Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Lawyers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Ave Maria Law, Florida International, University of Florida, and Nova Southeastern.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Florida International, Nova Southeastern, University of Miami, and Florida A&M.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Florida A&M, Florida International, Saint Thomas University, and Nova Southeastern.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Nova Southeastern and Barry.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of University of Miami, Barry, Nova Southeastern, and Florida A&M.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Stetson University, University of Miami, Ave Maria Law, and Florida State.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at University of Miami, University of Florida, and Florida State.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Florida International, University of Florida, University of Miami, and Nova Southeastern.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Stetson University, University of Miami, Ave Maria Law, and Florida A&M.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
Sort Reviews By:Sorting by: • Show All Details • Hide All Details
Stetson University College Of Law • Gulfport, FL
Studying Law (completion in 1979)
• 4/29/2011
"I attained my goal of a law degree. To that extent, I am satisfied. I am not sure I would choose the same school if I had it to do over."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | My recommendation would be based on what the student was looking for, what the student's qualifications and resources are, and the availability of other option. If the student wanted to attend law school in Florida, I would not try to discourage them from attending. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | The school's reputation is good though I am not sure that it is as good as when I attended. Unfortunately, it is only well known in the southern states and not as much in the northern states. It is not an Ivy League school. |
| Program Quality | 8 | At the time I attended, my school had a good reputation and I think it provided a quality education. However, it was not a very pleasant place to go to school. I think its atmosphere may have changed over the years, however. |
| Instruction | More than 5 years ago | |
| How Difficult | 8 | Law school teaches you to "think like a lawyer." Learning a new way of thinking is difficult. Also, when I was in law school, the Socratic method was the most common instructional style and can result in a challenging classroom experience. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | At the time I attended there were few opportunities for hand-on training. However, I believe that has improved with the addition of clinic programs, etc. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | When I attended, it was inflexible. I have no current knowledge. Perhaps this question should also be based on attendance in the last 5 years. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The facilities are good. I believe they have improved since I attended. |
| Social Life | 2 | The law school is located across the state from the rest of the university. Therefore, it is fairly isolated from other students at the university. When I attended, there were few social events though I believe the atmosphere has since improved. |
| Placement Services | 5 | At the time I attended, it seemed comparable to those at other schools. I have no current knowledge of it. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | The alumni association seems active. They seem to get donations though not as much as larger schools with more sports teams. |
Stetson University College Of Law • Gulfport, Fl, FL
Studying Juris Doctorate (completion in 2005)
• 9/21/2011
"I believe I obtained a strong legal education at Stetson. However, as a private school, tuition was very expensive and I will be paying off student loans for quite some time."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | A similar legal education can be obtained at the state universities for less tuition per credit hour. However, if you are local and need flexibility, Stetson may be the way to go. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Stetson is gaining national recognition, especially in trial advocacy. Stetson also ranked very highly in the state for bar passage. |
| Program Quality | 8 | Stetson is an excellent law school and is gaining national recognition. The courses were tough but realistic. |
| Instruction | 7 | Professors had real world experience, especially adjuncts. Textbooks were carefully selected and had thorough coverage of course topics. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Any good law program should be challenging, and Stetson's program is no different. The first semester was definitely meant to weed out students who were not committed. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Stetson is much more book learning oriented. However, there are several classes that encourage participation in hands-on activities. For instance, in the mediation course, the professor encouraged students to attend mediations outside of class. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Stetson has both a part-time and full time program with evening and summer classes. Two campus locations are also convenient. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The law library on campus was newly constructed during my time at Stetson and had a comprehensive collection of legal books, treatises, statutes, etc. An on site fitness facility and pool was also a plus. |
| Social Life | 8 | Stetson is locally known for it huge parties and social get togethers. Students look forward to the Barrister's Ball each year in the Spring. |
| Placement Services | 9 | I found my current job through Stetson, and continue to look at job postings as they become available. Career services is quick to answer questions from alumni and offer assistance. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | I have utilized Stetson's alumni website for job searches. However, I haven't really participated in many alumni events. |
University Of Florida - Levin College Of Law • Gainesville, FL
Studying Law (completion in 2005)
• 9/20/2011
"No major issues, but not that memorable either."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would not recommend anyone go into law. However, if they do, UF is fine. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | As far as I know it is still the best in the state. A UF degree in Law ranks higher than many. |
| Program Quality | 5 | UF is a decent law school. The practical classes, such as the internships, are good for providing real experience. |
| Instruction | 4 | Again, this comes down to the class. Practical classes help a lot. Other classes, while interesting, don't provide much in terms of preparation for practicing law. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Some classes were more difficult than others. First year classes were the hardest. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | A good mix. You can get hands-on if you want. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | First year is particularly bad since you have to take certain classes at certain times. No weekend or evening options. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | During my years there the facilities were very poor and the school was being refurbished. Many things were closed. The changes that were made didn't seem practical. |
| Social Life | 3 | Very cliquey, much like middle school. |
| Placement Services | 1 | No help whatsoever. You are not prepared to enter the field. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I did not receive any support. They always hit me up for money though. |
University Of Florida • Gainesville, FL
Studying Juris Doctorate (completion in 2011)
• 1/10/2012
"It was not an awful experience, but I regret not picking several other schools to which I had been admitted. The overall feel of UF Law is rather cold. It's highly competitive and a bit back-stabbing. I was fortunate to have a great 1L section where I formed good friendships. People I met in later classes tended to be harder to get along with and bordered on paranoid. The environment at the school in general was just not as conducive to my well-being as I'd have liked. The quality of instruction could be far better from Florida's supposed flagship university. The support from career services was godawful."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It's a good value for the money, if you're in-state. It's still Florida's flagship and enjoys a lot of prestige. So if you want to work in the state of Florida, and cannot get into a top 25 law school, then this is a good choice. If you want to work outside of Florida, especially in BigLaw, then look elsewhere. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | UF is considered a low Tier 1 school, so it's far above average in reputation. It also has the best reputation in the state of Florida, being the flagship university. I would say, though, that FSU Law is definitely more worthy of a better reputation and is trying much harder because they're "number 2." |
| Program Quality | 6 | UF Law is a good state school, but I had better options and was accepted at better institutions. The school has too many students, the quality of the professors varied widely (some were great, but I also had a Con Law professor who literally taught us from Wikipedia). I regret not going to a higher ranked school. |
| Instruction | 6 | I had some very good professors that will always stand out in my mind. I also had some horrific experiences at this school, and could not believe that a school like UF would actually offer such mediocre instruction. A civ pro class that consisted of us having to role play and watch clips of Boston Legal, a Con Law class where the professor showed up stoned half the time and taught off of Wikipedia... Not what I expected. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Law is a highly demanding field of study that requires a lot of personal discipline. Early on a law student realizes that their grades are largely based on the month preceding finals. It's a matter of really mastering black letter law and learning how to apply it. You're learning more about "how to think" than just the facts. It requires a whole new way of thinking. The courses at UF were challenging and my fellow students were of a high academic caliber which made it even more challenging to beat the curve. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | This was very book oriented. Everything I learned really came from books (and honestly, came from resources like E&Es and treatises rather than the casebooks and lectures). | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | Class offerings and registration in 2L and 3L were okay. Due to the number of students in the law school, it could be very competitive going for certain big classes and you had to sometimes cross your fingers that by the time registration opened for you that it would be available. For more niche classes, I never had a problem. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The Library, which was remodeled in 2007 I believe, is top notch. The classroom facilities were also very nice and all modernized. Many professors were available when needed. Academic advisors were also very nice and helpful. |
| Social Life | 9 | I did have a very good social circle at UF. Gainesville itself I found to be incredibly boring, but my particular 1L section was very tight knit and I stuck with these friends throughout my time in school. I had a very well balanced social life, even better than what I had as an undergraduate. |
| Placement Services | 2 | Career Services at UF Law is just horrible. From my 1L year I realized they were going to be of absolutely no help to me (all of my friends realized this as well). Compared to career services at other colleges within the University of Florida, the ones that work at UF Law are condescending and mediocre. The best was when, in my 1L year, I told my career services advisor that I wanted to eventually pursue something in International Law, and I was told that perhaps I should have gone to a better school then, and that I'd have to put the legwork in myself. Big help. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | When I chose UF, much of the reason was the hype surrounding the UF alumni network. When I got there, Career Services immediately shot down any illusions I had that this network would help me get a great job afterward. There are so many graduates per year coming out of UF Law and most of them stay within the state, so being a UF Law graduate on face value is not incredibly impressive. |
University Of Miami School Of Law • Miami, FL
Studying Law (completion in 2009)
• 1/13/2012
"I was very satisfied as I gained a lot of practical experience through classes and internships which I found on the job posting website. In addition, I found that I was well prepared to take the bar upon graduation."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If someone wants to live and work in Miami, this school is the right choice as many employers are former graduates. In addition, the school really prepares you to pass the bar and to be successful in your first job. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | My school recently went up in ratings, however it is still known as a second tier school. There are few universities in Florida, however, that have excellent ratings. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I gained a lot of practical experience at the University of Miami as I took courses such as Litigation Skills and Arbitration. The University does not have the best reputation however, and sometimes I feel I made the wrong choice in not going to a higher ranked school. |
| Instruction | 8 | Most of the professors were still practicing attorneys who gave a lot of insight into what being a lawyer is really like. Most of the courses offered were very helpful in preparing for the bar, although there were some outdated courses which should be abandoned. |
| How Difficult | 9 | I was a history major in undergraduate school and although I was used to reading and researching, nothing could have prepared me for the amount of work I had to do each day. Your entire grade is based on one exam, which leaves no room for error. This was especially difficult considering the fact that most, if not all, the subjects were completely foreign to me at the beginning. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was a true mix and students were free to do more or less of either approach. There were a number of practical application classes, some of which were mandatory. The school tries to push those classes and I found them to be most useful. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | There is a night program and a summer program. This seems to be standard at most schools. I did neither. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The school had excellent facilities. There was a separate library for law students and a floor that was completely reserved for us. Professors always made themselves available after class and during office hours. They were very approachable. |
| Social Life | 9 | There were many events at the school, including club mixers and a barrister's ball. There was also a huge athletic competition each year between the law school and the medical school. |
| Placement Services | 6 | The school has a career services center which is useful in assisting you with resumes, cover letters, etc. There is also an online job posting site specifically for students. Apart from those resources, students really are on their own in finding work. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | The alumni network sends me emails about events at least twice a month. I have been to a few and they are very good networking opportunities. |
Florida State University • Tallahassee, FL
Studying Law (completion in 2008)
• 1/17/2012
"I had a very good experience in law school. I felt valued as a student and I enjoyed getting involved. I just wish it wasn't so expensive."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The administration is helpful and they make students feel welcome and valued. It is a state school so if you live in Florida, the tuition is so much less than it is at private schools. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Florida State Law School has been rising in the rankings and the administration makes a consistent effort to maintain an excellent reputation. The fact that the school is located in the state's capital also helps a great deal, because there are so many work opportunities with the government and the courts there. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I had a wonderful experience at Florida State; the administrators are very student oriented and they make sure each student has a good experience there. I do not, however, like that law schools in general are profit mills and that classes are usually taught by people who have never practiced law. |
| Instruction | 9 | Florida State Law offers a wide variety of classes that allow students to explore all different areas of law as well as to specialize in one field. I felt that the administrators and instructors were always available to help me derive the most benefit possible from my experience there. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to work for a judge while also earning credit. The real-world experience was valuable. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The course of study is about as difficult as you make it. I took some difficult classes and put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed. I think law school is a challenge no matter what, but I think that the level of talent in my particular class made it more difficult, given that law school is graded on a curve. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Again, this can be what you make of it. It depends on what classes you take. I took many classes that required a lot of book learning, but I also had the opportunity to learn hands-on through internship programs. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | I never really needed a flexible schedule. I did like the fact that I was not forced to take classes that started very early in the morning. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The library staff was most helpful. I felt that anything I needed was available in terms of help in researching and tutoring. |
| Social Life | 10 | I was part of the student government, which put on social events. I found these very fun and they were great for getting to know other students. It is also important to give law students an opportunity to unwind. |
| Placement Services | 5 | The job placement office tries to be helpful. Ultimately, however, the onus on each student to find a job. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | If I still lived in Florida the rating would be a lot higher. I think the school does make a good effort to stay connected to out-of-staters, but I don't find it much help being so far away. |
Stetson University College Of Law • Gulfport, FL
Studying Law (completion in 1979)
• 3/3/2012
"I did not enjoy attending Stetson Law School. I think that is partly because law school is not an enjoyable experience for most students, but also because of the school's atmosphere."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend its academic quality to anyone who wanted to practice in Florida. However, I would discuss with them its social limitations in terms of its location and separation from the main campus. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The school's reputation is very good within Florida. However, because it is small and the number of private law schools in the state has increased, I think people generally tend to underestimate its quality and merely blend it together with other private law schools in the state, some of which are of lesser quality. |
| Program Quality | 7 | When I graduated, Stetson had a very good reputation as a law school in the southern USA. It was not and is not a school with a national reputation, which can affect employability in other areas of the country. I think the educational quality was very good, but the school did not maximize opportunities for its graduates to obtain employment. Its small size also had advantages and disadvantages. |
| Instruction | 5 | Although the rigor of the school was quite good, the instructors themselves were not particularly good or approachable for the most part. Many were part time or just passing through, so they were not as available as one might have hoped. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The academic challenges were high. Not only was the material challenging, but also the techniques used to communicate the material, such as the Socratic method, were a significant change from the methods used at the undergraduate level. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Almost all instruction was book learning. Few internships or other hands-on opportunities existed. In the years since I graduated, however, I know that more internship opportunities have become available. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 2 | The school purposely assigned class schedules to make them inflexible so that students would not be tempted to work part-time too soon so as to be distracted from academics. In addition, the first two years of courses were all mandatory with no electives until the last year. Online opportunities did not exist due to the time I went to school and while a few classes met at night, there was no true night school option. Night classes were scheduled for the convenience of professors who could only teach in the evenings. |
| Academic Facilities | 2 | I attended law school before computer resources existed. Professor accessibility was generally poor and I do not remember tutors being generally available. |
| Social Life | 2 | The law school was geographically isolated from the rest of the university. Therefore, there were no organized sports activities or general university events to attend. In addition, the school had very conservative attitudes about social activities for its students, though there were legal fraternities. |
| Placement Services | 5 | Although it may have improved since the time I graduated, there was very little job placement or career services assistance while I was in school. In addition, the school had archaic policies, such as a 3 point instead of a 4 point grade system. that worked to the disadvantage of the students. I know that system has changed since I graduated. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The law school is located in a different city than the rest of the university and is also small. Therefore, law students do not develop relationships with other students at the school and the alumni network is not as large or well-connected as some other schools in the state. |
Florida Coastal School Of Law • Jacksonville, FL
Studying Legal Juris Doctorate (completion in 2005)
• 3/25/2012
"I liked my school very much. The support from the professors and the education allowed me to become the successful attorney I am."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The school is more than adequate. It is also very expensive. While I would recommend the school highly, the cost often outweighs the benefit received when you look at the current starting pay for attorneys. Depending upon the age of the incoming student and their expected work life, this school may or may not be a good choice for them. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | Based on local sentiment, I believe the graduates have proven more than adequate. Unfortunately, because it is a private law school and is fairly new, I believe it is not fairly compared with the state law schools in the area. |
| Program Quality | 7 | My alma mater provided a rounded education. We were taught the theory and history of the law as well as the practical application of the law in today's legal system. |
| Instruction | 8 | The curriculum was very rounded and relevant with information necessary to work in a law office today. The professors were either former or current practicing attorneys and judges who could provide life examples as well as teach the information provided in our case books. Their examples made the explanations in the books become relevant. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I personally found the academic challenge rather average. Others did not. I believe my history as a legal assistant gave relevancy to the subject matter, making the classwork rather easy to navigate. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The school was founded on practical application. The professors tried very hard to ensure that we as students would know how to practice law when we graduated, not just the theories behind practicing law. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | My rating is based upon my time at FCSL. When I was enrolled the school was very flexible, allowing a student to go to school completely at night. That program has now been eliminated so that someone working full-time as I did would have a harder time going to school part-time to complete their law degree. I would give them a 5 based on their current scheduling. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | When I was in school they were in another location which was very poor. The new facility is fantastic with all modern amenities. The availability of tutors, study groups, and professors has always been above average. |
| Social Life | 6 | While I attended school I worked full-time as a legal assistant and went to school almost full time. I did not have time for social activities. I was aware of all they offered and they seemed more than adequate. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I did not have any assistance from this department. I am unaware of anyone else who was helped by them; however, I am aware of their efforts to place students and they seem adequate. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | There is an alumni association to which I belong. They also have a Facebook page which helps with networking. Their biggest downfall is getting individuals involved with the alumni association as soon as they graduated. I believe they lose a lot of people in the delay. |
Online Course Finder
Find the path to your
education in 3 easy steps.