How Can I Become an Attorney in the Shortest Time?
The route to becoming a lawyer is long. Typically,a student needs to successfully complete an undergraduate program, while concurrently studying for law school admissions tests (LSATs) and graduate record exams (GREs), and applying and interviewing for admission slots in law schools. This usually take four years.
Once admitted to a school, the student will need another three years of law school. After seven years of education, a student must then pass the state bar exam in the state they wish to practice in. Studying for and passing the State Bar can add several months to the process. However, programs exist that can cut the process down to six years.
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Things You'll Need
- 3-3 Program
- High GPA
- High LSAT score
- Law office study program
- A.A. degree
Instructions
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Traditional Fast-Track Route
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1
Maintain a high grade point average (GPA). Law schools in general are competitive. To qualify for accelerate programs a student must show they have academic diligence and can excel.
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2
Apply for a 3-3 Program. A 3-3 program is three years of undergraduate work, and three years of law school. A 3-3 program will shave a year off of your law school journey. 3-3 programs are available at schools that either have a law school on campus, such as Whittier College, or work with a sister school that has such a program, such as The University at Albany, State University of New York, and the Albany Law School of Union University.
3-3 programs allow a student to enter law school before completing their bachelor's, with contingencies. Typical contingencies include the completion of 90 undergraduate units, all general education courses completed, a GPA above 3.3, and an LSAT score in the top 50 percent of the nation.
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3
Take the LSAT in your sophomore year of college. LSATs are used to determine how successful a student will be at completing a law degree program.
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4
Take summer courses. Complete as many prerequisites as possible in your first and second year of law school to provide you with extra time to study for the bar exam in your third year.
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Pass the bar on your first attempt. If you do not pass you have to wait several months for the next exam and this will delay you in starting your professional career.
Becoming a Lawyer Without Law School
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Move to a state that does not require law school to become an attorney. There are only seven: Vermont, New York, Washington, Virginia, California, Maine, and Wyoming.
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7
Get an associate in arts (AA) degree. In California you must have an AA before you can proceed with the steps necessary to practice law without attending law school. An AA can be completed in 18 months if a student takes summer school classes.
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Enroll in a law office study program (LSOP). This program takes four years in California. The program is arduous with many exams along the way that a student must pass to continue toward their license to practice law.
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Tips & Warnings
When going the LOSP route, pick a lawyer or judge who is practicing in the field you want to practice in.
Be sure your law school s American Bar Association- (ABA) approved.
References
Resources
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