Law School Transparency.
They offer detailed data on law schools, including employment statistics and salary outcomes.
This information can help you make a more informed decision.
Another useful resource is U.S. News & World Report.
Their law school rankings include both traditional and online programs.
They consider factors such as bar passage rates, faculty resources, and peer assessments.
GetEducated provides an exhaustive review of online law schools.
They even list some of the most affordable options, helping you balance cost with quality.
Above the Law also ranks online JD programs.
Their rankings highlight schools that offer flexible scheduling and quality education, perfect for working professionals.
Lastly, consider looking at reviews from current and former students.
Websites like Juris Education often include student experiences and feedback, giving a personal touch to the data-driven rankings.
By using multiple sources, you can get a well-rounded view of the best online law school programs.
6) Alumni Network Testimonials
When choosing the right law school, hearing from alumni can be incredibly helpful.
Alumni stories give you an inside look at how the school’s network has helped them succeed.
Reading these testimonials can show you how graduates have used their law school connections to find jobs, internships, and mentorships.
You can often find these stories on the school’s website or alumni pages.
By learning from alumni experiences, you can get a sense of how active and supportive the network is.
For example, many report that their school’s alumni network opened doors in their careers and provided ongoing support.
Some law schools also host networking events where alumni share their journeys.
These events allow you to ask questions and get advice directly from graduates who have been in your shoes.
Several online resources compile alumni feedback, helping you compare different schools.
Paying attention to these testimonials helps you understand which schools offer the strongest networks.
Talking directly with alumni, either in person or online, gives you a clearer view of what to expect.
Engaging with these testimonials can help you feel more confident in your decision.
7) Law School Transparency
Law School Transparency is a useful resource for comparing law schools.
You can access in-depth reports on each school, covering jobs, admissions, salaries, and bar pass rates.
This helps you make well-informed decisions about where to apply.
The platform also offers a Legal Career Compass, which includes a 30-minute assessment.
This tool provides personalized toolkits to guide you through each milestone of your legal career.
It helps you find practice areas and workplaces that suit you.
For those advising prelaw students, Law School Transparency is a critical tool.
It makes students more informed about the legal job market.
This can be particularly helpful in understanding which schools offer the best opportunities post-graduation.
By using this resource, you can build a balanced list of target schools.
This increases your chances of securing a spot in a law school with a financial aid package.
It helps you avoid the stress and uncertainty of applying to too many schools.
Visit Law School Transparency to start comparing schools today.
8) Bar Exam Pass Rates
When choosing a law school, one important factor to consider is bar exam pass rates.
High pass rates indicate that a school effectively prepares its students for the bar exam.
Schools with high pass rates often have strong academic programs and supportive resources.
For example, the University of Wisconsin Law School achieved a 100% pass rate, with all seven graduates passing the exam.
Other top-performing schools include the University of Michigan and University of Chicago, both with pass rates above 97%.
These statistics can give you confidence in their programs.
You should also note that the overall first-time pass rate increased slightly to 79.18% in 2023.
This suggests that more schools are improving their bar-preparation methods.
To make an informed choice, compare multiple schools and consider their bar pass rates.
High rates can be a sign of well-designed curricula, effective instruction, and strong student support services.
Achieving a good pass rate is crucial to launching your legal career successfully.
9) Career Services Offices
Career services offices are crucial in helping you land the right job after law school.
These offices offer resources like resume reviews, mock interviews, and job fairs to connect you with potential employers.
One example is Harvard Law School’s Office of Career Services.
They provide extensive support in both the private and public sectors, participating in over 750 recruiting programs each year.
Their efforts help students secure top positions, including about 250 judicial clerkships annually.
At the University of Kansas School of Law, the Career Services Office is also committed to preparing students for successful legal careers.
They offer job search resources and highlight employment statistics, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
The overall effectiveness of these offices can be seen in surveys.
For instance, nearly a quarter of law graduates from Kaplan Bar Review rated their career services highly.
This suggests that many schools put significant effort into supporting their students.
With employment statistics showing high placement rates for new graduates, these offices prove their value.
Recent data indicates that 85.6% of 2023 graduates from ABA-approved law schools found full-time jobs requiring bar passage or offering a JD advantage.
When choosing a law school, consider the strength of their career services office.
It’s an important factor that can significantly impact your future career in law.
Always check what each school offers and how well they support their students’ career goals.
10) Clinical Program Offerings
When choosing a law school, consider the clinical program offerings available.
Clinical programs provide hands-on legal experience, allowing you to work under the supervision of attorneys.
At Harvard Law School, students can join clinics across the country or create their own independent placements.
This flexibility ensures you can gain experience in your area of interest.
Cornell Law School offers a varied set of clinical, advocacy, and skills courses.
These courses often provide rewarding experiences and are essential to experiential learning.
Yale Law School stands out with its robust clinical programs.
At Yale, you can start taking clinics in the spring of your first year, representing real clients in court.
U.S. News & World Report ranks the top law schools for clinical training.
These rankings can help you identify schools that excel in providing practical legal education.
CUNY School of Law integrates clinical education as a core part of its academic offerings.
The school provides various clinics, helping you plan and navigate your clinic experience effectively.
When evaluating law schools, look at the types of clinics they offer.
Examples include criminal justice, family law, and consumer rights.
This variety ensures you can find a clinic that matches your interests and career goals.
Clinical programs are crucial for gaining real-world legal experience.
They help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Make sure to research and compare the clinical offerings of the schools you are considering.
This will help you choose the best fit for your legal education.
11) Faculty Publications
When choosing a law school, take a close look at the faculty’s publications.
These show the level of expertise and focus areas of the professors.
Look for faculty members who publish in reputable journals.
High-quality publications can indicate a professor’s standing in the academic community and their commitment to research.
It’s also helpful to find out if the faculty publishes on topics that interest you.
This can lead to better mentorship and more research opportunities in your areas of interest.
For example, if a professor writes extensively on constitutional law and that’s your interest, their guidance could be invaluable.
You may find examples of faculty work on the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website.
Engage with these publications to understand the depth and breadth of the knowledge shared by the faculty.
Articles, books, and other writings provide a window into the intellectual environment you will be part of.
Faculty publications can also highlight the school’s connections and reputation within the legal community.
Established professors with ongoing research are often well-connected, which can benefit you in networking and job placements later on.
Remember, the strength of faculty publications can reflect the overall academic quality of a law school.
Investigate these publications to gauge how the faculty might support and influence your legal education.
12) Law School Financial Aid Offices
Law school financial aid offices are essential for anyone looking to understand the costs of their education.
These offices can guide you through the application process for scholarships, grants, and loans.
They have staff who are equipped to assist with various financial aid concerns.
You can start by discussing your individual needs with the financial aid advisors.
They can provide personalized advice on budget planning and loan repayment.
Many schools have specific counselors dedicated to helping you find the best financial aid options.
Some financial aid offices, like at Harvard Law School, offer extensive support both during your time in school and after you graduate.
They can help you explore loan forgiveness programs and other post-graduation options.
It’s also important to research and apply for scholarships and grants through your school’s financial aid office.
Scholarships can significantly reduce your overall cost.
According to the LSAC, many schools offer merit-based scholarships that require maintaining a certain academic performance.
Public law schools with strong financial aid programs are also worth considering.
Some schools are known for giving high median grants to students, as noted in this U.S. News article.
These grants can substantially lower your tuition costs.
Law school financial aid offices can also inform you about external scholarships.
They can point you in the right direction for scholarships from private organizations and foundations.
Financial aid advisors often have databases or lists of external scholarship opportunities.
13) Student Loan Repayment Programs
When you choose a law school, consider the student loan repayment programs offered.
These programs can ease your financial burden after graduation.
Some law schools provide loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs).
These programs help graduates who enter public interest law or other low-paying legal fields.
For example, many schools offer repayment assistance based on your income and loan amount.
Federal loan repayment options are also available.
Programs like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forgive your remaining loan balance after 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
Many federal student loans are eligible for this program.
If you plan to work in the Department of Justice, you can receive up to $6,000 per year in loan assistance.
You need a minimum of $10,000 in federal student loans and must work for at least three years to qualify.
The maximum assistance you can receive is $60,000.
Law schools like the University of Michigan offer their own loan repayment programs.
They cover various loans, including Direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, Grad Plus, and certain private educational loans.
Researching each law school’s repayment programs can significantly reduce your debt stress and help you make a more informed decision.
This will ultimately contribute to finding the best law school fit for you.
14) Association of American Law Schools Resources
The Association of American Law Schools (AALS) offers a variety of resources to help you find the best law school fit.
AALS represents most of the nation’s law schools and serves as an important resource for legal educators and professionals.
AALS hosts an annual meeting where you can attend programs and network with current law students, professors, and legal experts.
This event is an excellent opportunity to gain insights into different law schools and their unique offerings.
You can also access various newsletters, discussion lists, and webinars provided by AALS.
These resources keep you updated on the latest trends and developments in legal education.
They also provide valuable information about specific law schools.
Another useful tool is the Journal of Legal Education.
This quarterly publication covers a wide range of topics related to legal education, the legal profession, and legal scholarship.
Reading this journal can help you get a deeper understanding of the academic environment at different law schools.
The AALS also provides a comprehensive study on law school deanship.
This study offers insights into the leadership roles within law schools, which can be helpful if you want to learn more about the administration and governance of the institutions you are considering.
By tapping into these AALS resources, you can make a well-informed decision about which law school best suits your needs and career goals.
Understanding Law School Rankings
Law school rankings help you decide which schools match your needs by offering a snapshot of their strengths and weaknesses.
It’s important to know what criteria are used to create these rankings and what their limitations are.
How Rankings Are Determined
Law school rankings are typically based on multiple factors.
These can include academic reputation, employment outcomes, bar passage rates, faculty resources, and student selectivity.
For example, the 2024 Best Law Schools by U.S. News & World Report considers both objective measures (like median LSAT scores) and subjective surveys (from law school faculty).
Academic reputation often weighs heavily, typically gathered through surveys sent to deans, faculty, and professionals. Employment outcomes consider the percentage of graduates who find jobs within a certain period after graduation. Bar passage rates indicate the percentage of graduates passing the bar exam on their first try. Student selectivity involves LSAT scores, undergraduate GPAs, and acceptance rates.
Limitations of Rankings
While helpful, rankings have their limitations.
They can overly rely on quantifiable metrics, sometimes ignoring qualitative aspects such as location, school culture, and specific programs you’re interested in.
For instance, a school highly ranked overall might not have a strong program in the legal field you’re passionate about, such as international law or public interest law.
Some rankings may also show bias due to the weight given to academic reputation, which can be based on perceptions rather than objective data.
Additionally, the data collected might not reflect current conditions due to publication lag times.
For example, the 2024-2025 U.S. News Law School Rankings might rely on older data that doesn’t account for recent changes.
Evaluating Curriculum and Specializations
When choosing a law school, it’s crucial to examine both the core curriculum and the specialization opportunities available.
Understanding these aspects helps you select a school that aligns with your career goals.
Core Curriculum
The core curriculum provides a foundation in essential legal concepts.
You’ll typically start with courses in contracts, torts, property, constitutional law, and civil procedure.
These subjects are key to passing the bar exam and practicing law.
Some schools offer unique approaches to teaching these foundational courses.
For example, they might emphasize practical skills through clinics or simulations.
Make sure to review course descriptions and speak to current students to get a sense of the teaching style.
It’s important to consider the faculty expertise in these areas as well.
Professors who are leaders in their fields can provide valuable insights and mentorship opportunities.
Specialization Opportunities
Specialization opportunities allow you to focus on specific areas of law that interest you, such as environmental law, human rights, or corporate law.
Look for programs with robust elective courses and clinics in your area of interest.
Some schools are known for their strengths in particular specializations.
For example, if you’re interested in international law, certain schools might offer more comprehensive programs and global internships.
Consider joint degree programs if you’re interested in combining law with another discipline.
This can provide a broader skill set and additional career opportunities.
Evaluate whether the school offers research centers and institutes dedicated to your area of interest.
These can provide additional resources, networking opportunities, and a deeper dive into specialized topics.
Assessing Campus Culture and Environment
Your choice of law school should include evaluating its campus culture and environment.
This helps ensure that you will thrive both academically and personally.
Student Organizations
Student organizations play a big role in shaping the social and academic fabric of a law school.
Look for groups that align with your interests, whether it’s legal specialties, cultural backgrounds, or social justice causes.
Active organizations provide networking opportunities, which can be valuable for your future career.
Participating in these groups can also help you develop leadership skills and build a sense of community.
Check if the law school offers a variety of clubs and societies that interest you.
Campus Facilities
The quality and availability of campus facilities can have a significant impact on your law school experience.
Well-equipped libraries, modern classrooms, and moot courtrooms are essential resources for law students.
Technologies like high-speed internet and comprehensive online databases are also crucial for legal research.
Visit the campus if possible to get a firsthand look at the facilities.
Good amenities can support both your academic and social needs.
Ensure the school offers study spaces, recreational facilities, and places to relax.