You have spent your undergraduate years preparing for a career in law. Or perhaps you have only recently realized that a legal career is an appealing option. The first and one of the most important decisions you will make on the road to that legal career is choosing a law school. What steps can you take to find the perfect law school for you? Here are some ideas to consider.
One thing you will obviously want to consider is the school’s reputation. A law school with a great reputation can be the difference between a high-powered, high salaried legal position and something much less preferable. However you need to be realistic about your likelihood of getting into and successfully completing the top law programs. Find a good balance between a school with a good reputation and one you are likely to earn a law degree from.
You’ll want to consider the variety of courses offered. You may already know what branch of law you wish to practice, or you may not have the slightest idea. Choose a school which has a curriculum that matches your interests. If you’re not quite sure what those interests are yet, make sure you choose a school that will give you a wide variety of courses and disciplines to choose from.
A vital part of the law school program is the externship. This is where you will get real world legal experience. You want to make sure you are going to attend a school that will afford you the opportunity for you to get a great externship in a legal area that interests you.
Of course, you should do some research into the faculty. What are their reputations? Do they have many publications? A wide body of legal experience to draw from? Are there esteemed faculty members in your area of interest? Do these professors seem like ones you will want to learn from? A school is only as strong as its faculty, so you want to make sure you are comfortable with the faculty of the school you choose.
A good law school has a good law library. You should look into how comprehensive the law library is at the schools you are considering. A visit to the library will give you a good idea about how effectively you will be able to use it to complete your degree.
You will also have to think about physical factors such as location and cost. Are you willing to relocate to go to law school? Are you looking at law schools you can afford? When determining affordability, you also must take into account living expenses if you are going to law school away from home. Remember that even if you get student loans, you will one day be expected to pay them back with interest.
Law school is a sometimes grueling, always educational, transforming experience for most lawyers. Picking the right law school will put you in a position to have the most successful law career possible, whatever discipline of law you choose to practice.
Craig Berger
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/how-to-find-the-best-law-school-for-you-87788.html
#1 by OLIVER U on May 26th, 2009
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How do I choose a school for my child and how do I find out which is the best in my area?
I want to find the best school in my area for my child or know whether it would be beeter to move to a different area based on better schooling?
#2 by nortybirdy on May 26th, 2009
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I did my research on the net, it shows league tables for all the schools in and around the area. Sorry, don't know exact address, just tap in your area and school league tables on google or something. I was quite shocked with the results in my area.. The schools were appalling!
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#3 by cat f on May 26th, 2009
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research. find out where they rank compared to national average. find out the student to teacher ratio. find out facts. find out how many graduate and go on to college from the local high school. don't listen to people who just base the school on lack of those of color. diversity adds valuable education. education is also largely what child and parent put into it.
if you have a lot of money you can buy just about anything. ha ha
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#4 by Spawnee on May 26th, 2009
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If you are in the UK, you can go to your local government website and click on the education departments sub-site (all local council/government sites have them). From there you can access all Ofsted reports for the schools with in your local authority. Ofsted reports are pretty dull reads, but usually you can get a fair idea about behaviour of pupils, staff moral, exam performance, extra curricula activities etc.
Also, go direct to the local school websites too, most schools now have them.
Finally, speak to parents who have children in schools in your area and see what they have to say.
I moved from South Manchester to the Lake District last year as I wasn't happy with the local schools for my child.
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My wife is a primary school teacher and I used to work for local education authorities in a strategic roll.
#5 by nooka on May 26th, 2009
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You can view OFSTED tables and results online. We did this when my little one was starting school. There were 3 choices in our area. I ended up sending her to the catchment one since I strongly believe that you can't blame school and teachers for everything. If your child gets encouragement and support at home then the likelihood is that they will do well at school. My Mum was mortified that we didn't send my daughter to the "best" school in the area. However, my nephew went there and I have found out that exactly the same things happen there as anywhere else, they just hush it up. My daughter is doing really well at school-I like to think that this is because we work hard at parenting and give as much support and encouragement as we can. I have known families move to live in a "better" area and still their children have not done well. Go with your gut instinct but let your child be a child, just be there for them 100% at the end of every day and they will go far.
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#6 by the little ninja on May 26th, 2009
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Pick a few schools that you are interested in and go and have a look at them, try and go either first thing in the morning or last thing in the afternoon as then you get to see the other parents. If you like what you see then send your child to the school. Please don't rely on the league tables they only give a skewed view of things. The best way to judge is to go see for yourself!
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#7 by worriedmum on May 26th, 2009
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Dont just go on the league table results, some schools intake is so much higher then other schools, and in wealthy areas most kids are tutored, so the school results are boosted – but not by exceptional teaching.
Look at your own kid and think what would suit them, are they sporty, arty, academic etc and find a school to suit them. Make sure it is a learning environment – if it is and they are bright then they will do well any where.
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Mum of three
#8 by Elizabeth M on May 26th, 2009
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League tables only give a very narrow view of a school: you need to make a decision based on more than what can amount to a misleading set of statistics.
Contact the LEA for a list of local schools and chat to parents at toddler groups, playgroups and nurseries. Word of mouth is a very good way of choosing a good school. Listen to what other parents (and their children) have to say, then continue your research by checking OFSTED reports, and maybe glancing at those dreaded league tables. (But, remember that these statistical reports aren't the be all and end all. I'd much rather teach happy, well-rounded, well-socialised children than a class of predicted level 5's any day of the week.)
Finally, phone schools: ask to look around any that interest you. Ask to talk to the pupils. Ask for copies of handbooks and prospectuses. I think choosing a school is a gut feeling, made when you walk into a school and pick up the general "vibe" of the place.
Good luck! Also, remember, if you think you have made a mistake, there's nothing to stop you moving your child – as long as that's the last resort.
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