Making the most of California law schools requires you to understand that a law degree is not just for lawyers. It is also useful for many other professionals including administrators, business investors and politicians. The most common law degree awarded in the United States is the Juris Doctor (J.D.), which is usually granted through a three-year graduate program.

Law schools in California must be accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) before the state bar association will allow a graduate to sit for the bar exam. The ABA specifies precise requirements of accredited schools, including factors such the contents of its library and the minimum amount of instruction time. In addition to completing the required course work, there are three important credentials to strive for while in law school:

1. Membership in the law review of California law universities; this membership is based on grades and writing ability, and many employers may include this in their hiring criteria.
2. Moot court; this experience can distinguish students as effective oral advocates and provide practical legal training.
3. Membership in the Order of the Coif; this is based on grade point average.
   

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Find out the ranking for law schools in CA

A law school's ranking is extremely important to an attorney's career. Graduates of the most elite laws schools typically fill prestigious positions such as clerkships for the Supreme Court.

I recommend: Brian Leiter's Law School Rankings provides multiple rankings for law schools each year based on different criteria. ULinks.com provides a list of the top 20 law schools in the United States in addition to other education resources.

Research California law universities according to their courses of study

Many online sites describe the specific areas of specialization for various law schools. These sites frequently provide additional resources about each law school to determine if it is a good fit for you and your business career.

I recommend: LLM Guide provides a detailed description of the law degree programs in California, including the curriculum. Education Online Search provides a profile of California law schools and an overview of their programs.

Learn more about the admissions process of part time law schools in California

You can improve your chances of being admitted to California part time law schools by knowing which criteria the admissions boards most value. Highly-ranked law schools typically accept only a small percentage of the total applicants.

I recommend: California Southern Law School is a highly-regarded part-time law school in California that provides specific information on its admission requirements. University of West Los Angeles offers a part-time program and requires specific admission standards from its part-time students.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A student graduating from lower-tier California law colleges may wish to concentrate on job opportunities in that school's home market as local businesses typically employ area alumni. Lower-tier California accredited law schools may also have a national scope when it caters to a specific type of student, such as a historically black or Christian university.

Attending one of the California law schools and earning your law degree doesn’t necessarily mean you want to practice law. California law degrees can be put to use in a variety of different ways for your business, from learning about business investments to ensuring the administrative aspects of your company are in compliance with California and national laws. There are a variety of California laws schools throughout the state, from top-ranked private California law universities to law schools in CA that strictly offer part-time, evening programs.

Before you can seriously consider a California law degree, you’ll need to meet the academic requirements for California law schools, which includes taking the LSAT exam. As you begin your search for California law schools, consider the following:

1. Check out the rankings of California law schools to ensure you get the best education possible.

2. If your time is limited, seek out part-time law schools in California.

3. Find scholarships and loans to help you pay for tuition at California law schools.

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Apply to top CA law schools

Don't settle for anything less than the best: Research the top California laws schools to determine your best options in the state, then send in your applications for acceptance.

I recommend: U.S. News & World Report ranks more than 12,000 graduate programs throughout the country each year, including law schools. In 2008, Stanford (tied for second) and University of California-Berkeley (sixth) topped the list for law schools in California.

Consider part-time law schools in California

If you run your own business, it can be difficult to find the time between work and home life to attend classes toward a California law degree. California part-time law schools are great options for busy business owners - or anyone, really - to get the education they seek.

I recommend: University of Silicon Valley Law School is one of many part-time law schools with night programs to fit the schedule of business professionals. Read the school’s Admissions Policy to find out what you need to apply. Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles is one of the oldest part-time CA law schools, dating back to 1911.

Check out funding options for California law schools

Whether you opt for part-time law programs in California or decide to bite the bullet and go full time, the cost of California law schools isn't cheap (the cost of the top two aforementioned law schools in California runs about $40,000 a year). Fortunately, there are scholarships and private loans designed specifically for law students.

I recommend: Sallie Mae offers LAWLOANS private loans, while KeyBank has law school loans as well as loans for taking the bar exam.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  During your search, look for California accredited law schools. These institutions have been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) to meet the standards set within the country's legal profession.

California law schools advice and ratings use many statistics, such as employment prospects, median salary and tuition. Intangibles such as campus life, teaching methods and learning atmosphere also may form the basis of a law school evaluation.

Applicants to California accredited law schools should begin their search by first considering law schools located in their desired geographic area. They also should consider the top law schools in the state where they plan to practice. Applicants should then select the schools that are within their budget and meet their specific needs. There are three general sources for evaluating California law schools:

1. Blogs on California law universities. A credible blog or other type of social media may have posts from students, faculty and law school experts sharing their personal experiences or professional opinions about California law schools.
2. Rating services of law schools. Recognized experts may provide ratings of law schools that offer exceptional educational programs.
3. Recognition for individual law schools. The best law schools will be recognized with awards, grants and other accolades for their programs.
   

Action Steps
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Get advice for law schools in CA through blogs

Blogs contain posts from law students, professors or lawyers who have personal experience with various law schools. They also may analyze and discuss law school rankings.

I recommend: The California Blog of Appeal provides a critical analysis of national ranking services for law schools. Nuts & Boalts has posts from students at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law that provide insight into law student experiences on that campus and advice for incoming law students.

Study rankings of California law colleges

Rankings for law schools in California are an effective and credible source of advice and ratings. Each rating service should provide its methodology. Rankings typically consist of weighted factors, such as assessments of law professors, selectivity and placement rate.

I recommend: PrelawAdvisor.com rates the transfer programs of law schools based on data from the 2009 edition of ABA-Approved Law Schools, and includes law schools in California in its ratings list. Top-Law-Schools.com uses data from nationally known sources in its law school rankings, and features several law schools in California.

Look at California law schools that are awards recipients

Awards and accolades can be an excellent way of identifying top tier law schools in California. Law schools may receive awards for legal research, academic programs or specific papers. The best law schools also will receive grants for their programs.

I recommend: The Witkin Legal Institute awarded the 2008 Roger J. Traynor Award for Best Oral Argument to Hastings College of the Law. Anne K. Knight, a student at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, was a Burton Award winner in 2008.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Law school applicants seeking highly rated California law schools should use the law school ratings to get a good overview of the schools. However, applicants should be more concerned with finding a law school that will meet their particular needs, rather than attending the highest ranked law school on a list. Law school students may also wish to consider attending California part time law schools. A part time law schools in California may provide a more affordable option for busy law school students.