This is one of the biggest decisions that you will make in your career. This will not only decide who you are going to be but also where you are going to end up. Remember that you are hoping to get employed in one of the most competitive fields. Therefore, basing your decision on just the reputation and ranking of the school is not enough. There are many other factors that you need to take into consideration and listed below are some of them.
Location
It is important to note that as a lawyer your salary, type of work and level of recognition will depend on the place you work at. For instance, there is no point in being a criminal lawyer in a city with a very low crime rate. Practicing and learning in one state and getting employed somewhere else can make things complicated for you since laws differ from one state to another. Therefore, look for options in a place where you see yourself in another few years. Making such long-term decisions will enable you to reduce unnecessary expenses and inconvenience.
Campus Facilities
It is not like you can grasp much from the flashy brochures that most universities use for marketing purposes. You need to be informed about both the on and off campus life before you make a decision. Visit the place and question the students about the curriculum and activities. Is it competitive? What kind of social events take place over the weekend? How talented are the lecturers? It is important to ensure that the culture and the community of the campus fits your personal preferences.
Available Programs
Your campus is the place where you will be exposed to your specialized field on an in-depth level. Therefore, you need to ensure that the place offers the essential facilities for that field. For example, if you are interested in family law, make sure that the university has a good set of lecturers and useful modules for the particular field. However, it is best to choose a school that offers a range of law courses Sydney. In case you are not impressed with your specialized field, you can always try out another option which is just as good.
Opportunities
With the competition in the field, classroom education is not enough to get you where you want to go. You need to look into the institution’s academic, research and professional opportunities. Do they offer internship programs or job guarantees? Do they know reliable law firms and do they recommend their students to them? As much as it is important to obtain an educational qualification in this place, you must secure an employment opportunity as well. You also need to look into what sector the school works with since its career services differ accordingly.
Cost of Education
Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest influencers of your final decision. You will have to pay not only the tuition fees, but also for other services such as accommodation (if you are studying in another state/city), books, extra-curricular, etc. Calculate the expenses of a range of law schools – both public and private – and see which one is the most affordable. Make sure to look into scholarships and financial aid options as well.
Taking the above factors into regard will enable you to choose the most suitable and profitable educational institution and will thereby ensure that you are taking the right steps in your career path.