Factors to Consider in Applying

Well, now that I've got the application parts done, the only thing left to consider is where to apply. I researched this aspect quite a bit. There was conflicting advice about how, when and where to apply. One list I found most helpful was in the book The Ultimate Guide to Law School Admission by Carol Wright. Here are her 15 equally essential factors to consider when applying:

1. ABA Accreditation: You want to go to an accredited school in order to guarantee your ability to be licensed in the state of your choosing.
2. Retention: You want to make sure the school has a low attrition rate. High attrition rates could be warning signs of other problems. 
3. Admission: Weigh the likelihood of getting into the school. Look at the percentiles of GPA and LSAT scores and see how you compare. Then apply to a range of schools. The experts recommend applying to:
• 1 or 2 reach schools: schools where you fall into the lower end of the percentiles
• 2-4 Mid-Range schools: schools where your scores are pretty much on par with the percentages
• 1-2 safe schools: schools where you're most likely to receive admission based upon your scores
4. Bar Passage Record: You want to make sure you go to a school that prepares people well and equips them to pass the necessary tests to become a practicing lawyer.
5. Career Development and Placement: Make sure they have a good career development program so that you can graduate AND get a job.
6. Cost of Attendance: Debt is something that is most likely inevitable when going to law school, but wisely consider how much debt you're accruing. You don't want to be paying off your student loans for 30 years.
7. Diversity: The more diverse the more opportunities to learn from a variety of perspectives.
8. Facility: Is the building's technology up-to-date? How is the library? Parking? Good places to study? 
9. Faculty:
• Faculty to student ratio
• expertise of the faculty
• accessibility of the facility
• do adjunct teachers or full-time facility teach?
10. Housing and Community:You have to consider the affordability of housing, whether or not you want a roommate, how close you can live to the law school, whether there's a bus that you could ride if you lived farther away, as well as the safety of the neighborhood you're living in.
11. Region: Although I've heard differing opinions about this, if possible, the experts recommend choosing a law school in a region you may want to end up living in someday. Why? Because your school's name has more clout, you make more connections locally, and more local lawyers travel to the school's career fairs.
12. Setting: Completely preferential, but as you may have read in my other blog, if I have to drive in crazy city traffic every day I might go crazy. So the urban vs. rural environment is something I will need to consider.
13. Size: You have to consider what kind of learning environment you want. Larger class sizes mean you may not get called on as much, but it could also mean less recognition and personal connection with the professors.  
14. Special Programs: If you're interested in any sort of law journals, clinics, study abroad opportunities or certificate programs, check out the accessibility of those programs as well as the amount offered. 
15. Student Body: When visiting you'll want to observe the students and see how cooperative vs. how competitive they are and what kind of environment would best suit you. Also consider the average age of the other students. 

Another great source is The Girl's Guide to Law School website. It has tons of helpful information about applying and about law school in general.