Applying to law school can bring about a whole slew of emotions. On one hand, it’s an exciting step toward your dream career. On the other hand, it might have you rushing to make sure you’ve completed all the law school requirements.
Law schools have specific entry requirements that applicants must meet to be considered for admission. Some are school-specific, but most can be filed under general guidelines that all applicants should/must follow.
In this article, we’re going over the general must-haves you’ll need to apply to law school.
Law School Requirements
1. Obtain an Undergraduate Degree
This one should be a no-brainer. The very first step in your law school admissions journey is obtaining an undergraduate (college) degree.
You must complete your undergraduate education before attending law school. However, you do not need to graduate before you apply to law school.
Applying to Law School During or After College
If you apply to law school during your senior year, you will likely get admissions offers from schools before you graduate undergrad—which means you’ll have a carefree, celebratory summer!
You can also apply to law school after you graduate undergrad. Gap years are becoming more common for students and can be an excellent opportunity to explore other career options before settling on law school.
Further Reading
To Gap Year or Not To Gap Year?
What Can You Do in Your Gap Year(s) Before Law School?
Five Things Nontraditional Law School Applicants Should Know
Majors for Law School
Majored in Art History? Good news; law school can be in your future! Law schools do not require a specific undergraduate major. They welcome applicants from diverse academic backgrounds to enrich their student bodies’ intellectual diversity—and, by extension, the legal field.
However, applicants often pursue majors such as political science, history, economics, or philosophy.
Minimum GPA for Law School
Like majors, law schools also don’t have mandatory minimum GPA benchmarks.
However, schools do post their median GPA and LSAT scores. You can use these numbers to estimate your chances of admission.
As a general rule, if you have a lower GPA, you’ll want to shoot for a high LSAT score. (Fun fact: this makes you a splitter in law school admissions lingo.)
Further Reading
Applying to Law School with a High LSAT Score and Low GPA
Applying to Law School with a High GPA and Low LSAT Score
2. Take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
The LSAT is a standardized exam that is required for admission into law school. The test assesses your critical thinking and reasoning skills, as well as your ability to read and comprehend complex texts. It consists of multiple-choice questions and a writing sample that gets sent to law schools too.
While law schools do not impose minimum LSAT score requirements, it is worth considering a school’s median LSAT score to determine your target score. Just like GPA, this information can guide you in setting your goals and target school list effectively.
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Law schools consider LSAT scores a crucial component of an applicant’s profile. A higher LSAT score can strengthen your application, while a lower score may warrant compensation in other areas of the application.
LSAT scores (and GPA) are also significant factors in merit scholarship awards.
When Should I Take the LSAT?
The LSAT is administered multiple times a year, allowing applicants to choose the test date that best aligns with their preparation. It’s best to choose an LSAT date that allows you enough time to prep for it and gets your score back in time to meet law school deadlines.
Double-check your law school’s requirements. Some schools explicitly say the January LSAT is the latest LSAT they’ll accept if you’re applying for admission that same fall.
3. Law School Application Components
Typically, all law schools have a common set of requirements for their applications:
- An online application form (usually submitted using the CAS)
- A personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Academic transcripts
- Resume
Some schools will also ask you for supplemental essays and may even request an admissions interview. Check with your schools to ensure you don’t miss anything.
Further Reading
CAS Me If You Can
The Dos and Don’ts of Your Personal Statement
How to Get Letters of Recommendation (And What to Do if People Say No)
Your Law School Resume vs A Job Search Resume
Don’t Overlook Submitting Your Application Early
Most law schools have rolling admissions, which means they review applications as they receive them once the admissions cycle begins (usually in September).
The earlier you apply, the better your chances of admission are! You are less likely to be accepted as the available slots fill up.
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