Introduction
Choosing a law school means making a major decision, because where you attend law school certainly has a bearing on your career path for the rest of your life. Law is an extremely prestigious and competitive field. Your choice of law school can certainly make a big difference, and that is why the 2017 US News Law School Rankings are significant.
In this article, we will tackle the list of US Law School Rankings 2017 and what factors allow certain law schools to climb to the top spots year after year. We’ll explore how these annual evaluations and lists shape and impact the overall landscape of legal education across the United States. Getting into a top-ranked program can open many doors, so let’s understand how you can position yourself for success.
The US News and World Report Law School Rankings 2017
Here is the list of the top 20 law school 2017 rankings:
| Rank | School | Acceptance Rate | LSAT Score Percentile | Employment 10 Months After Graduation | Tuition |
| 1 | Yale University | 9.7% | 171-176 | 86.1% | $58,050 |
| 2 | Harvard University | 17.9% | 170-175 | 94.4% | $58,242 |
| 2 | Stanford University | 11.3% | 169-173 | 93.0% | $56,274 |
| 4 | Columbia University | 21.3% | 168-173 | 95.7% | $62,700 |
| 4 | University of Chicago | 21.9% | 166-172 | 96.2% | $56,916 |
| 6 | New York University | 33.1% | 166-171 | 96.7% | $59,330 |
| 7 | University of Pennsylvania | 18.8% | 163-170 | 97.8% | $58,918 |
| 8 | University of California-Berkeley | 21.1% | 162-168 | 95.5% | $48,679 (in-state) $52,630 (out-of-state) |
| 8 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 28.0% | 164-169 | 93.3% | $53,112 (in-state) $56,112 (out-of-state) |
| 8 | University of Virginia | 20.2% | 163-170 | 96.6% | $54,000 (in-state) $57,000 (out-of-state) |
| 11 | Duke University | 23.3% | 166-170 | 93.0% | $57,717 |
| 12 | Northwestern University (Pritzker) | 22.6% | 163-169 | 90.0% | $58,398 |
| 13 | Cornell University | 30.6% | 164-168 | 96.3% | $59,900 |
| 14 | Georgetown University | 28.1% | 161-168 | 87.2% | $55,255 |
| 15 | University of Texas-Austin | 21.9% | 162-169 | 86.9% | $33,162 (in-state) $49,244 (out-of-state) |
| 16 | Vanderbilt University | 38.1% | 161-168 | 87.1% | $51,360 |
| 17 | University of California-Los Angeles | 29.7% | 162-169 | 87.5% | $45,284 (in-state) $51,778 (out-of-state) |
| 18 | Washington University in St. Louis | 27.6% | 161-168 | 91.1% | $51,626 |
| 19 | University of Southern California (Gould) | 29.9% | 161-167 | 85.7% | $58,022 |
| 20 | Boston University | 37.9% | 160-164 | 80.5% | $49,330 |
The Impact of Rankings on Law Students
The annual releases of USNews and World Reports Law School are critical in helping prospective law students evaluate their school options. The 2017 US News Law School Rankings assess some of the law schools across the United States, gauging them on measures of academic quality, faculty resources, and career outcomes for students.Â
With such stiff competition and the T14 law schools having relatively low acceptance, an LSAT Prep Course in Dallas Fort could be just the edge that you need to get ahead and take up one of those coveted spots.
2017 US News Law School Rankings Ranking Methodology
The USNews 2017 law school rankings were pivotal, setting benchmarks that continue to influence the evaluation and perception of law schools today. This made schools work harder to get better in these areas, changing a lot of things for the better since then.
The 2017 US News law school rankings take several important factors into account when evaluating law schools across the country. Let’s go through the key criteria they consider:
Peer Assessment
One of the most influential criteria is peer assessment scores. Essentially, this reflects how prestigious a law school is viewed among other law program faculty and legal professionals. It carries a lot of weight in the overall rankings.
Evaluating Incoming Student Quality
The top law school rankings 2017 also look at the academic profiles of each incoming class. They evaluate the median LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs of newly enrolled students. The higher those median numbers, the more qualified and competitive the student body is.Â
It’s vital to research the recent median LSAT scores and GPAs of accepted students at your target schools. These numbers will serve as benchmarks to understand if your own qualifications give you a realistic shot at getting in.
To maximize your chances at an elite law program, a competitive LSAT score is crucial. Getting professional help by enrolling in an LSAT Prep Course in New York City or even in an LSAT Prep Course in Washington DC is invaluable to strengthen your application.
Employment Rates Post-Graduation
Most law school graduates aim to secure employment after years of hard work and huge investments in legal education. The employment rates highlight which law schools excel at developing lawyers who are job-ready and competitive in the marketplace upon earning their degrees. For prospective students, insights into a program’s professional outcomes provide clear signals about future career prospects and potential return on investment.
Measuring Bar Exam Success
For any aspiring lawyer, passing the bar exam represents a major make-or-break moment. Earning a law degree is just the first step – you can’t actually practice law without becoming licensed by passing this comprehensive exam in your state. It tests your complete mastery of essential legal concepts and practices. This metric provides insight into how well a school’s curriculum and instruction equip students for this critical exam.
Library Resources
Lastly, the rankings consider the academic resources available to students and faculty at each law school. This includes evaluating the caliber and expansiveness of law libraries and legal research databases on campus. Ample resources can greatly enhance the quality of legal education.
Key Factors for Choosing a Law School
Prospective students often turn to authoritative rankings like the law school ranking for 2017 as influential guides. However, it’s important to approach them with a critical eye, recognizing that numbered rankings alone cannot definitively identify the perfect fit for every prospective student’s needs.
Employment Prospects and Academics
The primary value of these rankings like the 2017 US News Law School Rankings lies in their data-driven evaluations of key factors like employment rates after graduation, bar exam passage metrics, and the academic profiles of incoming students. This quantitative analysis provides helpful snapshots of how law schools effectively prepare students for career success and the caliber of talent they attract.
Geographic Considerations
Geographic location can be a driving consideration for those with location preferences or goals of practicing in a particular region after graduation.
Area of Legal Specialization
Similarly, those with defined legal interests must closely evaluate each school’s curricular strengths and areas of expertise. An institution known for its top-tier intellectual property program may be the ideal choice for patent lawyers-in-training, while a different program’s robust offering in environmental law could be the perfect match for aspiring environmental attorneys. Aligning academic specialties with individual passions is key.
Overall Cultural Fit
The overall culture, community, experiential learning opportunities, and personal fit with a law school are other key variables that can be difficult to distill into any ranking system. Factors like campus life, mentorship programs, clinics, and student organizational involvement shape the holistic law school experience.
Cost and Financial Realities
Finances inevitably influence this major life decision as well. The overall costs of tuition, living expenses, and supplemental fees must be carefully weighed against potential scholarship aid, anticipated post-grad earnings, and realistic debt burden. For budget-conscious students, identifying law programs with proven reputations for generosity and affordability deserves serious consideration alongside academic prestige.
A Holistic Perspective
Ultimately, while high-profile evaluations like the US News 2017 Law School Rankings offer structured frameworks for comparing programs, no single list can definitively declare the “best” option for every prospective student’s individual needs and long-term goals. While a score increase for the LSAT can largely increase the chances of having a lot of options for law schools, attending an LSAT Prep Course in Chicago or an LSAT Prep Course in Boston can help you achieve your highest possible LSAT score.
Strategies for Law School Admissions Success
The 2017 US News Law School Rankings lists evaluate the ABA-accredited law programs. These prestigious lists carry major implications for your future by evaluating the nation’s top law programs and shaping where you’ll likely apply. But getting admitted is no easy feat. The competition is intense, with elite schools receiving thousands of applications from remarkable candidates each year.
1. Start Preparing Early for the LSAT
One of the biggest priorities is getting ready for the Law School Admission Test. Your score on this important test carries a lot of weight with admissions since this evaluates if you have what it takes to survive law school demands.
As you prepare for the LSAT, you may want to consider utilizing prep classes and other study resources to help improve your performance. Investing in proper preparation can make a significant difference on this important exam. Odyssey Test Prep offers services specifically designed to help you thrive on the LSAT.
- LSAT Prep Course: Secure your spot at a top law school with our intensive LSAT prep course, crafted to propel you toward success. Our comprehensive prep course provides an ideal learning environment along with professional instruction and numerous practice tools. Our aim is to help you master the exam content and provide test-taking strategies.
- LSAT Tutoring: Partner with our expert tutors to achieve the LSAT scores necessary for admission into the nation’s top law schools. For all those students who would prefer individual attention, all our tutors prepare individual study plans using your strengths and weaknesses.Â
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2. Maintain a Strong GPA
Your academic performance as an undergrad, reflected in your cumulative GPA, is another key factor that admissions committees closely evaluate. Consistent excellence in your coursework serves as powerful evidence of your work ethic, intellectual discipline, and ability to thrive in a rigorous scholarly atmosphere like law school.
3. Develop Relevant Legal Experience
Internships at law firms, legal clinics, or juristic organizations provide unmatched opportunities for developing hands-on legal skills and demonstrating your genuine passion for the field. Similarly, any relevant volunteer roles, research projects or campus organization involvement allows you to accrue critical competencies like writing, analysis, and professionalism.
4. Optimized Resume
Your resume is where you have the chance to sell your skills, experiences, and accomplishments outside of just grades and test scores. It should indicate what makes you a well-rounded and interesting candidate.
5. Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation
As your application takes shape, you’ll need to carefully identify recommenders who can provide insightful, detailed perspectives on your preparedness for legal studies. Thoughtful letters of recommendation from professors, advisors, or employers who know you well can elevate your candidacy through third-party endorsements of your intellect, values, and drive.
6. Craft a Compelling Personal Statement
The personal statement component should not be underestimated either. This is your opportunity to showcase your unique background, motivations, and qualifications in a compelling, well-crafted narrative voice. But it requires introspection and thoughtful writing to truly differentiate yourself.
7. Prepare for Interviews
For those advancing to interviews at their dream law schools, meticulous practice runs are key for ensuring you can clearly articulate your goals while adeptly responding to any curveball questions with poise.
8. Stay OrganizedÂ
Finally, staying meticulously organized throughout the entire process is critical for avoiding potentially disastrous missteps. Create an admission roadmap for tracking every minute requirement, deadline, and application component. Disorganization can quickly undermine an otherwise stellar candidate’s chances.
9. Law School Admissions Consulting
Navigate the complexities of top law school admissions with our proven strategies and personalized guidance. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the high-stakes process, seeking guidance through law school admissions consulting services can provide invaluable advice for highlighting your strongest qualifications.
Final Thoughts
The 2017 US News law school rankings may seem like ancient history, but they provide valuable context that can benefit today’s aspiring law students. Analyzing that past data allows you to identify important trajectories and multi-year trends at different institutions. Where did a school rank in 2017 compared to now? Have their strengths and weaknesses shifted over time? Looking at historical rankings offers a wider lens for understanding a law program’s reputation, successes, and challenges through the years.
When combined with your priorities and goals, this elevates your ability to make a truly well-informed decision aligned with finding your best-fit law school.