How to choose NLU Preference After CLAT

Summary: Most CLAT aspirants wish to study at NLSIU Bengaluru, however, does the NLU offer the course you prefer? Are you flexible about relocating to a whole new city to start your studies? Ask many more such questions listed below before you shortlist the NLUs. 

CLAT 2023 is easily the top law entrance test in India and will be conducted on December 11, 2022, with approximately 77,000 students writing the exam this year. 

Many students compete for a fever number of seats, making it a very demanding entrance test in nature.

Most CLAT aspirants aim to target a seat at NLSIU Bangalore. But let's be real and understand the CLAT committee's counselling process is narrowed down to your

• AIR score
• Preferences in the CLAT application form 
• Number of seats

Considering the above parameters, here are some pointers on how to choose NLU preference after CLAT?”

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Parameters to be considered for NLU Preference After CLAT

“It is smart is stay well prepared for what’s coming ahead” 

Here are a few parameters to consider before choosing the preferred NLU. 

Ranking of NLU

Every year, national ranking organizations like NIRF release the rankings of different law universities in India. 

It will be an added advantage if you opt for a university with a respectable rank or reputation over the years. 

Ranking NLUs gives insights into the college's quality of education. It is important to thoroughly research the curriculum and faculties before considering any NLU. 

You can look for this information online, or talk to aluminas of the college for their honest opinion. 

According to resources like NIRF, here are the following data to consider to pick the best NLU colleges. 

Name of the Institute	NIRF Ranking
National Law School of India University, Bengaluru	1
National Law University, Delhi	2
NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad	3
The West Bengal National University of Judicial Sciences, Kolkata	4
Gujarat National Law University	6
National Law University, Jodhpur	8

Check: 50 days Preparation Strategy for CLAT 

Courses offered

Like other UG programs, the law stream is diverse. In recent years, programs and specializations in the field have also expanded. 

It is important to analyze the courses and programs available at various NLUs and determine which ones best suit your career aspirations and interests.

If your interest does not align with a course offered at the college. Do not add it to your preference list. 

Be sure of the course and specialization you want to apply to at the NLU. 

Location

Location is also important to consider before shortlisting the NLUs. 

Look out for tier 1 cities to help access better job opportunities and exposure. As opportunities available in the cities and small towns vary drastically. 

But personally, would you want to stay closer to your family and hometown? Make a good choice with the best of what you want.

Check: 10 Ways to Manage Anxiety & Stress in Last 15 Days of CLAT 2023

Placement opportunities

Find out about the placement offers made to law students in your preferred NLU college and assess whether it offers good prospects for future employment.

You are investing your time, energy and money for 5 years pursuing your UG law course. And you will want to reap the benefits of it. 

So choose NLUs with a good placement record that can promise you the job of your dreams. 

• Research the companies visiting the NLUs
• Candidates selected each year
• Package Offered

After having the above data, shortlist the colleges. 

Check: GK Study Plan for CLAT 2023

Job opportunities

As mentioned above, if you take the risk of moving to 1st tier city, you will be showered with many good opportunities. 

After completing your graduation, you will likely find good job opportunities within the city. 

Practising law in cities can be much easier with more clients and fees. 

Check: CLAT Reservation

Infrastructure

Check out the qualifications & industry experience of the faculty members at any university before enrolling.

With online classes introduced due to covid in recent years, many NLUs have not yet started classes at the college. Many NLU colleges are undergoing renovation for their building, making it difficult to conduct online classes. 

If you want the real classroom experience to complete your studies, looking for an NLU with good infrastructure is important. The college must also have a good library, hotel facilities, food, internet connection, safety and security to be shortlisted. 

Most NLUs support the basic standard; however, choose wisely if you prefer to be in a college in and around the city. 

We suggest that other parameters listed above should be prioritized over infrastructure. 

Check: CLAT 2022 AIR 4 Interview

Curriculum

With an internship and intense preparations through the academic year, you must also choose the college offering semester breaks. 

Some NLUs have semesters, while others have trimesters classes. 

It's important to understand what type of semesters you would want to be in to complete your graduation. 

For example, 

Semester breaks are a good time to complete an apprenticeship and learn more about the legal profession. In such cases, you can choose longer semester breaks to your advantage. 

Crowd

The right kind of crowd will also motivate you to be at your best. That, in turn, will shape your future. 

To discuss ideas and achieve excellent heights in your profession, you will need like-minded people to talk to. 

Although this parameter is underrated, having a crowd can add up to your professional success. 

Check: Private Colleges Accepting CLAT Scores for Admissions

List of NLUs 2023

Here is a list of NLUs, their NIRF ranking and the number of seats for both the UG and PG programs. 

NLUs	NIRF Ranking 2021	NIRF Ranking 2020	UG Seats	PG seats
NLSIU Bangalore	1	1	180	70
NLU Delhi	2	2	110	70
NLU Hyderabad	3	3	120	60
NLU Jodhpur	8	5	104	50
NUJS Kolkata	4	6	105	40
GNLU Gandhinagar	6	7	174	52
RGNUL Patiala	16	10	175	38
NLU Lucknow	15	11	169	24
NLU Odisha, Cuttack	18	14	159	44
NLU Assam, Guwahati	20	16	60	30
NLIU Bhopal	14	17	102	60
CNLU Patna	-	No NIRF ranking is available	120	60
NLU Kochi	-	No NIRF ranking is available	60	60
NLU Ranchi	-	No NIRF ranking is available	120	40
NLU Visakhapatnam	-	No NIRF ranking is available	120	24
NLU Trichy	-	No NIRF ranking is available	114	20
MNLU Mumbai	-	No NIRF ranking is available	100	50
MNLU Nagpur	-	No NIRF ranking is available	120	20
MNLU Aurangabad	-	No NIRF ranking is available	60	20
NLU Shimla	-	No NIRF ranking is available	120	40
NLU Jabalpur	-	No NIRF ranking is available	120	40
HNLU Raipur	-	No NIRF ranking is available	160
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University	-	No NIRF ranking is available	120

Check: CLAT Sample paper

How does CLAT Committee allocate seats? 

The committee checks the Rank 1 candidate's preferred college in their application. Followed by the rank 2's preferred choice. 

This process will continue until the seats are filled for a particular NLU. 

Mark your college preferences thoroughly since you will be allotted seats based on the choices in your application form.

Check: CLAT Result

Conclusion 

You still have time to revise and get your concepts thoroughly prepared before the upcoming exam. 

It is very important to check the list of NLUs, research and enter the correct order of preferences. 

Without this, your wish to pursue law in your favourite NLU will remain a dream.