Selecting which law school to attend is an important and highly individualized decision, particularly if you have multiple admission offers with varying financial considerations. At the outset, contemplate your motivations for attending law school and honestly assess your professional goals and aspirations. Avoid comparing yourself to other applicants and remain cognizant of the fact that what matters to any given student varies and may not be reflected in rankings, forums, or other sources of information.
Answering the following questions can help you sort through and narrow your law school options.
#1. Geographic Location - Will you enjoy living in the surrounding area for three years and potentially longer?
Throughout law school, you build a network of future colleagues and employers. By the time you graduate, it may make sense to remain in the area in which your institution is located.
For those unfamiliar with South Florida, Miami Law is located on the University of Miami’s main campus in Coral Gables, one of Florida’s most desirable residential areas. Students enjoy access to the entirety of the University’s amenities, as well as the benefits of living in a relaxed suburban setting within a large city.
In addition to the year-round tropical climate, Miami offers unlimited personal and professional opportunities within a vibrant and diverse environment filled with entertainment, sports, art, and culture. With more than 100 countries represented and over 100 languages spoken, Miami is an international city with the 11th largest economy in the United States and the 21st largest globally.
Law students and graduates find abundant opportunities at firms covering a vast array of industries and practice areas. Per the 2023 National Law Journal 500 listing of the 25 largest law firms in the U.S. by number of attorneys, 17 have a Miami office. Moreover, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Miami is a top 10 metropolitan area with the highest average wage for lawyers. Miami also houses federal and state courts and the offices of federal agencies. With over 1,400 businesses headquartered in Miami and more than 10,000 nonprofit organizations, there is truly something for everyone in the Magic City.
#2. Employment Outcomes - Do graduates work in the geographic area where you are interested in living and working?
Miami Law has an incredible base of 23,000+ law alumni represented in all 50 states, D.C., several territories, and 95 countries, making it a truly global institution with networks worldwide. Domestically, Miami Law graduates reside in the following top nine metro areas: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., with 2,100+ law alumni in New York and D.C. alone. Internationally, over 500 Miami Law alumni live and work overseas.
Regardless of where graduates find themselves, Miami Law cultivates a cohesive, lifelong community. Miami Law’s Young Alumni Committee fosters strong relationships with and provides support to recent graduates. The Law Alumni Association Board of Directors connects and engages alumni globally, ensuring your ties to Miami Law and its graduates endure long after you earn your degree.
#3. Areas of Study - Does the school offer programs that cater to your specific interests?
Miami Law’s innovative program encourages students to consider various types of law to practice within diverse professional settings. Students can explore 18 areas of study with robust curricular offerings in each, nine clinics spanning several practice areas, five law journals, and three advocacy teams, including the only International Moot Court program in the U.S. For those seeking an interdisciplinary or global legal education, Miami Law offers 20+ joint degree programs and 25+ study-abroad opportunities in 13 countries.
#4. Varied Offerings - Does the school provide curricular and extracurricular offerings that allow you to engage with various areas of law?
If you are unsure what area of law interests you, it is helpful to explore various types of law both inside and outside of class. Outside of the traditional classroom setting, Miami Law prepares students for practice through experiential learning via field placements, externships, and practicums and encourages students to stay apprised of niche and developing areas of law through advanced short courses. The 55+ student-run organizations provide excellent opportunities for students to interact with peers and network with alumni and other practitioners.
#5. Student Support - Does the school provide the resources necessary for you to succeed?
How a law school supports its students is equally as important as its programmatic offerings. Miami Law’s 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures professors are accessible, and weekly Dean’s Fellows study groups offer first-year students the opportunity to solidify their understanding of the material covered in the classroom.
The Academic Achievement Program (AAP) hosts workshops and seminars throughout the year to help students develop the analytical and examination skills critical for law school success. The Office of Career and Professional Development’s (OCPD) attorney advisors are dedicated to assisting students and alumni with employment and professional development opportunities. For 2023 graduates, 91% were employed or in graduate studies within ten months of graduation, and 87% were employed in a bar passage required or JD advantage position.
From day one, Miami Law prioritizes preparing students for the bar exam. The AAP coordinates and presents a variety of programs on both the substantive and logistic aspects of the exam and offers individualized bar coaching. Miami Law’s partnership with BARBRI, the leading provider of bar preparation courses in the United States, provides students with comprehensive resources throughout their time in law school and as they prepare for the exam. Miami Law boasts an 85.1% Florida Bar passage rate for first-time takers, compared to the 76.6% statewide average.
Miami Law is unwavering in its dedication to its students’ health and happiness. In addition to University of Miami resources, including the University of Miami Counseling Center, the law school houses two student organizations (the Mental Health Collective and the Insightful Mind Initiative) and the country’s first Mindfulness in Law Program. As an institution, Miami Law is deeply committed to supporting academic, professional, and personal well-being.
#6. Job Type - Does the school place graduates in jobs and positions in which you are interested?
Miami Law prepares its students to thrive in any number of professional pursuits. For 2023 graduates, 34% entered small and mid-sized firms, and 32% entered Big Law (firms with over 100 attorneys). In Law.com’s 2024 Go-To Law Schools: Big Law Report, Miami Law ranked 30th for the percentage of graduates in the largest 100 U.S. law firms and 22nd in promotions to partner in its 2023 Go-To Law School Report. Of the top 30 firms in the U.S., ranked by gross revenue, Miami Law has the most graduates leading these firms, second only to Harvard Law School, according to the Am Law 100, 2024 Listing.
Miami enjoys a significant corporate presence, serves as an international business gateway, and has emerged as a growing tech and startup hub. As such, 12% of 2023 graduates began their careers in various business and industry sectors. Miami’s legal landscape also includes local, state, and federal agencies and offices, as well as federal and state courts.
From the 2023 graduating class, about 13% entered careers at all levels of government, including clerkships. For those committed to advocacy and service, the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center provides individualized guidance on courses, projects, clinics, and social justice career opportunities. Of the 2023 graduating class, 8% pursued public interest careers.
#7. Cost of Attendance - How does each school’s total cost and scholarships relate to your goals?
When calculating the cost of attendance, it is important to remember that tuition only comprises one component of that equation. Students must also incorporate the cost of housing, food, books, transportation, and other personal expenses into any budgeting.
You should fully understand the financial implications of attending law school by mapping out your financial obligations at each, including competing scholarship offers. Consider your comfort level with paying for your legal education with student loans and critically assess whether your expected salary will allow you to support those loan repayments based on your career goals. Miami Law’s Financing Your Legal Education page can provide additional information and resources to help you plan for law school.
#8. School Culture - Are you a good fit for the school, and is the school a good fit for you?
Ultimately, can you see yourself thriving at that institution for the next three years? If possible, visit the schools you are seriously considering by scheduling a tour, arranging a class visit, or attending an admitted student day. Connect with faculty, current students, and alumni to gain a sense of the school's culture. Admitted students are encouraged to explore everything Miami Law offers and experience the enriching and collaborative learning environment.
We look forward to meeting with you and welcoming you to Miami Law. When you are ready to apply, review the application overview and first-year JD application instructions.
