Michigan Law Schools - How to Find & Get Into a Great Law School in Michigan

There are six great law schools in the State of Michigan. These include the Ave Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in Detroit, the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor, the Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing, the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in Lansing, and Wayne State University Law School in Detroit.

Of course, not all Michigan law schools are alike, and in choosing a Michigan law school - as you would with any school - you should make sure that you are making the correct choice for YOU. Unfortunately, far to many prospective law students fall into the trap of letting magazines and artificial law school rankings make the choice for them. If you were to do that, you might focus on the University of Michigan Law School, which admittedly enjoys an outstanding national reputation, to the exclusion of several other excellent law schools in Michigan or elsewhere.

One of the things I try and emphasize to students trying to select a law school is that you get a very similar education no matter where you go. The "elite" schools will never admit that, but its true. Moreover, having been a practicing lawyer now for almost 10 years, I assure you that where you went to law school will very quickly become virtually meaningless to your employers and colleagues. I've known great lawyers and terrible lawyers who went to great schools - and I've known great lawyers and terrible lawyers who went to no-name night schools.

Therefore, if you've decided you want to go to law school in Michigan, you should carefully analyze which of the excellent choices will be the best law school for you. If your aim to get a high-paying job in Manhattan immediately after graduation, the University of Michigan Law School is probably a place you should target. On the other hand, if you're looking to set up a local practice on of the smaller local schools may be your best choice.

Although the substance of what you will learn is largely the same at every school, the environment is definitely not. That's why, if you've decided you want to go to a Michigan Law School, you should visit every school you're considering to get a feel for the campus and physical surroundings. You should also speak with some students to see what they have to say about the atmosphere. Some law schools are definitely more friendly that others.

No two Michigan law schools are created alike, just as no two law students are created alike. Finding a good match should be your top priority. You're going to spend three years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars - regardless of which Michigan law school you select - and you should do everything possible to make sure its not a miserable investment.

When I was choosing which law school to attend I spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars researching and in many cases visiting the eleven schools that made my final list. In the end, I didn't choose the highest ranked or most prestigious school I got into, but I did choose the best law school for me. And I made the right choice.

This is just one of the many topics I discuss in my ebook Covert Tactics for Getting Into the Law School of Your Choice and in the Covert Tactics Law School Newsletter, both of which are available at my website.

This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any ezine, newsletter, blog or website. The author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.

H. Jefferson, Jr. is an expert on on law school admission, having applied to and been admitted by 11 of the top law schools in the United States. To learn more about the the techniques and strategies you can use to get into the law school of your choice, visit http://www.coverttactics.com.

What To Consider Before Deciding To Go To Law School

Consideration #1: Do I Really Want To Be A Lawyer?

When you're considering applying to law school, the first thing you should ask yourself is if you really, truly want to be a lawyer. There used to be a time when law school was a great default option for people who weren't sure about what they wanted to do, but knew they wanted financial security. Maybe it's because this idea has gained so much currency, but the truth is that now a law degree does not automatically equal a high-paying job right out of school. Of course, if you are able to get into one of the top law schools, there will always be a job waiting for you. For those who are not as lucky, however, a fearless look at why you're considering applying to law school is your best course of action. If you truly love the law, by all means, go ahead and apply, but know that the job market for new lawyers is tougher than ever before.

Consideration #2: What Type Of Law Do I Want To Practice?

So, you've determined that you're not just applying because you can't think of something else to do. Then you might already know the answer to the question of what type of law you would like to go into one day. If you don't know, before you apply is the time to start mulling it over. Environmental law or corporate contracts? Real estate or intellectual property? There are many specializations for you to pursue, and some schools are more focused on your area of choice than others are.

Consideration #3: Who's On The Faculty?

Check out the faculty of the schools you're considering. This consideration goes hand in hand with consideration #2. If you are a true lover of the law, then you probably have a wish list of legal rock stars you'd love to learn from. Look into the biographies of the various professors of schools you're considering and make sure you'll be able to take classes with the ones you find fascinating.

Consideration #4: Where Do I Want To Live When I Am Practicing Law?

You might not know where you want to live once you get out of law school. This is also worth some thought for a couple of reasons. First, if you study in the state you'd eventually like to practice in, you'll have an easier time passing the bar. Secondly, think about the job market. If you go to a school that's well-known in a certain area, you'll be a more attractive job candidate than if you take that degree on the road and have to explain its merits to people in a faraway city who are less familiar with the strengths of your law school.

Elizabeth Saas is a frequent contributor to CareersandEducation.com. Elizabeth Saas is a feature writer that covers topics relating to MBA Programs and online colleges.