Which Law School Should I Go To? 10 Factors That Matter Most

Which Law School Should I Go To? 10 Questions to Ask Yourself

1. What Are My Career Goals?

Some top law schools have a strong pipeline into Big Law firms. Others focus more on public interest work, government roles, or local practice. If your goal is to clerk for a federal judge or land a job at a top firm, then school prestige, clerkship rates, and alumni networks matter more. But if you're interested in advocacy, legal aid, or working for nonprofits, a school with strong public interest funding or loan forgiveness might be a better fit. Remember that fit is something to emphasize in your "why this law school" essays.

This is your first filter. You don’t need a final answer yet, but you should know which lane you’re leaning toward.

2. Where Do I Want to Practice?

Most law grads work in the same state where they go to school. That's not a coincidence. State schools tend to have stronger local networks, and employers often recruit from nearby campuses. If you’re planning to practice in California, a school like UC Hastings or UCLA may offer better long-term access than a higher-ranked East Coast school.

Also, bar exams vary by state. Attending school in the state you want to work in gives you a built-in advantage—your professors will likely teach to that state’s exam, and your peers will be preparing for the same test.

3. Law School Tuition: Should You Pick Prestige or a Scholarship?

Let’s say you get into Law School A with a full-tuition scholarship, and Law School B—ranked 20 spots higher—offers no aid. Law School B costs $60,000 per year in tuition alone, while you’d pay almost nothing at School A. That’s nearly $200,000 in difference when you factor in tuition, interest, and living costs. Will School B’s brand name lead to a job that pays significantly more? Maybe—but maybe not. Especially if you're not aiming for Big Law or corporate law.

Use tools like AccessLex's Law School Cost Calculator to compare total estimated debt. Some students also choose to live at home during school to save on rent, or work part-time during 2L and 3L years. Every small financial decision matters when you're looking at six figures of debt.

Debt is real. And law school isn’t cheap. The difference between a $150,000 degree and a $75,000 one adds up fast when you factor in interest and years of repayment. If you get into a lower-ranked school with a full scholarship, and a top-10 program with no aid, it’s worth pausing.

Ask yourself: will the higher-ranked degree actually change your outcome enough to justify the extra cost? If not, go where you can afford—and graduate with freedom.

And be sure to compare actual net costs, not just tuition. Factor in scholarships, cost of living, travel, and hidden fees. Every dollar counts.

4. How Does the School Support Students?

Forget glossy brochures. You need to know how a school shows up for its students day-to-day. Do they offer academic support? Mental health services? Career counseling that’s actually helpful?

Some schools have thriving clinical programs, externships, and job shadowing. Others leave you to figure it out alone. Ask current students what support looks like in real life. Look at bar prep programs, job placement rates, and mentorship opportunities.

And if you’re the first in your family to go to law school, ask what kind of support is available for first-gen students.

No matter where you apply - learn how to make your law school application stand out!

5. What Is the School’s Culture Like?

This is one of the most underrated factors. Some law schools are cutthroat. Others are collaborative. Think about your learning style. Would you thrive in a high-pressure environment, or do you need a sense of community to stay grounded? A law school can be among the best schools and still not be the right fit for you.

Try to visit if you can. If not, speak to current students and alumni. Ask them what surprised them about the culture—good or bad. Reddit and forums can help too (just take opinions with a grain of salt).

If you walk around campus and feel like you can breathe, that matters. Law school is hard, so it's important to be in a community where you'll thrive.

6. Bar Passage Rates by Law School: What’s a Good Benchmark?

If a school has a consistently low bar passage rate, that’s a red flag. It might mean they’re not preparing students well. The American Bar Association (ABA) publishes this data. So do most schools on their websites.

Look for the first-time bar passage rate in the state where you plan to take the exam. A strong support system matters, but so does proven success. You want to know the odds are in your favor.

What’s a good bar passage rate? A solid benchmark is 80% or higher for first-time takers. But it also depends on the state. California’s bar exam is notoriously difficult, so rates there may be lower than, say, Wisconsin’s. Be sure to compare rates not just nationally, but within your desired state of practice.

7. What Do the Employment Numbers Really Say?

Don’t stop at the school’s overall employment rate. Dig deeper. What percentage of graduates are in full-time, JD-required jobs after 10 months? That’s the real number that tells you how well the school sets students up for legal careers.

Also: how many grads are working in law firms, government, nonprofits, clerkships? How many are unemployed or working part-time? These details are on each school's ABA 509 report.

8. What Type of Legal Education Do I Want?

Not every law school teaches the same way. Some lean heavily on the Socratic method. Others emphasize legal writing, clinics, or hands-on training. Think about how you learn best.

Do you want to build courtroom experience through mock trials and clinics? Are you interested in legal theory or policy work? Do you want opportunities to publish in journals or do legal research?

Look at course offerings and ask about clinic availability, externships, and how easy it is to get real-world experience.

9. How Diverse and Inclusive Is the Campus?

This isn’t a throwaway question. Diversity impacts your classroom experience, peer relationships, and sense of belonging. Look at faculty diversity, student demographics, and whether affinity groups are active on campus.

Does the school offer scholarships or support for underrepresented students? What does the administration do to create an inclusive culture—beyond just statements?

The more you see yourself reflected in the student body and the more support systems are in place, the more likely you are to thrive.

10. What Does My Gut Say?

You can do all the spreadsheet comparisons you want. But in the end, you have to trust your instinct. If a school feels like the right fit—and it checks out on cost, outcomes, and values—listen to that.

That feeling might come from walking the campus, talking to a current student, or sitting in on a class. Sometimes, a school just feels like the right environment to grow.

At the same time, be alert to red flags: unclear job outcomes, high debt with poor support, or a campus vibe that just doesn’t feel right.

Choosing your law school is a big decision. But it’s not forever. Your career will grow and evolve. Pick the place that will launch you best.

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To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting