If you are planning to go to law school, then you know that preparation is key to success. Lawyers will maintain their good study habits created in school throughout their careers to win cases and advocate for their clients.
- Undergrad
The American Bar Association does not recommend any undergraduate program or specific courses to prepare for a legal education. However, some courses that are traditionally considered part of the preparation for school, such as political science, business, or economics.
Some colleges may even have a pre-law program that you can consider to help you prepare and familiarize yourself with the law field. It is also essential to sustain a high-grade point average of 3.5 or higher. It can also make you a desirable candidate if you have community volunteer experience.
- LSAT
The exam is a half-day standardized test administered twice a year. The test is designed to accurately assess the critical skills needed for success in the law field. The test consists of multiple-choice sections that take 35 minutes each. The sections on the exam are:
- Logical Reasoning section tests your ability to analyze and evaluate arguments.
- Reading Comprehension section tests your ability to make sense of dense, unfamiliar prose.
- Logic Games section tests your comprehension of systems of order, outcomes, and basic logic.
- Experimental Section used to test questions for future exams.
There are many ways to study for the exam, and it is best to combine a few approaches to tailor your studying routine to fit your learning style best. You can sign up for online or in-person courses, find a local study group, use a study app or website.
You can also purchase study guides either digitally or physically. Benchmark your progress by taking practice tests from credited sources to find areas that need more focus. Work on mastering grammar and logic when reading unfamiliar texts. The test will intentionally use these to try and confuse your answer.
Register early for the exam to secure your date and testing location. You can find registration dates for the LSAT at the Law School Admission Council official website. You will want to take the test in your junior or senior year of college. Also, make sure to allocate plenty of time to study for the LSAT.
- Application Process
In order to apply to law school, you need to have achieved an undergraduate degree and be able to provide course transcripts. You will need to provide the paperwork that shows your final LSAT scores. You will be asked to provide a personal statement written to explain your motivation for attending and what makes you an outstanding candidate.
You may also choose to acquire letters of recommendation if you have relevant work experience with a law firm or from teachers and mentors. Consider including volunteer work, work experience, extracurricular activities, and other notable achievements that showcase you as a well-rounded individual.
Final Thoughts
Carefully considering your undergraduate path and successful studying for the Law School Acceptance Test will ensure a bright future in the field of law.