The competition to get into law school is fierce—there are more applicants than seats. Doing well on your undergraduate coursework, standardized tests, and personal statements will help you get accepted into law school.

LSAT
An important determining factor in getting into law school is the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Be sure to take your initial LSAT in your junior year to ensure that you have time to retake the test. Consider taking as many practice tests as possible.

Undergraduate Courses
Law schools look for specific courses on your transcript (political science, philosophy, sociology, and history); however, it's just as important to be a well-rounded individual.

Law schools also look for applicants with quantitative courses such as economics, business, math, and finance. Once you’re out of school, you will be dealing with the business world daily and you will need to understand it.

GPA
Carefully consider the courses you take at the undergraduate level. While your LSAT score is critical, a commendable GPA and course load are important. An admissions board is more likely to look favorably on an applicant that has double majored in biology and philosophy with a GPA of 3.25 than someone who majored in political science with the same GPA.

Personal Statement
Let the admissions committee know who you are through your personal statement. Don’t just tell them why you want to be a lawyer or simply rehash your resume. Tell them your significant life accomplishments and what sets you apart from the other applicants.

This will be the admissions committee first true impression of you, so make it count. Once you’ve written your statement, have several people review it. Choose tough reviewers who will truly critique your essay.

Law School Curriculum

First Year: During this time, students take all the required (core) courses. These courses include civil procedure, contracts, constitutional law, criminal law, legal writing, professional responsibility/ethics, property law, and torts.

Second and Third Year: This time is occupied mostly with electives and any remaining core courses. Specialized courses begin now. Students gain hands-on experience by working in law firms, participating in mock court sessions and practice trials, researching and writing for the school's law journal, and/or participating in law clinics.

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