Visit a law school: Call the admission office and ask for a tour. Visit the school’s website, sit in on a class, and talk to alumni. Begin
: Preparing for the LSAT actually helps you to hone your critical thinking and reasoning skills, which are necessary for law school.
How to Prepare for Law School (the summer before 1L)
How to prepare for law school
If a student is certain they want to attend law school, they can start preparing in high school or during their undergraduate studies. Many of the same techniques can be used to effectively prepare those who change careers later in life. To confidently and successfully gain admission to law school, follow these steps:
1. Maintain a great GPA
Starting your law school preparation by enrolling in challenging classes and maintaining a high GPA will help you if you know you want to pursue a career in law as early as high school. You typically have more options for undergraduate colleges or universities the better your GPA.
2. Take pre-law classes
Speak to your academic advisor about a pre-law curriculum or recommended courses for students planning to attend law school while pursuing your bachelor’s degree. Take classes that advance your legal knowledge and help you successfully get ready to pursue a law degree. For instance, during your undergraduate studies, you might take courses in criminal justice, political science, government, economics, history, and philosophy.
3. Join a pre-law organization
Many colleges and universities with undergraduate programs have pre-law organizations where students can learn about law schools, work on their applications, and take other steps to get ready for school. Consider founding a pre-law group with other students interested in attending law school if your school does not already have one.
4. Improve soft skills
Actively work to improve your soft skills, such as analysis, writing, and public speaking, while in school or at your current job. Determine your areas of weakness and work on them both in your personal life and at work or school. Consult a career advisor or your academic advisor to find out what you can do to strengthen the skills required for law school. For instance, if you are employed, you might offer to present to your coworkers in order to hone your public speaking skills.
5. Research law schools
There are law schools all over the world, so it’s crucial to research them all to find the one that best suits your academic and future career needs. Consider, for instance, the reputation of the law school and the location of the job you want. Smaller, state-based law schools are excellent choices for students hoping to work in that particular region, while nationally or internationally renowned law schools are the best for students hoping to work for large, international law firms.
6. Attend a law school forum
Across the nation, forums related to law schools are frequently held throughout the year. Representatives from more than 100 institutions typically attend to answer questions about getting ready for law school, applying for admission, and the overall law school experience. You can use forums to decide which schools to apply to.
7. Visit law schools
Plan visits to all the law schools on your application shortlist once you’ve done that. Many schools host events for prospective students that include tours, seminars, and other activities to help applicants decide if the institution is the right fit for them. One of the best ways to determine which law school is best for you is to visit potential schools and speak with current students and professors.
8. Prepare for the LSAT
Most law schools require the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT, as a requirement for admission. The LSAT evaluates your capacity for reasoning, analysis, reading comprehension, and writing. Students who study for the LSAT through classes or independent study typically achieve higher scores than those who do not. Take advantage of the numerous LSAT prep courses and resources available to you and study for the exam to increase your chances of receiving a high score.
9. Obtain a bachelors degree
Make sure you have a bachelor’s degree or will within the next year before applying to law schools. For admission, many schools demand that you submit your transcripts along with your final grades or anticipated graduation date.
10. Submit applications
Plan to apply to multiple law schools. Since admission is competitive, submitting more than one application increases your chances of getting accepted. Make sure you allow enough time to complete the applications because most law school applications have several steps and require completion.
Why is it important to prepare for law school?
Due to the competitive nature of the legal profession, it is crucial to prepare for law school and acquire the necessary skills. There is fierce competition in both law school and the legal profession. Students who take the necessary steps to get ready for law school will do better in the classroom and get better job offers after graduation.
Before beginning classwork, many law schools require students to possess a number of hard and soft skills. The smooth transition from your current job or undergraduate studies into law school is ensured by developing these skills prior to starting law school. Law schools often seek students with the following skills:
Tips for preparing for law school
Utilize your time wisely before law school by following these preparation suggestions:
FAQ
How do I start preparing for law school?
- Maintain a great GPA.
- Take pre-law classes.
- Join a pre-law organization.
- Improve soft skills.
- Research law schools.
- Attend a law school forum.
- Visit law schools.
- Prepare for the LSAT.
What should I do before going to law school?
- Improve Your Reading Speed and Comprehension.
- Sharpen Your Writing Skills.
- Create Solid Note-Taking Habits.
- Studying as a Full-Time Occupation.
- Purchase Commercial Study Aids.
- Stock Up on Important Resources.
How long should I prepare for law school?
For the majority of students, a three-month preparation period (of roughly 20 hours per week) is an excellent objective. Of course, this is only a guess; not all students are students. We advise taking a practice LSAT to establish a baseline score in order to determine how much time you will likely need to prepare for the LSAT.
Is LSAT or GPA more important?
GPA is still significant even though LSAT is the most significant factor. Numbers on their own become an even better predictor of how likely you are to get into a particular school as you move down the rankings (outside the top 10 schools). LSAT is still the more important number than GPA.
