Deciding where to go to law school can be overwhelming, granted the number of options across the country and even globally. Where you go, along with the quality of the program, can determine a lot about the kind of education you’ll receive, as well as the job and networking opportunities you’ll be exposed to later on. Whether you’re interested in studying law at Emerson College in Boston or at an equally prestigious school like USC in California, make sure to keep a few things in mind before making up your mind.
Location
Location is one of the most important factors you can take into account when applying to law school. Whether you’re looking for a convenient place to attend a school that won’t force you to upend your life and pre-existing traditions, or if you’re looking to travel somewhere and start your life anew, it’s important to pay special attention to what different locations can offer you. For instance, choosing a school in a large city might open up a lot of new opportunities in corporate law or entertainment law, while settling for somewhere more hidden away might be best for someone who is choosing to focus on family law or property law.
Faculty
More often than not, the most important part of your education is who educates you. If you have a certain professor in mind who has a great reputation or specialty subject, it could be worth it to go to a specific school just to learn from him or her. If a certain school has a reputation for attracting some of the most successful legal counselors to teach at their institution, it’s certainly worth considering. If you can, try sending a list of questions to a specific professor you have in mind to see if your interests align. Creating a good relationship with your professors is extremely important in terms of advancing your career and creating a professional network.
Job Placement Statistics
Always look at a university’s job placement statistics before deciding to commit to their program. These numbers will give you a realistic sense of how many people graduate and are successfully placed in jobs that have something to do with their major. If the number is low, you might have a problem. Schools pride themselves on creating successful students who go on to have successful careers. If a certain school isn’t coming through in this regard, it might be best to look elsewhere.
Curriculum
Each school will have a different core curriculum. There will most likely be a bit of crossover between schools, but it’s important to pay attention to the parts of a school’s curriculum that make it unique. For instance: Does your chosen school specialize in a certain area of law more than others? Is that specialty something that interests you? Many schools also prioritize a curriculum that teaches students how to interact with a specific type of thinking about law, or a problem posed by the different types of laws across states and countries. USC, for instance, concentrates on teaching students how to practice law in an increasingly globalized world and workplace. click here to learn about USC’s masters in llm online program.
