Northeastern University School of Law in Boston offers an absolute wealth of “practical hands-on learning,” a “public interest focus,” and “a very strong social-justice vibe.” “Hands down,” the best thing about this place is the cooperative legal education program. Students take traditional courses and have traditional semesters as 1Ls. Second- and third-year students are on a quarter system and “alternate classes with internships every three months.” By the time they graduate, students at Northeastern have had “four full-time, law-related jobs.” They are able to “test out different areas of the law” and gain “practical, real-world experience that most law students don’t get.” “Imagine leaving law school with forty-four weeks of legal experience on your resume,” says a 1L. “There are numerous participating employers and students can get a chance to go across the country” and “all over the world.” “I have had opportunities and experiences that I never would have had otherwise,” gloats a 2L, “including clerking for a judge and working for an international investment bank in New York City.” “Switching between co-op and classes every three months makes law school more bearable” as well. “You aren’t stuck in school all year long,” explains a 2L. “You go to school for eleven weeks, then you go do an awesome job.”Another unique feature at Northeastern is its evaluation system. There is no class rank here and there are no alphabet grades. Instead, students get narrative evaluations from both their professors and their co-op supervisors. Additionally, strong academic 2Ls and 3Ls receive honors and high honors designations. On one hand, “The grading system fosters a cooperative environment that really helps you learn from both the professors and the students you’re with.” On the other hand, “Excellent grades are indistinguishable from good grades.” Regarding employment prospects after graduation, students say, “Northeastern has a great reputation in Boston.” It’s particularly awesome if you are looking to for a public interest career. If you want a job in the private sector, “The school prepares you well for that path,” but you “must plan carefully” when selecting courses.The faculty here is “overwhelmingly on the far left of the political spectrum.” There are many “shining stars in their specialties” who “know the material like champs.” Most professors are “extremely approachable” as well. There are also “a few egotistical nightmares,” though, and “way too many adjuncts.” Students happily attest that “administrators respond immediately to problems which are brought to their attention.” Facilities-wise, “The law campus is a little island in the undergrad campus, with two interconnected buildings of its very own and an underground labyrinth of offices, lockers, and study spaces.” “The old building is drafty.” The new building is “absolutely beautiful.” The library is “sunny and pleasant,” and “The library staff is phenomenal.” There are “plenty of places to study.” Classrooms are “bright and inviting,” “with large windows and state-of-the-art equipment, including outlets for laptops at all seats.”
- The Princeton Review
