Top law schools?

Hey there, high school junior here. Does anyone know or have a list of the top law schools in the United States? It would really help with my college search. Thanks!

Hello! Since you're a high school junior, I assume you're looking for undergraduate institutions that will prepare you well for a future in law. It's important to note that law school is a graduate program, and you'll need to complete a bachelor's degree first before diving fully into your legal studies. However, there are certain undergraduate institutions with strong pre-law advising, overall strong academics, and extracurricular resources that can help you prepare for law school.

Keep in mind that there's no specific "pre-law" major in most colleges. Rather, you'll want to choose an undergraduate major that you're passionate about and will excel in while also developing the skills needed for law school (critical thinking, writing, and reading comprehension). Common pre-law majors include political science, history, English, philosophy, and economics, but students from any major can attend law school.

With all that being said, some undergraduate institutions that are known to prepare students well for law school include:

1. Harvard University

2. Yale University

3. Stanford University

4. University of Chicago

5. Columbia University

6. University of Pennsylvania

7. Princeton University

8. Duke University

9. University of Notre Dame

10. University of Virginia

However, attending a prestigious undergraduate institution isn't the only factor that will lead to success in law school. Maintain a strong GPA, develop relationships with professors for potential recommendation letters, and participate in extracurriculars related to law and policy (mock trial, debate, or Model UN, for example) for hands-on experience. If you do those things, you’ll be a compelling law school applicant no matter where you earned your undergraduate degree.

When you're ready to apply to law school, you'll want to focus on the actual top law schools. Some of these include Harvard Law, Yale Law, Columbia Law, Stanford Law, and the University of Chicago Law School, although there are plenty of other great options out there. And do be aware that while attending a school for undergrad can give you a small boost during grad school admissions, it’s no guarantee of admission.

Good luck with your legal pursuits!