Does it matter where you went to college for law school?
Asked by: Dr. Emiliano Heaney | Last update: August 18, 2025Score: 5/5 (5 votes)
Attending a well-known or prestigious college may provide a slight edge, but it will not compensate for significantly weaker academic or test performance. That being said, the benefit of a prestigious undergrad
Does it matter where you go to college for law school?
If you want to attend law school, the prestige of your undergraduate program matters very little as compared to the importance of GPA and LSAT scores. Similarly, if you want to attend medical school, the prestige of your undergraduate institution is relatively unimportant, while your GPA and MCAT scores are critical.
Do law schools care where you went to college?
In one word, NO. Law schools care about many things: your GPA, your LSAT, the story you tell, the obstacles you've overcome.
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.
Does your college major matter for law school?
The American Bar Association (ABA) states that they do not recommend any specific major for undergraduates or coursework to prepare for law school.
10 Signs You Should Become A Lawyer
What is the most accepted major for law school?
- English. Regardless of their niche, the cornerstones of every successful lawyer are exceptional reading comprehension and persuasive writing. ...
- Classical Studies. ...
- Environmental Sciences. ...
- Literature. ...
- Policy Studies. ...
- Industrial Relations. ...
- History. ...
- Math.
Do law schools look at college GPA?
Myth #1: A Law School Admissions Committee will only look at your GPA for the last 60 academic hours. In fact, the student's entire collegiate academic record is fully examined and considered.
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.
What is the hardest law degree to get?
The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%. Followed by: Stanford Law School: 7% acceptance rate. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School: 3.8% acceptance rate.
Is law school financially worth it?
Key Takeaways
Law school can be a path to a lucrative career—but it can also lead to significant debts. The average law school graduate debt is $160,000, while the starting annual salary is much less.
Can you get into Harvard law with a 3.5 GPA?
The most recent Harvard Law entering class had a median GPA of 3.92; the lowest GPA accepted was 3.82. As such, Harvard does not consider a 3.0 GPA competitive, so it's very unlikely you will get into it if you have this GPA.
Where do most lawyers go to school?
- Yale University. ...
- Stanford University. ...
- Harvard University. ...
- Columbia University. ...
- University of Chicago. ...
- New York University. ...
- University of Pennsylvania. ...
- University of Virginia.
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.
Do law schools care what college you went to?
Attending a well-known or prestigious college may provide a slight edge, but it will not compensate for significantly weaker academic or test performance. That being said, the benefit of a prestigious undergrad education is the network it can provide you, which can help in law school applications.
Can I get into Columbia Law with a 3.5 GPA?
Columbia Law GPA: Requirements
While there is no GPA requirement, examining class profile data can help you compare your academic performance to admitted students: 25th percentile GPA: 3.81. Median GPA: 3.90. 75th percentile GPA: 3.97.
Why does law school location matter?
Location is arguably the single most important factor in choosing a law school. Why? Location has an outsize influence on your entire law school experience. It affects your internship and other experiential learning opportunities, alumni and professional networks, post-grad job prospects, and more.
Is law easier than doctor?
Each path demands extensive education and a commitment to rigorous training before becoming a qualified professional. Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.
What is the easiest law degree to get?
The easiest law degree to earn is a Master of Legal Studies degree. For more information about earning a Master of Legal Studies or for help finding a program, reach out to Learn.org today.
What LSAT score do I need for Harvard?
So let's take a look at what it actually takes to have a chance of being admitted to the most prestigious and preeminent law school in the world. As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School.
Does it really matter what law school I go to?
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.
What do most lawyers make out of law school?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average lawyer salary out of law school in the US is $163,770.
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.
Do law schools care about where you went for undergrad?
Top Law Schools are unlikely to admit people who attended less impressive undergraduate schools, especially if there were opportunities you did not pursue (such as independent academic research, challenging courses, and intellectual pursuits outside of the classroom.)
How hard is the LSAT?
This process is not only time-consuming but can be very expensive as well. So yes, the LSAT is hard, and it is designed that way. It's not so much a test that requires a student to remember random facts, but instead, it is a test that showcases a student's thought process.
How to increase chances of getting into law school?
- Strong Academic Record and LSAT Score. ...
- Extracurricular Involvement. ...
- Excellent Writing and Reading Abilities. ...
- Personal Growth. ...
- Strong Recommendations from People Who Actually Know You. ...
- Something Special…