Choosing which law schools to apply to is a difficult process. There are currently 196 American Bar Association-approved law schools in 49 states (Alaska does not have one). So, deciding where you want to spend the next three years of your life can take some time.

Initially, it should be noted that one big mistake that students often make is looking at their LSAT scores, looking at their GPA, and then applying to schools based on their respective rankings in U.S. News and World Report. While these are important things to things to take into account, there are many more, equally important factors to consider.

Location

Believe it or not, the location of a school can make a monumental difference in how a student performs in school. Some students are more comfortable in an urban setting, some like a rural setting. Some students don’t mind cold weather, others detest it. You should be in a place where the weather either makes you happy or at least does not bother you and bring you down.

Curriculum

An additional consideration is what kind of curriculum the school offers. Almost all schools offer the same subjects in the first year of studies. Beyond that, however, many schools allow students to specialize in certain areas, such as immigration law or litigation. This can be important if you know what area of the law you enjoy and can see yourself practicing. Likewise, see what kind of clinics the schools offer, where you can gain real-world experience in the practice of law while earning class credit.

Reputation

The reputation of a school, while important, should not be a deciding factor in choosing a school. While it is indeed something to consider, many firms--and especially government agencies--do not care where attorneys went to law school. It is important, however, to consider a school’s national reputation if you are attending a school away from the area where you intend to practice. If you graduated from a far-off school that is not well known, that could hurt you in the job market.

Cost of Living

Students quickly learn that money is always a consideration when attending law school, and the cost of living is no different. States in the Northeast tend to have a higher cost of living than states in the Midwest and the South. California’s cost of living can be exorbitant. And of course, big cities, such as New York and Chicago, will usually have a higher cost of living than any rural city, regardless of which state it is in.