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 IUPUI and Indiana University.
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 IUPUI.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Notre Dame, Valparaiso, Indiana University, and IUPUI.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Notre Dame, Valparaiso, Indiana University, and IUPUI.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Notre Dame, Indiana University, and Valparaiso.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Notre Dame.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Notre Dame, Valparaiso, and Indiana University.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
Notre Dame Law School • Notre Dame, IN
Studying Juris Doctor (completion in 2010)
• 12/6/2011
"I cannot complain about my experiences at this school. Over the three years attending ND, I had grown to appreciate everything it offered, more and more. I do not regret it."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would recommend the school to others. However, considering the hard economic times and tough legal market, I would caution anyone about going to law school. If finances are a concern, it may be better in this environment to go to a lesser-known school but take scholarship money. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | From a third-party ranking, the school is ranked in the 20's. However, my opinion is that this school, with the quality of professors, students, and alumni, should be at least 10 spots higher. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I think my law school was terrific. The campus is lovely and the people are very friendly. Teachers are very knowledgeable and accessible. |
| Instruction | 10 | I cannot complain about my professors. Looking over their CVs, they are all very accomplished scholars and professionals. I feel that I graduated school being well rounded and confident. |
| How Difficult | 9 | Law school is difficult, but the top-tier schools are exclusive for a reason. Professors push you hard and force you to think critically every day. Lot of work required at home. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Law is a very book learning experience. The school does offer clinical work to a limited number of students. However, most will rely on books and mock simulations of courtroom events. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Outside of a few required courses, the school allows you to construct the schedule of your choosing. It also permits co-curricular education at other graduate level departments on campus. I was able to take accounting courses while in law school. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The school went through a recent renovation. The library and classrooms are all new. Overall, the experience is outstanding. |
| Social Life | 10 | The students did a great job of organizing events and get-togethers. Sporting events, particularly football, draw the entire campus together. There are also a lot of fans, visitors, and alumni that come by the campus every weekend, adding to the atmosphere. |
| Placement Services | 3 | The job market for attorneys is difficult. However, the career services office here was of no use to me. They were more interested in assisting law review students instead of the rest. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | Very rich tradition and very good alumni network. It does not matter what field of study someone is from - the fact that they went to the same school as I creates an instant bond. I have been able to rely on the alumni network to secure employment. |
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