Yale University

Yale Law School is often ranked as the top law school in the country. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, the school was founded in 1824. A small population of 619 students allows for intensive, intimate courses with dedicated professors. The student to faculty ratio remains low at eight to one, and most classes contain no more than 20 students. There are 83 full-time and 180 part-time faculty members available to help guide potential lawyers towards productive, successful careers. Students interested in a world-renowned school should look into Yale’s offerings.

There are no specific concentrations within the Yale Law School degree program, but students are given the freedom to focus on courses that fit their interests. There is only one semester of required classes, instead of a full year like most traditional law schools. Some students choose to pursue joint degrees with other graduate schools at Yale like the School of Management. Particularly driven students can complete a JD and MBA joint degree in just three years. A regular JD degree is usually completed in this amount of time. Students are not graded with traditional letter grades. First-year students are graded with Credit/No Credit. Second and third-year students are graded with Honors, Pass, Low Pass, or Fail distinctions.

There are many opportunities for Yale Law School students to gain applicable experience. There are more than 30 legal clinics. Students can participate even in their first year of studies. (Most law schools limit clinics to second- or third-year students.) Individuals are given real clients to represent during the clinics. Some sample clinics include domestic violence incidents and apartment eviction hearings. There are also workshops and on-campus centers students can utilize.

Students can also participate in nine law journals. The “Yale Law Journal” accepts editor admissions in the spring. The test to determine if the students are capable consists of a 4-5 hour “bluebooking exam” and a writing competition. Other popular publications include “Yale Law and Policy Review,” “Yale Journal on Regulation,” and the “Yale Journal of International Law.” Students can also take part in other activities to blow off steam. There are more than 70 student organizations such as an a cappella group and the Yale Federalist Society on campus.

Students interested in paving the way for a successful law career should look into the admissions process at Yale Law. More than 90 percent of students are employed at graduation. (Often at famed law firms or in clerkship positions.) The small class sizes and large alumni network also help provide students with opportunities for intensive studies and later job placement.