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Would it matter if you went to a 'normal' collage for law?

Comparing the normal collage and a IV school such as Harvard, would it really matter which one I went to career wise for law?

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Terri’s Answer

Hi, Alice--As some of the posts have mentioned, higher-ranked undergraduate schools might carry some weight when you are applying for law schools, and higher-ranked law schools might help open some employment opportunities after graduation. But even at other schools, there is a lot you can do to create opportunities for yourself. Getting good grades goes a long way when applying for law school and then when seeking legal positions. And you might have more opportunities at other schools to be on academic journals or advocacy teams, or to intern. All of those help you build your skills as a lawyer. Law firms appreciate being able to hire new lawyers who already know a little bit about how to practice law! When selecting a school, choose one that feels comfortable for you (try to visit and talk with current students if you can) and that gives you opportunities to grow and develop beyond just the classroom content. Good luck!
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Cherilyn’s Answer

Honestly, it usually doesn’t matter if you go to a “normal” college for law. Most people never ask where their lawyer went to school — I know I never have. What clients care about is how good you are at your job, not whether your degree came from Harvard or an Ivy League school. Plenty of great lawyers come from regular universities. If you work hard, get solid experience, and build a good reputation, that will matter far more than the name on your diploma.
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DENNIS A’s Answer

Hi Alice: Frankly the only possible difference it MIGHT make is in the doors opened upon graduation. Most schools have alumni Associations who help grads get jobs. The better the job the better the pay. I practiced in NYC for 39 years. Generally, IV league places would not consider me for a job. I worked my way through as a trial lawyer and loved it. I would have never felt at home at an IV league place. I felt at home in a Courtroom.

So Alice, the bottom line is: where do you feel at home ?

As Cherilyn points out - most times people do not look at your diploma or even ask. People go to lawyers because thay need help. Large companies go to IV firms for many reasons but often to involve complex contracts. So you will need to decide for yourself what type of law you want to practice! Good luck.
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Martha D.’s Answer

Yours is an excellent first question, Alice, and Cherilyn has given you solid advice.

Below is a link to advice about getting into law school. It shows that earning high grades, getting a good score on law standardized tests, having strong recommendations, and writing a meaningful personal statement are key to getting into a good law school. So you want to get to know your undergrad professors well enough that they could write strong recommendations for you and you want your undergrad college to have a strong careers center. That could help you get law internships, which would help your law school application.

I mention a good law school because potential employers certainly and perhaps potential customers likely would be interested in your law school. Plus, the better law schools likely have well-placed alumni who could help you launch your career. That said, there are many good law schools besides Ivy League ones. For example, good law schools in your state include University of Virginia, William and Mary, Washington and Lee, and George Mason.

I hope this helps and wish you good luck!

Martha D. recommends the following next steps:

LSAC - https://www.lsac.org/applying-law-school/jd-application-process/jd-application-requirements
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Vianne’s Answer

The importance of where you attend college may not be as significant as people think. For law school, the most crucial factors are performing well in your undergraduate studies and achieving a high LSAT score. Law schools focus on your GPA, test scores, and the experiences you gain during college. You don't need to attend a prestigious university for your bachelor's degree to get into a good law school.

Prestige becomes more relevant at the law school level. Graduating from a renowned institution like Harvard Law School can sometimes help in securing positions at top law firms or specific clerkships. However, many successful lawyers come from regular universities and build their careers through internships, networking, and solid work experience.

Attending a "normal" college for your undergraduate degree is perfectly fine. What truly matters is earning good grades, developing strong writing and critical thinking skills, and gaining experience through internships, debate, or legal-related volunteering. These elements can prepare you well if you decide to apply to law school later on.
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