Getting into law school has never been easy, but as the number of applicants soars the process is even more competitive.
The stiff competition means students are paying closer attention to their LSAT scores and other application components, while also casting a wider net, often applying to both reach and safety schools.
But what happens when those efforts lead to multiple offers, forcing a student to choose between institutions with different focuses, geographic locations, costs and scholarship offers?
It’s a dilemma that many students face, and admission counselors say it’s important to evaluate each offer carefully before making a choice.
“I tell students there is no best law school, there is only the best law school for you,” said Steve Budgar, director of admissions and enrollment at Syracuse University College of Law in New York.
What that looks like will vary from student to student, Budgar said.
In the case of Syracuse Law 2L Mia Sill, she applied to 10 schools, primarily in her home state of California and New York, and received offers from five, including one that added her to the waitlist.
“Most of the schools provided updates via their portal, but Syracuse was different,” Sill said. “I can remember vividly how I was awakened by a phone call from an admissions counselor congratulating me on getting in.”
As a first-generation law student, she said Syracuse’s personalized approach made her feel as though all her hard work was really being recognized.
“They continued to stay in touch with me by email and phone, answering my questions and providing information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities,” she said. “It was a transparent experience that made me feel like I could thrive here.”
Alannah Trombetta, a 3L at University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, also had to make a tough choice after getting into five of the 10-plus schools where she applied.
The Scranton, Pennsylvania, native began the process after working in the human resources department at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for about five years.
Trombetta said deciding where to apply was a little overwhelming but soon realized early on that she was not going to base her applications on prestige or ranking.
“I wanted a school that would provide academic flexibility, a positive environment and financial and professional-related opportunities, so I applied to places that fit those criteria across the country,” Trombetta said.
After receiving the acceptance letters, she visited many of the schools and spoke to faculty, career advisors, students and alumni.
She said she selected University of Utah for two primary reasons.
“It’s a smaller school and I felt it would provide me with a close-knit academic environment that would allow for more opportunity and because of cost factors,” Trombetta said. “The tuition was lower, and they offered me a generous scholarship. I was given little to no scholarship money from the other schools relative to their overall cost of attendance.”
Quality of life also played a role, as she liked the mountainous area, which provides opportunities for her to take a mental break from law school and go hiking with her dog.
The proximity to the courts and government institutions was also important because Trombetta wanted to take advantage of internship and externship opportunities.
In addition to working as a summer associate at a local law firm, Trombetta completed an externship at Utah Supreme Court.
While both Sill and Trombetta selected schools that have allowed them to thrive, advisors say it’s important to remember there is no “right answer” when it comes to choosing a law school since every student has different wants and needs.
Budgar suggests students create a decision board, with the areas that are most important to them and rank each offer in the individual categories.
“The school with the highest number will often be the best choice,” Budgar said.
Academic opportunities and outcomes
Though each student’s must-haves will be different, some law school advisors recommend students consider several key categories, including academic opportunities and outcomes, before deciding which offer to accept.
Given the time and cost commitment involved, students should ensure that their initial career interests match the programs offered at the school, said Gerald Heppler, assistant dean of admission at Seattle University School of Law.
“While a student should have researched the school’s offerings before applying, they should now do a deeper dive,” Heppler said.
The website, he said, is the first step, but he also recommends taking advantage of any open houses or opportunities to speak with students and professors.
“Though many students change directions once in law school, they should determine that their current goals align with the school and that they will get the opportunity to explore a variety of practice areas,” Heppler said.
Amanda DiPolvere, associate dean for enrollment, admissions and graduate and international programs at Penn State Dickinson Law, advises students to carefully examine how well a school supports them throughout their intellectual and professional development, including academics, internship/externship opportunities, the bar exam and career placement.
“Prospective students should also pay attention to how a school feels when they visit,” DiPolvere said, adding applicants should pay attention to whether students report feeling engaged and seem “genuinely happy” with their experiences.
Given that time is of the essence, Heppler said students should be as “efficient as possible and take a holistic view before making a life-changing decision.”
The cost factor
Even if a school checks every academic and career outcome box, the cost factor can be a deal breaker for many students.
And given that the ability to borrow money for one’s education has been scaled back under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it’s expected to become a bigger issue moving forward.
Jason Owen, assistant dean of admissions and financial aid at University of Utah, said the changes mean students must carefully examine the affordability of each institution, including tuition, fees and cost of living.
“The cost of living in Salt Lake City is moderate compared to other similarly sized regions and cities,” Owen said. “Our students graduate with an average of $80,000 of debt, and while it can’t be paid off in a year, most students can make a substantial dent after they start practicing.”
Affordability is also a key priority at Cleveland State University College of Law, said Korey Mercer, assistant dean of admissions and financial aid.
“When evaluating affordability, it’s important for students to look beyond tuition alone and consider the full cost of attendance, including books, bar preparation, housing, transportation and living expenses,” Mercer said.
Mercer said applicants should examine scholarship opportunities, loan options and long-term return on investment, particularly how a law degree aligns with their career goals.
While financial assistance is often a key factor in whether a student accepts a school’s offer, Lisa Gear, associate dean for admissions at the Los Angeles-based private institution Southwestern Law School, advises students to keep in mind that not all scholarships are created equal.
“Not only do schools offer different dollar amounts, but the terms may be different as well,” Gear said. “Some scholarships may be applied towards tuition for the first year only; others are renewable but have specific requirements, including maintaining a certain GPA.”
Gear said it’s important to research other scholarship opportunities that may be available, not only at the law school, but outside scholarships as well.
“Fewer schools are willing to negotiate scholarship offers,” Gear said. “Several years ago, it was common to negotiate the terms but given that applications are up nationwide students should assume that the offer they are given is the best they will get from that school.”
Rebecca Schreiber, assistant dean of admission and financial aid at Penn State Dickinson Law, said students should also inquire about wraparound supports that help with cost-of-living issues.
“We have a free student food pantry, textbook lending shelves and a professional clothing closet in addition to generous merit- and needs-based scholarships,” Schreiber said. “I recommend students speak with a financial aid counselor after they receive their offers to gain a better understanding of what is available.”
Schreiber recommends students consider the affordability of the community where they will be living, measuring it against the assistance they will receive.
“A larger scholarship award in an expensive city may leave them with more debt than a smaller award in an area with a lower cost of living,” she said.
Fit and quality of life
Even when a school’s academic programming, support, outcomes and financial assistance are on par with a student’s needs, the evaluation process is not over.
Advisors say it’s also key to investigate and evaluate fit and quality of life issues, such as the existence of student organizations or the ability to start one.
“If you are someone who values diversity and the campus is not very diverse it may not be the right fit,” Budgar said. “That’s why it’s important to visit the campus, if at all possible.”
For students who can’t visit in person, Budgar said law schools offer alternative engagement opportunities like connecting with a student, alum or faculty member individually or attending virtual admitted student panel sessions.
Also consider the geographic location, climate and size of the community where the school is located, Heppler said.
“If you are from a small rural area, you may or may not feel comfortable in a large urban environment,” Heppler said. “You should ask to speak with current law students from the schools you’re interested in, particularly students who made a move from elsewhere so you can get a sense of what acclimating to those unfamiliar surroundings might feel like.”
If a student does decide a change of scenery is in order, Schreiber said it’s a good idea to become familiar with the details of life in the area before making the move.
“Finding a grocery store, bank, doctor, gym and other community resources early will reduce your distractions and stressors when law school begins,” Schreiber said.
Mercer said it’s important to keep in mind that finding the “right fit” is about more than rankings or location.
“It’s about whether a student feels supported, seen and equipped to succeed,” Mercer said. “Particularly for first-generation law students, quality of life plays a critical role in both academic performance and overall well-being.”
Mercer said first-gen students will have to navigate an unfamiliar experience without the benefit of generational guidance, which can make transparency, mentorship and access to resources especially important.
Divya Patel, a 3L at Dickinson Law, considered a multitude of factors before selecting the school.
Patel, who grew up in Florida, was set on a career in criminal law and wanted to be sure the school would prepare her to pursue her dream with clinical and on-the-job experience.
Costs were also a concern, as was the feel of the school and the greater community.
“I knew I wanted to practice on the East Coast, but I also wanted to make sure I would have the support I needed to thrive,” Patel said. “I am a bit introverted, so I did not want to go to a large school.”
Patel said she spoke to the admissions and financial aid advisors and communicated directly with students and alumni; those conversations let her know the resources would be there to support her career goals.
“The school’s bar passage rate is also high, which was important,” said Patel, who served as a summer law fellow at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in New York as a rising 3L and will return as an assistant district attorney after she graduates in May.
When it comes to deciding what offer to accept, Syracuse Law’s Mia Sill said it best: Know what you want.
“For me, I was open to going anywhere that I felt would allow me to reach my potential,” she said. “Others may have their hearts set on a dream school, and if that’s you, don’t be afraid to chase that dream.”
