Boston College - Law School

The Boston College Law School is a Jesuit institution that provides a holistic legal education balancing theory and practice. The school “does a nice job of blending high academic expectations and a sense of community,” which fosters a commitment to social justice in its students. This is done by providing opportunities to aid real clients in need via clinics (such as the Prison Disciplinary Clinic or the Ninth Circuit Appellate Program) or the Legal Services Lab, which offers legal services to the community. Attendees are also able to sharpen their courtroom skills via the Oral Advocacy Program. Additionally, externships represent a crucial part of a BC Law education: The flagship Semester-in-Practice Programs let students spend up to 37 hours a week working in the field either locally or around the world, all while still attending an accompanying seminar. Tethered Externships offer students the chance to combine a traditional course with an experiential seminar that features a part-time placement in the field. Students particularly point out that the “core 1L curriculum is very strong,” as first-years choose from an array of skills-based elective offerings, such as Legal Interviewing and Counselling or Negotiation, coming away with “solid research and legal writing skills.” Plus, there are “a wide variety of ways to get involved, including student groups, journals, mock trials, [and] moot court.” The school “makes it very easy to put together your own curriculum while providing enough guidance to make educated class choices.”

As for faculty, professors at BC Law are “capable, engaging, [and] kind individuals” who make the school “a wonderful place to study the law.” Most “craft their curricula with a focus on practical skills,” and they “offer a wide variety of approaches to legal thought.” As one student shares, “Each course is challenging and intellectually stimulating.” Professors are also able to offer help outside the classroom, as many “are well-known and respected in the Boston legal community, … [which is a] huge asset when looking for jobs or internships.” Overall, they “are top-notch in their qualifications and helpfulness” and “want their students to be good citizens and use their legal knowledge to be stewards of justice.” Students admit that some of the classrooms “are slightly outdated,” but the law library “is in excellent shape and is well-maintained.” They also note that any “technical resources are high quality and robust.” Another benefit is that the administration “is making great strides to address student comfort and mental health,” and they are “extremely responsive to student concerns.” Career Services “is extremely helpful in preparing 1Ls for on-campus interviewing and applying to big law firms,” the only caveat being that “the infrastructure is definitely one that feeds towards big law.” Fortunately, the “alumni network in Boston is genuinely incredible” and “is a great benefit in assisting students develop a practical knowledge of our industry.”

The community at BC Law feels like “a small undergrad community” where “many students attend the same social events and spend time together on-campus.” It's “super easy to make friends” here, as “there are many student-organized and sponsored activities” and “a strong social scene.” Here you'll find “a very inclusive environment [with] no visible competition amongst the students.” As one states, “Everyone genuinely wants to help each other succeed and navigate through the academic and professional challenges of law school.” And students who are further along in the program are “committed to helping those in the years below them.” As the school is located on “a small, enclosed campus in a somewhat isolated location,” there is “a strong sense of collegiality and mentorship” with “a lot of friendship and collaboration.” One enrollee sums it up by saying, “If I could do law school all over again, I would come right back to BC.”