Mass Black Judge

Students contemplating law school are often confused about what else they want to do after college and may turn toward law school as an answer. While this decision might make sense in principle, it’s essential to carefully consider its opportunity costs before spending three years sacrificing both time and money towards career goals which may never pan out.

Research law schools by reviewing their rankings, tuition costs, student life offerings and faculty-student ratios. You should also speak to people holding law degrees across various fields to gain more insight into the practical use of their degrees.

Personality

If you are interested in public interest law and social justice, selecting a school with strong programs in those fields is crucial. Consider selecting one with clinics and externship opportunities as well as expert faculty expertise and research centers.

If your dream is to become a criminal defense attorney, look for schools known for equipping students for this area of law. Yoda advises: “Ensure that you’re getting the highest-quality legal education available so that you’ll be able to practice in your preferred field.”

At the core of it all is understanding your motivations for going into law school, whether it’s following in the footsteps of your parents or finding intellectual challenge therein. Establishing clear motivation will enable you to navigate all the rigors associated with law school more easily; such as maintaining an outstanding GPA, filling your schedule with meaningful extracurriculars and taking the LSAT.

Interests

Law school courses explore doctrine and put knowledge to use; unlike undergraduate classes which often focus on memorization and didactic methods of instruction.

Law schools strive to recruit a diverse incoming class. This diversity should reflect ethnicity, cultural background and life experience as well as academic performance – not only with regards to academics (which is vital), but also through personal interests such as hobbies or activities pursued by applicants.

As an applicant farms chickens or plays rugby in his free time, this demonstrates he has various interests that could prove useful for him in his future legal career.

Subtle methods to demonstrate interest include visiting campuses and speaking to current students, or joining their email list for active and genuine engagement with that school.

Experience

Prospective law school applicants should go beyond quantitative metrics in the admissions process to gain experience and understand their motivations, which will allow them to narrow their law school choices and find the best match.

For example, applicants looking to pursue prosecutorial careers should seek out schools offering extensive opportunities for practical legal experience through externships or clinics. Likewise, those interested in practicing environmental or criminal law should look for schools which specialize in these fields.

As a candidate, it is crucial to remain aware of all costs associated with law school attendance, including potential financial implications and alumni employment statistics (available on each law school’s website) so as to make more informed financial decisions when applying. Doing this will allow you to avoid incurring debt for a degree that might not lead to your ideal career path.

Education

Gaining an edge when applying to law school requires gathering letters of recommendation that will bolster your credentials. To maximize success in law school applications, these should come from professors or professional acquaintances who know you well, including professors who know about your academic abilities, character and potential success at law school. Volunteer at legal clinics or internships or work at government agencies while volunteering or gaining relevant experience through legal clinics and internships.

Politics and pre-law majors typically receive the highest acceptance rates at law schools; however, other majors such as English and history offer excellent foundations that foster analytical writing abilities as well as strong writing techniques. Even nontraditional majors like computer science or design may provide strong preparation for law school.

Be ready to invest the time and effort required of legal education by creating a compelling personal statement, studying for the LSAT exam and gaining relevant experience through volunteer or employment opportunities. Get enough sleep; failing to reach four full cycles of REM sleep impairs memory – including learning new material quickly for exams! Minimize social media use as well as any distractions to avoid falling down an institutional slippery slope of toxic competition.