How to Get Law School

At undergraduate, many majors can help prepare you for law school; your life experiences and GPA should also help strengthen your application. When applying, it is most important to prioritize those elements which show potential. For law school admissions purposes, focus on maintaining a competitive GPA and transcript.

Speak to a counselor from your undergraduate career center or pre-law advisor and begin researching schools early. Visit campuses so you can meet admissions officers directly.

1. Take the LSAT

Entry to law school can be an involved and time-consuming process that takes careful preparation and planning. Beginning early on with your LSAT plans and strategies will pay dividends; especially if you plan to enroll immediately following graduation. As it takes some time to study for and pass the LSAT examinations, and many candidates need multiple attempts at passing, don’t delay too long in giving this test your best shot!

Maintaining an outstanding GPA is integral to law school success. Although GPA isn’t the sole factor law schools consider, a strong GPA can help compensate for low LSAT scores or below average undergraduate grades. If your GPA needs improving, focus on your academic performance during your final year of bachelor’s studies while engaging in extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership qualities and problem-solving abilities.

Create an application timeline using resources available through your undergraduate school and research on the internet to identify schools that best match your criteria. Send transcripts directly to LSAC and ask professors, employers or community leaders who know you well for letters of recommendation as admissions committees prefer letters from such individuals for consideration by admissions committees.

2. Research legal career paths

Research is an indispensable skill for legal professionals of any kind, yet especially those hoping to enter the profession as lawyers themselves. Paralegals and legal assistants conduct research when preparing a case, judges review law and evidence prior to making decisions, hearing officers summarize proceedings during trials or proceedings and paralegals do the same to prepare cases – among many other duties.

Start exploring your desired field by conducting extensive research. Use various resources, such as law school websites and databases, ABA reports, student reviews and forums as well as pre-law advisors/counselors, guidebooks and even Google.

Attend any law school-related events you can, such as admissions fairs and forums. By gathering as much knowledge about each law school you’re considering, the better equipped you will be to fill out applications and answer their questions. LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS), allows you to submit one official report with your LSAT score, transcript(s), letters of recommendation and letters from referees directly. Though you will still need to complete individual applications individually; start early writing thoughtfully, thoroughly, allowing yourself enough time and review before sending in final applications.

3. Speak to a counselor in your undergraduate career center

Be it as an undergraduate, graduate student, or adult professional applying to law school for the first time, seeking assistance from a counselor is invaluable in making the application process smoother and preparing you for interviews more successfully. Counselors can advise on your application strategy, interview preparation techniques and provide letters of recommendation that make you a strong candidate.

Your GPA will play a critical role in your application to law school. Aim to achieve high grades across the subjects that will most be beneficial; such as statistics and math. A strong candidate for law school would possess strong writing capabilities as well as exceptional understanding in statistics. Taking challenging classes can help you reach these goals more easily.

Consider joining or starting a study group during your first year of law school, especially for support against stress relief and to learn effective study habits. Peers can provide invaluable support while offering valuable feedback on assignments as well as valuable insight on how to study successfully.

4. Take challenging classes

Undertaking challenging, rigorous courses is one of the best ways to help yourself gain admission to law school. The skills learned in these classes will prove invaluable both during law school and after you graduate – so it’s crucial that you give each subject your full attention and do well. If any subject proves challenging for you, consider seeking tutoring or extra study sessions as they could provide additional assistance.

GPA remains the cornerstone of law school admissions. Earning good grades early will give you plenty of time to prepare for the LSAT, ask professors for letters of recommendation and conduct other necessary research.

Many students think they need a specific major in order to enter law school, but that isn’t necessarily the case. According to experts, any major is fine as long as it requires analytical reasoning and writing, including English, history and philosophy. Law schools also take into consideration extracurricular activities and outside interests of each candidate – don’t be intimidated by expanding your options by trying new activities but make sure you commit fully to just a couple. Seek internships, volunteer work opportunities or legal-related experiences so as to round out your CV.

5. Get involved in extracurricular activities

Although grades remain the cornerstone of law school acceptance, extracurricular involvement can help set you apart. Club memberships, sports activities and volunteer experiences all play an integral part in law school admissions; whether their focus has legal relevance or simply broadened your experiences can help your application stand out in the application process.

Students often believe that choosing an undergraduate major is crucial to entering law school; however, this isn’t always true. Barring majoring in something like political science or criminal justice, your undergraduate major shouldn’t have much effect on your application for law school; however studies indicate that philosophy, economics and journalism have higher rates of acceptance into legal programs than others.

Noting your involvement in debate and speech competitions as well as membership of Model UN can make your application process more competitive, particularly if being judged against others with similar GPA and LSAT scores. Law schools typically welcome such students who show progress since initial grades were low but have shown significant upward movement since.

6. Get a good GPA

As soon as you enroll in law school, prepare yourself for an extensive amount of reading, studying, and writing. Finding a study group or partner and mastering time management skills are invaluable when trying not to fall behind with assignments. Furthermore, loans should automatically go into an in-school deferment under federal student loan programs while private lenders may require you to complete additional paperwork before the deferment can take effect.

Though your undergraduate GPA falls below what most law schools consider acceptable, you still may have a chance at law school admission with an exceptional LSAT score and hard work. But remember: Law schools don’t just accept anyone into law school!

Your application to law school must include strong letters of recommendation and an in-depth personal statement outlining your individual circumstances. Also start early; law schools can be extremely competitive, and if you wait too long before starting this process could see some of the most desirable seats being filled up before you submit applications. Visiting each of your chosen schools will allow you to get acquainted with campus life and determine whether this could be where you see yourself spending three years studying law.

7. Start the application process early

Law school application processes tend to start early each January; it’s never too late to start applying! As deadlines near, however, the earlier you start will pay dividends.

Begin your research of schools by reviewing tuition costs, employment statistics, strengths in specific legal areas and reputation. This information can help you select schools best suited to meet your goals and interests; current students may provide insight through law school blogs or forums.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of schools, register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service which will package up your LSAT scores, transcripts and letters of recommendation for every law school you apply to – this service is required by most ABA-accredited law schools, making your life much simpler!

Begin drafting your personal statement and other application materials as soon as possible; be mindful of best practices. Take or retake the July LSAT; update your resume; take or retake any optional tests (especially those with lengthy gaps), consider answering any optional questions on applications ( it demonstrates interest and helps differentiate you from other applicants); consider answering optional questions on applications as giving thoughtful answers may help set yourself apart).