University of Michigan - Law School

It’s rather easy to understand why students clamor to attend law school at the University of Michigan. The academics are “fantastic” and “a culture of friendliness...pervades faculty, staff and students alike.” Additionally, the “classroom and research facilities are top-notch.” Students also laud the “research librarians [who] are constantly on-hand to save your butt when you can't find what you need.” Moreover, there’s a great “range of classes” available. And students really appreciate the school’s “course-selection process [which] emphasizes personal priorities over first-come first-served.”

Without a doubt, one of the best aspects of Michigan Law is the “brilliant” and “engaging” faculty. Their teaching styles provide “just the right amount of variation...such that you get exposed to many different methods pedagogically and substantively but without feeling like each new class is a curveball.” They also tend to “go above and beyond in mentoring and guiding students.” As one amazed student gushes, “Professors are so available that one must wonder if they get bonuses for clocking more student-face-time hours.” This fellow classmate agrees adding, “I have already formed many strong relationships with faculty and I am confident that those relationships will nurture my career and intellectual growth.” This concern and care also extend to the administration who “works hard to keep up with student needs and is always looking for input.”

Perhaps most importantly, students are quick to sing the praises of the Office of Career Planning. And it’s easy to understand why: the office is “extremely involved on campus and is constantly putting on events to help students figure out what they want to do...and how to do it.” Even better, the folks who work there are “very approachable and always seem excited when students make appointments to come in and talk with them one on one.” As one satisfied individual elaborates, “I’ve met a LOT of times with the government, clerkship, and public interest/non-profit counselors, and they are very knowledgeable and well-connected.” Best of all, Career Planning is “really big on alumni participation” and even set[s] up a summer mentoring program for [both] private practice and public interest students that can happen remotely or in various cities where lots of students intern.”

Life is pretty grand for Michigan law students. As this future JD immediately boasts, “I’m not sure how many places can successfully combine a spirit of collegiality (and dare I say fun) with such excellence in academics, but Michigan pulls it off.” Moreover, students happily report that their peers are “bright, talented, and driven” yet also manage to “achieve balance in their lives.” They are exceedingly “friendly” to boot and always seem to “root...for each other.” Unlike the law school stereotype, Michigan students “have each others’ backs and care deeply about the well-being of the people around them.” And though most people here “lean heavily to the left side of the spectrum, everyone is generally very open and accepting.”

Students love to note that Ann Arbor is a “great town with lots of [cafes], places to go out, [and] sports teams to watch.” And since it’s relatively “small,” “you can often run into your professors at restaurants or going for walks in the area.” At the very least, you’ll definitely find “a huge Michigan Law contingency at football games in the fall!” Overall, the only major drawback to attending Michigan is “the cold, cold winter.” But, as students readily admit, “the law school can’t do much about that.”