Law Schools in Boston: Finding a good law school is essential knowledge for anyone pursuing a legal education. Future attorneys have the best chance of achieving their goal—a secure job with a recognized firm or company—by attending a prestigious law school. Obtaining a legal degree is undoubtedly difficult, but it also commands some respect. Of course, any aspiring law student wants to enroll in a school with a distinguished reputation in addition to a demanding program.
This takes us to the subject of our current piece, which is law schools in Boston. Boston, which has a number of top-notch law schools, is unquestionably one of the most well-known cities for law school. These institutions comprise a group of universities with outstanding legal brains on staff, former students who are now partners in prestigious law firms, and graduates of the greatest undergraduate institutions on the planet.
Today, we’ll discuss the six law schools in Boston and their standing on the US News National Law Schools list. The six colleges on our list are all top-notch, so any law student who graduates from one of these five institutions won’t have any trouble responding to the question, “What law school did you attend?”
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Top Law Schools in Boston
6. New England School of Law
The Association of American Law Schools (AALS) includes the New England School of Law (NESL) as a member. The Princeton Review placed NESL third on its list of the “Best Resources for Women” in 2021. This rating was determined by a survey of students who were asked if they felt faculty members and other students treated them equally regardless of their gender. For academic difficulty, admissions selectivity, and professional results, NESL was recognized as one of the top law schools in the nation.
Law students have the opportunity to participate in an experiential learning program through NESL, where they can interact with professors, practicing attorneys, judges, and well-known international prosecutors. The NESL law graduates will have a better chance of finding employment in the legal field as a result of this experience.
Programs like Elder Law Clinics, Family Law Mediation Clinics, International Human Rights Clinics, and Real Estate Practicum are available for students to choose from. In order to advance education and individual interests, clinics partner students from the School of Law to provide legal advice in a range of topics.
5. Suffolk University School of Law
This private school was established in 1906, and it is situated in the heart of Boston. It is currently Boston’s third-largest university. The founders of Suffolk, the fourth-oldest institution in New England, aimed to give students who desired to study but faced racial and socioeconomic prejudice access to a legal education.
Students have the chance to take part in legal clinics and internships in one of the top cities on the east coast thanks to Suffolk’s convenient downtown Boston location. The Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service, which is run by Suffolk, provides fellowships for its law students. In addition to internships, Suffolk students can take part in the school’s moot court, legal clinics, and publications on the law. The law school provides courses at Sweden’s Lund University through its study abroad programs. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a well-known Supreme Court justice, conducted study here in the 1960s for her book on Swedish law.
The Suffolk University law professors represent legal experts who are still active in big businesses, district attorneys, legal departments, and public defenders. They are known for being ready to guide and mentor their pupils. This legal school promises that 84% of its graduates find employment within 10 months of graduation, placing it among the schools for this purpose.
4. Northeastern University Law School
The bar pass rate for students at Northeastern, a top law school, can reach 90% in some years, placing it among the top universities in the country in this crucial category.
While Northeastern is a top-tier law school in many areas of the law, Public Interest Law is where it really shines. The Center for Public Interest Advocacy and Cooperation at Northeastern University, also known as CPIAC, is dedicated to providing its clients with legal and social justice solutions. A number of clinics in IP law, public health, immigrant protection, and other fields are also offered by Northeastern.
The Northeastern University Law School places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, and all graduates are required to complete a co-op program. Every major at Northeastern University participates in the co-op program, which requires students to work a full-time job for at least one semester while finishing their studies. This will provide law students more experience when they enter the job market after graduation.
3. Boston College Law School
Boston College Law School is a distinguished university that was ranked as the 31st top law school by US News & World Report in 2021. Notwithstanding Boston’s claims to ownership, Newton, Massachusetts, is technically six miles west of Boston’s central business district.
Boston College’s BC Law School debuted as its first graduate program in 1929. After three years, the law school gained superior academic repute in New England, joining other esteemed colleges including Harvard, Yale, and Boston University.
Currently, the school includes 125 faculty members and roughly 800 legal students. BC is a well-liked option for those pursuing a law degree due to its modest size and reputation as a top-tier law school. The school gives students the chance to practice in the areas of commercial law, criminal and civil litigation, human rights and public interest law, and social justice. Moreover, BC offers exchange programs with legal schools in Paris and China for students earning their Juris Doctor degree and looking for an international experience.
The Princeton Review ranked the law professors at Boston College in seventh position for “Best Faculty” in 2020. In addition, BC Law is among the top 20 law schools in the Boston area and consistently places graduates in American legal firms, ranking second only to Harvard.
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2. Boston University Law School
This private university’s law school is among the nation’s oldest, having been founded in 1872. The 20th best law school in the country, Boston University Law School (BU), made the U.S. News & World Report 2021 list of top law schools.
The staff at this prestigious legal school has received widespread recognition for their research and writing accomplishments in both the public and private sectors. It is therefore not surprising that BU consistently ranks among the top universities in the nation for “Best Professors” and “Best Classroom Experience” according to the Princeton Review.
Students at BU have access to a wide range of legal seminars and workshops. First-year students can take part in a variety of practical exercises to hone their abilities and learn how to do things like negotiate, advise clients, and resolve challenging legal issues and cases.
Students in their second and third years can take part in clinical collaborations under the assistance of knowledgeable lecturers. The university additionally provides a semester-in-practice program that enables students to gain full-time work experience with institutions like the United Nations or the US government.
The nationwide state bar clearance rate is roughly 81.9%, however the bar passage rate at Boston University Law School is far higher at 92.8%. It should come as no surprise that BU graduates are quick to land jobs and begin their legal careers.
1. Harvard University Law School
Given its reputation, Harvard Law may very well be the most well-known law school in the entire globe. Cambridge, which is next to Boston and just across the Charles River, is where Harvard is situated. Harvard is a member of the elite group of “T14” law schools, which is regarded as the elite group of law schools in the country.
The University of Maryland School of Law and William & Mary Law School were both shut down during the Civil War, making Harvard Law School (HLS), which was founded in 1817, the oldest continuously running law school in the nation.
HLS, which is third on US News’ ranking of the “Best Law Schools” for 2021, offers first-year students the opportunity to join one of its Student Practice Groups. By defending individuals from various walks of life—including prisoners at their disciplinary hearings, working-class musicians navigating the complexities of copyright laws, and others—these organizations give students the chance to practice their legal abilities. It’s interesting that before graduating, students must practice for free at least 40 hours.
The more conventional system of letter grades has been replaced at HLS by the designations “fail,” “low pass,” “pass,” or “distinction of honors.” Almost 90 student organizations total, including student-run publications, drama societies, service organizations, performing arts organizations, and more, are present on campus. The Harvard Law Report, the student newspaper at Harvard, has been published continuously since the 1940s, making it one of the nation’s oldest publications for law schools.
In 2019, 99% of Harvard’s law grads passed the bar test, which is astounding. It is understandable why the institution consistently ranks among the best legal schools in the nation.
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are two well-known graduates of Harvard Law School.
Law Schools in Boston Admissions Advice: How to Get In
Admission is exceedingly tough because these law schools are among the best in the nation. Following are the procedures for entering law schools in Boston.
1. Get an LSAT score of at least 170 for Harvard and at least 160 for the majority of other quality programs.
Having a stellar LSAT score is crucial for success when applying to elite law schools, particularly when applying to a T14 law school like Harvard Law. Harvard Law typically requires an LSAT score of over 170! Even the most knowledgeable students will find this to be a significant difficulty given that the test itself is worth a total of 180 points. The LSAT is still required for admission to the majority of elite law schools, despite some schools doing away with standardized testing.
2. Character Reference Letters
Often, law schools request letters of recommendation from potential students. This might be an undergraduate professor who knows the student well or a past employer who can attest to the student’s work ethic. A good strategy would be to find someone from the institution you attended and another “outside of school” person, like a lawyer or a professional you interned under. Typically, students will need to submit at least two recommendation letters. Ahead of time, it can be wise to discuss the letter’s contents with the person who will be writing it with the person writing the letter of recommendation.
3. Completion of a BA
Of course, earning a bachelor’s degree comes before enrolling in law school. While entrance to law schools generally does not require any particular courses, certain courses can undoubtedly increase your chances of admission. Pre-law courses, language courses, and other conventional academic capstones are all examples of possible courses in this category. Earning a stellar grade point average (GPA) is also a necessity for admission into a top law school because GPAs are so closely evaluated when it comes to admissions. Higher-tier universities often require a GPA of at least 3.5.
4. Request Your Transcripts Be Sent to the Colleges On Your List
Interested students should gather their academic records from their undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as any certification programs they have completed. Transcript copies often cost between $10 and $20. Finally, it can take a few days to receive transcripts, so make sure to plan ahead to guarantee that these documents arrive to the law school on time.
5. Personal Statement Writing
Although it can be challenging for students, passing this test is necessary to be admitted to law schools. A student has the chance to show off their personality in this written personal statement. Students are free to discuss whatever topic they believe will help them get into the institution, including their academic and career objectives. Some law schools provide writing prompts or ideas to applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Boston, how many law schools are there?
In Boston, there are just six law schools.
Which law is in the most demand?
Security law, marijuana law, labor law, energy law, intellectual property law, and health law are the primary practice areas in high demand.
What is the salary of an immigration lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts?
As of March 3, the income range for immigration attorneys in Boston, Massachusetts is normally between $80,169 and $108,782.
Is math required to be a lawyer?
Another excellent A-Level to take if you want to study law is mathematics. It's a well regarded option, making it a strong asset to your application.
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