Begin by developing a list of criteria that are important to making a decision including: national/regional schools, location, faculty/classes, facilities and resources, student body, student life, and costs. Then develop a list of schools that fit these criteria and interest you. Research your list of schools thoroughly. After you complete your research and compile a list of schools, meet with the pre-law adviser to discuss and categorize your schools into safety, target, and reach categories. Your final
list should be comprised of those schools that can provide you with the best legal
education for your range of needs.
WHERE TO APPLY?The Official
Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools
The
Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools is prepared by the Law School
Admission Council (LSAC) and the American Bar Association (ABA). The guide
contains comprehensive information on each ABA-approved law school including
admission requirements, tuition and expenses, financial aid, curriculum,
faculty, GPA and LSAT scores, and bar passage rates. In addition, the guide includes information on how to prepare for law school, the law school
admission process, and an overview of the legal profession.
Law School
Locators
The following are resources
designed to help you research and evaluate law schools
Joint-Degree Programs
Some law schools offer joint-degree programs, which allow students to obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in law and graduate degree in another field such as business, public policy, economics, political science. The standard J.D. program is three years of study while a joint-degree program will require additional time. Some law schools allow students to create their own joint-degree program if appropriate. For more details, check the individual school websites. Many joint-degree programs require that students apply separately and be accepted by both schools. Each school will independently review and accept applicants.