5 answers
Emma
Student
Lawton, Oklahoma
1
Question
Asked
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How should I go about getting ready for and applying to law school?
I am in my junior year of my B.S. in criminal justice and I think that I want to go to law school, but I am worried that I have decided this so late into my education. I have an overall GPA of 3.6. and I am looking into how to study for the LSAT. I would be okay with pursuing another career while I go to law school, so it would not be the end of the world if I did not attend directly following graduation (in fact, I plan on working full time while attending law school). Do I have a shot at being accepted to law school? What steps should I take to prepare myself for admissions and the application process?
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5 answers
Bob Echols
Retired lawyer and ethics officer--current blogger and author of the For Our Friends the Animals quartet.
36
Answers
Fairhope, Alabama
Updated
Bob’s Answer
Hi, Emma. Congrats on wishing to further your education, especially with attendance at law school.
First, continue to study hard and keep your grades high or even higher. You want to avoid the dreaded "senior slump."
Second, I agree with the idea of enrolling in an LSAT prep course. I found it well worth the money and time.
Third, while you are still in undergrad, see if your school can arrange for any internships at law firms, government or corporate law offices, or such. In this way you obtain a flavor of what being an attorney entails, and you demonstrate a continued interest in the legal profession and in adding to your knowledge to a potential law school. This would also be a good source of personal recommendations, should schools still require those as part of the application process.
Next, many law schools still require a personal essay from applicants, usually along the lines of "tell me about yourself and why you wish to practice law." Start planning your essay now, and before you submit it be certain to have it proofread by others.
Finally I agree with the advice not to work during your first year of law school. It is a difficult year and the transition from undergrad to professional school takes some time.
I did have part-time jobs in my last two years to help make ends meet, but if at all possible spend your first year transitioning and studying. Even in the last two years, I counsel against having a full time job unless absolutely necessary; you will be busy enough!
Good luck, Emma. You sound like a person who has things together; that makes for a good attorney!
First, continue to study hard and keep your grades high or even higher. You want to avoid the dreaded "senior slump."
Second, I agree with the idea of enrolling in an LSAT prep course. I found it well worth the money and time.
Third, while you are still in undergrad, see if your school can arrange for any internships at law firms, government or corporate law offices, or such. In this way you obtain a flavor of what being an attorney entails, and you demonstrate a continued interest in the legal profession and in adding to your knowledge to a potential law school. This would also be a good source of personal recommendations, should schools still require those as part of the application process.
Next, many law schools still require a personal essay from applicants, usually along the lines of "tell me about yourself and why you wish to practice law." Start planning your essay now, and before you submit it be certain to have it proofread by others.
Finally I agree with the advice not to work during your first year of law school. It is a difficult year and the transition from undergrad to professional school takes some time.
I did have part-time jobs in my last two years to help make ends meet, but if at all possible spend your first year transitioning and studying. Even in the last two years, I counsel against having a full time job unless absolutely necessary; you will be busy enough!
Good luck, Emma. You sound like a person who has things together; that makes for a good attorney!
Amber Lee
Tax Associate
92
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amber’s Answer
Hi Emma,
It's definitely not too late! I decided to go to law school a few months after I graduated from my undergrad. I spent the next 6 months studying and sitting for the LSAT, applying to law schools, and moving to the town where my law school was. I did not enroll in any LSAT prep courses. You can certainly self-study like I did, but I imagine a prep course would be super helpful in teaching you how to take the test.
A couple people have already advised against working full time during law school especially if you're also going to law school full-time, and I'll expand on that a little more. If you enroll as a traditional full-time student, it is highly unlikely you will be able to schedule your classes around your work schedule. The reason is that first-year curriculum is usually designed by the law school and you don't really have a choice in picking which classes to take. The doctrinal classes (e.g., criminal law, constitutional law, etc.) are mandatory and will be scheduled for you by the school, and these classes are typically held during the day. If you're a diligent student, you will probably spend the rest of the evening reading and prepping for next day's classes (the assigned readings are dense, it's not something that can be done in an hour). It would be incredibly difficult to hold a full-time job when you have a schedule like this, unless you skip sleeping and eating and doing other normal human functions. Part-time jobs might be doable in your second and third year since you will have a little more flexibility over your class schedules and you would presumably have gotten a bit used to the rigor of law school.
If you're thinking about going to school as a part-time student, then this changes things. But even so, not all law schools offer part-time programs, so your choice of school becomes a lot more limited. This is not to dissuade you from applying to part-time programs, as part-time programs can give you flexibility and opportunities that you would not otherwise have gotten if full-time program is the only option. Part-time programs can also offer an alternative if you are unable to financially commit to a full-time program. Ultimately, you just need to consider your goals and evaluate whether it is realistic work full time and go to law school at the same time.
It's definitely not too late! I decided to go to law school a few months after I graduated from my undergrad. I spent the next 6 months studying and sitting for the LSAT, applying to law schools, and moving to the town where my law school was. I did not enroll in any LSAT prep courses. You can certainly self-study like I did, but I imagine a prep course would be super helpful in teaching you how to take the test.
A couple people have already advised against working full time during law school especially if you're also going to law school full-time, and I'll expand on that a little more. If you enroll as a traditional full-time student, it is highly unlikely you will be able to schedule your classes around your work schedule. The reason is that first-year curriculum is usually designed by the law school and you don't really have a choice in picking which classes to take. The doctrinal classes (e.g., criminal law, constitutional law, etc.) are mandatory and will be scheduled for you by the school, and these classes are typically held during the day. If you're a diligent student, you will probably spend the rest of the evening reading and prepping for next day's classes (the assigned readings are dense, it's not something that can be done in an hour). It would be incredibly difficult to hold a full-time job when you have a schedule like this, unless you skip sleeping and eating and doing other normal human functions. Part-time jobs might be doable in your second and third year since you will have a little more flexibility over your class schedules and you would presumably have gotten a bit used to the rigor of law school.
If you're thinking about going to school as a part-time student, then this changes things. But even so, not all law schools offer part-time programs, so your choice of school becomes a lot more limited. This is not to dissuade you from applying to part-time programs, as part-time programs can give you flexibility and opportunities that you would not otherwise have gotten if full-time program is the only option. Part-time programs can also offer an alternative if you are unable to financially commit to a full-time program. Ultimately, you just need to consider your goals and evaluate whether it is realistic work full time and go to law school at the same time.
Ilan Marouani, Esq., LL.M.
Tax Attorney
25
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Ilan’s Answer
Hi Emma,
First of all congrats in figuring out where you want to go, and what you want to do as a career!
As it was said previously, you should definitely look into LSAT prep-courses because it is a different way of thinking, a methodology that is hard to learn on your own and better be taught by someone else.
Everyone uses a different prep-course, so there is no need for me to guide you in that sense. I would advise you though to get in touch with your school or look for Law related clubs to potentially get in that circle and see what other people do and don't, and potentially se what they advise you to do as they might have already taken the LSAT or know some people who did.
You GPA is strong, and it is important for Law-School, but I found that Law Schools emphasis a lot of their acceptance on the LSAT more than GPA. I knew a few people who had a lower GPA but higher LSAT and they got a better scholarship than me, or were able to get into better schools.
I am not saying this is the rule, and these things probably change every year, but it is something to consider.
As for working while in Law School; I am not sure if you meant going full time or part time, but as a part time student you can definitely work full time as it is usually the case for most part time students, as all classes are at night.
However, if you do join Law School full time, I don't think it would be feasible to be both a full time student, and a full time employee. Law school requires a lot of hours to be put in especially early on so you can get on the train, understand the readings, prep memos for classes, study for finals.... all of this is very different than college, and if you are only giving it half of your attention, you might fall behind.
You are not starting late, or early, you are right on time for law school. If you study hard for the LSAT, maybe take a summer prep-course, and study after that for an additional month or two, you should be ready to take your first LSAT score. That will enable you to see where you stand and what needs to be worked on.
Most law school don't even start accepting students until late December and sometimes not before January/February of the following year. There is no rush in applying if you are applying with a worst score than what you could score.
Law school is the beginning of a lawyer career and you just need to be diligent, focused, and just take it step by step.
Good luck on your journey!
First of all congrats in figuring out where you want to go, and what you want to do as a career!
As it was said previously, you should definitely look into LSAT prep-courses because it is a different way of thinking, a methodology that is hard to learn on your own and better be taught by someone else.
Everyone uses a different prep-course, so there is no need for me to guide you in that sense. I would advise you though to get in touch with your school or look for Law related clubs to potentially get in that circle and see what other people do and don't, and potentially se what they advise you to do as they might have already taken the LSAT or know some people who did.
You GPA is strong, and it is important for Law-School, but I found that Law Schools emphasis a lot of their acceptance on the LSAT more than GPA. I knew a few people who had a lower GPA but higher LSAT and they got a better scholarship than me, or were able to get into better schools.
I am not saying this is the rule, and these things probably change every year, but it is something to consider.
As for working while in Law School; I am not sure if you meant going full time or part time, but as a part time student you can definitely work full time as it is usually the case for most part time students, as all classes are at night.
However, if you do join Law School full time, I don't think it would be feasible to be both a full time student, and a full time employee. Law school requires a lot of hours to be put in especially early on so you can get on the train, understand the readings, prep memos for classes, study for finals.... all of this is very different than college, and if you are only giving it half of your attention, you might fall behind.
You are not starting late, or early, you are right on time for law school. If you study hard for the LSAT, maybe take a summer prep-course, and study after that for an additional month or two, you should be ready to take your first LSAT score. That will enable you to see where you stand and what needs to be worked on.
Most law school don't even start accepting students until late December and sometimes not before January/February of the following year. There is no rush in applying if you are applying with a worst score than what you could score.
Law school is the beginning of a lawyer career and you just need to be diligent, focused, and just take it step by step.
Good luck on your journey!
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
563
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hey Emma, you are absolutely not late and you definitely have a shot! A 3.6 GPA is solid and the fact that you're thinking about this in your junior year means you're more ahead than you realize. I can relate because I didn't follow a straight line either. I worked for a couple of years after my bachelor's, went back for a master's, worked several more years in consulting, and then went back again for another master's in business. Each time, my work experience actually made my applications stronger, so if you end up working before or during law school that's a huge plus, not a disadvantage. For the LSAT, give yourself 3 to 6 months of solid prep, use practice tests to find weak spots, and consider a prep course if needed. Beyond that, focus on strong letters of recommendation and a compelling personal statement that shows who you are beyond the numbers. Also look into scholarships and fellowships that might cover partial tuition and stipend, especially for someone with your profile. You've got this!
DENNIS A BREEN
Lawyer
270
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS A’s Answer
Hi Emma: Welcome to my world! First, go to a bookstore and buy one or two LSAT prep books and a timer. LSATs are timed so practice using the timer. Then consider taking a LSAT prep course. They can be expensive but worth it. With a 3.6 you should be OK if you do OK on the LSATs. As for working, 2 things; if possible to go nights then working and going to school is doable. If nights are not possible I would suggest NOT working the first year (it is really stressful) then working after that.
I did not go to law school right away - due to grades and poor LSATs. However, once in it was a tough but great place - I met my best friend and future wife there! I went full time and summers and worked about 30 hours a week to pay for things. I finished law school in 2 1/2 years, passed the bar on the first try and have been working since then!
I am not going to tell you it's easy - but I am sure you can do it! If I could do it I know you can. I worked for Lexis/Nexis in Dayton Ohio where I went to school. The dreams you have are very doable! Enjoy the road you are about to embark on! Good luck and have fun!
I did not go to law school right away - due to grades and poor LSATs. However, once in it was a tough but great place - I met my best friend and future wife there! I went full time and summers and worked about 30 hours a week to pay for things. I finished law school in 2 1/2 years, passed the bar on the first try and have been working since then!
I am not going to tell you it's easy - but I am sure you can do it! If I could do it I know you can. I worked for Lexis/Nexis in Dayton Ohio where I went to school. The dreams you have are very doable! Enjoy the road you are about to embark on! Good luck and have fun!