Should I go to a low tier law school?
Asked by: Otha Bailey | Last update: September 11, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (50 votes)
Unless they have personal connections or career experience, graduates of lower-ranked schools face steep odds on the job market. Graduates of top-ranked law schools have a leg up on securing legal internships, clerkships, and job interviews—even with mediocre grades.
Is it worth it to go to a low-tier law school?
Yes it can definitely be worth it, especially if you get a full or substantial scholarship. But if you have lofty goals (eg, big law, federal clerkship, academia, prestigious public interest, and politics), then you might want to target higher ranked schools.
Does it matter what tier law school you go to?
No, the law school's tier is not the most important factor. Other factors like location, specialized programs, scholarships, faculty expertise, and career alignment matter more in making your decision. Your personal goals should guide you.
Is it worth it to go to a bad 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 3.7 too low for law school?
Most law schools require a minimum GPA of 3.5 for admission. However, top law schools typically require a GPA of 3.7 or higher to be considered a competitive applicant.
Advice on Getting into Law School from an Admissions Counselor at a T14 school
Is a 3.0 bad in law school?
Is a 3.0 GPA Low For Law School? Considering students are generally advised to score a GPA of 3.5 in college to get into law school, a 3.0 is typically considered low. However, it all depends on the schools you're applying to! As discussed earlier, several schools consider a 3.0 to be within their competitive range.
How rare is a 176 LSAT?
Less than 1% of test takers score a 176. It's a very hard thing to do. Don't let this sub skew your perception of what's realistic.
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 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 dropout rate for law school?
The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions. This article delves into the types of attrition, the schools with the highest rates, and the impact of these rates on student choices and institutional policies.
What is a soft tier law school?
LSAT score and GPA are "hard" data. Softs refer to everything in your application that isn't "hard" data. Softs are inherently unquantifiable. That's why they're called softs. The tiers below are very rough guidelines for putting a number on something that really can't be quantified.
Are less people going to law school?
When first-year enrollment rises or falls in sequential years, those effects multiply. Today, overall JD enrollment has roughly stabilized at a level not seen in over 40 years. Compared to the peak in JD enrollment in 2010 (147,525 students), overall JD enrollment was down 20.8% in 2023. Line chart with 2 lines.
Do law schools care about your major?
The American Bar Association (ABA) states that they do not recommend any specific major for undergraduates or coursework to prepare for law school.
Is a 3.6 GPA too low for law school?
A low GPA for law schools will entirely depend on your goals. If your GPA is at or below a school's 25th percentile, your GPA will be considered low for that school. So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low.
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.
Does it really matter what law school you 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 law firms pay off law school debt?
Many civil legal aid organizations and some other public interest employers provide loan repayment assistance to their attorneys. A centralized list of employer programs has not been compiled, so law students and attorneys need to discuss the possible availability of such assistance with individual potential employers.
What age do most finish law school?
Very few receive their law degree before the age of 23. That is because most people graduate from high school at 17 or 18. Those who go directly to college typically graduate around age 21 or 22. Law school usually takes two years, so the earliest age of getting a law degree would be 23.
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.
Is law school harder than med school?
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 did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?
Elle Woods, a fictional character portrayed by Reese Witherspoon in the movie Legally Blonde, is known for her remarkable LSAT score—179 out of 180. Portrayed as a stereotypical "valley girl," she embarks on a journey to Harvard Law School in the movie that has since become a cult favorite.
Will a 180 LSAT get you in anywhere?
Here is a breakdown of what counts as a good enough score for law schools based on the school's rank: Top-five law schools: 170 to 180. Schools like Harvard and Yale, which are the top two, rarely accept applicants with less than 172 on the LSAT. Law schools ranked between 5 and 10: 165 to 170.
How many wrong on LSAT to get 170?
How many questions can be answered incorrectly for a score of 170? The most questions you can answer wrong on the LSAT if your objective is to achieve a score of 170 is 11. You should achieve your goal score of 170 by correctly answering 90 out of the 101 questions.