Where to Go to Law School

Selecting an ideal law school is key to your future success in law. There are various factors to keep in mind, but among the most significant are location, cost and reputation.

Entry into law school demands the ability to read and analyze complex material, organize your thoughts clearly, and write effectively. One effective way of developing these abilities is taking challenging classes during your undergraduate degree program.

Columbia University

Columbia University Law School in New York City is an elite law school, offering three-year full-time programs designed to give students the chance to collaborate with distinguished academics and professionals to tackle real world problems using creative combinations of data science, litigation and advocacy. Students also benefit from participating in clinics, externships, simulations policy labs moot courts and public service activities so that they can get hands-on experience of how law works in practical situations.

At its core is 14 fields of study to prepare students for careers in private industry, government, and public interest work. Furthermore, the school offers both an annual Master of Laws degree (LL.M) program as well as an Executive LL.M program tailored specifically for business executives.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores and letters of recommendation play an integral part in selecting applicants who demonstrate curiosity, resourcefulness and leadership potential. We welcome applicants who demonstrate these characteristics – those with enthusiasm for excellence as well as those motivated to make positive change within their community and serve as leaders – into admissions consideration for admissions purposes.

Regular and Early Decision are both available admissions options to applicants seeking admission to Law School. Of these two, Early Decision offers slightly greater chances of acceptance as it arrives earlier.

Candidates utilizing Early Decision must pay a $150 non-refundable commitment deposit upon acceptance to law school; this deposit will go toward tuition for their matriculating semester and must be received no later than April 15 for fall semester and September 1 for spring semester admissions.

Law schools attract an “extremely diverse,” generally young, and quite national student body. Some students report an obvious disparity among those from different economic or academic backgrounds; however, most claim personal circumstances don’t matter at all.

Cornell University

Cornell University is an excellent choice when you want to embark on your legal education journey, known for its esteemed faculty and high-quality curriculum as well as outstanding career services with a high job placement rate for graduates.

Small classes at the law school allow students to form strong relationships with their professors and develop an in-depth knowledge of legal matters. Students participate in several clinical courses – legal aid clinics and externships are popular choices – that help hone skills while developing interaction techniques with real clients.

Cornell students know how to enjoy themselves despite their busy schedules! Cornell Law School Students Association hosts mixers and bar tabs at several bars around campus as well as hosting house parties.

Cornell is renowned for its academic excellence and diverse student body. Cornell is a co-ed, non-sectarian college that welcomes admission from all 50 states and 122 countries worldwide.

Cornell University was established with diversity and inclusivity at its core; one of only a select few universities to accept students regardless of race, religion or nationality.

Cornell’s admissions committee takes into account both quantitative and non-quantifiable factors when making its decisions, assessing an applicant’s extracurricular and community activities, work experience and recommendations as part of its decision process.

Early Decision is another option available to applicants looking to ensure acceptance into an Early Admission program, although both processes adhere to similar standards and if you are selected for an interview it’s essential that you treat it seriously and prepare accordingly to stand out from the crowd.

New York University

New York University is widely considered one of the finest universities worldwide and is known for its academic excellence. Its faculty has garnered international acclaim for their scholarly research and innovative teaching methodologies; furthermore, students can take advantage of numerous learning opportunities with renowned specialists from different fields.

The New York University School of Law stands out as a top American law school, having set the pace in legal education for over a century and continually breaking new ground through innovative lawyering and clinical programs; interdisciplinary colloquia; public interest initiatives; and law-and-business transaction courses.

Faculty at NYU Law include some of the world’s premier scholars in their respective fields, who frequently publish in renowned journals like NYU Law Review and Annual Survey of American Law.

Students can engage in an array of extracurricular activities, including leadership and public service projects, conferences, internships and internships.

Students of NYU can also take advantage of its library, which features over one million volumes and boasts an 8:1 student to faculty ratio that surpasses the national average of 15:1.

New York University stands as an oasis of calm amid one of the world’s most bustling and energetic cities, but still maintains an inviting campus community of over 65,000 students from diverse backgrounds and conducts over $1 billion worth of research annually. NYU boasts an illustrious alumni network ranging from science, the arts and government service.

Fordham University

Fordham University stands out as a top-tier law school with extensive experiential education opportunities, boasting high graduation rates, small class sizes, and its Jesuit tradition which emphasizes social justice.

Fordham University in New York City provides an impressive range of LL.M. concentrations, such as Criminal Defense, International Human Rights, Intellectual Property, Corporate Law and Family Advocacy – to name but a few. Additionally, this school provides numerous externship and volunteer opportunities that give students hands-on legal experience.

Law School at NYU is conveniently situated within New York City, making it easier for students to enjoy its culture and entertainment. In addition, its prime location puts students within reach of many of the country’s premier law firms, government agencies and nonprofit clinics.

Fordham may be more expensive than some schools, but its financial aid program helps cover tuition and fees. Students living on campus should anticipate spending approximately $16,000 while those not dodging campus could expect to pay anywhere from $23,000.

This amount includes housing deposit and health insurance premium costs; other expenses will include books, travel, food and miscellaneous items.

Fordham University stands as both one of the oldest law schools and only Jesuit institution in New York City. Fordham’s beautiful campuses and stellar academic reputation stand out against its counterparts; not to mention its dedication to social justice and diversity initiatives.

University of California-Berkeley

The University of California-Berkeley is one of the nation’s preeminent institutions, featuring a stimulating curriculum, top faculty members and an active student body. Furthermore, Berkeley boasts one of the finest law schools.

Berkeley is known for its rigorous academic standards and emphasis on equipping its students to practice law in real world settings, with first year classes offering legal writing and research training. While Berkeley may be known for its intense and competitive atmosphere, it’s also an invaluable opportunity to grow intellectually as an individual.

Students also gain practical experience through clinics and externships with nonprofit agencies, which help them understand how to advocate for social justice while providing access to legal services.

Boalt’s international law program is one of the premier offerings in the nation. World-class faculty instruct courses in international human rights law, international criminal law, international business transactions law, war laws law comparative law arbitration as well as many other topics relevant to this field of study.

Berkeley offers many activities and clubs designed to give students interested in international issues an outlet beyond coursework, including Boalt Hall Committee for Human Rights, California Asylum Representation Clinic, Vis and Jessup international moot court competitions and many others.

Alumni of Berkeley Law have become leaders in diverse fields such as business, journalism and nonprofits – from CEO of Fortune 500 companies to general counsels of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and award-winning journalists.

The University of California-Berkeley offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional certificate programs to meet the educational needs of its diverse student body. Students interested in legal specialization or general studies alike will find Berkeley an ideal location.