What are Tier 2 law schools?

Asked by: Johnpaul Ratke  |  Last update: April 16, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (74 votes)

A T2 (Tier 2) law school generally refers to schools ranked around 50th to 100th by U.S. News & World Report, forming the second group of roughly 50 schools after the top-ranked Tier 1 (1-50) schools, though the exact cutoff can vary slightly by individual interpretation, but T2 schools offer strong legal education but often present more challenges for top Big Law or federal clerkship placements compared to T1 schools.

Is a Tier 2 law school good?

Comments Section Just a semantics thing, but when most people say ``Tier 2'' law schools, they're talking about schools between 50-100 in the USNWR rankings. Generally T2 schools have decent employment outcomes, but are limited in geographic scope. You've got an excellent set of options though.

What does it mean to be a Tier 2 school?

"Tier 2" often refers to universities classified by Carnegie as "Doctoral Universities with 'high research activity'." These are universities that are considered a notch below the top tier in terms of research activity, but are still very reputable institutions with significant research activities.

What does tier 2 law firm mean?

Tier 2 — National Legal Awards

They know the industry and the players in it, and frequently report on several of the matters firms put forward. These lists typically: Are highly competitive and can be more difficult to tap into, because they are singular lists of honorees rather than rated structures.

What is L1 and L2 in law school?

★ 1L, 2L, 3L: A students "level" in law school. Rather than freshman, junior, senior. 1L for. first year students, 2L for second year students, 3L for third year students.

What Defines A Tier 2 Law School? - Law School Prep Hub

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Which law schools are tier 2?

This means that the tier 2 law schools include:

  • Vanderbilt University.
  • Washington University in St. Louis.
  • Northwestern University.
  • University of Texas at Austin.
  • University of Georgia.
  • University of Notre Dame.
  • University of Southern California.
  • University of Illinois—Urbana Champaign.

What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score. 

What percentage of lawyers make $500,000?

A relatively small percentage of lawyers earn over $500k, as most fall below $200k, but top earners in "Big Law," specialized corporate/IP/malpractice fields, or successful firm ownership can reach this level, with the top 1% often exceeding it, driven by high-stakes cases and strategic practice areas. 

Is a JD higher than a Masters?

Yes, a Juris Doctor (JD) is generally considered a higher-level, professional doctorate than a master's degree, serving as the standard entry-level degree to practice law in the U.S., though it's classified differently than research doctorates like a PhD; while a Master of Laws (LLM) is technically a master's, it's an advanced degree taken after a JD for specialization, not a prerequisite.
 

Who are the Golden 5 law firms?

The "Golden 5" law firms usually refer to London's elite "Magic Circle" firms: A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May, known for their high profitability and corporate law expertise, a term coined by legal journalists in the 1990s. While some US firms like Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins dominate in revenue and size, the Magic Circle remains the benchmark for UK-based global corporate law.
 

What are the Tier 2 universities in the USA?

Tier 2 — Vanderbilt, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Rice, USC, NYU, Emory, Washington University in St. Louis, Tulane, Boston College, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Carnegie Mellon: Tier 2 encompasses excellent universities that, while not Ivy League, are highly respected nationally.

What's the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2?

Tier 1 generally represents the primary, most fundamental, universal, or basic level, while Tier 2 offers supplementary, targeted, more advanced, or specialized support/products for those needing more, but it comes with higher costs or complexities than Tier 1. The specific meaning depends heavily on the context, such as healthcare (lower cost vs. higher cost), IT support (basic vs. complex issues), or education (universal instruction vs. small-group intervention).
 

Is Harvard a Tier 1?

Tier 1 — Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, and Caltech: These six institutions represent the absolute pinnacle of American higher education.

Is $400 an hour a lot for a lawyer?

Yes, $400 an hour is a significant amount for a lawyer, but whether it's "a lot" depends on factors like the lawyer's experience, location (urban areas charge more), and specialty (corporate law often costs more). While $100-$300 is a common range, $400 can be standard for experienced attorneys in complex fields or major cities, and even less experienced lawyers in big firms might bill similarly, with partners charging much more. 

What is the hardest law school to get into?

The hardest law schools to get into consistently include Yale, Stanford, and Harvard, often considered the top tier with extremely low acceptance rates (under 10% for Yale and Stanford) and requiring near-perfect LSAT scores (median 173+) and GPAs (around 3.9+) for admission, followed closely by other elite schools like University of Chicago, Columbia, UPenn, and UVA. These schools are exceptionally selective, with Yale often having the lowest acceptance rate in the U.S., using a holistic review process. 

Has anyone passed the bar without going to law school?

Yes, people have passed the bar without going to law school, but it's only possible in a few states (like California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington) through rigorous law office study/apprenticeship programs. While it's an affordable, hands-on alternative, apprentices face lower pass rates, significant self-discipline requirements, and potential limitations in practicing in other states, with historical figures like Abraham Lincoln famously using this path. 

Can you call yourself a lawyer with a JD?

Yes, a Juris Doctor (JD) holder can be called an attorney, but only after they pass the state bar exam and get licensed to practice law; a JD graduate who hasn't passed the bar is a lawyer (or JD) but not an attorney, as "attorney" signifies authorization to represent clients in court. While every attorney is a lawyer, not every lawyer (JD) is an attorney. 

How did Kim Kardashian become a lawyer?

But Kim Kardashian did not graduate from law school. Instead, she endeavored to complete the study requirements of California's Law Office Study Program (LOSP) to be eligible to take the California Bar. This is a process we at Esq. Apprentice call legal apprenticeship.

Can a JD be called a doctor?

You can call someone with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree "Doctor," as it's a professional doctorate, but it's less common in professional practice than for M.D.s or Ph.D.s, with many lawyers preferring "Attorney" or "Counselor," though some law schools encourage using "Doctor" for J.D. faculty. It's a matter of convention and professional setting, with different rules and customs in the U.S. versus other countries. 

What is the lowest paid lawyer?

There's no single minimum salary for lawyers, as pay varies wildly by location, firm size, and specialization, but entry-level salaries range from around $50k-$70k in public interest/small firms to over $200k at big corporate firms, with overall averages often near $100k-$120k. The lowest earnings are typically in public service, while high-paying areas include corporate law, IP, and big cities like NYC or D.C. 

How old is the youngest lawyer?

The youngest lawyer is generally considered to be Sophia Park, who passed the California bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother Peter's previous record, though she'll be sworn in and licensed in March 2025 after turning 18, as most jurisdictions require lawyers to be 18. She accelerated her education, starting law school at 13 while in junior high and graduating early.
 

How difficult is 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.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

That said, the question about what the “Kim Kardashian LSAT score” was, or if she even took the LSAT ends in a resounding no. This unconventional choice has sparked conversations about making legal education more accessible and exploring diverse paths in the legal profession.

What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?

Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
 

Did Michelle Obama ever pass a bar exam?

Yes, Michelle Obama failed the Illinois bar exam on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School, but she retook it, passed, and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989, going on to have a successful legal career. She is one of several prominent figures, including Hillary Clinton and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who initially failed the bar exam before achieving great success.