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 Northern Illinois, University of Illinois, and DePaul.
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 DePaul, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Northern Illinois.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and University of Illinois.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Loyola University.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Northwestern University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Loyola University, and Northern Illinois.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois, and Illinois Institute of Technology.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Northwestern University and University of Chicago.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at The John Marshall Law School, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Illinois Institute of Technology.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Chicago-Kent College Of Law • Chicago, IL
Studying Law (completion in 2009)
• 9/26/2011
"While the experience was extremely challenging, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm very happy I chose to go there. I enjoyed the social and academic aspects of my school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I have actually already recommended Chicago-Kent to a friend and he is currently attending there now. I believe the upward direction of the school as well as the quality of the education I received would lead me to recommend Chicago-Kent to anyone interested in pursuing law. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Chicago-Kent has a good rating in the US News and World Report law school rankings. A more telling bit of information is the fact that the ranking has been rising, indicating recognition of the faculty and achievements of the student body. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I felt that the education I received in Law (my major) at Chicago-Kent was excellent. The faculty was extremely knowledgeable and very accessible. Additionally, I felt that I was very prepared for the Bar Exam and the actual practice of law after school. |
| Instruction | 9 | The faculty was excellent. Many of my professors were nationally recognized experts in their respective fields of law. My courses were usually directed towards a practical application of the law rather than just a high level view which translated well to the "real," post-school practice of law. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The work was extremely challenging. In my first year of law school I was graded on a forced curve which made for an extremely stressful year as you have to be better than everyone else around you. The work load was very heavy and forced me to prioritize what work would be done in preparation for classes the next day as I frequently didn't have time to do all of the assigned work. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Many subjects were "very book" which is just the nature of the beast for those sort of courses. The trial advocacy classes took place in courtrooms and you spent most of the class on your feet arguing motions, doing opening and closing arguments, etc. There was overall a good mix of book vs. hands on learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Chicago-Kent offers night classes for students who are trying to pursue their law degrees while working full time. Additionally, courses were usually offered at times that allowed me to create a schedule that worked for me and my clerking job. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | I was very impressed with the facilities and support at Chicago-Kent. The library was excellent and I was almost always able to find the material I needed. Tutors were available when needed and always had good material to go through. The entire building was wired which was very convenient. |
| Social Life | 9 | The school organized monthly socials at various locations around the city as a way for students to interact outside of school. These events were always extremely fun. The school also had many activities at the school as ways for people to meet who shared similar ideas. |
| Placement Services | 6 | The career services office has contacted me several times since my graduation to discuss my career path and anything they can do to help me, which is much appreciated. I left Chicago upon my graduation so I have not tried to utilize my school's career services office to the extent that others have. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | I haven't tried to utilize much of the alumni network since I completed my studies. There are frequent events that I have been contacted about, but I have not made it back for any of them. |
Chicago-Kent College Of Law • Chicago, IL
Studying JD - Law (completion in 1999)
• 9/19/2011
"I think the school did the best it could, being in a second tier position. I didn't like law school a whole lot, but it was more because it was the wrong fit for my personality."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I would recommend students pursue the highest ranked school they can get themselves into. It sounds like bad advice, but it really isn't. It's reality. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | The school is second tier. I believe there are four tiers, maybe five. |
| Program Quality | 4 | I don't feel the school I chose had a good enough reputation and jobs were more difficult to come by. Schools with better reputations attract employers much better. |
| Instruction | 5 | Some professors were amazing and dedicated, and some were just looking for an alternative to firm life (fewer hours). It was obvious which were which. |
| How Difficult | 7 | There was a lot of reading and a lot of material to absorb. It had to be understood well, because you could always get called on to explain something in class. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | You were expected to learn material from your books, and then discuss it at quite a high level in class. Both pieces were important. I think this is typical of most law schools, though. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | There was a night program. I did the day program, which was inflexible. I could have chosen the other option, though. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | The school's facility was new and therefore quite good. I wasn't disappointed with the library or computer resources. Only some of the teachers were accessible. |
| Social Life | 2 | Law school definitely does not push the social activities, at least not mine. I did make some good friends, but not through the few organized social events offered by the school. |
| Placement Services | 4 | The school helps where it can. But especially in this economy, a second tier school is going to have trouble placing students and alums. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | I don't attend many alumni events because I don't live in Chicago anymore. But for people who are interested, I think there are good networking opportunities. |
DePaul University, School Of Law • Chicago, IL
Studying Juris Doctorate (completion in 1996)
• 10/16/2011
"It was a good school and gave me the background to obtain my current position."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | DePaul is a good school. My law school experience was a good one. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | The school's ranking has fallen. I would like to see the school in the top 100 again. |
| Program Quality | 8 | Well, the school's rating has gone down in national rankings lately. But I do believe I received a good education. |
| Instruction | 8 | The professors were very good. But law school does not really prepare you for your career. It is just the way it is. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Like any law school it was very challenging. I think that DePaul is no different than any other school. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It's law school. There are very few hands on opportunities. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The school offered both a day and evening program. This flexibility allows some people who are choosing to be lawyers as a second career to attend law school. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The school has undergone recent upgrades. It has great new resources. |
| Social Life | 10 | DePaul is a great Chicago institution with a lot of pride. It has a lot of opportunities. |
| Placement Services | 2 | My experience was pretty bad. Even when I have gone back as an alumni no leads or networks at all. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I didn't even know they had an alumni network until a few weeks ago. But my lack of knowledge doesn't mean it's not a good network. It might be better if I lived in Chicago. |
John Marshall Law School • Chicago, IL
Studying Juris Doctorate (completion in 2010)
• 10/26/2011
"Considering other school's quality of teaching, price, space, and networking opportunities, I would've preferred to attend another school. A JD is a JD, however."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If someone has a scholarship to attend (a free ride), then I would recommend it. Otherwise, I'd recommend different schools. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | John Marshall is a third tier school, ranked last among Chicago law schools, after Loyola, DePaul, and Kent. However, some employers consider it an equal among those schools. |
| Program Quality | 4 | My school hires professors who, although intelligent, do not know how to teach effectively. My school also has a curve where 10% of a class of 80 must receive D's, and where only 10% of the class may receive A's. |
| Instruction | 5 | Some professors are excellent, caring, understanding, clear, concise, and ultimately rewarding. Others are the exact opposite. |
| How Difficult | 10 | The subject of law is not difficult to understand, per se, however, the workload makes it difficult. An average workload consists of 5 courses, with 30-60 pages of reading per week per class. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Basic core classes are very book oriented. Some other classes are completely hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | John Marshall is among the first law schools to allow part-time students to attend. John Marshall has both a full time and part time program. There are weekend, evening, summer, and some online options. Very flexible. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The school is small. It has a somewhat cramped library, with about 6 floors. There is always a computer available. However, study rooms are very limited, as are desks. Classrooms come in all different sizes, and are not a problem. |
| Social Life | 1 | When I was there, I would come to class, go to the library to study, and go home. I would not attend any school sponsored events or anything like that. I was a part of a couple of fraternities but was never actively a part of them. |
| Placement Services | 7 | The career services office is helpful. They hold meetings and seminars for students, allow for appointments, send emails concerning opportunities, etc. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | Many of Illinois' judges graduated from John Marshall, as well as many attorneys. This creates opportunities for students to pick up clerkships/other jobs from alumni. However, there are more law students than available jobs, so networking is crucial. |
Northwestern • Chicago, IL
Studying Juris Doctorate (completion in 2010)
• 12/11/2011
"I loved my school. I believe I received a quality education that has made me very competitive in the workforce, and a very good employee."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a high-quality education. I believe the most important part of any education is employability after graduation, and my education made me (and my classmates) very competitive in seeking employment. At a time when employment is difficult to come by, I don't know anyone who has been unemployed for more than 6-8 months. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | It is a top-ten ranked school. Also, the percentage of graduates employed after six months is nearly perfect. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The administration was very helpful and open to the students. Also, there were many out of the classroom experiences to learn the practical side of the career. |
| Instruction | 9 | Going to law school completely changed the way I write, for the better. I was very prepared for my career, having supplemented classroom learning with practical internships and clinic experience. |
| How Difficult | 10 | The classes were very challenging, but in a good way, I learned a lot. The work load was also heavy, but I believe that is just the case in law school. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It's probably slightly more book-oriented. This is due to the fact that with a legal education, it simply is just a lot of reading, because that is how you learn everything. The law is not very hands-on, it's more reading and analysis-focused. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | There are evening classes. However, the school is full-time only, and there are no online courses. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The library was fantastic, and the librarians were among the most helpful I've ever worked with. Additionally, the classrooms and facilities were excellent. Professors were friendly and open, and willing to work with students. Most students formed study groups, so that was great as well. |
| Social Life | 8 | I felt it was a very social, friendly school. The school would often host different types of events. Additionally, student groups would frequently set up events off-campus, at various bars and venues. |
| Placement Services | 6 | I felt that the career services pushed people into a specific type of job. This was fine for the majority of students, who were intending to go into that type. However, for the minority of students (including myself), there simply weren't adequate resources for pursuing alternative employment. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The alumni network is very large and very involved. A lot of my classmates furthered their careers using alumni contacts. |
Loyola University Chicago • Chicago, IL
Studying Trial Advocacy (completion in 2007)
• 2/15/2012
"I got what I wanted from the school. I was not made unrealistic promises to attend the school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The school is situated in a great location. The professors are leaders in the practice. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | The school's rating has remained the same since I left. It is a decent school. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I studied exactly what I wanted to study. My concentration prepared me for real life practice. |
| Instruction | 8 | My professors were also practitioners. I learned practical lessons like I was still in school. |
| How Difficult | 7 | There was a lot of reading involved. The reading was, however, interesting. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Classes are mostly lectures with heavy student participation. Clinic courses offer hands on learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Classes were offered morning though night. The schedule is determined by the student. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | There is a mock courtroom at the school. The auditorium is often used for political speakers. |
| Social Life | 8 | The students were wonderful. The school put on social events as well. |
| Placement Services | I did not use my school's career services department. I have no comment. | |
| Alumni Network | 7 | I no longer live in the same city as my alma mater. I don't spend a lot of time with the alumni. |
Northern Illinois University • Dekalb, IL
Studying Undergraduate = Biological Sciences, Juris Doctor For Law School (completion in 2011)
• 3/26/2012
"The NIU Law School got me what I needed: a law degree (JD). It did so at a reasonable cost, and with a good deal of flexibility for me. However, as of now, I'm not any better off with the degree than I'd be without a JD."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | This really depends on the individual and their goals. Someone who needs a law degree may be a good fit. Others that have better law school options should not attend NIU. If one has connections already, NIU might be fine. Without an open door to the field, NIU Law may not provide the necessary "oomph" to get that first job within six months of graduation. |
| Program Reputation | 4 | The reputation is less than average. Northern Illinois does have some decent programs, and the Law School gets some name recognition in the Northern Illinois area just by association. By and large, the school is not regarded highly and is thought of as less than average. |
| Program Quality | 2 | Northern Illinois University Law School is the minimal acceptable level for achieving a JD degree. It's a fourth tier law school. Job prospects are poor for many graduates. |
| Instruction | 3 | The quality of instruction could be "hit or miss." The university itself has a rather mediocre faculty. Occasionally, we would get a good visiting professor from the University of Chicago, Northwestern, or the University of Wisconsin-Madison. But, for the most part, the faculty is as weak as the average graduate. |
| How Difficult | 4 | The workload could get heavy at times. This is especially true for working students or students with families (non-traditional). The competition was not nearly as strong, however. I had to do much of my own research and studying for the bar. This law school did little to prepare us for that. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | This depends primarily on which program in the Law School the students attends. I heard the full-time program was more "hands-on" with a greater emphasis in problem based learning and case evaluation. The part-time and weekend programs tended to be more book work oriented, with emphasis on regurgitation of material for exams. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I do have to rate the NIU Law School highly here. NIU Law has a traditional full-time program as well as a part-time program that includes night classes. They also have a weekend program for students who may be working or have families. The programs are NOT "lock-step," meaning a student can pursue the degree at his or her convenience. This flexibility is excellent and the only reason why I could attain a law degree. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | The Law School is rather small, and resources are limited. Now with electronic media, this seems less relevant, but the resources pale in comparison to other law schools. DeKalb is far enough from Chicago that resources are further limited. It is close enough to other major universities, however, which makes accessing needed resources not impossible. |
| Social Life | 6 | The social experience was not bad. But NIU is primarily a commuter school. Most students are not the traditional stay-on-campus for three years variety. My first three semesters felt like undergrad as I was partying it up, and chasing hot undergraduate coeds. |
| Placement Services | 2 | Job placement is poor. One must have their own connections and do their own leg work. The Law School does very little to open doors for job opportunities for graduates. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | The alumni network is rather weak, but is concentrated in Northern Illinois. The city of Rockford and some suburban Chicago towns have decent representation, but outside of Illinois, and particularly Northern Illinois, one won't find many alumni. |
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