{"id":5504,"date":"2025-08-06T15:03:54","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T21:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/?p=5504"},"modified":"2025-08-06T15:03:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T21:03:56","slug":"how-to-choose-a-law-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/how-to-choose-a-law-school\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose a Law School: Tips for Making Your Decision"},"content":{"rendered":" <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As of 2025, there are nearly<a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanbar.org\/groups\/legal_education\/resources\/aba_approved_law_schools\/\"> 200<\/a> ABA-approved law schools in the United States, and dozens of others that aren&#8217;t approved.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>With such a wide selection, how do you choose the best law school for you?<\/strong><\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019m glad you asked. Below, I\u2019ll break down everything you need to know when you&#8217;re weighing your options\u2014from the obvious to the often-overlooked. Whether you\u2019re applying to top schools or exploring low-key law schools in your region, this guide will help you move forward with confidence.<\/p> <p class=\"custom_key wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list custom_underline\"> <li><strong>Accreditation Is Non-Negotiable: <\/strong>Only consider accredited law schools approved by the American Bar Association if you want full bar exam and employment eligibility.<\/li> <li><strong>Location Shapes Your Career: <\/strong>Where you study impacts where you\u2019ll network, intern, and likely get your first job\u2014think local bar exams and regional firms.<\/li> <li><strong>Prestige Isn&#8217;t Everything: <\/strong>A top-ranked school can open doors, but a scholarship at a less flashy school could offer better long-term ROI.<\/li> <li><strong>Culture and Fit Matter: <\/strong>You&#8217;re not just picking a school\u2014you&#8217;re picking your people. Talk to current students, visit campus, and trust your gut.<\/li> <li><strong>Build Your Own Scorecard: <\/strong>Create a personal point system for each factor\u2014like scholarships, bar support, and location\u2014to make the choice that fits your goals.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-accreditation-non-negotiable\"><strong>Accreditation: Non-Negotiable<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s get this out of the way: <strong>Make sure the law school is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA)<\/strong>. Attending an unaccredited program can limit your eligibility to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/can-you-take-the-bar-exam-without-going-to-law-school\/\">take the bar exam<\/a> in many states, and some law firms won\u2019t even consider graduates from non-ABA schools. It might sound basic, but it&#8217;s a common pitfall.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-location-more-than-just-the-weather\"><strong>Location: More Than Just the Weather<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sure, everyone dreams of sunshine and palm trees, but location has career implications, too. Law firms often recruit locally, so going to school in the city or state where you want to practice can give you a big networking advantage. Plus, different states have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/what-is-the-bar-exam\/\">different bar exam<\/a>s and legal cultures. Planning to live in New York forever? Maybe skip that California school.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pros of studying close to home:<\/strong><\/p> <ul style=\"padding-left: 1.6em;text-align: left;--ub-list-item-icon-top: 3px;--ub-list-item-icon-size: 1.4em;);--ub-list-item-fa-li-top: 3px;--ub-list-item-spacing: 0px;column-count: 1;--ub-list-mobile-column-count: 1\" class=\"wp-block-ub-styled-list ub_styled_list\" id=\"ub_styled_list-b9593e16-a13a-43fc-8bb5-7cc628ccb166\"> <li class=\"ub_styled_list_item\" style=\"--ub-list-item-icon-top: 3px; --ub-list-item-icon-size: 1.4em; --ub-list-item-background-image: url('data:image\/svg+xml;utf8,&lt;svg xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 512 512&quot;&gt;&lt;path fill=&quot;%2300d084&quot; d=&quot;M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM369 209L241 337c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-64-64c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9s24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47L335 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9z&quot;&gt;&lt;\/path&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;'); \" id=\"ub-styled-list-item-ff6afde7-34de-418f-bf65-1c7763742831\"> <div class=\"ub_list_item_content\"> <span class=\"ub_list_item_icon\"> <svg width=\"1.4em\" height=\"1.4em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"#00d084\" d=\"M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM369 209L241 337c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-64-64c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9s24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47L335 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <span class=\"ub_list_item_text\">Lower travel or relocation costs<\/span> <\/div> <\/li> <li class=\"ub_styled_list_item\" style=\"--ub-list-item-icon-top: 3px; --ub-list-item-icon-size: 1.4em; --ub-list-item-background-image: url('data:image\/svg+xml;utf8,&lt;svg xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 512 512&quot;&gt;&lt;path fill=&quot;%2300d084&quot; d=&quot;M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM369 209L241 337c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-64-64c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9s24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47L335 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9z&quot;&gt;&lt;\/path&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;'); \" id=\"ub-styled-list-item-3bffafbe-dd30-4d1f-8152-4f8066e32a84\"> <div class=\"ub_list_item_content\"> <span class=\"ub_list_item_icon\"> <svg width=\"1.4em\" height=\"1.4em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"#00d084\" d=\"M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM369 209L241 337c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-64-64c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9s24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47L335 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <span class=\"ub_list_item_text\">Familiar support systems<\/span> <\/div> <\/li> <li class=\"ub_styled_list_item\" style=\"--ub-list-item-icon-top: 3px; --ub-list-item-icon-size: 1.4em; --ub-list-item-background-image: url('data:image\/svg+xml;utf8,&lt;svg xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 512 512&quot;&gt;&lt;path fill=&quot;%2300d084&quot; d=&quot;M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM369 209L241 337c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-64-64c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9s24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47L335 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9z&quot;&gt;&lt;\/path&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;'); \" id=\"ub-styled-list-item-fb38f25b-6e1e-47eb-9cee-1f30129a8c66\"> <div class=\"ub_list_item_content\"> <span class=\"ub_list_item_icon\"> <svg width=\"1.4em\" height=\"1.4em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"#00d084\" d=\"M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM369 209L241 337c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-64-64c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9s24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47L335 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <span class=\"ub_list_item_text\">Easier networking with local law firms<\/span> <\/div> <\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p> <ul style=\"padding-left: 1.6em;text-align: left;--ub-list-item-icon-top: 3px;--ub-list-item-icon-size: 1.4em;);--ub-list-item-fa-li-top: 3px;--ub-list-item-spacing: 0px;column-count: 1;--ub-list-mobile-column-count: 1\" class=\"wp-block-ub-styled-list ub_styled_list\" id=\"ub_styled_list-52fc8c10-8f3c-493c-8c10-9bd6c4e067f9\"> <li class=\"ub_styled_list_item\" style=\"--ub-list-item-icon-top: 3px; --ub-list-item-icon-size: 1.4em; --ub-list-item-background-image: url('data:image\/svg+xml;utf8,&lt;svg xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 512 512&quot;&gt;&lt;path fill=&quot;%23cf2e2e&quot; d=&quot;M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM175 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47 47-47c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-47 47 47 47c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9s-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-47-47-47 47c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0s-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l47-47-47-47c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9z&quot;&gt;&lt;\/path&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;'); \" id=\"ub-styled-list-item-68c82d9e-1abb-4bb2-8041-280bca2c786b\"> <div class=\"ub_list_item_content\"> <span class=\"ub_list_item_icon\"> <svg width=\"1.4em\" height=\"1.4em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"#cf2e2e\" d=\"M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM175 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47 47-47c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-47 47 47 47c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9s-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-47-47-47 47c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0s-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l47-47-47-47c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <span class=\"ub_list_item_text\">Fewer opportunities for personal and professional growth<\/span> <\/div> <\/li> <li class=\"ub_styled_list_item\" style=\"--ub-list-item-icon-top: 3px; --ub-list-item-icon-size: 1.4em; --ub-list-item-background-image: url('data:image\/svg+xml;utf8,&lt;svg xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 512 512&quot;&gt;&lt;path fill=&quot;%23cf2e2e&quot; d=&quot;M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM175 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47 47-47c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-47 47 47 47c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9s-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-47-47-47 47c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0s-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l47-47-47-47c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9z&quot;&gt;&lt;\/path&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;'); \" id=\"ub-styled-list-item-3757c0a0-1a66-48ba-9bf9-19620e9afe4c\"> <div class=\"ub_list_item_content\"> <span class=\"ub_list_item_icon\"> <svg width=\"1.4em\" height=\"1.4em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"#cf2e2e\" d=\"M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM175 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47 47-47c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-47 47 47 47c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9s-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-47-47-47 47c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0s-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l47-47-47-47c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <span class=\"ub_list_item_text\">Might limit your exposure to other legal markets<\/span> <\/div> <\/li> <li class=\"ub_styled_list_item\" style=\"--ub-list-item-icon-top: 3px; --ub-list-item-icon-size: 1.4em; --ub-list-item-background-image: url('data:image\/svg+xml;utf8,&lt;svg xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 512 512&quot;&gt;&lt;path fill=&quot;%23cf2e2e&quot; d=&quot;M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM175 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47 47-47c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-47 47 47 47c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9s-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-47-47-47 47c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0s-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l47-47-47-47c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9z&quot;&gt;&lt;\/path&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;'); \" id=\"ub-styled-list-item-8830961b-c700-4fd9-8c24-104815b5ac9a\"> <div class=\"ub_list_item_content\"> <span class=\"ub_list_item_icon\"> <svg width=\"1.4em\" height=\"1.4em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"#cf2e2e\" d=\"M256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0S0 114.6 0 256S114.6 512 256 512zM175 175c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l47 47 47-47c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0s9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-47 47 47 47c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9s-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-47-47-47 47c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0s-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l47-47-47-47c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span> <span class=\"ub_list_item_text\">Miss the chance to explore new parts of the world<\/span> <\/div> <\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Personally, I&#8217;m very much of the mindset that you need to move away from your hometown at least once in your life, even if you go back. I have a friend who grew up in a small, rural town in Wisconsin. Since she moved to a metro city, I&#8217;ve never seen her so happy\u2014and she didn&#8217;t even know what she was missing out on until she went for it.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Law school can be a phenomenal opportunity to explore new cities, cultures, and environments. I say, if you feel safe and it&#8217;s financially reasonable to do so, go for it!<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-prestige-amp-rankings-flashy-but-not-everything\"><strong>Prestige &amp; Rankings: Flashy, but Not Everything<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all know the top schools: Yale, Stanford, Harvard. Attending a highly ranked law school can open a lot of doors\u2014especially for clerkships, academia, or Big Law. But rankings don\u2019t tell the whole story. If you\u2019re not aiming for a $200K Big Law salary, <strong>fit and focus matter more than prestige<\/strong>.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ask yourself:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Does the school specialize in your area of interest?<\/li> <li>Do their graduates succeed in the jobs <em>you<\/em> want?<\/li> <li>What are their actual employment outcomes?<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-specialties-faculty-amp-curriculum-know-what-they-re-known-for\"><strong>Specialties, Faculty &amp; Curriculum: Know What They\u2019re Known For<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many law schools offer a general legal education, but others have standouts in areas like environmental law, criminal justice, or civil procedure. Look into the faculty bios, see what kinds of clinics or journals they have, and check if a particular program fits your goals.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Passionate about social justice? Find a school with strong public interest law offerings.<\/li> <li>Want to go into intellectual property? Look for tech-focused faculty and clinics.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The school\u2019s student-to-faculty ratio can also tell you how accessible your professors will be.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-culture-you-re-going-to-be-there-a-while\"><strong>Culture: You\u2019re Going to Be There a While<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Law school is no joke. The environment matters a lot. Are the students cutthroat or collaborative? Do they host student organizations that align with your interests and identity? Have you talked to anyone who actually attended law school there?<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re not sure what you\u2019re looking for, think about whether you want a:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Competitive or supportive vibe<\/li> <li>Diverse or traditional student body<\/li> <li>Strong emphasis on clinics vs. classroom theory<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And don\u2019t forget about weekend classes or flexible formats if you\u2019re a nontraditional student.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-price-tag-don-t-sleep-on-scholarships\"><strong>Price Tag: Don\u2019t Sleep on Scholarships<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Law school is expensive\u2014like, mortgage-level expensive. Financial aid, tuition, and cost of living should be front and center in your decision-making. Some top schools offer generous aid, while others expect you to take on a mountain of debt.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key pricing questions:<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>What\u2019s the total cost (tuition + living expenses)?<\/li> <li>What kind of financial aid or merit scholarships do they offer?<\/li> <li>What are your long-term earning prospects after graduation?<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A lower-ranked school with a full ride might be a smarter financial move than a top-tier school with no aid. It all depends on your goals and values.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-return-on-investment-let-s-talk-numbers\"><strong>Return on Investment: Let\u2019s Talk Numbers<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is where everything comes together. Look at each particular school&#8217;s bar passage rate, average student debt, and employment outcomes within 10 months of graduation. If the numbers look bleak, think twice.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use ROI as a filter when comparing other law schools. A school might look good on paper, but if 40% of their grads are unemployed and $200K in debt? Hard pass.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-extras-to-consider\"><strong>Extras to Consider<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019d be surprised what small things make a big difference in the law school experience.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Clinics &amp; Externships:<\/strong> Real-world experience is gold.<\/li> <li><strong>Alumni Network:<\/strong> Strong networks help with jobs, clerkships, and mentorship.<\/li> <li><strong>Bar Prep Support:<\/strong> Do they offer bar review help built into tuition?<\/li> <li><strong>Facilities &amp; Campus Vibe:<\/strong> You\u2019ll be studying here for three years. Make sure it doesn\u2019t feel like a prison.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-realistic-pros-and-cons-comparison-and-how-to-actually-decide\"><strong>A Realistic Pros and Cons Comparison (and How to Actually Decide)<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I feel like everyone knows the old &#8220;make a pros and cons list&#8221; strategy for making a decision, but it really isn&#8217;t that simple, particularly when you&#8217;re choosing between two options with similar value. In this section, I&#8217;m going to help you make that list <em>mean <\/em>something.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s say you\u2019re comparing two very real options:<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u27a1\ufe0f School A<\/strong>: A well-regarded regional law school offering you a <strong>half scholarship<\/strong>.<br>\u27a1\ufe0f <strong>School B<\/strong>: A nationally ranked T20 law school with <strong>no aid<\/strong>.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how that might shake out:<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>School A Pros:<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>50% tuition scholarship = significantly reduced debt<\/li> <li>Close to where you want to practice (easier networking, local job market alignment)<\/li> <li>Focus on practical experience and solid bar support<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>School A Cons:<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Limited national brand recognition<\/li> <li>Fewer Big Law or federal clerkship opportunities<\/li> <li>May require extra hustle if you want to move out of state later<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>School B Pros:<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Prestigious name opens doors across the country<\/li> <li>Strong pipelines to Big Law and elite clerkships<\/li> <li>Larger alumni network = potentially broader career options<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>School B Cons:<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>No financial aid = likely six-figure debt<\/li> <li>Higher cost of living depending on location<\/li> <li>Possibly more competitive or high-pressure academic environment<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This kind of decision is tough\u2014but it\u2019s also personal.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-so-what-should-you-do\"><strong>So&#8230; What Should You Do?<\/strong><\/h3> <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/How-to-Choose-a-Law-School-info-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"choosing a law school\" class=\"wp-image-5506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/How-to-Choose-a-Law-School-info-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/How-to-Choose-a-Law-School-info-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/How-to-Choose-a-Law-School-info-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/How-to-Choose-a-Law-School-info-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/How-to-Choose-a-Law-School-info-280x280.png 280w, https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/How-to-Choose-a-Law-School-info.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your goal is financial security, reduced debt, or staying local, School A probably wins. If your goal is maximum mobility, elite opportunities, or a name-brand resume boost, School B might be worth the cost.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But don\u2019t just wing it\u2014make a scoring system that reflects <em>your<\/em> priorities.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here\u2019s an example:<\/strong><\/p> <style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"supsystic-table-94_76908-css\">\/* Here you can add custom CSS for the current table *\/ \/* Lean more about CSS: https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cascading_Style_Sheets *\/ \/* To prevent the use of styles to other tables use \"#supsystic-table-94\" as a base selector for example: #supsystic-table-94 { ... } #supsystic-table-94 tbody { ... } #supsystic-table-94 tbody tr { ... } *\/ span.discount { margin-top: 6px; display: inline-block; float: left; font-weight: 400; width: 100%; font-size: 12px; } .supsystic-tables-wrap thead th { font-size: 16px; } .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) th a:nth-child(3) { background: #1873cd; border: 1px solid #1873cd; } .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) th a:nth-child(4) { background: #1873cd; border: 1px solid #1873cd; } \/*.supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) th {*\/ \/* padding: 65px 10px 20px;*\/ \/* position: relative;*\/ \/*}*\/ .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) th .editor_block:nth-child(1) { background: #32cd32; color: #fff; font-size: 14px; position: absolute; padding: 10px 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; top: 0px; left: 0; right: 0; } li.coupon_dis { list-style: none; } .dataTables_scrollBody .editor_block { display: none; } .editor_block::after { content: \"\"; position: absolute; left: 0; right: 0; margin: auto; height: 10px; width: 10px; background: #32cd32; top: 35px; transform: rotate(45deg); } .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) a:nth-child(4), .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) a.external { color: #fff; padding: 4px 12px; width: 70%; border-radius: 50px; font-size: 9px; margin-top: 10px; display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 12px; } .supsystic-table thead th img { width: 200px; margin: 0 auto; display: block; } .supsystic-table tbody tr:last-child td a { background: #00d084; color: #fff; padding: 10px 10px; border-radius: 10px; font-size: 16px; } .supsystic-table tbody tr:last-child { height: 80px; } .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) a:nth-child(3), .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) a.external { color: #fff; padding: 4px 12px; width: 70%; border-radius: 50px; font-size: 9px; margin-top: 10px; display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 12px; } table.dataTable.cell-border tbody th, table.dataTable.cell-border tbody td { border-top: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; } tr:first-child th { background-color: #fff; border: 1px solid #e1e1e1; } th:first-child, td:first-child { font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; } .supsystic-table tbody tr td { padding: 12px 10px !important; } td { font-size: 13px; text-align: center; } .supsystic-table tbody tr:first-child td { border-top: 1px solid #dddddd !important; } .dataTables_scrollBody { border: unset !important; } .supsystic-table tbody tr:last-child td { border-bottom: 1px solid #dddddd; } .supsystic-table thead th { border-bottom: unset !important; border-left: unset !important; } .supsystic-table thead tr:first-child th:first-child { border-radius: 12px 0 00; border-left: 1px solid #dddddd !important; } .supsystic-table thead tr th { border: 1px solid #dddddd; } .supsystic-table thead tr:first-child th:last-child { border-radius: 0 12px 0 0; } .supsystic-table thead tr:last-child th:first-child { border-left: 1px solid #dddddd !important; } .supsystic-table tbody tr:last-child td:first-child { border-radius: 0 0 0 12px; } .supsystic-table tbody tr:last-child td:last-child { border-radius: 0 0 12px 0; } @media screen and (max-width: 767px) { .supsystic-table tbody tr:last-child td a { padding: 8px !important; font-size: 11px !important; } } <\/style> <div id=\"supsystic-table-94_76908\" class=\"supsystic-tables-wrap \" style=\" width:100%; visibility: hidden; \" data-table-width-fixed=\"100%\" data-table-width-mobile=\"100%\" ><table id=\"supsystic-table-94\" class=\"supsystic-table border lightboxImg cell-border\" data-id=\"94\" data-view-id=\"94_76908\" data-title=\"How to Choose a Law School\" data-currency-format=\"$1,000.00\" data-percent-format=\"10.00%\" data-date-format=\"DD.MM.YYYY\" data-time-format=\"HH:mm\" data-features=\"[&quot;after_table_loaded_script&quot;]\" data-search-value=\"\" data-lightbox-img=\"\" data-head=\"on\" data-head-rows-count=\"1\" data-pagination-length=\"50,100,All\" data-auto-index=\"off\" data-searching-settings=\"{&quot;columnSearchPosition&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;minChars&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-lang=\"default\" data-override=\"{&quot;emptyTable&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;info&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;infoEmpty&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;infoFiltered&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;lengthMenu&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;search&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;previous&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;next&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;zeroRecords&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;exportLabel&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;file&quot;:&quot;default&quot;}\" data-merged=\"[]\" data-responsive-mode=\"2\" data-from-history=\"0\" ><thead><tr><th data-cell-id=\"A1\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"1\" data-db-index=\"1\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Factor\" data-order=\"Factor\" style=\"min-width:50%; width:50%;\" >Factor <\/th><th data-cell-id=\"B1\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"1\" data-db-index=\"1\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Value\" data-order=\"Value\" style=\"min-width:50%; width:50%;\" >Value <\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A2\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"2\" data-db-index=\"2\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Full scholarship\" data-order=\"Full scholarship\" >Full scholarship <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B2\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"2\" data-db-index=\"2\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"+10\" data-order=\"+10\" >+10 <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A3\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"3\" data-db-index=\"3\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Half scholarship\" data-order=\"Half scholarship\" >Half scholarship <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B3\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"3\" data-db-index=\"3\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"+5\" data-order=\"+5\" >+5 <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A4\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"4\" data-db-index=\"4\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"No aid\" data-order=\"No aid\" >No aid <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B4\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"4\" data-db-index=\"4\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"-10\" data-order=\"-10\" >-10 <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A5\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"5\" data-db-index=\"5\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Located in your target market\" data-order=\"Located in your target market\" >Located in your target market <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B5\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"5\" data-db-index=\"5\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"+5\" data-order=\"+5\" >+5 <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A6\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"6\" data-db-index=\"6\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"National prestige\" data-order=\"National prestige\" >National prestige <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B6\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"6\" data-db-index=\"6\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"+6\" data-order=\"+6\" >+6 <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A7\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"7\" data-db-index=\"7\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Strong bar support\" data-order=\"Strong bar support\" >Strong bar support <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B7\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"7\" data-db-index=\"7\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"+4\" data-order=\"+4\" >+4 <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A8\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"8\" data-db-index=\"8\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Big Law recruitment pipeline\" data-order=\"Big Law recruitment pipeline\" >Big Law recruitment pipeline <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B8\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"8\" data-db-index=\"8\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"+5\" data-order=\"+5\" >+5 <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A9\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"9\" data-db-index=\"9\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"High COL or debt burden\" data-order=\"High COL or debt burden\" >High COL or debt burden <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B9\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"9\" data-db-index=\"9\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"-8\" data-order=\"-8\" >-8 <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A10\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"10\" data-db-index=\"10\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"High student happiness\/culture\" data-order=\"High student happiness\/culture\" >High student happiness\/culture <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B10\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"10\" data-db-index=\"10\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"+4\" data-order=\"+4\" >+4 <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A11\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"11\" data-db-index=\"11\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Weekend\/flex class options\" data-order=\"Weekend\/flex class options\" >Weekend\/flex class options <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B11\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"11\" data-db-index=\"11\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"+3\" data-order=\"+3\" >+3 <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><!-- \/#supsystic-table-94.supsystic-table --><\/div><!-- \/.supsystic-tables-wrap --><!-- Tables Generator by Supsystic --><!-- Version:1.11.2 --><!-- http:\/\/supsystic.com\/ --><a title=\"WordPress Data Table Plugin\" style=\"display:none;\" href=\"https:\/\/supsystic.com\/plugins\/wordpress-data-table-plugin\/?utm_medium=love_link\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress Data Table Plugin<\/a> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tweak it based on what matters to you.<\/strong> Hate debt? Scholarships should be a higher point value. Dream of the Supreme Court? Add points for clerkship pipelines. Prioritize family or mental health? Weight location or campus culture more heavily.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This isn\u2019t about being &#8220;objective&#8221;\u2014it\u2019s about being <em>intentional<\/em>. The more you build a system around your own values, the easier it\u2019ll be to ignore flashy rankings or pressure from others and make a decision you won\u2019t regret.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-real-law-students-are-saying\"><strong>What Real Law Students Are Saying<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Want a simpler route? Just follow this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/LawFirm\/comments\/1dno7fy\/how_to_pick_law_schools\/\">Redditor\u2019s<\/a> advice:<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cGet the US News and World reports rankings. Attend the highest-ranked school to which you can gain admittance and can afford to pay for.\u201d<\/em><\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or, if it feels better to you, this response to that comment:<\/p> <figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-small-font-size\"><blockquote><p><em>\u201cCounterpoint. Go to T14 or the best state school in which you wish to practice. I got waitlisted at Emory and got accepted to UF. At the time, Emory was ranked 33 and UF was 48. Thank god I went to UF. It has jumped up in the rankings and didn&#8217;t cost a ton, plus I&#8217;ve been practicing for nearly my whole career here in Florida.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts\"><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choosing where to attend law school isn\u2019t about picking the &#8220;best&#8221; one overall\u2014it\u2019s about picking the best one <em>for you<\/em>. Think about your long-term goals, the environment you\u2019ll thrive in, and what kind of return you need on your investment. Some people chase prestige, others chase purpose. Neither path is wrong. Just be honest with yourself about what matters most.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And remember, generally speaking, you\u2019re not just choosing a law school. You\u2019re choosing a community, a lifestyle, and a launching pad for your legal career. Choose wisely.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2> <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1754471266322\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What should I consider when choosing a law school?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">When considering a particular law school, think about accreditation, cost, location, school culture, job outcomes, specialty programs, and how well the school fits your long-term goals.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1754471272440\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is the hardest year in law school?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">1L (first year) is generally considered the hardest due to the heavy workload, steep learning curve, and adjustment to legal thinking while you prepare to practice law.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1754471277761\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is the most accurate law school admissions predictor?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/lsat-score-range-percentiles\/\">LSAT score<\/a> and GPA remain the most predictive metrics, but admissions calculators like LSAC&#8217;s can offer helpful estimates.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1754471283319\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How to decide between two law schools?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Compare financial aid, job placement stats, bar passage rates, culture, and fit. Use a personal point system if needed to clarify priorities.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1754471288811\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Does it matter what law school you get into?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, but how much it matters depends on your goals, both as a law student and a future professional. Prestige can help in Big Law or clerkships, but debt, location, and fit often matter more.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As of 2025, there are nearly 200 ABA-approved law schools in the United States, and dozens of others that aren&#8217;t approved. With such a wide selection, how do you choose the best law school for you? I\u2019m glad you asked. Below, I\u2019ll break down everything you need to know when you&#8217;re weighing your options\u2014from the [&hellip;]<\/p> ","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":5505,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,245],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers-education","category-law"],"acf":{"external_author":[129],"external_editor":"","select_template":"default","not_show_feature_image":false,"hide_toc":false},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/How-to-Choose-a-Law-School-feature-img-768x427.png","author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/author\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Choose a Law School: Tips for Making Your Decision<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Choosing a law school? Here\u2019s how to weigh cost, culture, prestige, ROI, and more\u2014so you can make the best possible decision for your future.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/how-to-choose-a-law-school\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Choose a Law School: Tips for Making Your Decision\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Choosing a law school? 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