Yale Law School is consistently ranked as the top law school in the world. Its emphasis on success is almost legendary, and some of the most famous politicians and lawyers are alumni, including President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, President Gerald Ford and Clarence Thomas. Students studying law at Yale Law School will experience teaching and training from some of the greatest academics of law in the world, as well as the notorious "Yale evaluation system" that places more emphasis on individual development and success than marks or grading. The library has six floors of law books, journals and research material, providing students with some of the world's finest law literature.
Yale Law School uses its own unique clearing process for applicants; prospective students aren't accepted solely on past academic success, but also on quality of personal statements, likeliness of success, and whether the Yale Law School committee "feels" the student is right for the school.
Harvard Law School is another university that never fails to hit top law school rankings, scoring 2nd place just under Yale Law School in 2010. It delivers courses that delve into the heart of law and draws in a diverse student body from around the world because of its world-renowned research degrees, research facilities, practical work experience placements and enthusiasm from students at one of the largest universities in the U.S. Courses are offered flexibly on a part-time basis and as dual-degrees, combined honor pathways and joint-degree programs in conjunction with other university programs.
Stanford Law School gained 3rd place in the 2010 top law school rankings for its ambitious student body, high success rates and excellent facilities. Attending classes at Stanford is often described as a personal experience with professors who genuinely want to teach and share their knowledge with students, with a mission for each student to personally achieve success. Legal education is provided as a collaboration between professors, 10 of whom are nationally renowned law scholars, and high-achieving law students who are selected on the merit of their previous or current work.
Columbia University's School of Law is ranked 4th in the top 10 list of most prestigious law schools. Its location in New York City provides students with the easy access to professional law firm positions upon graduation. Because of its high placement rate, Columbia focuses its courses on hands-on clinical law experience. Almost all (95%) of Columbia School of Law students pass state bar examinations and most graduates move on to high-paying jobs in top private law firms throughout America.