Law School Requirements
Getting into law school can be a challenging task. The requirements for each of the 200 ABA-accredited and 14 online-unaccredited law schools vary. However, there are six basic factors that all law schools look at when deciding admittance of an applicant.
They are:
- Your LSAT score
- Your undergraduate GPA
- Your admissions essays
- Your letter of recommendation
- Your resume
- Your connections
Each prospective law student must take the law school admission test, or LSAT. Every school requires that a score is submitted, so taking it is mandatory. Law schools also want to see an undergraduate degree and GPA. These two factors can have an immediate impact on whether or not you get into law school. The law school admissions council (LSAC) offers a tool that gives you the odds of getting into a particular law school based on your UPGA and LSAT scores. Of the six factors listed above, these are two things you can control. Scoring high is critical to helping a prospective student stand out above the rest. The rest of the factors listed above are what law schools look at if the LSAT and UPGA scores are not sufficient. Still, each law school is different when prioritizing the factors that determine an applicant’s status. If possible, check with the law schools in which you are applying to learn the importance of each factor long before it’s time to apply to that school.
Your letters of recommendation and personal statements are also important factors, and can become even more critical if your scores are not satisfactory. It’s up to you who you get letters of recommendation from, so choose wisely. Your resume can list everything else you’ve accomplished, experienced, and shown that you are dedicated to the study of law. Having a strong resume can be a key component to gaining admittance. Many law schools require some form of a resume. For example, your admissions essays can highlight your writing abilities and individuality.
During high school you can ask your school counselor to help you get in touch with law schools that peak your interest. You can tour law schools, obtain pamphlets and gain other information about law schools through your school counselor too. This is truly your first chance to network within the law community. Later, during undergraduate studies, you can internship at private firms, governmental facilities, and non-profit organizations. All of these places provide ample opportunities for future lawyers to network with the ‘right people’.
Thankfully, there is no pre-law undergraduate degree requirement to enter into law school. Students are free to earn degrees in the fields of their interest. However, most prospective lawyers in undergraduate courses tend to explore different fields during this time, which allows them to find an area of law in which they’d like to practice. The biggest key to earning an undergraduate degree for most law schools is not the degree itself, but rather the school in which the degree was obtained. Earning a bachelor’s degree from a reputable school can help an applicant greatly during the admissions process.
Other factors law schools may consider:
- Good character
- Good citizen of the country
- Community service
These last few things can be figured out during the admissions process. Good character can be shown through letters from professors and other authoritative figures. Community service can be documented and divulged through resumes. Being a good citizen of the country goes hand-in-hand with the other two factors listed above. Again, it’s important that you check to see what requirements are set forth by the law schools in which you are applying.
To link to the law school of your choice and find out their individual requirements, please browse our list of law schools.
