How to Properly Research Law Schools to Distinguish Between Them
Choosing the right law school is more than just checking rankings or flipping through brochures. To find the school that’s really right for you, you need to dig deeper.
With the right research, you can understand a school’s culture, opportunities, and even challenges, giving you the information you need to make informed decisions and strengthen your application.
1. Learn the school’s story and mission
Each law school has its own unique history and culture. Understanding these areas can help you see how the school works and what they value.
Check their history. Look at things like their “about” page or articles about their founding.
Look for the school’s evolution. Have any programs changed? Has the focus shifted over the years?
Take note of key programs and concentrations the school is known for.
Knowing a school’s story allows you to determine if it aligns with your academic and career goals.
2. Check news coverage and public reputation
How a school appears in the news can tell you a lot about its reputation and priorities.
Search Google News or trusted legal publications for any recent stories.
Look for recurring topics, achievements, community involvement, leadership changes, or even controversies.
Pay attention to how the school handles challenges. Responses can indicate culture and priorities.
Tracking patterns in media coverage helps you determine if a school matches your values and expectations.
**For credible sources, check outlets like The Princeton Review or Law School Transparency.
3. Hear from students and alumni
Student and alumni perspectives can give you the clearest picture of daily life at their schools.
Watch videos on social media posted by current or former students.
Follow hashtags related to the school (ex. #HarvardLaw, #YaleLaw, etc.) to see even more posts.
What is the community saying about workload, professors, networking opportunities, and culture? These can all be very telling.
Engaging with students and alumni can confirm what you’ve learned online or highlight areas you may not have considered before.
4. Review faculty and leadership
Who teaches at and leads a school affects everything, including not just your education but also your mentorship opportunities.
Look at the dean’s tenure and any recent leadership changes.
Read faculty research, publications, and student engagement.
Check administrative turnover. Frequent changes could signal instability or changing priorities.
Understanding faculty dynamics can give you insight into a school’s stability and academic culture. It also helps you get a feel for the kind of mentorship or support you might receive as a student.
5. Visit or connect with the school
Seeing a school with your own eyes, whether it’s in person or online, provides context you can’t find on a website.
Attend info sessions, webinars, and law school fairs.
Ask specific questions about things like career services and mentorship opportunities.
Direct engagement allows you to see how the school operates a little deeper. It also gives you information you can use to tailor your application and interview for that school.
6. Organize your research and compare schools
Once you’ve done enough research, you need a way to effectively compare schools.
Build a table or spreadsheet with categories of things that matter to you, like programs, faculty, and career outcomes.
Rank schools based on your priorities, not just how big the name is.
Use your research to shape your interviews, personal statements, and application strategy.
A structured approach ensures your choices are aligned with your goals and not just influenced by rankings.
The truth is, researching law schools takes effort, but it really pays off in the end. Knowing you found the perfect school for you is the best, most relieving feeling.
Let Ivy Grad Services guide you through evaluating schools and building a strategy tailored specifically to your goals. Schedule a consultation today and take confident steps toward the law school that's the right fit for you!