How to Get into Law School: Your Ultimate Guide

How to Get into Law School: Step-by-Step

Undergraduate Education: Setting the Foundation

Your journey to law school begins with your undergraduate education. Having a bachelor’s degree from any accredited school in the US or Canada is a standard law school prerequisite, although there are many law schools, such as online law schools, who do not require a full, four-year degree. For example, the University of Toronto Faculty of Law will accept students who’ve completed only three years of a four-year degree, so you have to research each school’s requirements carefully.

Step 1: Choose Your Undergraduate Major

Your choice of major or degree isn’t important, and there is no one specific field or subject that will best prepare you for law school, such as a “pre-law” degree. However, some schools have started a bachelor’s degree in pre-law, but not every school has them. But you should take advantage of this to study something that you’re truly interested in, so you can excel, get good grades and hopefully cultivate a source for a letter of recommendation.

With all that said, there are still some common degrees and subjects that people normally take to prepare themselves for how to get into law school. These subjects include:

• Political Science
• History
• Philosophy
• English,
• Economics
• Business Administration

As we mentioned, there is no specific major required to gain admission to law school. And there are many lawyers who’ve first earned degrees in engineering, biochemistry and computer science, so don’t feel discouraged about how to get into law school if you come from a STEM background. In fact, law schools appreciate diversity in their applicants, so your major can be in any discipline.

Step 2: Maintain a Strong GPA

One thing you should know about how to get into law school is that it is, fortunately or unfortunately, depending on who you ask, a numbers game. One of the numbers that matters the most? Your GPA. Regardless of your chosen major, maintaining a high-grade point average (GPA) is crucial to getting accepted into law school. Many law schools nowadays say they review applications holistically, meaning they consider your character, personality, and judgment, as much as your grades and LSAT score.

But the truth is that your GPA and LSAT score are what gets law school admissions committees to review the rest of your application. Your GPA, along with your LSAT score, is an easy-to-decipher metric for how you perform academically, so law schools pay close attention to it when considering your application.

You want to aim for getting consistently high grades to demonstrate your commitment. But if you’ve struggled in some areas and subjects, showing how you’ve improved over a semester or two can also significantly improve your chances of gaining admission. To maintain a strong GPA, stay organized, attend classes regularly, seek help when needed, and develop effective study habits. Remember that law schools often have a minimum GPA requirement, so aim to surpass this threshold.

Step 3: Register for the LSAT

If you decide to apply to a law school that is not an LSAT-optional law school, you have to register to take the LSAT, which costs $200. Visit the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website, where you can find information about test dates, locations, and registration instructions. Plan your test date well in advance, taking into account your preparation timeline and application deadlines for law schools. You may also need to retake the LSAT if you’re not happy with your original score, so leave some time before your first test date and your eventual application deadline to do this.

Remember that applying to law school, and taking the LSAT specifically, is not cheap, or free. You’ll be charged $222 for taking the in-person LSAT, and sending your score report will also cost money, at least $45 for each school, which can add up if you apply to ten or fifteen schools. You can try to avoid some of these fees by applying for an LSAC fee waiver, but they have specific conditions you have to meet to be eligible.

Step 4: Prepare for the LSAT

Preparing for the LSAT is a rigorous and time-consuming process that requires dedication and commitment. LSAC has even found that the number of hours you study for the LSAT correlates to a higher score for your first attempt. The way, and how much time, you prepare for the LSAT depends on a lot of things. The first thing you should do is to take an LSAT diagnostic test, this way you’ll know which areas of the test you need to work on, and how much time you should devote to studying.

Taking an LSAT diagnostic test will also help you figure out whether you need professional LSAT help, such as an LSAT tutor or LSAT prep course. You can absolutely try to study for the LSAT on your own by reviewing things like LSAT practice problems, but the advantage of working with an experienced, professional LSAT prep team is the personalized advice they can offer you, so you can study more effectively.

The LSAC offers official practice tests and study materials that can be immensely helpful. Your preparation should include regular practice tests, review of test-taking strategies, and time management skills. Familiarize yourself with the different sections of the LSAT, including logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension. Developing a study schedule and sticking to it will be essential in achieving a competitive score.

Step 5: Ace the LSAT

On test day, arrive well-prepared and confident. The LSAT is a challenging exam, so managing test anxiety is essential. Remember to bring the required identification and materials, such as pencils and an approved calculator. Your LSAT score is reported on a scale of 120 to 180, with the median score typically around 152. However, to stand out in the highly competitive admissions process, aim for a score significantly above the median, preferably in the 160s or higher. A strong LSAT score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA and significantly boost your chances of gaining admission to the law school of your choice.

How to Get into Law School: Building a Strong Application

Now that you’ve completed your undergraduate education, have prepared and taken the LSAT, and are happy with your scores, it’s time to focus on assembling a compelling law school application. Building a strong law school application involves gathering essential documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a well-crafted law school personal statement.

But it also involves knowing which law schools you want to apply to. Before you start gathering all your law school application materials, you want to research programs and their individual highlights to see if they interest you. With that knowledge, you can then mold your application to each school without using a cookie-cutter to apply to all your materials.

You want to give specific reasons for why you want to attend that particular law school, but you also want to know which law schools you have a better chance of getting into based on your profile. Using law school acceptance rates in the US and law school acceptance rates in Canada along with your metrics (GPA and LSAT score) should give you the way to choose a law school that you have a chance of getting into, even though you can also choose law schools that are a reach based on your stats.

Step 6: Research and Choose Law Schools

Researching law schools is a crucial step in the application process. As we talked about above, your choice of law school affects your chances of getting in, based on that school’s requirements, location, mission and values. Each law school has its own unique strengths, focus areas, and admission requirements, and one essential part of how to get into law school requires you take the time to explore different institutions and determine which ones align with your goals and interests.

When choosing among law schools you should consider factors such as:

• Location
• Areas of Specialization
• Place on law school rankings
• Faculty members
• Variety and number of legal clinics

Create a list of law schools that match your criteria, ensuring that you have a mix of reach schools, target schools, and safety schools. Reach schools, such as the big Ivy League schools, like Harvard Law School, or Yale Law School are highly competitive institutions where admission is more challenging, while safety schools are those where your academic credentials exceed their average accepted student and where you are more likely to be accepted.

One of the primary considerations when selecting a law school is its location. You should think about whether you'd prefer to study in a specific city, state, or region. Your choice of location can significantly impact your daily life, networking opportunities, and potential job prospects. Consider the proximity to legal job markets and whether you'd like to practice law in that area. In the US, each state has its own requirements for who qualifies to take the state bar exam, so you should check out these requirements if you’re taking a non-traditional path to law school.

Next, you should consider the specialization areas and programs offered by the law school, especially if you’re worried about whether “is law school hard?” Here you need to think about what kind of lawyer you want to be and what kind of law you want to practice. Different institutions are known for their strengths in specific legal specialties, such as environmental law, intellectual property, or international law. If you have a particular area of interest, look for schools that offer robust programs and resources in that field. Additionally, check if the law school provides clinical programs, externships, or internships that offer hands-on experience in your chosen area.

Finally, the reputation and ranking of a law school can provide valuable insights into its overall quality and standing in the legal community. While law school rankings should not be the sole determining factor, they can be a useful reference point. Consider researching law school rankings from reputable sources and also look at employment outcomes, such as job placement rates and starting salaries for graduates.

Applying to Law Schools

Once you've compiled a list of potential law schools, it's time to start the application process. Keep in mind that each law school may have slightly different application requirements and deadlines, so staying organized is essential. You also need to be able to gather all your application materials in a timely fashion, so try to start as early as possible so you have all the materials you need.

Step 7: Obtain Strong Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are a vital component of your law school application. These letters provide insight into your academic abilities, work ethic, and potential as a law student. Your school may likely have specific requirements on who can write your letters so make sure you familiarize yourself with those requirements before you start asking people.

When requesting letters of recommendation, provide your recommenders with all the necessary information, including deadlines and specific guidelines from each law school you plan to apply to. You can also help along the process by speaking with your recommender directly, or giving them drafts of your law school personal statement so they know why you are attracted to the law, and what makes you suited for the law. Ensure that your recommenders have enough time to write thoughtful and personalized letters that highlight your strengths and qualifications.

Step 8: Craft a Personal Statement

Your personal statement is your opportunity to showcase your motivation for pursuing a legal career and explain why you want to attend a particular law school. It should be a well-written, engaging essay that sets you apart from other applicants. The only way you can separate yourself from other applicants is by telling your personal story, and showing the things you’ve done rather than talking about the things you want to do.

When thinking about what to write, you should also take into consideration a program’s unique academic offerings and extracurriculars and mention them in your statement if they appeal to you. Start drafting your personal statement early, giving yourself ample time for revisions and edits and share personal anecdotes, experiences, or challenges that have shaped your desire to study law to personalize your statement.

Step 9: Submit Your Applications

Prepare and submit your law school applications well in advance of the specified deadlines. Most law schools accept applications through the LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS), which streamlines the process by collecting your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other necessary documents.

Ensure that your applications are complete, accurate, and error-free. Carefully follow the instructions provided by each law school, including the submission of any supplemental essays or materials they may require. Don't forget to pay the application fees or request fee waivers if you qualify.

Step 10: Prepare for Interviews (if necessary)

Some law schools may require interviews as part of their admissions process. If you are selected for an interview for a school that doesn’t require them, you should take it as a good sign. The admissions committee wants to find out more about you, and the interview is their opportunity to do so. Schools take different approaches to law school interviews, with some using it as an informal tool to get to know you, so your interview performance has no bearing on their admission decision.

Other schools may take interviews very seriously and base your admission on your performance, so make sure you understand the nature of the interview beforehand, especially if it is not an admissions requirement. During the interview itself, be professional, articulate, and demonstrate your genuine interest in the school. Practice answering common law school interview questions and consider conducting mock interviews with friends or mentors to enhance your interview skills.

Step 11: Financial Aid and Scholarships

If you’re unsure about the cost of attending law school, rest assured that it is substantial. In the US, the average debt load of most law school graduates is $160,000 in the US, and somewhere between $70-80,000 in Canada, so having to take on debt to be able to pay for law school is almost unavoidable. Of course, it behooves you to explore financial aid options and scholarships to be able to cover the costs of going to law school.

Many law schools offer various forms of financial assistance, including scholarships based on merit, financial need, or other criteria. But you should also factor cost into how you choose your law schools and what law schools you apply to. If you want to save money, you can choose to attend a public university, state-sponsored law school at a state college where you can take advantage of in-state tuition fees, which are usually significantly subsidized for in-state students.

If you want to attend an elite, Ivy League law school, tuition will be significantly higher, but the initial investment will pay off in the end. The ironic thing about a high-priced legal education from an elite school is that it makes you attractive to large law firms, who often pay the highest salaries for junior lawyers. If you are able to land a five or six-figure salary job after graduation, you’ll be able to more quickly pay off your student loans.

So, when it comes to choosing a law school based on cost, think long-term. It’s normal to feel a little trepidation when thinking about how to pay for law school, but there’s evidence that paying more to go to a high-ranking law school is worth it; while doing the reverse can bring complications later. If you choose to go to one of the cheapest law schools, you might have a harder time finding work after graduation, and take longer to pay back your loans.

Conclusion

Getting into law school is a challenging yet rewarding journey that requires careful planning, dedication, and perseverance. From choosing your undergraduate major to excelling in law school, every step along the way contributes to your success in the legal profession.

Remember that the law school application process can be competitive, but by maintaining a strong academic record, preparing diligently for the LSAT, and crafting a compelling application, you can significantly enhance your chances of gaining admission to the law school of your dreams. Stay informed, flexible, and committed to your goals, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a successful lawyer.

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To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

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