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I am at a crossroad in which schools I should apply to. I have an LSAT score of 158 and a GPA of 3.7. My softs qualification would be that I am an engineering graduate with honors. For me, Intellectual Property Law, mainly patent prosecution, is something that really interests me.
I have read this blog post: https://medium.com/@andybrink/10-variables-more-important-than-prestige-real-factors-to-help-you-pick-a-law-school-bd8e38b023c8
It's worth reading since it includes variables other than law school rankings to consider. BUT I feel like ranking still matters with job prospects. I am planning on applying to UCI (#21) or Loyola (#65). Both are reachable schools with my numbers. I will apply to other schools, like USC etc. but that seems like a practice in futility.
To make matters simple let's just assume $0 for scholarships. I plan to be based and practice in LA. Loyola has a good program. I am considering doing a double concentration in IP and Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Law. Loyola both offer these programs. I also read that their Data Privacy Law have well known faculties. I think Cyber-anything law would become a big field in the future due to where out society is heading. I dont mind doing the extra-leg work that lower ranked schools entails. I have talked to lawyers who went from unknown-unranked law schools and are doing VERY well. They all sing the same hymn, "it's not where you get your degree, but what you do with it."
However, UCI's ranking is pushing me to highly consider them. They are really trying to be the next highly ranked school in CA. Although their alumni network is not as vast as Loyola, I heard nothing but good things from UCI. Their faculties are also top-notched and student accomodations are well praised. Their ranking, although at its infancy stage, I think would end up competing with USC and UCLA.
SO I was wondering if the community can give me any feedback on how to approach this issue. Should ranking be the top thing to consider? How about subjective issues like concentrations and future growth be considered as well?
@xlvovska162 said:
Hey! You’re in my area! Have you visited either school? Are you also aware that you have to pass the patent bar before you can practice patent law?
I’d say the school visits are the most important thing you’ll ever do. I’ve been to UCI (Loyola isn’t on my list) and the impression I got from the open house was that the school was very bubbly, youthful and progressive. I liked it a lot, but it didn’t feel like “home” to me. They focused so much on the clinical aspect of school that I began to think that they students were roving bands of self-taught academics who had never seen a professor- the emphasis was really placed heavily on externships and clinical work.
Also, keep in mind that it’s probably best to take as many bar classes as possible while in school, because you’re essentially paying them to teach you how to pass the bar, and you can use your externhips and some electives to flesh out your program. The program or concentration is a little less important than passing the bar lol.
Overall, UCI is a great school if you want to focus really heavily on clinics, clubs, and externships, and also if you want an active alumni network and an atmosphere that focuses on social justice. Also it’s a fairly big school with a collegiate vibe. If that’s not your thing, you may not like the school. But before you accept any invitation you NEED to visit the schools you like. I thought I’d actually hate the school that turned into my first pick after I visited :)
Yes. Ive actually been to both schools since I am based in SoCal. I think you hit the nail in the head with the UCI externships and clinic programs. I think it's because of their community based approach. From what I heard, the community around the OC area really like what UCI law is doing.
Also yes, I have looked into the patent bar. During my undergraduate year, I actually emailed a bunch of patent lawyers in the OC/LA area to get their take of the field. So I do have clear goals I just confused on which path to take. I guess the main reason I started this thread was to ask: Should Law School Ranking Matter as much as US News Report want us to believe?