What are T-14 law schools?

The T14 law schools are the consistently top-ranked institutions by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR), a prestigious group including Yale, Stanford, Harvard, UChicago, Columbia, NYU, Penn, UVA, Michigan, Duke, Northwestern, Cornell, Georgetown, and UC Berkeley (though UCLA sometimes replaces one of the latter). These schools are highly sought after for their prestige, leading to top-tier job opportunities in law firms, clerkships, and government roles.

What is a T14 law school?

A T14 law school refers to one of the 14 law schools consistently ranked at the very top by U.S. News & World Report, forming an elite tier known for prestige, top legal education, and strong career opportunities, particularly in "Big Law" firms. While the rankings shift, the T14 has historically included schools like Yale, Harvard, Stanford, University of Chicago, Columbia, NYU, University of Pennsylvania, UVA, Michigan, Berkeley, Duke, Northwestern, Cornell, Georgetown, though minor changes (like T15) can occur if a school breaks into the top 10.
 

What does T14 stand for?

Introduction: Why the “T14” Holds Such Power

For many, that ambition translates into three characters and one number—“T14.” The “T14” refers to the 14 law schools that have, without fail, anchored the top of national rankings since those rankings were first published.

What is the difference between T6 and T14 law schools?

T14 are the top 14 schools, T6 are the top 6, T3 are the top 3). These are not perfect for all metrics, especially for schools whose graduates tend to have strong impact in the public and non-profit sectors which reduce their average salaries somewhat; but are a suitable proxy for “quality” and “earnings potential”.

What are the traditional T14 law schools?

Traditionally the T14 schools are:

Yale Law School (always #1) Stanford Law School (#2–3) Harvard Law School (#2–4) University of Chicago Law School (#3–5)

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PROCESS: how I got into Texas Law

What did Barack Obama get on the LSAT?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely in the 170s) to gain admission to Harvard Law School, especially given his undergraduate GPA was considered relatively low for Harvard applicants. Experts suggest his score was well above average, probably in the top percentile, possibly placing him in the 94th to 98th percentile range to compensate for his undergraduate record and secure admission.
 

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

No, Kim Kardashian did not take the LSAT because she pursued a law apprenticeship (like the California Law Office Study Program) instead of traditional law school, but she has faced setbacks passing the actual California Bar Exam, failing her first attempt in July 2025, though she remains determined to pass. She previously passed the "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Examination) on her fourth attempt in 2021 after multiple failures. 

Is Cornell no longer in the T14?

Cornell Law School dropped to tie at 18th place in a historic shift. Vanderbilt Law School jumped five spots and Washington University in St. Louis Law School jumped two to join the T14 for the first time. Harvard Law School and Duke Law School tied for sixth place.

Is Columbia law better than NYU law?

NYU and Columbia Law are both elite NYC schools, but differ in culture, curriculum, and location: NYU leans more towards public interest, practical skills, interdisciplinary studies, and a vibrant Greenwich Village vibe, while Columbia offers a more traditional, theoretically-focused curriculum, slightly more campus feel (though still NYC), and perhaps a slight edge in traditional Big Law prestige/national placement, though both excel at Big Law placement and have strong alumni networks. Your best choice depends on your personal fit, career goals (PI vs. corporate), and preferred city atmosphere, as Columbia can be perceived as less "fun" but highly prestigious, and NYU as more community-focused but busier.
 

What is the easiest Russell Group university to get into for law?

While all Russell Group universities are academically rigorous and globally respected, some are relatively more accessible than others. Based on offer rates and entrance standards, universities such as Liverpool, Queen Mary (QMUL), Nottingham, Newcastle, and Cardiff emerge as the easiest Russell Groups to get into.

What is the hardest law school to get into?

The hardest law schools to get into consistently include Yale, Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Chicago, often due to extremely low acceptance rates (around 5-17% for the top tier) and exceptionally high GPA/LSAT requirements (median LSATs often 173+). Yale Law School is frequently cited as the most difficult, with acceptance rates sometimes below 6% for a highly competitive applicant pool. 

What's the average salary after T14?

Median starting salary in that space is likely $160k. Some market leaders have recently moved to $180k.

What LSAT score do I need for T14?

To get into a T14 law school, aim for an LSAT score in the high 160s to the 170s, with many successful applicants scoring 170 or above, as this is crucial for offsetting GPAs and increasing scholarship chances, though a 166-172 range covers most T14 medians, requiring exceptional GPA or other factors if below the 75th percentile. 

Which law school class is the hardest?

While subjective, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Property, Federal Courts, and Tax Law (especially Partnership/Corporate) are consistently cited as the hardest law school subjects due to their complexity, abstract nature, technical rules (Civ Pro, Tax), and evolving doctrines (Con Law, Fed Courts). Civil Procedure is often singled out for its dense, interconnected rules, while Constitutional Law challenges students with open-ended interpretation, and Tax requires mastering intricate codes. 

Do I have to go to a T14 law school to be a lawyer?

You don't have to attend a T14 law school to have a successful legal career. The guys frequently recommend that students attend lower-ranked schools that offer great scholarships as long as they understand their realistic job prospects.

What is the average LSAT score for top 14?

The average LSAT score is about 150. To get into a top 14 law school, you need to score above 166, and to get into a top 50 law school, you need 153 or above.

What is the #1 law school in the world?

There isn't one single "number 1" law school, as rankings vary by publication, but Harvard University consistently ranks at or near the top across major lists like QS, Times Higher Education, and Research.com, often followed closely by universities such as Yale, Oxford, Cambridge, and Stanford, with many top spots held by U.S. institutions. 

Is a 157 a bad LSAT score?

A 157 LSAT score isn't "bad"; it's solid and above average, placing you in the 70th percentile, strong enough for many regional or Tier 2/3 law schools, but might be below median for highly competitive Top 14 schools, so aiming higher (160+) often improves admission chances for better schools and scholarships, though your GPA and personal statement matter significantly. 

What are the big 3 law schools?

The "Big 3" law schools in the U.S. are traditionally considered Yale, Stanford, and Harvard, often referred to as the "YSH" trifecta, due to their consistent top rankings, prestige, and exceptional placement into prestigious legal careers, especially Big Law. While these three are elite, other top contenders often grouped with them include Chicago, Columbia, NYU, Penn, and Berkeley, forming the highly sought-after "T14" (Top 14).
 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Is Duke or Cornell harder to get into?

Generally, Duke is statistically harder to get into than Cornell based on lower overall acceptance rates and higher selectivity rankings, though both are extremely competitive; however, Cornell's variability in selectivity (due to its diverse colleges, including some public ones) means certain programs at Cornell (like Engineering) can be just as, or even more, difficult than Duke's, while Duke might be tougher for liberal arts, making the "harder" school dependent on your specific major. 

What are the top 3 law schools?

The top 3 law schools, consistently ranked by sources like U.S. News & World Report, are generally Yale University, Stanford University, and Harvard University, often referred to as the "YSH" schools, with University of Chicago and Columbia Law also frequently in the top tier, though rankings can shift slightly year to year, but these institutions remain at the pinnacle of legal education. Yale often leads overall, while Stanford excels in US rankings, and Harvard is a perennial favorite, with Chicago and Columbia close behind. 

How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?

Michelle Obama took the Illinois bar exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, which she found devastating but ultimately insignificant to her future career, according to her book Becoming and legal sites like JD Advising and Bar Exam Toolbox. 

Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?

Kim Kardashian just pulled ahead of Taylor Swift in terms of net worth — and she did it with her shapewear brand. According to Forbes, the business mogul's fortune has climbed to an estimated $1.9 billion, officially surpassing Taylor Swift's recently reported 1.6 billion net worth.

How did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?

She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.