preLaw - Back to School 2007 - (Page 46) HELPFUL ADVICE How to decide which law schools to apply to o you love the beach, the mountains, or the big city? Do you see yourself working in a corporate law firm, or as a small town lawyer? If you want to enter law school soon, now is the time to ask yourself these and other important questions. As a Pre-Law Advisor, I tell students that even before they have an LSAT score, there are a few key areas where they should start to pinpoint their search. BY HILLARY MANTIS, ESQ. D law school community. I decided to go to a different law school at the last minute based on my visits to all of the schools in the city in which I planned to live. One school in particular grabbed my attention because the professors were so friendly and the campus so beautiful on the day I visited. I felt comfortable there, and you may also find the right fit for you. Location location location Real estate brokers say that location is their main selling point, and to some extent it is true for law school. For many schools, much of the hiring is done locally, and the bulk of the alumni live in-state. The on-campus recruitment programs and job listings tend to offer positions mainly in the region in which the school is located, although there are some exceptions, especially with “national” schools. That means that many summer job opportunities, internships, and networking opportunities with alumni may also be primarily in-state. Unlike college, where it may be fine to visit Hawaii or Malibu for four years then come home, it might not make sense to do that in law school. You should think about where you would like to settle after law school. Don’t forget, there is a state bar exam at the end of law school, and it can be helpful to go to law school in the state where you plan to take the exam. From a more intuitive viewpoint, location can be essential to your happiness in law school. If you are a big city person, it might be hard to get through three years in an isolated part of the country, and vice- versa. If you went to a small college, you might also enjoy going to a smaller law school. It’s important to try to visit each school, and now is a great time to do so, before you apply. One Admissions Dean I know tells applicants to sit in the cafeteria and have lunch, talk to students, observe them, and pick up the general “vibe” of the 46 preLaw can see the salaries, the percent employed, and where they are employed. Are they at big firms? Solo practitioners? Law schools also publish scholarly journals which students edit. The most soughtafter is the “Law Review,” but most schools also offer journals in specialty areas such as International Law or Entertainment Law. Check out the school’s web site for a list of each school’s journals. Clinics are also offered at almost every law school and they vary tremendously. Clinical programs provide an opportunity for law students to represent clients, and sometimes go to court on their behalf. If you want to be a litigator, it’s worth checking out the clinical opportunities at the schools you are considering. What else should you look for? The bar pass rate, tuition, and available scholarship money are also important to look at now. Most of all, you should feel excited about the school. You can picture yourself starting there, strolling the hallways, and one day in the not too distant future, wearing a cap and gown with family and friends proudly looking on — right before they start asking you for free legal advice! Employment stats, Journals, and clinics You should also look at the opportunities the schools offer in terms of future employment, journals and clinics. Law schools will provide you with their graduate employment statistics, often reported nine months after graduation. Read them carefully. You How many schools should you target? There is no right or wrong number of schools. In my experience, seven seems to be about average. I have worked with students who wanted to apply to only one school, and as many as 15. I recommend that you aim for two “reach” schools, two “safety” schools, and four that are in your GPA and LSAT range. HILLARY MANTIS is the Pre-Law Advisor at Fordham University and a consultant to prelaw students, law students and lawyers. She is the former Director of Career Services at Fordham University School of Law, and the author of Alternative Careers for Lawyers and Jobs for Lawyers. She can be reached at altcareer@aol.com www.preLawInsider.com http://www.preLawInsider.com
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