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What the best college for law in NYC?
I want to become a lawyer, I so want to find out which type of college is best to go to for law In New York City.
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Mark’s Answer
I am not a lawyer (IANAL), but I come from a family of lawyers and many of my friends became lawyers. I considered law school but chose another path.
If you're asking what the best law schools are in NYC, you can look at the US News and World Report rankings (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings?_sort=my_rankings-asc). The top law schools in NYC are NYU (#5) and Columbia (#8), with Fordham a bit down on the list (29). However, you can do well coming from almost any ranked law school unless you wan to go into what is called BigLaw, or the elite, top law firms in the country. I have friends who graduated from Brooklyn Law (111) and New York Law (125, not to be confused with NYU Law) and are successful attorneys.
If you're asking what undergraduate college you should go to, my suggestion is the one where you can do the best, and get a well rounded but still rigorous education. There is no "best" school to go to to prepare for law school. And most law schools don't give any preference to their undergraduate alumni. You can get accepted to a good law school out of Columbia and you can get accepted to a good law school out of Queens College (CUNY). The important thing is to do well, and take courses that will challenge your writing and research skills. STEM majors are fine, particularly if you are interested in patent law. But definitely take courses that will require reading and writing skills. And from what I have heard from others, do not take any kind of "legal studies" undergraduate major. Those tend to be for people who do not intend to be attorneys but want a law-adjacent degree.
Best of luck in your endeavors!
If you're asking what the best law schools are in NYC, you can look at the US News and World Report rankings (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings?_sort=my_rankings-asc). The top law schools in NYC are NYU (#5) and Columbia (#8), with Fordham a bit down on the list (29). However, you can do well coming from almost any ranked law school unless you wan to go into what is called BigLaw, or the elite, top law firms in the country. I have friends who graduated from Brooklyn Law (111) and New York Law (125, not to be confused with NYU Law) and are successful attorneys.
If you're asking what undergraduate college you should go to, my suggestion is the one where you can do the best, and get a well rounded but still rigorous education. There is no "best" school to go to to prepare for law school. And most law schools don't give any preference to their undergraduate alumni. You can get accepted to a good law school out of Columbia and you can get accepted to a good law school out of Queens College (CUNY). The important thing is to do well, and take courses that will challenge your writing and research skills. STEM majors are fine, particularly if you are interested in patent law. But definitely take courses that will require reading and writing skills. And from what I have heard from others, do not take any kind of "legal studies" undergraduate major. Those tend to be for people who do not intend to be attorneys but want a law-adjacent degree.
Best of luck in your endeavors!
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Paul’s Answer
I am providing you with a list of some of the better law school in New York. Some are in the city, while others are in surrounding communities, or in other regions of the state.
*NYU
*Columbia University
*Cornell
*Fordham
*Saint Johns
*Yeshiva
*University of Albany
*Brooklyn Law School
*Syracuse
*University of Buffalo School of Law
*NYU
*Columbia University
*Cornell
*Fordham
*Saint Johns
*Yeshiva
*University of Albany
*Brooklyn Law School
*Syracuse
*University of Buffalo School of Law
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Martha’s Answer
Hi Micah. Law school is a graduate program, meaning you attend after finishing the equivalent of 4 years of college. Below, I have posted a link to a list of the best law schools in New York.
There are no set pre-law requirements as there are for medical school. Many major in politics, history or government and take classes related to the law, such as constitutional law, if available. Another approach could be to major in an area of interest, such as business or environmental studies, and then specialize in that type of law later.
Good luck!
Read this list -- https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings/new%20york?_sort=my_rankings-asc
There are no set pre-law requirements as there are for medical school. Many major in politics, history or government and take classes related to the law, such as constitutional law, if available. Another approach could be to major in an area of interest, such as business or environmental studies, and then specialize in that type of law later.
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Doc’s Answer
TOP LAW SCHOOLS IN NEW YORK CITY
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Columbia has one of the best law programs in the country. Graduates from here move on to have some of the highest paying, most prestigious law jobs in the country. The small-sized private university has a class size of only 350 people. With a bar exam pass rate approaching 98%, you're also almost guaranteed to pass the bar if you study here and apply yourself. But of course, thanks to the school's reputation, they can be picky about who they accept. Before applying you should try to gain relevant work experience, and explore volunteering possibilities as well. While it's expensive, it's one of the best law educations you can get nationwide.
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
This private university is located in Greenwich Village in Manhattan. It is relatively large for a law school with a student body of around 1700. The school is quite tough to get into, but it's a smidge easier by acceptance rate than admissions for Columbia or Cornell. Curriculum here is incredibly intensive, though and students here do need to work hard. While there's an active social scene at this school, the workloads prevent too much hedonistic behavior. NYU law school is another historic campus — the school started in 1831. With a fantastic bar passage rate and stellar post-grad salaries, the price is expensive but justifiable, although you'll need to have your application well in order to be successful.
CORNELL LAW SCHOOL
This selective private university is one of the top 15 in the country. They're very particular when it comes to who enters the program. You have to perform well academically and demonstrate that you can maintain balance in your life. Acceptance is difficult to achieve — only about 1 in 5 applicants make the grade. That's a good thing, though, because this is not an option for slackers. If you're willing to work hard, you'll get an excellent start for your law career. And more important than curriculum is the network that the school provides. Alumni are very active and usually happy to mentor new graduates. The college campus is beautiful, with historic buildings to inspire you.
FORDHAM SCHOOL OF LAW
Fordham Law, one of the largest law schools in the nation, is a staple in the Manhattan legal scene. Its trial advocacy program is ranked in the top 10 and it offers five distinct concentrations: business and financial law, intellectual property and information law, international, comparative and foreign law, litigation and dispute resolution, and public interest. Fordham graduates practice all over the world. This New York law school reports a 77.6% employment rate with Big Law and federal clerkships (according to ABA data). Its first-time bar passage rate is higher than the statewide rate, so you know you’ll graduate with all the tools you’ll need.
Micah, New York City is hands down one of the best places to study law, thanks to its proximity to the headquarters of some of the biggest law firms in the country. The city is also a hub of legal activity, with a bustling court system and a brilliant legal community
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Columbia has one of the best law programs in the country. Graduates from here move on to have some of the highest paying, most prestigious law jobs in the country. The small-sized private university has a class size of only 350 people. With a bar exam pass rate approaching 98%, you're also almost guaranteed to pass the bar if you study here and apply yourself. But of course, thanks to the school's reputation, they can be picky about who they accept. Before applying you should try to gain relevant work experience, and explore volunteering possibilities as well. While it's expensive, it's one of the best law educations you can get nationwide.
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
This private university is located in Greenwich Village in Manhattan. It is relatively large for a law school with a student body of around 1700. The school is quite tough to get into, but it's a smidge easier by acceptance rate than admissions for Columbia or Cornell. Curriculum here is incredibly intensive, though and students here do need to work hard. While there's an active social scene at this school, the workloads prevent too much hedonistic behavior. NYU law school is another historic campus — the school started in 1831. With a fantastic bar passage rate and stellar post-grad salaries, the price is expensive but justifiable, although you'll need to have your application well in order to be successful.
CORNELL LAW SCHOOL
This selective private university is one of the top 15 in the country. They're very particular when it comes to who enters the program. You have to perform well academically and demonstrate that you can maintain balance in your life. Acceptance is difficult to achieve — only about 1 in 5 applicants make the grade. That's a good thing, though, because this is not an option for slackers. If you're willing to work hard, you'll get an excellent start for your law career. And more important than curriculum is the network that the school provides. Alumni are very active and usually happy to mentor new graduates. The college campus is beautiful, with historic buildings to inspire you.
FORDHAM SCHOOL OF LAW
Fordham Law, one of the largest law schools in the nation, is a staple in the Manhattan legal scene. Its trial advocacy program is ranked in the top 10 and it offers five distinct concentrations: business and financial law, intellectual property and information law, international, comparative and foreign law, litigation and dispute resolution, and public interest. Fordham graduates practice all over the world. This New York law school reports a 77.6% employment rate with Big Law and federal clerkships (according to ABA data). Its first-time bar passage rate is higher than the statewide rate, so you know you’ll graduate with all the tools you’ll need.
Micah, New York City is hands down one of the best places to study law, thanks to its proximity to the headquarters of some of the biggest law firms in the country. The city is also a hub of legal activity, with a bustling court system and a brilliant legal community
A. Michelle Hawkins
Make contributions and identify volunteer opportunities for employees
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A. Michelle’s Answer
Hi Micah,
Others have shared lists of top-ranked law schools in NYC, so I will focus my answer on selecting an undergraduate institution that can help position you for admission to a good law school. There is no required major for law school, so look for colleges that are strong in subjects you would consider as your major. Also look for colleges that offer opportunities for you to challenge yourself and demonstrate mastery and leadership. There are lots of smart college students with high GPA’s applying to law schools, so you will need to distinguish yourself in other ways. While in college, take classes that strengthen your writing and critical thinking skills. One final note about NYC - it has a lot to offer, which can be a distraction or an asset. Talk to people who currently attend college here and try to spend time here to determine if it is a place you would like to live and study.
Others have shared lists of top-ranked law schools in NYC, so I will focus my answer on selecting an undergraduate institution that can help position you for admission to a good law school. There is no required major for law school, so look for colleges that are strong in subjects you would consider as your major. Also look for colleges that offer opportunities for you to challenge yourself and demonstrate mastery and leadership. There are lots of smart college students with high GPA’s applying to law schools, so you will need to distinguish yourself in other ways. While in college, take classes that strengthen your writing and critical thinking skills. One final note about NYC - it has a lot to offer, which can be a distraction or an asset. Talk to people who currently attend college here and try to spend time here to determine if it is a place you would like to live and study.
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Mahi’s Answer
NYU, Cornell, Columbia, Fordham.
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Bhupendra’s Answer
NYU School of Law, Columbia Law School, Fordham Law School, Brooklyn Law School, and Cardozo School of Law are among the top law schools in New York City. They present a variety of programs to fit different schedules, including full-time and part-time study options. The acceptance rates and tuition costs differ among these schools. Some even offer practical learning opportunities like clinical programs and externships. To find the one that suits your ambitions and budget best, it's crucial to research each school's offerings and results.
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Flora’s Answer
Hey Micah, remember, there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the "best" school. It's really all about what suits your financial situation, career aspirations, chosen field of study, study time availability, and academic accomplishments. Every college or university shines in certain majors, thanks to the success stories of their students and the networking opportunities they provide. Sure, there are numerous websites offering rankings, but choosing a college just because it tops a list might not be the best approach for you.
It's awesome that you've decided to pursue law. But before you start hunting for colleges, let's get a few things straight:
1. Why are you looking for the "best" university or college? Is it for prestige, networking, financial aid, scholarships, or work opportunities?
2. Start by identifying universities that meet your criteria and then see if they align with your educational capabilities.
3. Can you comfortably handle the financial commitment?
4. What's the specific reason for wanting to study in New York City?
It's awesome that you've decided to pursue law. But before you start hunting for colleges, let's get a few things straight:
1. Why are you looking for the "best" university or college? Is it for prestige, networking, financial aid, scholarships, or work opportunities?
2. Start by identifying universities that meet your criteria and then see if they align with your educational capabilities.
3. Can you comfortably handle the financial commitment?
4. What's the specific reason for wanting to study in New York City?