Thinking of law school? With 200 American Bar Association accredited law schools from which to choose, making a decision could be extremely stressful. Law schools select their candidates based on their academic performance, Law school admissions test (LSAT) score, written essays, and other factors. It is important to stand out from the thousands of law school candidates out there so it is advisable to participate in extracurricular activities that are pertinent to the skills of a lawyer. Law schools accept candidates with bachelor’s degrees in all majors. Most pre-law students major in political science, international relations, English, history, psychology, communications, economics, and even music. All of these academic disciplines are language and critical thinking oriented. They emphasize strongly on analytical skills of interpretation, synthesis, and understanding. Law schools seek those types of qualities in all prospective students. Those skills are not limited to those areas of study but a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any of those areas of study would be useful in sharpening the critical analytical skills required to study law.
In addition to assessing the type of undergraduate or post graduate studies one had studied before applying to law school, law schools assess the quality of the academic performance of the prospective law student. Laws schools understand that grade point average may not be an accurate determinant of one’s intelligence and abilities; therefore, laws schools assess a prospective students using a combination of a variety of academic assessments. The Law School Admissions Test or LSAT is required for application to all law schools.
The LSAT is a standardized test designed to assess the taker’s ability to read, comprehend, interpret, and analyze a piece of written language. The test also features an essay section based on a written passage. Questions on the law school admissions test mainly do not regard the content of a small written passage but asks the taker to answer a question regarding the construction of the argument discussed in a written passage. A strong knowledge of grammar, logic, and rhetoric is highly recommended. There are LSAT preparation courses that one could take to prepare for the test. Preparing for the test is important to improving the score. Practice tests may also be taken. Practice tests can be found on the Internet. The test may be taken multiple times but if taken more than once, the test scores are then averaged. The LSAT is something that law schools consider very important but all aspects of law school admissions requirements are taken into consideration. Different Law schools place different emphases on different legs of the admissions process.
Law schools want to get to know their prospective students as human beings, not simply students. Many law schools require personal essays discussing important factors to consider about the quality of the candidates character. Not all of the descriptions of the law school candidate’s character are described by the candidate himself or herself. Many also laws schools also require at least two letters of recommendation from two different people with whom that candidate holds a close professional relationship. Most often candidates choose their university’s pre-law advisor and departmental dean as the person to write their letters of recommendation. However, local community leaders with whom the candidate has a relationship of a professional nature have been used. The law school wants to get an understanding of the qualities of character and work ethic the prospective student has.
Another important factor to consider is what does the prospective law student want out of a law school education. Many law schools are famous for the type of lawyer they produce. A law school with a good reputation could get the eventual law school graduate into high ranking positions at top law firms or even legal positions in the public and private sector. Law schools can offer a variety of different practical experience depending on the quality of the professors and the facilities. Many law schools feature mock court rooms that are meant to prepare future lawyers for the stressful environment of a high stakes court case. Some law schools have better business law programs, others produce excellent trial lawyers, etc. It is of critical importance to choose a law school that interests the prospective student. Law students may prefer an urban campus to a rural campus or vice versa. Some schools offer more financial aid than others. Some schools are private law schools and others are partially funded by state and local governments. Some students choose to travel across the country to go to law school. Others choose to find a school nearby for family and job obligations. The size, composition, and background of the student body is also important to consider. Adjusting to the competitive nature of professional school is hard enough without the difficulty of overcoming culture shock. Law students choose their schools for a variety of reasons. Remember, estimations of quality and prestige are subjective. It is therefore important to choose a school that fits one’s lifestyle and needs.
Historically, minority groups of all types were underrepresented in law schools and thus, the legal profession. Many law schools hold diversity of the student body as a key factor in the quality of the educational experience they provide. Many schools are therefore making diversity a priority through diversity initiatives. To promote diversity, many law schools are actively seeking qualified African American, Latino, Native American and Asian students. Diversity initiatives cover all minority groups, not just minority groups based on race. Diversity initiatives apply to women and the lesbians, gays, bisexual, and transgender communities as well. Minority Lawyers can effect change on individual level, representing the interests of clients, and even effect change at the global level. More opportunities for minority law school students are available than in previous decades. Increases of minority students have been achieved but more can be done. Thus opportunity for minority students is better than ever before. Law schools make decisions regarding minority rights in the name of fairness and is not meant to disadvantage any particular group of individuals.
Be realistic in choosing the law school to which one applies. It is okay to dream a little but be realistic at the same time. If a school rejects a student, the student may try again or try another school. Many students have no trouble choosing their law school, they choose a dream school that almost beyond their grasp or a safe school to which admission is almost definite. Most schools publish an admissions qualification grid that indicates the number of applicants, their average LSAT scores and grade point averages. These charts will help prospective law students decipher which schools are dream schools and which are safe schools. Qualification grids are not the only yard stick by which students are measured and they may not predetermine a student’s admission to law school. The admissions grids feature information that is from a previous year so they do not take into account fluctuations of the three major factors of applicant volume, grade point average and LSAT scores.
Financial aid is another important consideration. Laws schools generally have an expensive price tag but there is often money available to help lower the up-front costs of going to law school. Scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans are available to law school students too. Most law school students finance their educations through loans either from the federal government or private banks. Often students take loans from both. Changes in financial aid rules and regulations are constantly changing. Eligibility policies depend on the law school to which the prospective student applies. It is best that the student stays current on the changes of rules and regulations of their respective law schools.
Getting into law school is an achievement and is the fruition of years of hard work and sacrifice. Students should choose their school wisely. Law schools reward those who show excellence and offer many opportunities for success for the duration of their legal careers. Law school lasts three years and prepares students for the challenges of the legal profession after the graduate passes the bar exam.
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