Top Law Schools

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Good or bad for what? Where do you want to work?

Who knows what the economy and legal market will be like by the time you graduate. But generally, about a third stay in Iowa, the largest employment cities are Chicago, then Minneapolis, then DC. Don't expect to get to NYC. Oddly there are about 10 a year who go to California.

A lot of people look at Iowa as a school that doesn't really belong in the T25 discussion, due to their LSAT medians and perhaps their placement in large firms. The fact is, however, Iowa has ALWAYS been a T25/30 school (average rank is 22.7, actually).

In a good economy, they place around 20% of graduates into NLJ250 firms. Right now I'm sure it is much less, but it probably isn't much better/worse than schools like Minnesota, Illinois, Notre Dame, etc.

Iowa also boasts a high assessment score by judges and lawyers. Among schools not ranked in the T14, only Vanderbilt and Texas have a better assessment score, and the only school that ties Iowa is UNC. Vault also ranks Iowa 19th in employability of graduates (basically meaning Iowa does a great job of preparing students to practice law).

Iowa places graduates all over the Midwest. As MoS mentioned, many choose to leave Iowa for other markets, like Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Madison, Kansas City, St. Louis, Omaha, Tuscon, Phoenix, D.C., etc.

They also have an awesome faculty, including Herbert Hovenkamp, who is the leading figure in antitrust law.

Finally, I've found the students I've been able to interact with to be great. I think Iowa attracts a certain kind of student - intelligent, bright, and relaxed. Everyone seems very mellow and I think that contributes to a very welcoming atmosphere.

I'm looking into Iowa, but the school doesn't seem like it would give you any better prospects than attending a strong regional school (with little competition) and then practicing in that market. For example, if I was an Indiana resident, I would have a hard time passing up in state tuition at IU-Indianapolis for Iowa. I would bet that with all the Indianapolis grads in this city, they IU-Indy grads might even have a leg up on Iowa grads. With that said, if you are unsure of where you want to practice in the midwest, Iowa might be one of your best options around.

GettingReady2010 wrote:I'm looking into Iowa, but the school doesn't seem like it would give you any better prospects than attending a strong regional school (with little competition) and then practicing in that market. For example, if I was an Indiana resident, I would have a hard time passing up in state tuition at IU-Indianapolis for Iowa. I would bet that with all the Indianapolis grads in this city, they IU-Indy grads might even have a leg up on Iowa grads. With that said, if you are unsure of where you want to practice in the midwest, Iowa might be one of your best options around.

That's going to be at any school outside the T14 (minus Vanderbilt).

That said, I will be attending Iowa this fall, and I was very impressed with both the faculty and academic program. I also spoke with MANY Iowa alums who are practicing all over...but mostly throughout the Mid-West, especially Chicago. Remember, 70% leave Iowa and the Dean told me that over 80% of 2010's class had jobs right after graduation... and in this economy, that's pretty amazing. When I visited Vandy in April, only 2/3 of the class of 2010 had jobs. Usually, the Iowa graduating class is employed 98% by 6 months after graduation. It's also very easy to get in-state tuition your 2nd and 3rd year.


I would say Iowa is an excellent choice if you want to practice in the Mid-West. However, if you would get in-state tuion at a UI-Bloom or UMinn...obviously those would be cheaper options and they are all peer schools.

krj02004 wrote:the Dean told me that over 80% of 2010's class had jobs right after graduation... and in this economy, that's pretty amazing.

Did the Dean qualify that in any way? Did these jobs require J.D.s?

To OP: Iowa is a respectable regional school. If you want to practice in the Midwest, it's a fine choice. If you're looking for NYC/DC biglaw, look elsewhere. You have an outside shot at a big firm job in Chicago, but you shouldn't bank on it.

One nice thing is that it is relatively easy to gain in-state tuition at Iowa (RA positions 2L and 3L). Large debt is not something you want in this market. Although, those tuition numbers are a little frightening.

I imagine most people don't take jobs before graduation at places they won't get to do something related to law. The 6 month mark is where people start giving up and taking whatever they can get. C/O 2009 had about 75% bar required jobs and another 10-15% that preferred a JD. Thats good I think.

Yacht_Party wrote:

krj02004 wrote:the Dean told me that over 80% of 2010's class had jobs right after graduation... and in this economy, that's pretty amazing.

Did the Dean qualify that in any way? Did these jobs require J.D.s?

To OP: Iowa is a respectable regional school. If you want to practice in the Midwest, it's a fine choice. If you're looking for NYC/DC biglaw, look elsewhere. You have an outside shot at a big firm job in Chicago, but you shouldn't bank on it.

One nice thing is that it is relatively easy to gain in-state tuition at Iowa (RA positions 2L and 3L). Large debt is not something you want in this market. Although, those tuition numbers are a little frightening.

Yes, he said with the exception of about 3-4%, these were JD related jobs. That was my first question as well.