I think it is hard to say the difference if you have not attended both. I went to a public high school and university, so I cannot say how my education would differ had I attended private institutions. I do think that some of the courses offered at private schools that are not provided to public school students could really benefit any one, not just law students. All in all, if someone has a passion for something, I think that it is possible to find the means to become and adequate candidate, be it a law student or not.