National vs. Regional Schools

[moshei24]

Hi!

I was wondering what the difference between national and regional schools was. Are all top-50 schools national schools? If not, where can I find a list of which are and which aren't?

Thanks!

-Moshe

[Anne Chaconas]

Hey Moshe,

From LSAC: "A national school will generally have an applicant population and a student body that draws almost indistinguishably from the nation as a whole and will have many international students as well. A regional school is likely to have a population that is primarily from the geographic region of its location, though many regional schools have students from all over the country; a number of regional schools draw heavily from a particular geographical area, yet graduates may find jobs all over the country. Generally speaking, a local school is drawing primarily on applicants who either come from or want to practice in the proximate area in which the school is located."

Here's more info on that from our Admissions Free Help Area: http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/law-scho ... _faq.cfm#8

To answer your second question: No, all T50 schools are not national. In fact, the majority of them are not, although some have wider alumni networks that could make them more "national" than others. There's no list out there that you could consult since, once you get out of the T14 (where one could argue that all schools could boast the "national" title, given their brand recognition and general prestige), whether a school is slightly more national than regional is a subjective thing that will change based on the reach of the alumni network and where students are able to get jobs. I would say that, as a general rule, any state schools are regional. To figure out if a school is national or regional, take a look at three things:

1. Where students hail from in an incoming class. The bigger the number of states and countries, the more national the school.
2. Where alumni are located. Again, the bigger the number of states and countries, the more national the school.
3. Where students get jobs. Ditto to the above.

Keep in mind that percentages rule. So, for example, if a school has most of its students, alumni, and jobs in the state they're in and the surrounding ones, then they're regional, even if they have a few students on the opposite coast and a sprinkling of alumni internationally.

Hope that helps!

[moshei24]

Thank you. Do you know if Emory and William and Mary are regional or national?

[Anne Chaconas]

In my estimation, they are more regional than national, but Emory has a slightly better name recognition. I would suggest you check out their incoming class breakdowns and alumni placement to get a better feel for their "national" status--but just based off brand name, I would put Emory above W&M on the "national" scale (although neither could be considered as national as, say, a Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, etc).

[moshei24]

Are they worth applying to if I plan on working in NYC?

And any t-14 is considered national? But not all t-25. Like UCLA may not be?

[Anne Chaconas]

JDs from Emory and William & Mary are going to give you the greatest amount of pull in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Although they are both good law schools, they won't have the same kind of alumni network in the Northeast that they would in their own regions. You will likely not have any problems with hiring managers recognizing the Emory name, but you might have a problem with those same hiring managers recognizing the William & Mary quality of education. If you're truly considering applying and potentially attending those schools, I might recommend that you speak to those in hiring positions at the firms or companies you're considering in New York City, and asking what their perception of either of those law school is.

And yes, in my estimation, the T14 can be considered national, although there will always be some schools that have great cache than others, such as as the T6. Not all T25 will be considered national (although, again, they will be MORE national than schools ranked below them). UCLA will have the most pull on the West Coast, but the overall name brand recognition of the school is such that you will likely not have trouble with people being aware of the school or its quality on the East Coast (although you still may face some trouble if you're competing with students graduating from East Coast or New York/New York City schools, given that it is much more likely that those making the decisions are from those schools and therefore might unconsciously give grads from their alma mater slightly more consideration).

Again, my suggestion would be to see if you can speak to those in hiring positions at the firms or companies you're considering in New York City, and asking what their perception of the law school you are considering is. Since I am not a hiring manager, my opinion, while informed, is not as valid as those from HR personnel would be. I would also look at alumni network and employment statistics from the schools to which you are applying (all of which can be found on each school's website).

[moshei24]

I understand. I assume it's the same deal with U of Iowa?

Also, would a school like Cardozo have more pull that a top-25 that isn't so much National?

[moshei24]

And a school like GW would have pull in NYC, too?

[Anne Chaconas]

Yes, same deal with U of Iowa. Very regional school with a great rep in the Midwest but weak on the coasts and South.

In NYC, a school like Cardozo would have more pull because of the much larger alumni base and name-recognition. It is one of New York City's up-and-coming law schools, and it has gotten progressively more and more positive press in the last 5 years or so. GW would certainly have recognition in NYC, but not as much as NY-based schools.

[moshei24]

So if I want to work in NYC, you would suggest Cardozo over any school that isn't top-14? Would top-14 all still be a better bet for NYC, though?