Does in state vs out of state matter for law school?
Asked by: Leora Padberg | Last update: September 25, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (49 votes)
Out-of-State Bar Exam. The law school you attend will cover the laws of the state in which it operates, which may help you pass the Bar in that state. So, if you're planning to take the Bar in a state other than that of your school, you won't have a leg up.
Do law schools care if you are in-state?
Additionally, in some cases, being a resident of the state in which your target law school is located can confer an admissions boost. In other cases, being a resident confers virtually no such boost whatsoever.
Does location matter for law school?
The location of a law school can impact everything from your day-to-day routine to your long-term career trajectory. Though the location is not the only consideration to weigh in your decision-making process, below are additional factors detailing how the location of a law school should impact your decision to attend.
Does it really matter where you get your law degree from?
Earning a law degree from any reputable program is an impressive achievement. Read the bios for any major law firm and you will see many successful lawyers who attended low-ranked schools. That said, the job market is easier for graduates of top-ranked law schools.
Do law schools favor in-state applicants?
Public law schools—i.e., law schools at state-funded universities—generally give preferential admissions treatment to their own state's residents. The degree of preference varies from school to school.
Job Options After Law School.
Which state is best for LLB in India?
Among the best law schools in India are NLSIU in Bangalore, NLU in Delhi, and NALSAR in Hyderabad. One can get a good education and get work in the legal industry after graduating from one of India's top law schools.
What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?
California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.
Do law firms care where you went to law school?
Your Previous (On-the-Job) Training
Certain firms have the reputation for training people very well—and everyone knows that they have high expectations for the people there. If you get a good job right out of school or thereafter (with a major law firm), firms no longer really care about where you went to law school.
Does it matter what state I go to law school in?
In-State: An in-state school may limit you to job opportunities close to home. That's great if you call a place like New York City home, but not so great if you're from a rural area. On the other hand, if you go to the best law school in a smaller job market, you will be the most attractive hire with less competition.
Do law schools care where you went to undergrad?
In one word, NO. Law schools care about many things: your GPA, your LSAT, the story you tell, the obstacles you've overcome.
What matters most in law school admissions?
There's really no way around it—your LSAT score, GPA, and the rigor of your undergraduate course work are basically the most important things law schools are looking for. Also keep in mind that your LSAT score and GPA can make a huge difference in the scholarships and grants you'll be eligible for.
Should you go to law school where you want to live?
It depends. In regard to law firms, some legal markets truly value a local student. For government jobs, going to law school in the area can help you establish connections through internships, clinics, and adjunct professors.
Is 174 a good LSAT?
So, a great score on the LSAT is a 172, but more than 100,000 people take the LSAT every year and only 1% score 172 or higher. For the top 50 law schools, the median LSAT score is between 164 and 174. A good LSAT score for top tier(defined by T14 schools for this article) law schools is between 171 and 174.
How to get into a Tier 1 law school?
One of the most obvious ways to get into a top law school is to obtain high GPA and LSAT scores. To gain these grades, you'll need to perform well consistently from the start of your undergrad. It's also worth remembering that getting into a top law school requires outstanding grades, not just good ones.
Can introverts survive law school?
Being an introvert in law school doesn't have to be a hindrance – it can actually be an advantage! By recognizing and embracing your unique strengths, leveraging your capacity for deep thinking, and finding a balance between social engagement and solitude, you can thrive academically and professionally in law school.
What state is it easiest to become a lawyer?
Statistically speaking, Oklahoma has one of the easiest bar exams based on first-time passing rates. Nearly 87% of first-time exam takers pass the Oklahoma state bar exam. In comparison, California has a much lower first-time passing rate at 58.1%.
Can I study law in a different state?
Should You Attend Law School Where You Plan to Practice? Law graduates are not bound to stay in state. Unless you attend an unaccredited law school, nothing is stopping you from leaving town after graduation and building your legal career thousands of miles away.
Do some law firms really only hire from Harvard?
Bottom line: deliberately hiring from one school is totally unrealistic (Harvard is ranked #3 behind Yale and Stanford and there really isn't much, or any, qualitative difference between top schools), but some tippy-top firms hire from a small number of schools.
Does it actually matter where you go to law school?
School rankings matter because they matter to employers. There are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, students at higher-ranked schools have better post-graduate outcomes.
Is it hard to get hired after law school?
Many law students and graduated law students struggle to find a job after law school. It is no secret that the legal job market is at an all-time low. Law students and new lawyers compete for the few jobs that have openings.
Which state has more lawyers in India?
The detailed statistics, broken down by enrolments in each area with a state bar council over the last five years – 20 in total – show that Uttar Pradesh (UP) is home to the largest number of advocates at 288,297 (2.9 lakh).
Who has the easiest bar exam?
Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.
What is the least stressful lawyer?
Fields of Law Generally Considered Less Stressful
It focuses more on drafting wills, trusts, and estate plans for clients. Transactional law, such as corporate or real estate law, involves lawyers primarily handling negotiations, contracts, and business transactions without the intensity of courtroom litigation.