5 Most Prestigious Law Schools In The US

There are definitely a lot of great law schools in America, but not all law schools can boast of as much prestige as other schools do. A close observation at some schools would reveal that some of the country’s top lawyers, judges, justices and politicians come from some schools more than others. These law schools also boast of top-notch faculty that is sure to enrich one’s learning experience. Here are some of them:

Columbia University

With an impressive alumni roster which includes Franklin Roosevelt, Supreme Court Justice William Douglas, Paul Robeson and Barrack Obama, it is not quite a surprise that Columbia University in Manhattan, New York City is one of the most prestigious law schools in America.

Classes are quite large in Columbia at around 400 each and students can choose from a wide variety of course offerings from as early as the spring of their first year in it. After completing their Juris doctor, graduates can proceed to take on other schools such as their prestigious Business School or Public Health.

University of Chicago

[su_quote cite=”Jean Giraudoux”]”There is no better way to exercise the imagination than the study of the law. No artist ever interpreted nature as freely as a lawyer interprets the truth”[/su_quote]

University of Chicago Law School has been widely considered as one of the toughest law schools to get into, with just a 20.7 percent acceptance rate. It also boasts one of the highest median LSAT scores at 170 and is a top tier entering class median, with a UGPA of 3.9.

This law school has a unique quarter schedule where students take shortened courses in their stay in this school. Instead of traditional semesters, this school has three shortened terms which start in September and end in the middle of June.

Harvard University

Harvard University Law School is notorious for being very highly selective. It is in continuous search for truly remarkable students to fill its halls. While the country’s second oldest law school just accepts 11 percent of all applicants, 92 percent of its graduates are employed immediately right after graduation.

This elite school has already produced an impressive roster of Supreme Court justices, politicians and business leaders from all around the world, but Harvard’s most impressive quality is how good their students really are.

Stanford University

At Stanford Law, students can come up with their own academic course. There are more than 25 joint degree options offered in collaboration with other schools in Stanford including the highly regarded Graduate School of Business. Most Juris Doctors and Master’s joint degrees can be completed in three years which is actually the same amount of time it takes to complete a traditional law degree.

Students who choose to pursue a traditional Juris Doctor can start customizing their program as early as their second year with a wide variety of exciting course offerings. Stanford Law is a pioneer in experimenting with training tools which help their students deal with real life issue. Now, there are around 10 clinics for students to participate in.

Yale University

For 2017, Yale University has been ranked as the top law school in America. With a bar passing rate of 96.3 percent and a median LSAT rating of 173, Yale emerged at the top spot for this year.  This prestigious Ivy League university will set you back for $59,86 per year with an application fee for $60. The law school has 169 full time and part time faculty and staff.

With its high rankings, this school does not follow a traditional grading system. What is pretty queer about Yale is that students do not get graded at all during their first term here. Instead, they are graded only by honors, pass, low pass, credit or failure. Class sizes are small and intimate with only around 20 students each. This school has no areas of concentration, but students can pick from a wide course selection to suit their interests. Joint degrees are also offered in collaboration with other schools at Yale.

There are a lot of great options when it comes to picking a law school. Some offer traditional terms while some divide courses to shorter terms. You should also take some time to search for what course offering these law schools offer and what suits your interests best. Which law school do you plan to enroll in soon? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below.