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Step 1
First, you need to do is get a bachelors degree from a good university. Make sure your grades are as high as they can be. Law school doesn’t require any particular major, but if you want to be a lawyer, majoring in biology probably won’t help you. Take classes that involve writing, problem solving, logic and reading. Criminal justice degrees are not recommended as they do not prepare you for a law school curriculum.
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Step 2
Next, during your senior year of university, you need to register for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and Law School Admission Counsel (LSAC). Both will cost money.
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Step 3
Now, read my article on how to prepare for the LSAT and take this test as soon as possible, the summer before your senior year is a good idea.
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Step 4
Now, once you have taken the LSAT and are registered with the LSAC, you need to start your admissions materials. Research which law schools you want to go to. This is important, law school is a very stressful and competitive atmosphere, so pick somewhere you’ll fit in. Make sure any schools you like are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). There are many “fake” law schools out there that will send you all sorts of materials and they may be tempting given their low tuition rates, but be aware that even if you get a degree from one of these institutions, most states will not allow you to sit for the bar exam if you have not graduated from an approved school. Also closely examine the attrition (drop out/fail out) rates of the school. There are several schools around the country that accept many students only to fail them out after they have paid a semester or year of tuition. You don’t want this to be you. Many smart people fail out of law school, don’t assume you’ll be one of the lucky ones, pick a school with a low attrition rate.
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Step 5
Next, the LSAC works as a collection site for admission documents. You will go through them to submit all of your admissions materials to every law school you apply to. They will have copies of your admission letters, test scores, transcripts and essays.
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Step 6
Next, you’ll need personal recommendations, usually at least one from a professor at your school or employer if you’ve been in the work force. Pick someone you know well that you know is impressed with your work or knowledge. You won’t see their letter before it is submitted to the school, so choose wisely. Once you have selected someone (see my article on how to get a recommendation letter), give them an addressed and stamped envelope to LSAC and the proper documentation for them to mail. LSAC has specific instructions on how to send these in, make sure to follow them carefully.
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Step 7
Now, you will need to have all of your transcripts from every institution sent to the LSAC as well, request these early. You will also have to write an admissions essay. See my article on how to write a good admissions essay.
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Step 8
Finally, you will have to apply through the LSAC website to all of the schools you want to apply to. The process is long and tedious, but make sure you do all steps correctly. Incompetence in submitting your application materials doesn’t bode well for a career in law where making a simple mistake in a legal document can cost someone their freedom.
