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Path to Law School
If your desire is to go to law school someday, make every day count.
Law school preparation does not begin in your senior year, it begins at the moment you decide law school is something you seriously want to pursue. For some, they start college knowing what they want to do. For others, it comes a little later on in life. Either way, when you start college, start with your best foot forward. Start college with the serious intent of doing well. It is a known fact that life happens, challenges will arise, personal situations in life may even get in the way—all of this comes with the territory. Your pursuit of a college degree is not one-sided, you are not just a student; there are other roles you play and other hats you wear. All of that must be taken into consideration as you plan your life, start a part-time job, plan your studies, plan your classes, etc. And if you have room for involvement and extracurricular, do something that matters to you, make it personal, not something that you think law schools want to see.
Your overall GPA is very, very important—let no one tell you different. Your overall GPA matters in the law school admission process. Your overall GPA lets the law school know how well you will perform in law school and if you can handle the load. Every single class and every single grade earned impacts your overall GPA. So take college seriously folks. After all, it takes time, energy, and money to earn your degree—why waste it? You cannot get a “do-over” and go backwards. But what you can do is make the most of the present and the future. So if you know that you had a difficult start, or a really rough semester, you can speak to that in your application—it is called an addenda.
Your LSAT score is essential in the application process. The LSAT informs law schools of your skill set as it pertains to reading, judgment, logic, verbal, analytical reasoning, and writing. As the saying goes, “one and done”—thoroughly prepare for the LSAT, take it, and be done with it. Are there instances in which students repeat it? Absolutely. How does that look when it comes to admission? While a repeat LSAT can be included in your addenda, it can be a catch-22. Research shows that repeat test takers increase their score by 2-3 points. However, there is a much smaller ratio of students that scored significantly higher the next time around (i.e. 6-8 points). Movement in the score can open the door to funding opportunities. If you know without a doubt that you can perform better, maybe there was an isolated situation that led to a lower score, then taking it again may be worth it. It is highly recommended that you focus on the area(s) in which you need to improve. In other words, you should take the initiative and come up with a solid strategy to be sure you are prepared. A higher score may help with funding opportunities. If you are going to take it again, make it count!
Your ability to write and communicate effectively is crucial, you should be able to write and communicate effectively. Why? Law schools will initially see your application [and all that comes along with it—your resume, your writing sample, your letters of recommendation, etc.]. If there are typos in your application or your resume, how do you think that will look? Oftentimes, law schools do not invite applicants in for interviews—make your application count. You want that application to speak for you, to be your showcase. The legal profession values communication and writing—it is used to get the point across every day in the field. Think about it, legal professionals have to articulate their point of view, their position to an audience of sorts. Writing and communication go hand-in-hand. If you know these skills are not your strong suit, then take the time to develop these skills. Take courses that will sharpen your abilities in these areas. The University Writing Center is also a good resource—they offer free consultations, tutoring, etc.
Lastly, in terms of test-taking—you should take the LSAT the summer or fall in the year prior to the following fall’s admission. To make it clearer—if you plan to attend law school fall 2022, then you should take the LSAT in the summer or fall of 2021. Make sense? A November test is fine but if you are ready June, July, or even September, go for it! If you can, schedule your LSAT with enough time to get your score before the law school application due date. Prepare for the LSAT as much and as often as you can.
Mrs. Johnson
Interested in law school?
Here's how to prepare:
