Where do you want to go to school? Is there a part of the country you prefer? Do you want a school in the city, in the countryside, or one that’s in between? Large city, small city? Where might you like to make your career? Employers tend to draw from law schools in their geographic region so if you know where you would like to work in the future, this is an important consideration. It’s true that the best students at the most elite schools may have greater geographic freedom in their job searches, but companies, firms and agencies frequently hire from a variety of law schools in their area.

Are you interested in a particular area of law, clinical opportunity or interdisciplinary program? Look at law school websites and see what academic, research or specialty programs and certificates they feature. See if there are faculty working on things that interest you.

How much will it cost to attend particular schools? More selective schools cost more; they also tend to have more generous aid and public interest loan reduction programs. Most schools offer “merit” aid – the amount they offer depends in part on how badly they want a particular student to attend. Many schools have specific scholarships for which you must submit a separate application. Be pragmatic. If you don’t need the credential of a highly selective school for the career you are planning, you may find that a less selective school will prepare you well for the jobs you want and leave you with less debt.

The “vibe” of a school can be difficult to judge. Schools have reputations for their environments but these can be misleading and how you will feel at a school will depend on many factors. Some things you can assess: how big is the school, how big are the first year classes, how does the school attempt to foster community; does it have a traditional curriculum and grading approach or something less traditional; consider (with caution) what you can find on social media, and try to talk to current students. Visit the school if you can.