When choosing a law school keep in mind everything from fields of study to future career paths, the details associated with your school of choice are going to greatly shape and impact your overall experience. Law school is unique in that way that once you select your field of study it is pretty narrow and this is why research ahead of time is essential, you need to make sure that you are getting your law degree in an area that you actually want to practice in once you graduate. The costs associated with law schools will also vary and need to be researched ahead of time. If you already have a post law school plan that you are determined to see through you need to make sure that the school, you pick can support that plan.
Overall Costs
The obvious cost of law school is going to be tuition, but you also need to consider the associated costs that accompany your choice. Finding the value in picking one school over the other is going to be comprised of your financial aid package, the opportunities the school affords you, and the type of law you want to practice. Research these costs and compare them across schools, education is not an area for settling but you might find that some schools provide you similar opportunities with quite different price tags. When researching these costs pay attention to key words like, in state vs. out of state tuition, and public vs. private collages, these are variables that can tack on thousands of dollars to your overall cost, but are hidden in the sticker price, if you do not take the time to break down what makes up that sticker price you run the risk of overpaying for law school.
Location
The impact of location on your law school selection is arguably more important that it would have been in undergrad. Your professional network, internship opportunities, and potential employment opportunities will all reside in the same place as your school of choice. If you are willing to relocate for law school this opens a lot of doors for you because you are not pigeonholed to one specific city or state. The length of time you will attend law school is roughly three years, which is both a short, and long period of time depending on how you look at it. If you make the decision to relocate think about the types of areas that you will thrive in, rural, suburban, and urban settings all have their unique sets of costs and benefits so also consider life outside the classroom when you make your selection.
Faculty and Campus Culture
Each law school will have its own unique vibe and personality, and the type of people that work there, and students who enroll will embody those vibes, so think about where you fit in to that. Certain campuses have a more individualistic and competitive nature, while others present as a more collaborative community. Faculty will also significantly shape your overall experience. These people will mentor you during your studies and act as great resources. Take a little time to research some of the top professors at your school of choice outside the classroom. Their interests and initiatives will find their way into your coursework so if you can find some shared passions that will only enrich your experience.
