Are you thinking about law as your future? Well, the first thing you need to know is that the journey is not going to be an easy one. There are several hurdles to cross, and it will test your willpower more than once.
But when you finally hold your license, the sense of accomplishment is going to be tremendous. In this article, we will give you a quick review of the different stages of pursuing law.
1. Getting into Law School
In order to be eligible for law school in the US, you need to hold an undergraduate degree, as well as get a decent score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This test score is going to be the most important factor in your application, and as such, you will need to aim for the top percentile to increase your chances.
Law school admissions are highly competitive, considering that there are thousands of students competing for limited seats in the best institutions of the country. As such, anything that can make you look unique will add more strength to your application.
2. Choosing your Law School
There is no limit to how many law schools you can apply to. But it averages around $100 per application, so you might have to lower the number of choices. Although the top-ranked institutions might be your priority, you will also have to consider factors such as location and expenses.
There are nearly 200 ABA-approved law schools in the country. Make sure you do your research before narrowing down the list. If needed, try a law school calculator to see which schools are likely to give you admission.
3. Prepare for Law School
Getting into a law school is only the beginning of your work. In order to graduate, you will need planning and preparation alongside persistence. If you know you will be pursuing law, it is best that you check out recommended reading lists and go through legal publications. With the internet, you will have no trouble getting your lands on journals and books.
4. Sourcing the Law School Exams
As you can guess, being a lawyer is far from knowing the laws. You will need to think like a lawyer right from the beginning by putting your reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical skills to use. In addition, you will also have to work on your writing skills – as there is a specialization that requires practice.
5. Pass the Bar
When you think the ordeal is over after graduating, there is one more obstacle waiting for you. The Bar exams have the reputation of being one of the most difficult standardized tests in the country. This test is supposed to evaluate your knowledge and skills as a lawyer. Each state has a separate Bar exam, and if you need to practice in that state – you will need to be admitted to the respective bar of the state.
It might seem like a long trip to your dream job. Aspiring law students start their preparation even from high school years in order to ensure that they achieve success. That said, each person's journey is different. If the law is your passion, no matter at what point of life you are, it is worth giving a try at LSAT.
