Things You'll Need:
- Internet Access
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Step 1
Determine whether law school is the right career path for you.
Law school is not for everyone...it requires enormous amounts of money, time, and determination that may not pay off for you at the end. -
Step 2
Register at http://lsac.org - This should be your constant companion during your pre-law school years. Not only is it the website from which you upload resumes and send in recommendations, it is the only portal through which you can actually apply to US law schools. It is also a great resource for determining Step 1.
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Step 3
Have a good/great GPA and a good/great LSAT score.
These are the two greatest factors in law school admissions. Some might say they are the only important factors...the fact is that law schools go by GPA and LSATs in order to boost their rankings on US News and Report and thus traditionally weigh these two the most when considering admissions.
Note: Although a high LSAT score may very well support a weaker GPA, this does not apply the other way around (a high GPA usually does not support a low LSAT score). -
Step 4
Gain exposure within the legal sphere.
Whether this is through legal internships, legal research at nonprofits, or being a paralegal/legal assistant at a law firm, experience is important because it demonstrates that you are committed to the field (and also will help you determine Step 1). -
Step 5
Apply Generously.
Apply to safety schools, target schools, reach schools...apply to as many as you think you can afford. Getting into law schools is like playing roulette with one caveat - you only need to get one of your bets to fall...don't think you can apply to 2 or 3 law schools and be assured a spot in the fall's class (unless you have a GPA of 4.0 and a LSAT score of 175-180). -
Step 6
Finally, once you are in a law school...enjoy.
Nothing can really prepare you for law school life, so just take your time and enjoy your time before school starts...you won't have much time to enjoy it after...
Comments
cwarren8135 said
on 12/8/2008 I liked the article. I gave it five stars.