Is it better to go to a small or a large law school?
Asked by: Percival Tromp | Last update: September 23, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (63 votes)
Law school rankings do matter to employers. Typically, the higher your school is ranked, the greater your chances of securing a post-graduation career—especially when it comes to prestigious large law firms.
Is it better to go with a big law firm or small?
Often the more limited resources at a small firm means lower salaries, less extensive benefits, and less opportunity for professional development. When comparing the pay for associate attorneys at large firms vs. small firms, large firms almost always offer higher salaries.
Is it better to go to a large or small school?
Generally, small schools offer a better learning environment for students, because they facilitate more intimate classroom settings and more personal connection with faculty.
Does it really 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.
Does going to a top 14 law school matter?
Graduates of T14 law schools have excellent employment prospects, often securing positions at top law firms, corporations, and government agencies. The strong job placement rates at T14 schools are a significant factor in their rankings and reputation.
How to Choose the Right Law School For You
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 year in law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
Do employers care what law school you went to?
Does It Matter Where You Go to Law School? Law school rankings do matter to employers. Typically, the higher your school is ranked, the greater your chances of securing a post-graduation career—especially when it comes to prestigious large law firms.
How hard is the bar exam?
The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.
Am I smart enough to get into law school?
According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools. However, that is the bare minimum, and you should aim higher if you want to increase your chances of getting into the top 3.
Is 20,000 students a big school?
In terms of student population, colleges with 15,000-20,000 or more students are usually considered large. Such colleges typically have diverse student bodies, a wide range of majors, and numerous extracurricular activities.
What are the cons of going to a small school?
For example, the hallways are always packed, and it can sometimes be hard to move. Amit Magid, a Sophomore from Cresskill High School, says: “The hallways are always so crowded, and it's sometimes hard to get to class on time.” The main problem of a small school is probably the size itself.
What is the ideal high school size?
Results suggest that the ideal high school, defined in terms of effectiveness (i.e., learning), enrolls between 600 and 900 students. In schools smaller than this, students learn less; those in large high schools (especially over 2,100) learn considerably less.
What GPA do big law firms want?
What Is a Good GPA for Big Law? It depends on what firms you're hoping to work with. Many firms require lawyers to have a GPA of 3.5 from a top school, while many others consider a 3.0 from the same institution to be acceptable.
Do small law firms pay less?
The salaries small firms offer will almost always be lower compared to salaries big firms pay, so there's no surprise there. But if you're exploring a future at a small firm, chances are that money isn't your chief concern.
What is considered a midsized law firm?
What is a mid-sized law firm? Though the definition of what constitutes a mid-sized law firm can vary, we typically accept firms with 21 or more employees to be “mid-sized”. Thus, this report defines mid-sized law firms as those with 21 or more employees.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?
Kim Kardashian learned very quickly how hard bar exams can be. The California state bar is one of the most difficult states to pass, with a 40-50% pass rate. The first attempt rate, the second attempt, and after the third time, she finally passed!
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.
Is it worth going to a low ranked law school?
Graduates of lower-ranked law schools are hardly doomed to scratch out a living. 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.
Is law school hard or just a lot of work?
Being prepared to work hard – Law school classes are part of a demanding program, and you need to be prepared to be a good student and put in the time and effort to succeed. That work includes doing all of the assigned reading, avoiding low grades, and preparing well for final exams.
What law school has the highest employment rate?
April 24 (Reuters) - The University of Virginia School of Law sent the highest percentage of graduates into full-time law jobs in 2023, marking the second consecutive year that the school snagged the top spot.
What type of lawyer makes the most money?
Patent Attorney Salary
Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.
How old are most law graduates?
Although most applicants are under 25, about 1 in 5 are 30 or older and a much smaller proportion are over 40. Many older law school graduates build fulfilling second careers that draw on preexisting skills and experiences.
How hard is law school realistically?
Law school is very hard—harder than college or university. This is due to a heavy course load, a high-stress environment, and difficult course material. But completing law school is not impossible; over 40,000 law students make it to graduation each year.