In 1921, the American Bar Association developed a set of standards establishing

Transcription

1 Choosing a Law School Top Five Considerations in Choosing a Law School 1. Choose an ABA-Accredited Law School In 1921, the American Bar Association developed a set of standards establishing minimum requirements for law schools. Each year, we publish a list of the law schools meeting our standards. The standards were revised in 1996 and There are currently 184 accredited law schools listed in a book entitled, "Official American Bar Association Guide to Approved Law Schools," which is available through the ABA Service Center (800) All students considering applying to law school should focus their search on ABA approved schools if they plan to practice law in the United States. While the ABA sets the standards for approving law schools, states are responsible for determining the standards graduates need to meet to sit for their bar exams. In virtually every state, one of the requirements is attending an ABA approved school. For more information on the approval process visit: There are at least 24 non-aba approved law schools in the United States. Graduates from unaccredited schools are not eligible to sit for the bar exam in most states. Students who graduate from unaccredited schools in California are eligible to sit for California's bar exam if the law school they attend is California State Bar-approved.

2 Several states will allow a graduate from a non-aba approved school to sit for the bar in their state after five to seven years of practice in another jurisdiction. 2. Apply to a Law School That Will Accept You. There are many factors law schools consider in accepting students. The two most important factors are previous academic success and LSAT scores. Schools will consider other factors such as work experience, community service, obstacles a student has overcome, the student's personal statement, and letters of recommendation. While it is always a good idea to apply to a "reach school"-- a school you are interested in for a specific reason even though it generally accepts more accomplished students-- it is smartest to apply to the best schools that are likely to accept you. Most schools publish statistics on the range of students they admit by LSAT scores and GPA. You should focus your search on schools whose ranges you fall into. There are several helpful websites for conducting this research. Boston College publishes a matrix where you can enter your GPA and LSAT score and find the law schools in your range. Apply to the schools in your range and one or two schools in those ranges directly above or to the left of your range (where students had you GPA and a higher LSAT or your LSAT or a higher GPA). The American Bar Association and the Law School Data Assembly Service jointly publish an excellent search engine where you can research schools by geographic region and academic standards. Non-traditional Students

3 For students looking at law schools after being in the workforce for several years, law schools are interested in reviewing resumes as well as undergraduate GPAs and LSAT scores. Several components, which vary by school, make a student nontraditional. Generally, non-traditional students are over thirty years old, have completed post graduate studies, and/or come from a variety of professional fields. We asked admissions counselors from a variety of law schools how they treat the applications of non-traditional students. A constant theme from the schools was that each application is read individually and every factor is considered in reading an application. Admissions counselors at Tulane Law School read every application carefully, taking into account post-graduate work experience. Significant interesting work experience is seen as an additional strength in an otherwise strong application. Both Yale and the University of Chicago also read each application individually and consider every factor in a candidate s application. Law schools stress that there is no specific formula or percentage that will guarantee acceptance. Mercer College in Georgia reports that factors in a non-traditional candidate s application considered favorably include community service and public interest work. Since law is a service related profession, a commitment to giving back to the community is valued. Involvement in community service is very important for traditional applicants as well Mercer looks at what students have done since they left college. The school does not prefer applicants from a particular field.. Mercer finds that non-traditional students may have professional degrees and be CPA's, physicians, or teachers. They are people who are very involved in their

4 communities. Non-traditional students are generally older and more focused and have gained the discipline needed to be successful in law school. If a student has grades slightly below Mercer's usual acceptance requirements but also has a strong work history, the student has a better chance of admission with good LSAT scores In its last class of 136 students, Mercer accepted 24 non-traditional students (over 27). The University of California at Berkley approaches all applications holistically. The applications of traditional and non-traditional students are reviewed similarly because of this holistic approach. UC-Berkley considers subjective information as important as quantitative information. Personal statements are important, therefore, because they allow non-traditional students to highlight the distance that they've come since college. Non-traditional students have an advantage over traditional students in describing growth because they frequently have careers and families. The personal statement should focus on what type of "voice" you will bring to law school. One of the greatest learning experiences available in law school is the dialogue in the classroom; UC-Berkeley's admissions counselors want an idea of the voice you will add to that dialogue. The other focus of the personal statement should be, Why Berkeley?. Additionally, you should include your resume and explain how law school fits into your future career aspirations. 3.Choose a school that is right for you. a. Public v. Private.

5 Staff members and interns here at the ABA responded to a question asking for their experience with public or private law schools. "I attended the State University of New York at Buffalo for my J.D. and Georgetown for my LL.M., so I've been in both public and private. Honestly, I don't see any difference between private and public schools other than the cost. Don't underestimate that factor, as if I hadn't attended a public school for my J.D. I wouldn't have been able to afford a private school for my LL.M. - Simon Factors to consider in the public v. private decision include cost, residency in the state, desire to continue practicing in the state, reputation of the school within the state, and alumni support and involvement. b. How important is the school's name. Many people are interested in the prestige or ranking of a law school. While you should consider attending the best law school that you can, finding the school that is the best fit for you should be your number one priority. A law school's name can be important. A big name school can open the door at big law firms and increase your chances of being noticed by recruiters. However, the privilege of having that name on your diploma can mean that you shoulder $1000 monthly loan payments, which may prevent you from doing the kind of work you went to law school to do. The ultimate determinant of success in law school is what you do with the resources available at whatever school you attend. It is in your best interest to choose the law school that can provide the resources you need to be successful, whether it's a nationally recognized

6 school or a school you heard of for the first time while flipping through the "ABA LSAC Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools." A law school's reputation should be considered separately from the reputation of the school's undergraduate institution. Undergraduate schools may be popular for various non-academic reasons that will have no bearing on the experience of a J.D. candidate. Similarly, a university with an unimpressive undergraduate reputation may also house a wonderful law school. You might also want to know whether the university s main focus is on undergraduate or graduate education; on some campuses, graduate students feel that they are forgotten because of the focus on the undergrads. Make sure that the school provides the kinds of resources that you will need (i.e., housing, health care, career counseling) to its graduate students. c. Consider Your School's Culture. Every school has a different social climate that can be best assessed by visiting the school. On some campuses, the faculty is quite liberal while the student body is more conservative; on others, the opposite may be true. It's a good idea to talk to both students and faculty to assess the campus climate. In law school, you develop your adversarial as well as your negotiating skills; a campus with a climate that challenges you may be an asset. On the other hand, going to law school is a stressful experience and being on a campus where you are uneasy expressing your views can make it more difficult. Similarly, some law schools have a reputation for being very competitive; others feature a more relaxed atmosphere. Look for a school that has a stress level you

7 can handle. Choose a school where you find an environment that s both stimulating and comfortable.. d. Remember you need to take the bar exam where you plan to practice. Most law schools prepare their students for the bar exam in the state where the school is located (although some schools don t focus on the bar at all). If you know before you attend school that you plan to work for the federal government, it won't matter where you sit for the bar; otherwise, you should consider where you plan to practice after law school when selecting a school. Many states have reciprocal agreements--sitting for the bar in one state will allow you to practice in another state. For example, Washington State is working on a reciprocal agreements with Idaho and Oregon. 4. Look for schools that participate in loan forgiveness/repayment. 5. Does the school have specialized course work or clinics on children's law issues? Finding a school with specialized coursework and clinics in children's advocacy and related fields will help you gain "real world" experience before you graduate and let you know whether child advocacy is indeed the career choice for you. Here is a list of the schools with clinical or other specialized programs. Some schools are not represented on this list because their websites were not available or did not provide relevant information.

8 -A- University of Akron Trial Litigation Clinic where students handle domestic violence criminal cases. University of Alabama Children's Rights Clinic Albany Union Family and Elder Law Concentration American University Domestic Violence Clinic Women and the Law Clinic University of Arizona In-House Legal Clinic for Child Advocacy Domestic Violence Clinic -B- University of Baltimore Center for Families Children and the Courts Clinical Advocacy and Internship Program: Family Law Clinic Boston College Juvenile Rights Advocacy Clinic Boston University Health Law Clinic Brooklyn Law School Externship in Children's Law Clinic

9 University at Buffalo, SUNY Family Violence Clinic Domestic Violence Task Force -C- University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) Faculty Supervised Clinics include: Child Advocacy Clinic Domestic Violence Clinic Hopi Appellate Court Clinic University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall) Family Protection and Legal Assistance Clinic University of California - Hastings College of Law Live Client Clinics California Western School of Law Child, Family, Elder Law Area of Concentration Capital University Law School The Dave Thomas Center for Adoption Law The Catholic University of America - Columbus School of Law Families and the Law Clinic The University of Chicago Law School The Mandel Legal Aid Clinic - Juvenile Justice University of Cincinnati College of Law

10 Public Service and Professional Development Program Cleveland State University - Cleveland Marshall College of Law Pro Bono Program University of Colorado School of Law Legal Aid and Defender Program Columbia University School of Law Center for Public Interest Law University of Connecticut School of Law The Center for Children's Advocacy, Inc. Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute with Information on Child Custody and Children's Rights -D- University of Dayton Clinical Placements: Legal Aid Society of Dayton Artemis House (Domestic Violence) University of Denver College of Law Concentration in Public Interest Law Child Advocacy Law Clinic Domestic Violence Clinic Public Interest Law Group DePaul University College of Law

11 Health Law Certificate Public Interest Law Association Community Development Clinic Center for Dispute Resolution (includes a Family and Divorce Mediation Training Certification Program) University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Child and Family Advocacy Certificate Program (joint degree open to students admitted to JD program and MSU Graduate School of Social Work) Drake University Drake Association for Public Interest Law Duke University School of Law Health Care Law Concentration Public Policy and Public Interest Law Concentration Domestic Violence Advocacy Project Health Law Society Duquense University School of Law Family and Civil Justice Clinic Emory University School of Law Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic Emory Public Interest Committee Islamic Family Law -E- -F- University of Florida

12 Gator Team Child Juvenile Law Clinic Fordham University School of Law Interdisciplinary Center for Family and Child Advocacy Public Interest Resource Center ( acts as a clearing house for student-initiated pro bono and community service projects...such as domestic violence, family court mediation, etc. ) Child and Family Litigation Clinic Externship: - Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Division - Sanctuary for Families - Victim Services Agency - NYC Administration for Children s Services - Planned Parenthood Federation of America Amsterdam House Children s Law Project Domestic Violence Advocacy Center Family Court Mediation Project Public Service Law Network Worldwide Stein Scholars Program in Public Interest Law and Ethics Franklin Pierce Law Center Administrative Advocacy/Child Advocacy Clinic Institute for Health, Law, and Ethics -G- George Mason University School of Law Association for Public Interest Law George Washington University Law School Domestic Violence Clinic

13 Domestic Violence/Emergency Department Clinic Public Justice Advocacy Clinic Health Law Rights Clinic Georgetown University Law Center Public Interest Law Scholars Program Office of Public Interest and Community Services Georgia State University Public Interest Law Association Student Health Lawyers Association Golden Gate University Family Law Clinic Public Interest/Government Counsel Clinic Public Interest Law Program with Specialization Certificate in Public Interest Law Gonzaga University General Public Private Clinic (includes Family Law, Elder Law, etc.) Domestic Violence/Family Law Mini Clinic Gonzaga Public Interest Law Project (Children s Ark Program) Student Organization for Victim s Advocacy (i.e. domestic violence) -H- Hamline University School of Law Child Advocacy Clinic Family Law Clinic

14 Education Law Clinic Children and the Law Concentration Social Justice Concentration Harvard University Law School Legal Aid Bureau Student Public Interest Network Law and Health Care Society Harvard Mediation Program (including child disputes, etc) Battered Women s Advocacy Project Big Brother/Big Sister Organization Children and Family Project University of Hawi'i at Manoa - William S. Richardson School of Law Advocates for Public Interest Law Hofstra University School of Law Child Advocacy Clinic Family and Conciliation Courts Review University of Houston Law Center Health Law and Policy Institute Family and Poverty Law Clinic Health Law Clinic Civil Clinic (includes practice in child custody, domestic violence, and elder law) - I - University of Idaho

15 Health Law Association Public Interest Law Group General Practice Law Clinic ( includes domestic relations: divorce, child custody and support, adoption, and domestic violence protection) University of Illinois College of Law Society for Legal Assistance to Abused Women Public Service Task Force Welfare Rights Clinic Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington Law and Society Program Community Legal Aid Clinic: Hope For Families Child Advocacy Clinic: Hope For Children Protective Order Project: Hope for Victims of Abuse Public Interest Law Foundation Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis Center for Health and Law Disability Clinic Civil Practice Clinic Health Law Society - J - John Marshall Law School John Marshall Legal Aid Clinic - K -

16 University of Kansas Legal Aid Clinic represents clients in domestic relations, serve as public defenders in juvenile cases. Education Clinic - L - Lewis and Clark, Northwestern School of Law Lewis and Clark Legal Clinic Public Interest Law Project Louisiana State University Progressive Society for Law and Public Interest Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville Specialization in Health and Policy Law IOLTA Public Service Fellowship Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Education Fund Disability Mediation Center Western Law Center for Disability Rights Loyola Child Advocates Public Interest Law Foundation Loyola University Chicago Child and Family Law Clinic Institute for Health Law Health Law Society Public Interest Law Society

17 Children's Legal Rights Journal Loyola University New Orleans Loyola Law Clinic with Focus in Juvenile and Domestic Representation. Gills Long Poverty Law Clinic Public Interest Law Group - M - University of Maine Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic: Family Law Practicum and Domestic Violence Program. Health Law Association Maine Association of Public Interest Law Marquette University Juvenile Division of Wisconsin State Public Defender Clinical Placement Juvenile Division of the Milwaukee County District Attorney Clinical Placement Health Law Society Public Interest Law Society University of Maryland Law and Health Care Program Juvenile Law Clinic Children's Issues and Legislative Advocate Specialty Student Health Law Organization Mc George School of Law University of the Pacific Community Legal Services Clinic

18 District Attorney Internship (Family Support Division) District Attorney Internship (Public Defender Juvenile Division) Sacramento Child Advocates The University of Memphis Child Advocacy Clinic Domestic Relations Area of Study Public Interest Law Organization Mercer University Public Interest Law Society University of Miami Family Law Society Public Interest Law Group Pro Bono Group: Community Health Rights Education Program Education Group: Ethics in Education Study Circles and Symposium Program University of Michigan Law and Public Health Program Law and Social Work Program Family Law Area of Study Health Law Area of Study Law in the Public Interest Area of Study Child Advocacy Law Clinic Legal Assistance for Urban Communities Clinic Alliance for Children's Rights Externship

19 Children's Defense Fund Externship Health Law Society Family Law Project Mediation Workshop Public Interest Group Child Welfare Law Program University of Minnesota Institute on Race and Poverty University of Mississippi Public Interest Law Clinic University of Missouri - Kansas City Public Interest Litigation Clinic University of Montana Child Support Enforcement Clinical Placement Disability Law Clinic - N - University of Nebraska Big Brother Big Sister Program New England School of Law Family Law Clinic Domestic Violence Clinic Health and Hospital Law Clinic Mental Health Law Clinic

20 Public Interest Law Association University of New Mexico Clinic Community Education Project: Community Education and Family and Children The Institute of Public Law: Children's Law Center and Health and Law Ethics New York University Family Defense Clinic Juvenile Rights Clinic Public Interest Law Center Battered Women's Project Health Law Society North Carolina Central University Family Law Clinic Domestic Violence Court The Center for Child and Family Health Center for Child and Family Health Teen Court Guardian Ad Litem Program N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence Child Advocacy Commission University of North Carolina Non Profit and Government in Education Law Externship Carolina Pro Bono Program

21 Civil Legal Assistance Clinic: focuses include Family Law and Domestic Violence Child Action - Student Organization Domestic Violence Project Health and Law Policy Association Northeastern University School of Law Concurrent Degree Programs: Public Health with Tufts University Poverty Law and Practice Clinic Domestic Violence Institute Disability Law Caucus Youth Advocacy Caucus Northern Illinois University College of Law Public Interest Law Study of Focus Northern Kentucky University Clinical Extern Program IOLTA Public Interest Fellowships: -Local Public Interest Law Firms -Northern Kentucky Legal Aid -Children s Law Center Northwestern University School of Law Children and Family Justice Center Clinic Health Care Law Society Public Interest Law Group Family Law Area of Study Health Care Law Area of Study

22 University of Notre Dame The Public Interest Law Forum Social Justice Forum Nova Southeastern University Children and Families Clinic Disability Law Center Concentration in Health Law and Certificate Juvenile Mediation Program Public Interest Law Center Street Law Organization Trial Advocacy Program Center For the Study of Youth Policy Children First Project - O - Ohio Northern University Children s Rights Clinic Family Law Clinic Public Interest Law Program Ohio State University Justice for Children Project Justice for Children Clinic Dispute Resolution Certificate Dispute Resolution Youth Organization

23 Health Care Law Organization Oklahoma City University Center on Alternative Dispute Resolution Early Settlement Central Mediation Program -Specialized Services: Family, Divorce, and Child Custody, Individuals with Disabilities Act, and Juvenile Mediation Project University of Oregon Pro Bono Certificate Program Domestic Violence Clinic - P - Pace University "Equal Justice America" Disability Rights / Health Law Clinic Prosecution of Domestic Violence Clinic Social Justice Center Certificate in Health Law Family Court Externship Legal Services/ Public Interest/ Health Law Externship University of Pennsylvania Edward V. Sparer Fellowship Program: Sparer was a pioneer in poverty and Health law. Fellowship combines public service with research and writing. Pennsylvania Advocates Clinical Project Custody and Support Assistance Clinic Domestic Violence Unit Pro Bono Placement Juvenile Law Center Pro Bono Placement Pennsylvania Sate University Family Law Clinic

24 Disability Law Clinic Dickinson Public Interest Law Fund Pepperdine University Alliance for Children's Rights (Public Interest Placement) Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law (Public Interest Placement) NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (Public Interest Placement) Public Law Center Ventura County Family Law Clinic University of Pittsburgh Family Support Clinic Certificate Program Health Law - Q - Quinnipiac College Health Law Clinic Civil Law Clinic Public Interest Externship Family Law Society Public Interest Law Society - R - Regent University The Family Mediation Clinic University of Richmond Family Relations and Estates Clinic

25 Attorney General's Office of Virginia / Mental Health and Health Services Placement Virginia Poverty Law Center Roger Williams University Disability Law Clinic Health Law Society Rutgers University, Camden Domestic Violence Project Special Education Project Rutgers University, Newark Urban Legal Clinic Special Education Clinic Community Law Program Advocates for the Betterment of Children Pro Bono Service Program Public Interest Law Foundation - S - University of San Diego Law School Child Advocacy Clinic University of San Francisco Intensive Advocacy Program Santa Clara University School of Law Health and Family Areas of Concentration

26 East San Jose Community Law Center Internship Street Law Internship Special Program: Public Interest Law Seattle University School of Law Civil Advocacy Concentration Seton Hall Law School Health Law and Policy Program Family Law Clinic Juvenile Justice Clinic Pro Bono Service Program University of South Carolina Concentration in Child Practice Concentration in Domestic Practice Concentration in Juvenile Justice Child s Law Office: resource center in child abuse and neglect litigation Pro Bono Program Projects: -Big Brother/Big Sister -Communities in Schools -Guardian Ad Litem Project -Lexington County Juvenile Arbitration Program -Literacy Project with Paroles -Juvenile Justice Projects National Advocacy Center University of South Dakota R.D. Hurd Volunteer Law School Society National Association for Public Interest Law

27 South Texas College of Law Family Law Concentration Public Interest Concentration Health Law Concentration Health Law Society University of Southern California Pacific Center for Health Policy and Ethics Clinical Internships: - Alliance for Children's Rights - Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law - NAACP-Legal Defense and Education Fund - National Health Law Program Public Interest Law Foundation Health Law Society Southern Illinois University Domestic Violence Clinic Southern Illinois Regional Family Law Pro Bono Project Self-Help Legal Center Southern Methodist University The Civil Clinic Public Service Program Southern University Elder Law Clinic Juvenile Law Clinic Health Law Society

28 Southwestern University Externships: - Alliance for Children s Rights - Dependency Court Legal Services - Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law - Levitt & Quinn Family Law Center - Health, Education and Welfare Section (government) - Los Angeles City Attorney: Domestic Violence - Los Angeles County District Attorney: Family Violence, Juvenile Division St. Louis University Center for Health Law Studies (offers a certificate) Family Law Clinic Homelessness Prevention Clinic Health Law Concentration Domestic Relations Concentration St. Mary's University Community Development Clinic Center for Legal and Social Justice St. Thomas University -Requires 40 pro bono hours to graduate Stanford University Clinics at the East Palo Alto Community Law Project Public Interest Fellowships State University of New York at Buffalo Stetson University Elder Law Clinic Health Law Center

29 Suffolk University Battered Women's Advocacy Center Center for Juvenile Justice The Family Law Program Syracuse University Children's Rights and Family Law Clinic Public Interest Law Firm I and II Public Interest Externship Family Law and Social Policy Center - T - Temple University Areas of Concentration: - Trial Advocacy - Health Care Law - Family Law - Public Interest Law Elderly Law Project Public Interest Advocacy Temple Legal Aid Office: Domestic Relations Mediation (Child Custody) University of Tennessee University of Tennessee Pro Bono Program University of Texas Children's Rights Clinic Domestic Violence Clinic Juvenile Justice Clinic

30 Housing Law Clinic Mental Health Clinic The Trial Advocacy Program Texas Southern University Family Law Clinic Housing Law Clinic Street Law Clinic Thomas Jefferson School of Law Concentration in Family Law Concentration in Health Law Center for Law and Social Justice University of Toledo Concentration in Health Care Law Concentration in Personal and Family Law Domestic Violence Project Public Service Externship Program Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center Focus on Public Interest Law Domestic Violence Externship Program Family Law Clinic Tulane University Concentration in Family Law Juvenile Litigation Clinic

31 The Public Law Center University of Tulsa Certificate Program in Health Law - U - University of Utah Pro Bono Initiative Program - V - Valparaiso University Child and Family Law Concentration Juvenile Law Clinic Special Education Externship Public Guardian Externship Domestic Violence Court (20 hour pro bono requirement) Vanderbilt University Juvenile Practice Clinic Vermont Law School Children's Rights Seminar South Royalton Legal Clinic Public Interest Fellowships Guardians ad Litem Student Organization Villanova University Civil Justice Program Juvenile Justice Clinic

32 Family Law Society Pro Bono Society Public Interest Fellowship Program University of Virginia The Center for Children Families and the Law The Child Advocacy Clinic Domestic Violence Project Pro Bono Project - W - Wake Forest University Clinical Program: Civil Law Placement - private practice, child protective services, etc. Domestic Violence Advocacy Center Washburn University Law Clinic Internship Washington University Clinical Education Program Public Service Project Washington and Lee University The Legal Aid Society University of Washington School of Law Child Advocacy Clinic Street Law Program

33 Wayne State University Law School Nonprofit Organization Internship Free Legal Aid Clinic Whittier College Center for Children's Rights (offers externships, practicums and seminars) Widener University - Harrisburg and Wilmington Concentration in Law and the Family Family Violence Outreach Clinic Delaware Civil Clinic Pennsylvania Civil Clinic Clinical Externship Program Harrisburg Civil Law Clinic Williamette University The Clinical Law Program: Civil Practice Clinic/Externship Program Willamette University Public Interest Law Project William and Mary School of Law Summer Government/Public Interest Externship Family Mediation Domestic Violence Clinic Legal Aid Clinic William Mitchell College of Law Civil Advocacy Clinic University of Wisconsin