Evaluating a Law School

Law school is a step towards your future career. Finding the right law school for you should involve extensive research. There are many factors to consider in a law school and law program. Plan to narrow down your choices to about three or four schools. Here are a few factors to consider before you choose to apply.

Public or Private?
Law schools operate in public or private learning institutions. Public universities are typically less expensive than private universities. If cost is a factor, you may want to look into law programs in the public universities of your state or other states. There is financial aid out there for you, though. Most law students cover the cost of their education through loans. Attending a private university may not be as burdensome on your wallet as you may think. Aside from your loans, you may receive scholarships from the private institution.

Student Population
Another aspect to evaluate is the size and composition of the student population. Do you feel more comfortable in smaller school communities or do you fare well in large populations? You may also want to think about the diversity of the student body. If you come from a minority ethnicity, you may feel more comfortable in a school that has a student organization for students of your background.

Location
Location is another factor to consider. Do you prefer studying in a metropolitan area or are you interested in a more rural setting? You will be able to find law programs in many different environments.

Faculty
Law programs are only as good as their faculty. Research the background of the professors. If you are interested in a particular field, find out if there is a professor that excels in that area. Many school web sites list their faculty and achievements.

Program
Always research the law program. All law schools will have a curriculum to prepare you to pass the bar exam. The programs are usually completed in three years of full-time study or perhaps four years if you are entering a part-time program. You will find that the law schools will have a similar first year curriculum. The course of study includes constitutional law, civil procedure, criminal law, contracts, legal writing, legal research, legal methods, property law and torts.

The difference in the programs is in their emphasis on specific subjects. You may also find that some programs are designed to combine your law study with other disciplines such as science and technology, business and other subjects.

Resources
You should also check to see what kind of resources the law program has. Many law schools can place you in internships in the community or other areas. Also check to see if the law library has an extensive collection of material.

Once you've narrowed down your search to a handful of schools, always check them out in person. Walk through the campus to get a feel of the environment, meet with an advisor and talk to other students about their experiences in the program. This is the first step towards your legal career so you be sure to make an informed decision.

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