Applying to Law School 101
Applying to law school is a lengthy and often confusing process. In addition to preparing the basic application, you must also prepare for and take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). But don’t let the process scare you off! Ivy Link’s experts are here to help break down the process to make your application as smooth as possible.
What you need to apply to law school:
An undergraduate degree
There is no specific undergraduate degree that you must have in order to study law. However, if you’re planning to study law, you want to choose classes that will help you develop skills in problem solving, critical thinking, writing and editing, oral communication, and research. These are the skills that law schools are looking for. You also want to make sure that your GPA is strong. Most law schools are going to require a 3.0 or above, with top law schools looking for 3.5 or above.Admissions test (LSAT or GRE)
Admissions tests are an important part of the application process. While some schools are considering going test-optional, we strongly advise that you take the test. Generally, the LSAT will better prepare you for law school. The LSAT consists of 175 questions that focus on reading comprehension, analytical and reasoning skills, argumentation, and writing skills. Your score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly. Some schools have moved toward accepting the GRE as a valid replacement for the LSAT. However, you’ll want to check with each specific school to see which test they prefer, the LSAT or the GRE. Either way, you’ll want to start preparing for the test well in advance. For the LSAT, it is recommended that you study roughly 300 hours over the course of approximately 3 months.A personal statement
For this personal statement, it is advised that you focus more on your accomplishments than your goals for the future. Consider the following questions to help you craft this statement: Why do you want to go to law school? Why do you want to attend this specific law school? What accomplishments are you most proud of? What cause do you care about most? What personal strengths do you have that aren’t already apparent on the application? These are just a few examples of the information that should be included in this statement.Letters of recommendation
Law schools usually require 2-3 letters of recommendation included in your application. The letters should come from people who have worked with you either academically or professionally. If you’re applying straight out of undergrad, then your letters will typically be from professors. However, if you’ve been working a job since graduation, letters from colleagues or your boss will also work. Check out our post on effective letters of recommendation for more information. The post was created to help high school students apply to college, but the same principles apply.Résumé
Be sure to check the school’s requirements before submitting. Some law schools have very specific guidelines for the résumé, such as specified length or font size. Typically, your résumé will be one-page in length. Your résumé should start with your first-year of college through the point of application. Do not include references to high school, no matter how tempting it may be. Include all part-time and full-time jobs and internships, paid or unpaid. Do not leave any time unaccounted for. You may be asked to account for any gaps in your résumé later, so it’s best to have those answers prepared now.
Finally, don’t forget to highlight extracurricular activities, especially any activities that involve leadership skills or community service and public advocacy. If you’re looking to add to your résumé, consider volunteering for an organization that works in your field of interest. Or, if you’re still in college, consider joining student government. These are experiences that law schools look for in an applicant.
Hopefully this helps the application process seem a little less overwhelming. If you still have questions, schedule a consultation below.
