Applying to Law School

Should you attend law school? Below are some questions to ask yourself as you’re trying to decide. In addition, our Pre-Law Career Coach, Dana Rechtzigel is happy to help you explore and decide if law school is the right path. You can schedule an appointment with Dana through Handshake.

Should you really go to law school?

As with career generally, students range from having always known they’ve wanted to go to law school to questioning that decision until they enroll. Even after law school ends, some graduates are still unsure if they want to be a lawyer or pursue another profession related to law.

So how can you answer whether law school is right for you? You can start by asking yourself these questions:

Do I enjoy people and working closely with them regarding significant events or issues impacting their lives?
Can I empathize with a client’s situation, yet objectively analyze the issues and their consequences through the lens of the existing law?
Am I good at, and do I enjoy, educating people on subjects they may misunderstand or be ignorant about?
Am I able to analyze a problem and clearly and concisely communicate that both verbally and in writing? Do I do well in these types of classes?
Do I enjoy advocating for others? Am I able to enthusiastically argue both sides of a question?
Am I detail oriented and do I enjoy this kind of work? Do I enjoy doing research about the facts of a situation?
Do I enjoy reading, writing, and studying?

How to Decide Where to Apply?

There are many considerations when deciding which law school(s) to apply to. Think individually about your priorities and what’s important to you in your law school education. You’ll want to figure out which school is best for you.

Some criteria to Consider:

Location – where do you hope to practice after graduating? Many graduates end up working in the geographic area where they attended law school.
Career goals – do you want to work in public service? Then seek out a school that offers courses in that area. Do you want to work at a large law firm? The school’s alumni may be helpful in attaining those positions.
What are the ranges of GPA and LSAT scores of admitted students? If you are below the 25th percentile on GPA and LSAT for that school, you may have difficulty getting admitted. Don’t focus only on the median LSAT and GPA scores and realize that every school accepts a range.
Have a range of schools you apply to – safety, stretch, reach and make those decisions based on your competitiveness with each school’s admissions data.

Law School Transparency has detailed reports on alumni career outcomes and bar passage rates, as well as a school comparison tool.

Visiting Schools

Many students find it helpful to visit law schools. You may want to visit a school if:

You don’t know if law school is a good fit for you.
You’re deciding which law school(s) to apply to.
You’ve been accepted by a school but you haven’t visited the campus.

When you visit, ask questions that can only be answered in person. Ask if you can sit in on a law class and talk with current law students. Reach out to the admissions office of each school to arrange your visit. Attending Law School Fairs and LSAC Forms can also help you explore many schools at one event.

Alumni at the 2016 Ole Law connections program run by the Piper Center.

There is no one timeline that will be the same for every student. If you are looking to attend law school immediately following undergraduate, below is a general timeline. Please work with our Pre-Law Career Coach, Dana Rechtzigel, to determine the timeline that will fit best for you.

Spring of Junior Year

Create an account on LSAC.org
Talk to professors about recommendation letters/study for LSAT
Decide how you plan to study for the LSAT. Study options range from the free Khan Academy test prep, to self-study using LSAT prep materials, to enrolling in a LSAT prep course either online or in-person. When assessing the various options, think about how you learn and study best and what your budget will accommodate.
Decide when you plan to take the LSAT and register here
Start studying for the LSAT. Include practice tests to build your endurance and speed for the test.
Polish your resume
Understand how to finance your law school education

Summer between Junior/Senior Year

Take the LSAT time
Decide if you’ll apply early decision. Talk with our Pre-Law advisor if you are considering this option.
Begin writing your personal statement – both our Pre-Law advisor and Writing Coach are happy to help you with your process.

September of Senior Year

Applications open – submit your application early for best scholarship and admission chances since schools use rolling admissions.
Explore and apply for outside scholarships.

October of Senior Year

Attend recruiting events, law school open houses, law school fairs.
Fill out the FAFSA for need-based financial aid.

November of Senior Year

Early Decision deadlines.

December of Senior Year

Early applicants start getting results/scholarships

February of Senior Year

Many admissions decisions have already been made even though this may be a schoo’l’s application deadline.
Scholarship negotiation begins.
Schools may be recruiting accepted applicants.

March of Senior Year

Decision season with preliminary seat deposits due.
Scholarship negotiations continue.
Wait list discussions are starting.
Many students will visit schools to help make their final decision.

April of Senior Year

Schools begin using waitlist.
Applicants and schools are making final decisions.
Applicants must decide where to deposit.

Other Helpful Resources:

How to Prepare for your Legal Education (LSAC)

LexScholars – a diversity pipeline initiative aimed at learning more about effective methods for increasing law school diversity by providing over 1,200 aspiring lawyers with resources and guidance to pursue their goal of attending law school.

LawHub – With topics ranging from time management to preparing you for the LSAT^®, LSAC services, and more, this webinar series is designed to provide answers to your questions and give you the confidence you need as you begin your journey to law school.

LSAC Plus Programs – These four-week summer programs focus on the skills required to succeed in law school, the law school admission process, and a legal career. There is no cost to attend, and participants receive a $1,000 stipend. LSAC’s PLUS programs are developed for, but not restricted to, college students from minority groups underrepresented in the legal profession and are designed for students in the first two years of college.

Summer Pre-Law Programs – There are many programs available for students from underrepresented groups to explore and pursue their interest in law. These programs can help you build the skills you need to succeed in law school and in your future career, learn more about the law school application process, and develop a supportive network as you take the next step in your journey.

AccessLex Pipeline Program Directory – An online database designed to help prospective law students and pre-law advisors identify pipeline programs serving college students and/or college graduates from historically underrepresented groups with information and resources premised on aiding their successful matriculation into law school and the legal profession.

Law School Scholarship Databank – Search over 800 carefully curated and vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions — totaling more than $3 million in aid.

LSAC Law School Scholarship List – Check back periodically as application deadlines may have passed and new opportunities will become available in the future.

LSAC Guide on Financing Law School – Law school is a major commitment and a significant financial investment. Explore funding options to help you pay.

Information on Applying for Aid – Changes in financial aid rules and regulations are ongoing, and law school policies vary. It is important for you to stay current and to educate yourself about financial aid in much the same way that you research law schools when deciding where to apply.