Berkeley Law School

Offering a world-class education in a picture-perfect atmosphere, the Berkeley Law School not only offers one of the lowest tuition rates out of all the top law schools, they offer an education atmosphere that is second to none. Trying to rebrand itself from the past, Berkeley Law has slowly crept up to becoming a top ten law school in all the United States.

Berkeley Law School Admissions

Considered to be one of the hardest law schools to get into, Berkeley doesn’t accept just anyone that applies. In order to even be considered, a successful applicant must meet the following criteria:

GPA: The average student that gets accepted to Berkeley Law School will have a GPA that is between 3.6 and 3.9.

LSAT: The average LSAT for successful students is in the range of 163 and 170. It has been known that even if students aren’t within this exact range, but the school may still consider the applicant.

Personal Statements: Like most of the top law schools in the nation, many do put a large emphasis on numbers, but one of the key components of getting accepted is the personal statement. Students that write a personal statement must know that the school is looking for a unique voice. They don’t really want something that is generic and boring. Instead, students are encouraged to write about life changing stories or events.

Letter of Recommendation: Aside from the personal statement, Berkeley will also look deeply into an applicant’s letter of recommendation. This letter should be from an academic professional such as a teacher in the past or even a college professor. The school states that a successful applicant should submit no more than four letters.

Out of the 8,000 applications that Berkeley Law School receives on an annual basis, the school will only admit around 700. Since the enrolling class size will be less than 300 students, a majority of the students that will be accepted will be placed on a waiting list.

Berkeley Law School Cost

Being one of the cheapest top ten law schools, Berkeley Law School offers an in-state tuition of $45,000 a year. Full-time students that don’t live in California will have to pay around $55,000. Students that want to declare residency in the state will find that it will usually take a little over a year to do so. Those who want to stay on campus should plan on budgeting around $18,000 a year for room and board. As a conservative estimate, full-time students who live on campus should budget $73,000 a year. In-state residents should budget $63,000 a year.

Berkeley Law School Culture

Located in the San Francisco area, Berkeley Law School offers a variety of things for students to do outside of the classroom. Students can find themselves less than an hour away from San Francisco and many of Northern California’s beaches and shopping districts. Students that want to escape the hot California sun can venture to Tahoe where they can ski in the colder months.

Housing

While Berkeley Law School does offer on campus housing, a majority of the students that go to school here live in the surrounding San Francisco area. One of the main reasons that students choose to live outside of the campus is due to the fact that there are more things to do. Many students also find that the shopping and restaurants in downtown San Francisco are second to none compared to those that are around the campus.

Transportation

Since the campus is far away from places such as San Francisco and the local beaches, students find that having a car can be a life saver. While a car isn’t necessary, students can find local public transportation options that can take them directly downtown as well.

Berkeley Law School Education

Berkeley Law School offers a variety of classes for first-year law students. These classes include Civil Procedure, Property Law, and Legal Research. In a student’s first year, they will be required to take two elective courses outside of their core curriculum. With a lot of flexibility, students find that they will have access to many courses, seminars and hands-on training.

Featured Specialties

Berkeley Law is known for a variety of specialties known throughout the world. Noted below are just a few students can expect:

Environmental Law: Offering a rich curriculum, Berkeley offers this program to students that have completed coursework related to environment law. In order to successfully graduate from this program, students are also required to write a research paper.

Intellectual Property Law: Being known as one of the best programs in all the United States, their IP Law courses have been named number one for over six years. With a variety of reputable faculty, their new technologies and heavy donations have made it easy to keep Berkeley in that number one spot.

Other Known Specialties: Berkeley also falls in the top ten for Business Law, Criminal Law, Law and Social Sciences and Legal History.

Class Size

The class sizes are going to range depending on the type of class taken. A simple seminar class can have as little as 10 people, while a lecture hall can have up to more than 150 people. On special occurrences, students can also arrange projects with professors.

Grading System

Berkeley Law School’s unique grading system is a lot different from other top law schools in the nation. The top 10 percent of the class will receive a high honors grade. The next 30 percent will receive honors, while the rest of the class will receive a pass. While a student can fail a class, this is a rare occurrence. While some students have argued this practice unfair, many employers like it as they have seen great success with the graduates that they have hired in the past.

Berkeley Law School Graduates

Before a law student even graduates, more than 250 law firms find themselves on campus each year recruiting students before they even graduate. With many interviews available, students often find themselves with more than three job offers before they even get their papers.

Where They Go

A majority of Berkeley Law School students find themselves staying in the state of California upon graduation. In fact, more than 70 percent don’t even move outside of the state. Over 75 percent of students that do graduate will eventually work with a private law firm. Less than 15 percent of the graduating class will work in the public sector.

Salaries

The average Berkeley Law School graduate that works in the private sector such as a law firm can expect to make upwards of $150,000 to start. Students that choose to work in the public sector or government can expect starting salaries in the $55,000 to $65,000 range.

More Stats

Over 85 percent of students that take the California Bar Exam will find themselves passing on their first try. This above average number is very impressive seeing that the California Bar is one of the hardest exams in all the nation. Within nine months of employment, 98 percent of students found themselves with a job in the law field.

Notable Alumni

Berkeley Law School has hundreds of notable alumni that have graduated in the past 100 years. Some names you may have heard of include Howard Lincoln, the chairman of the Seattle Mariners and David Estrada, YouTube managing counsel at Google.

With an awesome location, amazing weather and top-notch programs, it’s no wonder why many students from around the globe want to attend Berkeley. Students finding themselves becoming an in-state resident within the year can not only capitalize on the in-state tuition rate, but also call themselves a resident to one of the best states in the United States.

NYU Law School

Known for its academic excellence, the NYU Law School not only provides a top-notch eduction, it provides some of the best job opportunities in the world. Placed among some of the best law schools in the nation, NYU consistently makes the top 10 lists of many credible publications such as US News. More than an Ivy League school, NYU has accolades across many foreign countries too.

NYU Law School Admissions Process

Future law students face some of the toughest challenges with the NYU Law School. Very selective, the admissions staff looks for more than just great GPA and LSAT scores. Aside from these numbers, NYU places a heavy emphasis on volunteer work, public service dedication and notable referrals. Students that are interested in this school will often have to meet the following demands:

GPA: The average GPA stands around 3.7.

LSAT: The median LSAT score is 172. Students that hand in multiple LSAT scores will only be judged based upon the average.

Stats to Know

Each year, NYU receives more than 7,000 applications. Out of those 8,000, NYU only accepts less than 500. These numbers alone make NYU one of the most competitive law schools in the United States today.

NYU Law School Cost

Students that plan on attending school full-time should expect to pay around $48,000. Full-time students that want to live on campus should factor in another $22,000. $70,000 is a conservative budget about what students should plan on spending each year if living on campus full-time.

Scholarships

The NYU Law School has a very unique scholarship program that awards people who will dedicate themselves to public service. Students that show a commitment to public service can potentially be awarded a full tuition scholarship. This type of scholarship will be awarded to 20 students each year. To become eligible, NYU will require that the student enrolls in the LLM program.

NYU Law School Education

The NYU Law School is widely known for its international and tax law specialties. Other programs that are known to be the best throughout the nation include their intellectual law and trail advocacy programs. Entering the first year of the program, students are required to fulfill their curriculum. After their second year, students will find that they will have one of the widest selections of elective courses available.

What to Expect

Students that are entering their first year at NYU Law School should prepare to practice the necessary skills in NYU’s hands-on clinical programs. Through these programs, students will work with simulated courses and situations receiving the hands on training required to succeed.

Offerings

The NYU School of Law offers joint degree programs through other schools such as the Stern School of Business and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. There are also more than 15 foreign schools that students can attend throughout the world.

Class Sizes

Students entering in their first year at the school will find that the average class size tends to be between 75 and 100 students. Upper-level students that are in their second and third year will find that the classes are going to be a lot smaller around 25 to 30 students. NYU now boasts one of the best student to faculty ratios at 9.6:1.

NYU Law School Campus

Located in Greenwich Village, New York, students are amazed at the entertainment that surrounds the campus. With thousands of bars, clubs, restaurants and shopping, downtown New York City has everything a student needs. Even though the cost of living is high compared to most colleges in the United States, many current students state that they wouldn’t change a thing.

What’s on Campus?

The campus provides a wide arrange of buildings an amenities. Noted below are some of the most popular buildings that law students enjoy:

Furman Hall: Furman Hall connects to the library and features many classrooms and study areas. The top floors feature the career counseling center and private clinic practice areas.

Vanderbilt Hall: Opened in 2004, Vanderbilt Hall connects to the library. Hosting a large lounge and study space, students can find law students studying, clinics and even luxury apartments on the top floors.

Housing

Students that live on campus will find that a variety of halls that they can choose from. Most students often choose to stay on campus due to the high cost of living that the city offers. The nice thing about living on campus is that most students don’t have to fight NYC traffic since all the residence halls are within walking distance. Listed below are a few of the halls available to students on campus:

D’Agostino Residence Hall: Housing more than 300 students, the D’Agostino Residence Hall connects to the main side of Vanderbilt Hall. This residence hall is more than 14 stories tall offering breathtaking views of the Empire State Building and parts of downtown New York City. The lower level features a study lounge equipped with printers and computers, while the housing features high-class amenities.

Mercer Street Residence: Being able to house more than 500 students, the Mercer Street Residence is located a couple blocks away from the D’Agostino Hall. Compared to other housing on campus, this particular location tends to be more spacious. Featuring a game room, large lobby and computer rooms, most of the organizations find themselves meeting here.

Transportation

Due to the proximity of New York City, a majority of the students on campus don’t have a car. Instead, many opt for the public transportation system. New York City is packed full of city buses, subways and taxi cabs. With thousands upon thousands of restaurants and shopping districts within a few miles of campus, students find that a car is unnecessary.

NYU Law School Graduates

Upon graduation, many students find themselves with supreme job placement opportunities. One of the main reasons is due to the face that New York City is home to some of the best law firms in all the nation. With nine months of graduating, all students find some sort of work in the surrounding area. While most stay on the east coast, less than 10 percent find themselves traveling to the west coast for work.

Where They Go

A majority of the students that graduate take jobs at local private law firms. Less than 10 percent of graduates work in the public sector space. Students that work in the private sector can expect to earn at least $150,000 per year, while the public sector graduates earn an average of $60,000 per year.

Bar Exam

Over 95 percent of graduates pass the Bar Exam on their first attempt. This number is compared to the 75 percent of students throughout the state of New York that pass on their first try. Because of this high success rate, students can expect lucrative job offers after they pass the exam.

Notable Alumni

NYU boasts a mile long list of notable alumni. Some names that you may have heard of include former NHL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Evan Chesler, the president of ConocoPhillips, and many U.S. Representatives such as Mitchell Jenkins and Jefferson Monroe Levy.

Being considered one of the best law schools in the United States, the NYU Law School diverse classroom settings and top-notch professors has the won the respect with many people around the globe. With some of the highest employment placements in the nation, it’s no wonder why many future law students have this program at the top of their list.

Columbia Law School

Founded in 1858, Columbia Law School has consistently been named as one of the best schools in all of America. With a prominent location and a long history of excellence, potential law students that want to get into this school will find that they will soon be working with the best of the best in a premium location. Located in the legal capital of the world, students are going to be able to enjoy more than just a first-class education.

Columbia Law School Admissions

Students that are interested in Columbia will soon find out that they have one of the strictest admissions process out of all the top law schools in the United States. Receiving more than 9,000 applications on an annual basis, the school accepts only a little over 1,000 of them.

The Perfect Candidate

Students that want to be apart of the 10 percent that successfully make it into Columbia Law School will have to have a GPA of at least 3.5 and a LSAT score of at least 165. Aside from these numbers, Columbia doesn’t just look at numbers, they will also look for applicants that have a very diverse background and unique experience.

Quick Stats

The median LSAT is 172, while the average GPA is 3.72. Students are required to apply by February, 15, to be considered for admissions for that upcoming school year. The average entering school size for Columbia now stands at 390 on average.

Columbia Law School Life on Campus

Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Columbia offers almost too much. With all of New York City at a student’s fingertips, students find themselves surround by thousands of restaurants, bars and clubs. All the varieties that New York has to offer, students can reach these establishments by foot, taxi or even the subway.

The Campus

The Law School was recently renovated in the late 1990s. After this renovation, the three-story main law building features common areas, a café and lounge area where students can study. Aside from this beautiful new entrance, the campus also features over 30 office buildings, more than 200 luxury residences, and beautiful walkways lined with trees and foliage.

Transportation

A car isn’t recommended on campus. Since the campus is located in the heart of New York, students are recommended to take public transportation such as the subway and taxi cabs. If a student decides to bring a car to campus, higher parking fees can apply.

Quality of Life

Unlike most law campus that are nestled away from the main campus of the college, Columbia Law School is connected directly to the main University campus. Because of this, students will be able to experience a real-life college experience. Unlike other law schools, most students find themselves sheltered seeing the same people over and over throughout the day.

Social Life

The great thing about Columbia Law School is that it’s connected to the main campus of the University. Unlike most law schools that aren’t connected, this gives the students the opportunity to meet with other students that are studying different fields. Students also find that due to the massive size of the residence halls, it’s not too hard to find groups, gatherings and parties on weekends.

Housing

Students have two options when going to Columbia. Students have the option of staying directly on campus or they can choose off-campus apartments. Due to the high cost of living in downtown New York City, many students find themselves more comfortable staying on campus since the rates are cheaper than renting a condo or apartment in the city.

The apartments that are located on the campus are of a five-star caliber. Residences include studios, one-bedroom apartments and even shared apartments. Any student that attends Columbia Law School will be guaranteed housing.

Columbia Law School Education

When it comes to Columbia’s specialties, they focus on three areas that include intellectual property law, international law and environmental law. Held in the highest regard, many proclaim that these are some of the best programs in the nation right now. Aside from these concentrations, Columbia also has a clinical training program that falls within the top 10 best programs in the United States.

Degrees

Law students that attend Columbia have the options to tack on a master’s or doctoral degree to their J.D. They can complete additional degree programs at Columbia’s Business School, the School of Public Heath or even the Graduate School of Journalism. There are also joint degree programs available through other schools such as Princeton and Harvard.

Columbia also has a special foreign program that allows students to pursue a degree in a foreign country. Being able to study in more than 10 countries, Columbia has set up centers across the world for students that are interested in traveling.

Classes

The faculty to student ratio is a low 9:3:1. Recently, Columbia has tried their hardest to increase the number of faculty members at the school. Students can expect most of their classes to be on the larger end compared to most other law schools. On average, most classes have more than 100 students. Students that are entering their first year will have a predetermined class schedule that they will be required to follow.

Columbia Law School Tuition

Students that wish to take courses full-time will have to plan on spending around $53,000 a year. Students that want to live on campus will have to factor in another $17,000 for room and board. Full-time students that live on campus will ideally have to budget at least $70,000 per school year. The average student that graduates from Columbia finds themselves with at least $120,000 in debt.

Columbia Law School Graduate Salaries

Before students even graduate, many have found themselves securing jobs. Securing top employment jobs with well-known security firms throughout New York City, nearly 95 percent of all students pass their bar exam on their first attempt. Once the bar exam has been passed, a high majority of graduates choose to work with private law firms, earning an impressive $150,000 a year to start. Trailing Harvard, Columbia is number two in terms of graduates working with top law firms in the country.

Notable Graduates

Columbia boasts some famous alumni such as President Theodore Roosevelt and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

As one of the best law schools in the nations, Columbia consistently falls into the top five lists of major publications such as US News. Located in the massive city of New York, students find that not only will they receive a top-notch education, they will have access to a variety of top law firms located steps away from campus.

University of Chicago Law School

Noted as one of the most intelligent law schools in all the nation, the University of Chicago Law School has been consistently rated at a top five law school. Located just a bit outside of the heart of Chicago, students not only have access to some of the most notorious law firms upon graduation, but access to some of the best classroom settings in the world.

University of Chicago Law School Admissions

Known as the best law school in the entire Midwest, the University of Chicago Law School is by far one of the most challenging law schools to enter. With strict guidelines and a knack for unique personalities, this University places a large emphasis on personable traits and not GPA and LSAT scores. To understand what this school is looking for in a successful applicant, listed below are some numbers that most successful applicants have:

LSAT: The average LSAT score ranged anywhere from 169 to 173. The University of Chicago Law School is now among the highest in terms of LSAT scores. Like other law schools, an applicant should only send their highest LSAT score. If there are more than one, they can send all, but the school will only focus on the one score that is higher.

GPA: The average GPA can vary anywhere between a 3.5 and 3.8. Again, these are median numbers and the school doesn’t place a large amount of consideration into these numbers.

Personal Statements: The school is primarily looking for unique individuals. Because of this, personal statements should focus on a student’s lifetime achievements and experience in life. The school looks for a unique perspective and not something that is blah and boring. Students are also advised that while an essay isn’t necessary, it doesn’t hurt the admissions process if a well-written one is received.

Out of nearly 5,100 applicants that were received in 2011, only 18 percent of those were accepted into the program.

University of Chicago Law School The School and Culture

The nice thing about the University of Chicago Law School is that they have one of the smallest student bodies out of all law schools. Only Stanford and Yale can claim a smaller body. With small class settings, students often enjoy the intimate atmosphere that allows them to know their fellow classmates and professors better.

The Campus

With modern and advanced renovations, the campus has a very clean feel to it. With a very large common areas where students can meet up and talk, the University of Chicago Law School has a massive library, a variety of restaurants and is only steps away from the subway that takes them directly downtown to Chicago.

Housing

The campus offers a variety of housing options that are very safe and located directly on campus. With a community feel to it, students will be placed in groups depending on their current level. Freshman will stay with freshman, while sophomores will stay with sophomores. Students that want to stay outside of the campus will find that there are many apartments to choose from in the area. In fact, there are many apartments that offer a free shuttle service that takes them back and forth to the school.

Professors

Ask any college student about the professors at this college and most will tell you that these are some of the best in the world. With a roster that includes superstar professors with academic resumes, these professors don’t come to the University of Chicago Law School for money, but rather, they come to the school because they love teaching the younger kids about law.

It has been known that most professors across the campus want the students to like them. Those professors that receive bad remarks online or via word of mouth often feel embarrassed or ashamed. With this type of culture, students can be assured that any professor in any classroom setting here is going to be well liked.

Classes

The average class size can be less than 25 people depending on the topic of the class. While many law school place a large emphasis on topics such as math and economics, students know that here, they don’t need to focus on these topics to succeed. Instead, the school knows that law should be the number priority of the student body.

Semesters

The University of Chicago Law School is the only top-tier law school that uses a quarter system and not a semester. Starting in September, students will take classes in mid-January, April and will be off toward the end of May. As opposed to other top-tier schools, students will be able to take three sets of classes and not two. The unique thing about the courses offered is that the difficulty of the class can often mean that the courses will last longer than a class that is easier.

Grading

Unlike many top-tier schools that use a pass or fail approach, the University of Chicago Law School uses a number scale. A 180 or better is considered to be an A+, while a number that is between 174 and 179 will be a B average. Anything in the 173 to 168 range will be a C. Depending on the classroom setting, a curve can be granted depending upon the circumstances.

University of Chicago Law School Programs Offered

The University of Chicago Law School offers a variety of classes and opportunities that focus on an array of topics. Currently, the school offers three joint degree programs as follows:

• Business

• International Relations

• Public Policy

If students wish, they can work toward other Master’s and PhDs or if they wish, they can create their own program as look as it has been approved by the program. During an average year, the school issues around 10 joint programs.

Hands-on Training

One of the main reasons that students choose the University of Chicago Law School is because of the high-tech clinics that they offer. These clinics allow students to work for a specified amount of money during the summer, where they can learn the ropes of their particular field. This is by far one of the best ways to receive hands-on training to get a first glance about what a future career may look like. While there are wait lists for these programs, students are advised to apply early so that they can get on a waiting list.

University of Chicago Law School Graduatue Stats

Over 500 employers come to the University on an annual basis. One of the main reasons is based on the prospects of the law students and the location of the campus. Holding direct on-campus interviews, over 60 percent of graduates found themselves with a job working for a top 200 law firm. This number alone falls number two, only slipped to Columbia.

Job Placement

Because of its Chicago location, students place extremely well outside of graduation. Over 35 percent of students find themselves staying in the Midwest area, while a majority of the other graduates scatter across the United States and foreign countries. On average, within nine months of graduation, more than 98 percent of students found themselves with a job. The fair majority of graduates found themselves working in a private practice. Over 99 percent find themselves passing the bar exam on their first try, making it one of the highest success rates in the United States.Salaries

The average graduate that works in the private sector such as a private practice finds themselves making an average of $160,000 per year. A student that decides to work in the public sector can find themselves making an average of $58,000 per year.

University of Chicago Law School Cost

The average tuition rate to attend the University of Chicago Law School is now around $47,500 without any type of room and board. Students that want to live on campus can factor in another $13,500. Students can find themselves needing to budget at least $61,000 a year to live on campus and attend school full-time.

With a plethora of legal options that students can learn, the Chicago Law School has a diverse campus, highly renowned professors, and a great atmosphere. Besides the lousy weather in the Winter months, most students don’t find much to complain about. While getting into this law school is extremely hard, those that do get accepted will only be surrounded by some of the smartest people this planet has to offer.

Harvard Law School

A name such as Harvard shouldn’t be explained as almost all of us know the prestige that this historic name carries. Pumping over 500 J.D. degrees each year, Harvard Law School has known to graduate more students than any other Ivy League University. While some students often see this as a problem, those that graduate often detest this statement. Exciting opportunities and a powerful name is what lures many potential law students to Harvard.

Harvard Law School Admissions

Boasting one of the best law schools in all the nation, Harvard has a very strict admissions process. Over 75 percent of successful applicants have a LSAT score higher than 173, which is very impressive compared to other top 10 schools of this caliber. Aside from these high LSAT numbers, the 75th percentile GPAs stand between 3.7 and 3.97. While many schools don’t place a large emphasis on the GPA, it seems as Harvard has one of the highest standards in terms of numbers.

Application Process

Due to the sheer amount of applications that the Harvard Law School receives, they have implemented a process that can give an approval notice a lot quicker than other credible top 10 law schools. While rumors on the web proclaim that Harvard places a large emphasis on numbers and not personality, there have been studies showing that even students with a lower than average GPA, but a well-written personal statement were accepted.

Interviewing

Numbers aside, Harvard Law School places a large part of their acceptance on personal interviews. These interviews will be conducted with a committee on campus. During these interviews, committee members are able to create a personal connection with the applicant. They can learn about your personal accomplishments, why you want to attend Harvard, and what your future beholds. Only a fraction of applicants receive an interview appointment.

Harvard Law School Campus

Location

Established in 1636, Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Approximately 3.4 miles of downtown Boston, Harvard has many buildings that include administration offices, the main library, academic buildings and a variety of freshman dormitories. Folded in the campus include a variety of high-class shopping, bars, restaurants and clubs that students can visit.

Housing

More than 50 percent of students live off-campus. Those that stay on campus will find that there a variety of housing options available. Freshman that come on campus will be required to stay in special dormitories that are designed solely for freshman. Students that have a status higher than a sophomore can choose from residential housing that are nestled along the Charles River. If a student doesn’t want to stay on campus, there are a variety of off-campus housing options that are available.

Food

Dining options are aplenty on Harvard’s campus. With a variety of dining options, one of the main places that students eat in the Harkness Commons Place. This area includes a full café, a small bar and Starbucks. Students that don’t want to eat on campus will find that a variety of options are within minutes of walking distance.

Getting Around

Students don’t necessarily need a car to get around, but if they bring one, it won’t hurt. The surrounding Harvard area is known for its great public transportation system. Minutes away from Boston, students can hop on the bus or subway and can in Boston within a few minutes.

The Culture

Students often find themselves hanging around the same people who are within their groups. Harvard will allow each group of students up to $12,000 to spend on leisure activities throughout the school year. This fund can be used to hold parties, contests or trips. This fund is designed to allow students to socialize and have fun with the other groups on campus. These extracurricular activities will often make newcomers overwhelmed.

Clubs

Harvard students that are interested in joining clubs will be happy to know that a different clubs are available on campus. These clubs include those such as the Environmental Law Society and others such as the Jewish Law Students Association. There are also a handful of other clubs that are associated with sports, law and other interests.

Harvard Law School Degrees Available

Students that are interested in learning with Harvard are going to find that a variety of degrees that can be taken. The school offers the following degree programs:

• JD/MBA with Harvard Business School

• JD/MPP or MPA-ID with Harvard Kennedy School

• JD/MPH with Harvard School of Public Health

• JD/MUP with the Graduate School of Design

• JD/PhD with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Harvard Law School Education

Considered average in terms of student/faculty ratio, Harvard Law School has a 10:1 ratio. While it’s not at the top of the list, it’s right in the middle for top 15 law schools. Students that are entering their first year with Harvard will find that all of their first year classes will be with the same body of students. This body of students will include around 80 people with 7 different sections. The reason that Harvard does this is because they want students to create a personal bond with one another. This is a process that many law schools enact today.

Classes

In a student’s first year at Harvard Law School, students will find that this semester is no different from any other law school. Students will complete courses in Civil Procedure, Criminal Law and other cores. All first level students will have a representative from a higher level throughout the school year to make sure that they are on the right path to success.

Grading System

Using the same approach as Yale and Stanford, Harvard will grade on a pass/fail basis. Countless studies have shown that this type of approach can cause less stress on a student’s life. Even though this is a pass/fail type setup, students can focus on things outside of the classroom such as extracurricular activities. While employers can look at grades and factor them for a job, most employers that look Harvard graduate grades will consider outside activities to be more powerful than a grade.

The Professors

As one of the more influential faculty in all the nation, Harvard boasts one of the best class of professors. With well-known scholars from around the globe, Harvard is known to have a professional staff that truly cares for their students. Students claim that one thing that they love about the Harvard staff is that most professors are available, even in the off-hours. Concerned that the students learn, professors will do everything in their own power to make sure that this happens.

Harvard Law School Costs of Attending

Students that plan on attending Harvard full-time should expect to pay $48,786 for tuition, including fees. Students that want to live on campus should factor in another 19,000 for the year. A conservative budget for incoming students that wish to stay on campus should plan on spending close to $68,000.

Financial Aid

Harvard offers a low protection income plan for students that don’t meet a minimum income requirement. If a student graduates and receives a job that pays less than average, Harvard will help students with their loans. Other programs such as financial aid and grants are available to all students on campus.

Harvard Law School Graduates

Boasting high-caliber names such as President Obama and Chief Justice John Roberts, Harvard has had its fair share of success graduates. 92 percent of Harvard Law School graduates find employment within six months of graduation. The median salary for those entering the private sector find themselves making an average of $150,000 per year, while students choosing the public route find their median salary to be around the $56,000 range. A majority of students find themselves entering the corporate law field while the public interest field isn’t too far behind.

Harvard wants to welcome each student with open arms. With hundreds of activities, an amazing faculty and a classroom atmosphere that will teach you everything you need to know, many students find that Harvard Law School is a great place to spend a few years at.

Yale Law School

Unanimously considered as one of the best law schools in all of America, the Yale Law School has held #1 positions in countless publications. US News has considered this to be the #1 law school since they started ranking schools. With prominent graduates such as President Clinton and Ford, Yale boasts a notorious alumni class of names that many people have heard of.

Yale Law School Admissions Process

Future students that apply to Yale Law School find that their admission process is rather transparent. Yale is very strict when letting people know exactly what is needed to be accepted by the school. Significantly different from any other law school in the United States, Yale makes decisions through many steps. Any applicant that applies will first be reviewed by the Dean of Admissions. If the applicant receives a stamp of approval by the Dean, it will be forwarded to the committee chair. At the earliest, applicants are encouraged to wait at least eight weeks before getting an approval notice.

Every year, Yale receives more than 3,000 applicants. Out of those applicants, only six percent were accepted. To take a quick look at what a successful applicant had done to become accepted, here’s what Yale took into consideration:

GPA: While the admissions process is transparent, studies have been conducted as to what approved applicants have had in terms of their GPA score. A successful applicant will often have a GPA that ranges anywhere from 3.7 to 3.9. Keep in mind that some applicants have had GPA scores as low as 3.6.

LSAT: Most, if not all law schools will require a LSAT. The average LSAT score for successful applicants ranged anywhere from 160 to 178. Again, successful students have been accepted with scores as low as 155. Yale places a large emphasis on treating each applicant as an individual and not a number.

Personal Statement: The length of an applicant’s personal can vary. At the moment, Yale doesn’t have a minimum word count requirement. The average successful personal statement is two pages long.

Essay: Since Yale strives to treat each applicant as an individual, they will require that each applicant submits a 250-word essay. This essay can be about a current event, a personal accomplishment or a life changing event. They look at writing skills and other abilities. Those that were successful with their essay often took a creative approach that showcased personal accomplishments. Experts strongly recommend that something such as “why I chose Yale Law School” isn’t written as a topic.

Transfers: Each year, Yale will also consider students transferring from other prestigious Ivy League schools. On average, each year more than 200 students ask to be transferred. Out of those 200, only 10 to 20 get accepted. A successful transfer student will often meet the criteria mentioned above and will come from a top 20 school.

Yale Law School Cost of Attending

The average tuition at Yale Law School is around $46,000 per year. This doesn’t include extra fees. Administrative fees can up to more than $3,000 per year. This tuition is the same for both out-of-state and in-state residents.

As for extra expenses, students should budget $20,000 for room and board, books, health insurance, and other extra fees. A student that lives on campus can plan on spending more than $70,000 per year. This is a very conservative estimated budget. Most students opt to skip the housing that the school provides and lives elsewhere.

Financial Aid

Like most colleges, financial aid is available to Yale students. Over 80 percent of students on campus today receive some sort of assistance. Upon graduation, Yale has a program known as the Career Options Assistant Program. This program can help pay a student’s loan for any given year as long as the student is making less than $60,000.

Yale Law School Campus

Due to the incredibly small size of Yale Law School, many students often know a majority of the people on campus. With very few social opportunities, Yale does sponsor events such as happy hour and student gatherings. Although the local city of New Haven offers inexpensive housing and even shuttle services, very few students select this route.

The Location

Located in the heart of New Haven, Connecticut, Yale has had a strong presence here since the 1800s. With more than 100,000 residents in the surrounding area, New Haven features festivals and parades in the summer month. It’s also home to some high-class bars, restaurants and even shops. If Yale students don’t like the local city on weekends, shuttle services are available to larger cities such as Boston or New York.

Living Here

Yale does offer housing for their students, but many opt to stay in New Haven due to the cost. Less than 2 percent of students choose the school housing options. Besides on campus housing, Yale also offers other options outside of the school such as privately owned housing and apartment buildings. The apartments tend to be the most important choice for students because of the amenities surrounding the area.

The Culture

Students on campus are often friendly and very interesting. Focused solely on their school work, students find that they like the small group settings. One downfall that some students often complain about is the lack of dating options available due to the small size. It’s not uncommon though to see two classmates date though. Taking a look back in history, Bill and Hillary Clinton has met this way.

Outside of the school, Yale boasts more than 50 organizations that students can join. These organizations include those such as the Yale Federalist Society and Habeas Chorus.

Yale Law School Classroom

With classes hosting less 25 people, Yale boasts one of the smallest law classroom settings in the United States. Entering the first semester, students will be placed in a group. This group will stay the same throughout the year. This is done so that students can build relationships and get to know one another better. The same can be said with the professor as the small group with have a small pool of professors that they work with.

Yale doesn’t grade on a traditional grade basis throughout the first term. Instead, they are graded by a pass or a low. This also can be said with other Ivy League law schools.

The professors that all students work with often boast a very impressive resume. Working with the best minds in the law field, students can be assured that they are working with professors that are more than willing to teach and help those learn. In fact, it has been known that some professors often host dinners and even hold events outside of the classroom.

Yale Law School Offerings

Yale Law School offers more than 20 legal clinics that allow students to receive real-life experience. Students can assist with cases such as apartment evictions and even domestic disputes. They can also test their smarts at one of the many workshops scattered throughout the campus.

Although there are no specified concentrations, Yale Law School offers joint degrees in conjunction with other graduate schools. Students can take classes at the School of Management and integrate them with their major. Students can find themselves with a J.D./M.B.A. within three to four years if a strict curriculum is followed.

Yale Law School After Graduation

Upon graduation, over 89 percent of Yale Law School students found employment. The average median wages for a successful graduate found themselves making a starting wage of $60,000 working in a public sector. Those that worked in a private sector found themselves making an excess of $160,000. Over 50 percent of graduates work a clerkship while over 30 percent work at a law firm. Less than 10 percent will work in the public sector, a business or other industry.

When it comes to choosing a law school, Yale is on the top of everyone’s list. With so much history, number one rankings and an intimate classroom settings, the acceptance rate may be low, but well worth it if accepted.

Stanford Law School

Sprawled across thousands of acres in Sunny California, the Stanford Law School has become a world-class dream for many potential law students. Setting atop the beautiful rolling hills of sunny California, Stanford has consistently been a top five law school in the United States. While getting into Stanford has been a challenge for many, most have found that if they were accepted to any school, a high majority would choose Stanford.

Stanford Law School Admissions

With over 4,000 applicants on an annual basis, the admissions process is not easy to say the least. Looking beyond numbers such as a student’s GPA and LSAT scores, Stanford places a large emphasis on having a diverse student body. Out of all the applications that Stanford receives, only nine percent are accepted. Most successful applicants will usually have the following:

GPA: The Stanford Law School looks for a GPA that is within the range of 3.75 and 3.93. The average GPA is currently 3.87.

LSAT: Similar to those that are attending Harvard and Yale, Stanford considers successful applicants to have an LSAT average of at least 168 to 172. Depending upon the circumstances, the school may consider multiple LSAT scores, but this isn’t always the case.

Recommendations: Stanford tries its hardest to treat each applicant as a true individual. Because of this, they put a large of amount of time reading recommendations and personal statements. When it comes to a recommendation, students are free to choose who they pick. Experts note that most successful applicants that do get accepted often choose recommendations by those that are considered to be at a high-caliber level.

Personal Statement: The Stanford Law School requires that all students submit a two-page personal statement. The school leaves the topic up to the applicant. A successful personal statement will showcase unique experience outside of the classroom that were written in a sincere way.

Stanford Law School Costs

To apply with Stanford, they will ask that you submit $100 with your application. There are currently no merit-fee waivers available. The only way that this fee can be waived is if the applicant can provide extreme hardship evidence.

Attending Stanford Law School is going to set the average student back at least $42,000 per year. Students that would like to live on campus should factor in another $22,000 for the entire year. Seeing that off-campus housing can cost 20 percent more, almost all of the student body chooses campus housing.

$64,000 to $70,000 is a conservative estimate for students that would like to stay on campus and study for a full year. The room and board cost can go up if a higher class on-campus apartment is chosen. According to a recent study, the average student came out with more than $78,000 in debt.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to all students that attend Stanford Law School. Financial aid will only be granted to students that desperately show a hardship. Today, over 50 percent of all students that currently attend Stanford are currently on some sort of financial aid, with an average payment being more than $20,000 per year.

Stanford Law School Campus

Located very close to Silicon Valley, Stanford is surrounded by over 70,000 residents who are considered to be high-class. With low crime and many multi-million dollar mansions, students are surrounded by upscale strip malls, restaurants, bars and clubs. While most students do enjoy the year round weather and amenities, some students can find themselves becoming rather bored with the urban sprawl.

Housing

Located directly on campus, all students are offered luxurious dorms that are very similar to five-star hotels. Unlike your typical dormitory that most students are accustomed to seeing, students can find themselves staying in 1, 2, 3 or 4-bedroom apartments. A short walk from the law school, some apartments are as large as 1,600 square feet.

On average, housing can range from low-rise apartments to high-class structures that soar twenty stories high. A majority of the students at Stanford Law School will often stay within one mile of the campus in housing that is provided by the college. When a student does visit the housing, many are simply blown away and can’t find themselves staying anywhere else.

The Atmosphere

Stanford is consistently ranked as one of the happiest law schools in all of the United States. One of the key reasons they are so high on the list is due to the beautiful weather year around. Another main reason that students enjoy the school so much is that most students get along with each other rather well. With countless clubs, restaurants, and high-class shopping malls, it’s not hard to find something to do on a beautiful afternoon. With little to no crime, most students feel safe walking at all hours throughout the day.

Stanford Law School Education

Some of Stanford’s professors are known to be some of the best in the United States. With one of the smallest classroom to student ratios out of all law schools, students can be assured that they are going to get the education that they deserve.

Earning rave reviews from countless publications, Stanford has a unique quarter system. With this system, students will be asked to take classes during the Fall, Winter and Spring semesters. Not using grades, Stanford only uses a pass or fail type method, only passing those that showcase a true understanding of the curriculum. With high-class technology and a hands-on approach, students spend an average of four hours a day studying and cramming for upcoming homework and exams.

Degrees Available

Stanford offers 25 joint degrees in conjunction with their highly rated business school. Most students find that they can complete a Master’s and J.D. within three to four years. This is usually the same amount of time that it would take in order to get a traditional law degree.

The unique thing about students that are pursuing a J.D. degree can customize their degree early in their education. With a wide selection of elective courses, students can choose from countless clinics that can coincide with their degree.

Main Focus

Stanford is known for their business, corporate, intellectual property and environmental law programs. Each focus offers a variety of things that will teach students everything that they need to know about the programs. From the real life hands-on clinics to learning from world renowned teachers, students can be assured that they can enter the workforce knowing everything that need to know in order to succeed.

Stanford Law School Graduates

After graduation, less than 50 percent of students stay in the state of California. The rest of the graduating class find themselves spread across the United States in places such as Illinois and Maryland. Whatever type of job a graduate seeks, most find that they are successful at finding it.

Famous Alumni

William Rehnquist, and former Vice President Robert Paul Cochran are two notable alumni that have graduated from Stanford in the past.

Where Graduates Go

A majority of Stanford Law School graduates find themselves working with a larger law firm. The average graduate median salary is $160,000 in the private sector. Students that work in the public sector can find themselves starting at $60,000 per year.

With generous loan repayment programs, many Stanford professors placed an emphasis on not chasing the dollars signs, but instead going after public sector based jobs. The plan has seemed to work because a handful of graduates have chose jobs such as clerkships and public interest works. These are jobs that pay a lot less compared to top 100 law firms.

Success Rates

A recent study had shown that more than 93 percent of students passed the California bar exam. Another study also noted that more than 99 percent of Stanford Law School graduates found a job within six to nine months. The 1 percent that didn’t find a job went on to pursue an advanced degree.

The Stanford Law School easily falls into the top five law schools, and it’s for a good reason. With a beautiful campus, highly rated professors, and offering some of the best job prospects in the world, it’s no wonder why this school is on every law student’s top three list.

Many students today often don’t have the time to attend a law school full-time during the day. Law schools have quickly realized this fact and have quickly begun to offer night and weekend classes. Students that don’t have time to attend classes during the day but have the passion to obtain a law degree may want to consider these night law schools:

#1 Georgetown University: Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., Georgetown has one of the best part-time law school programs. Offering joint degree programs, Georgetown offers a hands-on legal practice that enables students to gain real life experiences. In order to get accepted, part-time students are asked to have a LSAT score of at least 163 and a 3.6 GPA.

#2 George Washington University: As one of the oldest law schools in the United States, George Washington offers a variety of learning experiences for future law students. Offering a fantastic part-time program, students can take advantage of their higher-end technology equipment sponsored by Microsoft. George Washington requires a LSAT of 159 and a minimum 3.4 GPA.

#3 Brooklyn Law School: Being in proximity of some of New York’s prestigious law firms, students can enjoy a small classroom setting and a hands-on training approach. Ranked top three by US News for their part-time program, students are asked to have a LSAT of 157 and a GPA higher than 3.3.

#4 Fordham University: Offering a full evening program for law students, Fordham offers complete dual degrees, including a J.D. and M.B.A. Law students are able to get real legal experience through 15 clinics located near campus. Students will be able to work with public defenders and even law enforcement officials. Potential students that are interested in applying should have a LSAT of at least 160 and a 3.4 GPA.

#5 Temple University: Temple Law School offers a well renowned legal writing and trial advocacy programs. With a handful of clinical programs located directly on campus, students are able to work with real clients that deal with an array of issues. Potential Temple law students are asked to have a LSAT of 157 and a 3.5 GPA.

#6 George Mason University: Located in the heart of Arlington, Virginia, George Mason offers year-round employment for law students that are interested in working with government and federal agencies. With many night law schools out there, George Mason sets their school above the rest offering a wide variety of curricular concentrations such as intellectual property law and national security law. Admissions asks that all applicants have a LSAT of at least 155 and a 3.3 GPA.

#7 The School of Law at Rutgers: Rutgers offers a part-time and full-time program that is offered both during the evening or during the day. Offering flexibility, Rutgers offers several degree options. With a hands-on legal training program, students have a variety of connections through organizations when they approach graduation.

#8 Francis King Carey School of Law: The University of Maryland offers a part-time program filled with evening classes. With a small classroom size, over 83 percent of graduates were successfully employed upon graduation. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, students are asked to have a 153 LSAT score and a GPA of at least 3.3.

#9 Law Center at University of Houston: Highly ranked for their intellectual property and healthcare law programs, this is a great choice for students that want to study part-time during the evening. Offering a variety of legal centers, students can get a hands-on approach learning everything from immigration law to criminal defense. Students are asked to have a LSAT of at least 160 and a 3.1 GPA.

#10 School of Law at Seattle University: Seattle University is Washington’s largest private law school only offering a part-time program. This institution has ranked very highly for programs such as their legal writing program and training courses. Seattle University asks that students have a GPA of at least 3.14 and a minimum 154 LSAT score.

Many night law schools often offer a great part-time program. They know that the student is going to be busy with their working and personal lives, and they will do everything in their own power to help you succeed. When seriously considering a night school, be sure to research your local options and see what the program has to offer. Always remember that the school should be accredited by the local state and bar association. Without this accreditation, students may not be able to take the bar exam within the state.

In order to become a lawyer in most states, students are required to graduate from a school that has been accredited by the American Bar Association. In every state but California, there are currently no accredited online programs. Future law students that are interested in studying law may want to consider practicing in the state of California due to the variety of accredited online law schools that they have to offer. California is the only state that doesn’t require students to obtain an ABA-accredited law degree before taking the bar exam.

Students that are interested in taking their law classes online may be interested in the online law school rankings noted below:

California Southern University – Registered with the Bar Examiners in the state of California, CSU offers a JD program that is 100 percent online. Offering one of the finest law schools in all of the country, students can complete their coursework both online or in person if they choose. Successful applicants must have a GPA of 3.4 and a LSAT of at least 165.

Abraham Lincoln University – Registered in the state of California, Abraham Lincoln University offers both online and in-person lectures. Students can watch lectures live on their computers and even access archives through their online database. In order to be a candidate for acceptance, ALU offers a unique admissions test known as the “Admissions Assessment TEST.” ALU also asks that students have completed 60 credits of undergraduate work and supply a personal statement.

Concord Law School – An online based school located in the heart of Los Angeles, California, they are a subsidiary of the Kaplan Corporation. As only one of the five long distance learning schools accredited by the state of California, students that are interested in attending this online school will have to take a unique admission test in order to be considered by the school. The school also looks for a minimum of 60 credits from an undergraduate degree and a personal statement. The LSAT, while considered, isn’t a necessity in the approval process.

Taft Law School – Located in Santa Ana, California, the Taft Law School offers a distance education that is 100 percent online. While the state of California lists this school as an unaccredited law school, they offer Juris Doctor and Master of Laws programs. The Taft Law School may not be accredited as a correspondence school, but the Distance Education and Training Council granted them accreditation in 2003. Students that are interested in this school only require transcripts from previous institutions. Taft doesn’t place a large emphasis on the LSAT or even past GPAs.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law – An independent law school located in San Diego, California, Thomas Jefferson offers exclusive law programs that are available solely online. Offering a picture perfect location and a small classroom size both in person and online, Thomas Jefferson sets the bar high for its students. Earning its full ABA accreditation in 2001, students are required to have a LSAT of 151 and a GPA of at least 3.0.

Northwestern California University School of Law – The last school to mention on our online law school rankings is the Northwestern California University School of Law. An online correspondence based institution that was founded in the early 1980s, NWCU has grown to be the oldest online law school today. Authorized by the state of California to award a Juris Degree, Northwestern online isn’t fully accredited by the California State Bar just yet. To be considered for the school, students are asked to have completed at least 60 credits at an accredited university and have a GPA of at least 2.0.

Choosing an Online Law Degree

Earning an online law degree is no different than getting that degree in a personal classroom setting. Offering several unique challenges, note that the only state that can offer a legitimate online law degree is the state of California. They are the only current state that allows online students to sit for the bar exam with an online degree. As long as you’re willing to move to this state upon graduation, then you’ll be able to practice law successfully. After years of work after a successfully graduation, lawyers can often move to other states with their experience.

If seriously considering an online law school, research the online law school rankings noted above. Keep in mind that every school will have their own criteria when applying. Studying online isn’t for anyone, but those that do graduate always find that the experience was worthwhile.

Those that want to study law in the state of California are going to find that there are a lot of law schools out there. It’s important to note that the law school must be fully accredited in order to study law in the state of California. The schools not only have to be accredited, they also have to be approved by the American Bar Association.

To make the hunt for California accredited law schools, listed below are a handful of highly rated institutions to consider:

Stanford Law School: Ranked as a top three nationwide law school, the Stanford School of Law focuses primarily on serving excellence. With an engaged faculty and staff, Stanford has all the high-tech tools necessary in order to graduate successfully. In order to get accepted to this prestigious school, students are asked to have a minimum GPA of 3.8, a bachelor’s degree, and LSAT score of at least 160.

University of Southern California Gould School of Law: With a history dating back to 1896, the USC Gould School of law has offered one of the best law programs that the west coast has to offer. Because of it’s marvelous Los Angeles location, small class sizes and weather, many law experts have deemed this one of the best California accredited law schools. With strict acceptance guidelines, students are asked to have a LSAT of at least 166, a GPA of 3.4, and a background that shows that you’re passionate about law. While USC doesn’t necessarily focus on numbers, they place a big emphasis on letter of recommendations and personal statements.

Pepperdine Law School: With an amazing reputation and picture perfect weather, the Pepperdine Law School has one of the most competitive schools in all of California. With a notoriously difficult California Bar Exam, Pepperdine boasts one of the highest passing rates at 78 percent. Students that are interested in applying here must have a GPA of at least 3.4, a minimum LSAT of at least 160, and an attractive set of recommendation letters.

California Western School of Law: Named 20th best law school by National Jurist magazine, California Western School of law helps prepare students succeed with the Bar Exam. Having the highest graduation rates in all of San Diego for the past three years, CWSL accepts only the best of the best. To be accepted, students must have completed at least 30 credits of law school, had a C or better, and a LSAT of at least 150.

University of California at Davis School of Law: With a world-class reputation and student body, UC Davis helps students gain access to the thousands of employers that they have connections with. With strong alumni networks and cutting-edge research, students find that when they do graduate, they have learned everything that need to know in order to become successful with a law career. In order to get accepted to UC Davis, applicants much have an accredited bachelor’s degree, two letters of recommendations, and a LSAT score of at least 160.

University of San Diego School of Law: Located in beautiful San Diego, the University of San Diego has a large class of alumni that have successfully started law careers. With less than 35 percent of applicants being accepted here, students are asked to have a GPA of at least 3.1 and a LSAT score of at least 155.

Honorable Mentions

University of San Francisco School of Law: Students must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and a LSAT of at least 150. A well-regarded law school in Northern California.

Santa Clara University School of Law: Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.1 and a LSAT of at least 155. Santa Clara offers a spacious 100 acre campus with a highly regarded law reputation due to their innovative technology program.

Loyola Law School: Interested parties must have a minimum of 155 LSAT score and a GPA of at least 3.3 to be considered. Like all other law schools, Loyola will put a large emphasis on personal statements and recommendation letters.

These are just a handful of the California accredited law schools within the state. Remember that if you want to study law, most law schools are going to require at least a bachelor’s degree. Most will often require a personal statement and letter of recommendations as well. Those that truly have a passion for law and study hard will often find that getting accepted to their school of choice isn’t that hard at all.