In choosing law schools, you should consult a variety of sources, written and otherwise.
I think that the most important place to begin is with The Official Guide to ABA-Approved U.S. Law Schools, published by the Law School Admission Council/Law School Admission Services. This is an extremely valuable book, because it contains tables for most of the schools that give you a good sense of your odds of being admitted. It's also valuable because the front section contains maps and lists showing the locations of all law schools throughout the country.
The latest edition ($24.00) is available through the Law School Admission Services (use the Law Services Publications Order Form in the Registration and Information Book), or at Haverford's bookstore, or at other bookstores. Also, copies may be reviewed in the Career Development Office and in the Pre-Law Office.
I also recommend:
Consult one or more of the books listed on the suggested resources webpage.
Consult law school catalogs.
Take advantage of the Grad/Prof. Schools link from Career Development.
It can be accessed at www.gradforum.org. Graduate/Professional schools who are interested will have a link directly from our page to theirs. Please check Career Development newsletter for details.
Be wary of friends, relatives, and others who insist that a certain law school is better than another. Ask for objective evidence. And be particularly suspicious of published rankings. How in the world can anyone meaningfully say that one law school ranks 6th and another ranks 7th? Use published rankings in a very general way, to get a sense of how a group of schools is regarded compared to another group of schools.
If you prefer a particular school over one which is "ranked" somewhat above it, I encourage you to trust your instincts. It is a great mistake to assume that a lower-ranked school will provide you with an inferior education, or that the people there will not be very smart or interesting, or that your future will be bleak.
If you are serious about attending a particular law school, consider visiting it to observe classes, talk with students currently enrolled, and meet with one or two professors and/or someone in the Admissions Office. (This is not to be considered an interview; only a few law schools conduct interviews.)
In choosing law schools, ask yourself:
Do you have a geographical preference of where you would like to spend three years? Do you have an idea where you would like to live after law school?
Do you plan to marry or live with a partner before or during your law school career? Have you coordinated your plans?
Are there law schools in your home state? State law schools usually give admissions (and financial) preference to in-state students regardless of where the students attended college.
Have you considered the comparative costs of different law schools and your own comfort with debt? The amount of debt that many students are building up in recent years is staggering. The obligation to make monthly payments of $600 or more can definitely influence what types of jobs you can afford to take, what kind of housing you can afford, and many other life choices. If you have questions or need assistance in applying for loans through the Law Access program, you may call 800-282-1550 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST).
Do you have a fairly clear idea of why you are applying to law school? Are you applying to law school merely to delay some difficult decisions for three years?
Considering the amount and quality of competition, you should think about applying to between ten and fifteen law schools, regardless of your GPA and LSAT score. The range of schools should include the following and should be developed by consulting the grids in The Official Guide to ABA-Approved U.S. Law Schools and the Law School Indicator attached to this memo:
One school to which you have only a very remote possibility of being admitted. No one ever gets into a school they didn't apply to. At least three schools which are a definite reach: based on the numbers, your chances of admission are between 15-30%. At least four or five schools to which, on paper, you have a 35-50% likelihood of being admitted. Note: It is very likely that you will wind up attending a school falling either in this category or the one just above it, so don't skimp on either category. At least three or four schools that fall somewhat below your range of paper qualifications - schools that you have a 51-75% likelihood of getting in. If you include several schools in this category, try to space the percentages out. One absolute lock of a safety school: one which accepted virtually all applicants with your GPA and LSAT score.
When we meet, we will discuss and, if you think it's advisable, revise your working list. Remember: be one part optimistic and one part realistic. If your GPA and LSAT do not fall within a favorable box on a particular law school's grid, your chances of being admitted are slim, exceedingly slim!
If you don't have an LSAT score when we meet or by the time you submit your applications, you will have to estimate your score in deciding where to apply. Take your best guess, based on how well you performed on your SAT's and other standardized tests. Consider applying to a few more schools than normal at the high and low ends of your range, or at least have some additional applications on hand. Later, if you score higher or lower than you expected, consider submitting a few additional applications to the appropriate schools.
If you have specific questions about a particular law school (curriculum, financial aid, deferred matriculation, transfer students, etc.), call or write directly to the law school for an answer, but check first to make sure the answer is not already in the law school's catalog.