How to Build a Cohesive, Balanced Law School List

Deciding which law schools to apply to can feel overwhelming. There are so many factors to consider, and what’s right for one person may not be right for another. Before you start building your list, take a step back and think about what truly matters to you.

1. Consider Your Priorities

For some people, location is everything. For others, financial aid is the deciding factor—they’re willing to go wherever they receive the most scholarship money. And for some, prestige carries the most weight, even if it comes with a higher price tag.

Sit with yourself for a moment and determine what matters most to you. Is it minimizing debt? Staying close to family? Attending a highly ranked school? There’s no universal right answer—only what’s right for you.

2. The “Best” School Isn’t Always the Best for You

There are incredible Ivy League and top-ranked schools across the country. But if you’ve built your life on the West Coast and relocating isn’t realistic, you have to ask yourself whether applying to East Coast schools truly makes sense. Rankings are important, but fit matters just as much—if not more.

3. Think About Community, Culture, and Career Goals

Law school is more than academics—it’s three years of your life. You want to go somewhere you can find your community.

Some law schools are more diverse than others. Some emphasize clinical experience, while others are known for exceptional professors in certain divisions of law. Think about the type of environment where you’ll thrive. Do you want a collaborative atmosphere or a competitive one? A strong public interest focus or a heavy corporate pipeline?

For example, one of the main reasons I chose Penn Law was because I was told it was very collaborative—and that absolutely turned out to be true. I didn’t want to attend a law school that felt cutthroat or overly competitive because that doesn’t align with my personality. Culture matters.

Figure out what matters most to you:

• Is it culture?

• Is it academic strength in a specific area of law?

• Is it prestige?

• Is it diversity and representation?

These are deeply personal considerations. You should also consider your long-term career goals. If you know you want to build a career in the New York City market, attending a T14, an Ivy League school, or a New York City–based law school may make strategic sense. On the other hand, if you’ve built an entire life in your home state and plan to practice there long-term, it may not be worth uprooting yourself from your family, friends, and support system just for a name.

Your law school choice should align with both your professional goals and your personal well-being. I also encourage you to reach out to people at the schools you’re considering. Many affinity groups and student organizations have contact emails listed online. Sending a thoughtful message and asking about the environment can give you real insight into what daily life is actually like. That firsthand perspective can be invaluable.

4. Apply Strategically

As a general rule, I recommend applying to between 10 and 15 schools, with a balanced mix of reach, target, and safety schools.

You don’t want to apply only to T14 or Ivy League schools—they’re incredibly selective. At the same time, don’t count yourself out just because your numbers don’t perfectly match a school’s median statistics. Admissions committees evaluate applications holistically, and you might be exactly what they’re looking for.

Be realistic, but don’t underestimate yourself.

5. Stay Open-Minded

Finally, don’t make assumptions about a school.

There are people who swear they would never attend a certain type of school—until they visit and fall in love with it. Be as open-minded as possible throughout the process, especially as decisions start rolling in.

I’ve learned in my own journey that sometimes what we want and what we need turn out to be two different things. And more often than not, we end up exactly where we’re supposed to be.

Trust the process. Stay thoughtful. Stay strategic. And choose from a place of authenticity.