| The first step in selecting
a law school is to know what's important to you. While
everyone's priorities may be different, consider the following
when making your choice.
Cost
Cost of a legal education is a huge factor to consider
when choosing a school. It's not uncommon for costs
to be in the neighborhood of $100,000 for three years
taking into account tuition, fees, books, and travel.
Reputation
Successful placement of graduates is directly affected
by reputation. In other words, some institutions have
more clout in a particular region or state than they
do nationally—this ultimately can determine where
you get a job after graduation. Each year, U.S.
News and World Report ranks law school programs.
This is an excellent way of discovering which schools
have the best reputation.
Placement
After spending three years studying, and spending (or
financing) a lot of money, you'll more than likely want
a good job. Be sure to research the school's history
of placing graduates.
Size
Student bodies are generally considered large with more
than 1,000 students, intermediate with 500–1,000 students,
and small if less than 500. Which is best for you? Larger
schools usually offer more courses and with diversified
interests-and often located near larger cities. Campus
visits are a great way to get a feel for the school.
While on campus talk to faculty and students.
Library and Computer Facilities
Law libraries are a very important factor in choosing
a law school. Ensure it's adequate in the availability
of reference materials and space to study—especially
during exams. Ample computer access is a must.
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