What Makes a Law School "Good"? Exploring Objective Measures and Personal Fit
By Sydney Montgomery, Executive Director & Founder
Choosing the right law school can be difficult but fear not, as I will help guide you to navigate the intricate world of law school admissions. Today, let’s dive deep into a question I get asked often: What exactly makes a law school a good law school?
The Challenge of Rankings
If you’ve been around the law school admission scene for a while, you know that law school rankings have been a contentious topic. They've served as a somewhat flawed benchmark for determining a law school's quality. But recent years have seen some dramatic changes in how these rankings are calculated, especially with many law schools opting out of participation. This has led to significant fluctuations where a school’s rank can shift by double digits without any real change in quality.
Objective Measures That Matter
So, what should you really look at when evaluating a law school? Here are a few key objective measures that I believe are crucial:
Employment Score: This tells you the percentage of graduates who land long-term, full-time jobs that require a law degree. After all, your law school education should ideally prepare you for a successful legal career.
Bar Passage Rates: Essential for anyone aiming to practice law, high bar passage rates indicate how well a law school prepares its students for the daunting bar exam.
Median Salary: Considering the financial investment law school requires, knowing the median salary of graduates is critical. It helps you gauge whether the potential earnings justify the cost of your education.
Regional Job Prospects: Where do graduates end up working? This factor is especially important if you have a specific geographic area in mind for your legal career.
Personal Fit and Your Career Goals
Beyond the numbers, finding the right law school is also about personal fit. Consider factors like school culture, clinical opportunities, and faculty expertise. These elements can significantly enhance your overall law school experience and prepare you for your chosen legal path.
Planning Your Law School Journey
For those of you wondering about LSAT timing and application cycles, remember your LSAT score is valid for five years. This flexibility allows you to take the test when you're fully prepared, not just when the application deadline looms. It's all about timing your application to maximize your chances of acceptance and success.
Empowerment Through Information
I encourage you to explore resources like Law School Transparency and tools like My Rank by Spivey Consulting Group. These tools empower you to create a personalized approach to selecting law schools based on what matters most to you. Whether it’s employment outcomes, bar passage rates, or regional job prospects, these resources provide the insights you need to make an informed decision.
Conclusion
Choosing the right law school involves a blend of objective analysis and personal reflection. While rankings have their place, they should not be the sole determining factor in your decision-making process. Instead, focus on tangible outcomes that align with your career aspirations and personal values.
Your journey to law school starts with understanding what makes a law school "good" for you. Let’s make it happen!
The team at Barrier Breakers® Admissions Advising is here to guide you on your law school application journey. Whether it's through discounted advising for BIPOC, first-generation, and LSAC Fee Waiver applicants, our essay review services and courses, or just downloading our free Essential Guide to Applying to Law School, we're ready to support you.
As always, feel free to reach out to us at hello@barrier-breakers.org with any of your questions! You can also submit a question to be answered on our weekly Break Into Law School® Podcast, streaming wherever your favorite podcast service is.