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What should I do after undergrad if I want to go the law school but don’t meet the requirements ?
What do I do after undergrad if I want to go to law school? Should I take a gap year? Work?
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DENNIS A’s Answer
Hi Hannah: Best thing to do is go into Brooklyn Law school in downtown Brooklyn. (4 train to Court street - just up the block) Go in and ask to see admissions and ask them. Law school is a tough go. If you had bad grades for a certain reasons - you might be able to explain it away. If it's LSAT scores then get books and take a course to up your score.
There are schools who let you in on a provisional basis to see if you can cut it. Generally they are outside NYC. However, get on the internet and search them out and apply there!
There are ways to do this but it requires work and determination. Good luck!
There are schools who let you in on a provisional basis to see if you can cut it. Generally they are outside NYC. However, get on the internet and search them out and apply there!
There are ways to do this but it requires work and determination. Good luck!
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Since you already have a college degree, you don't need to get another two or four-year degree to become a paralegal. Here are some paralegal options:
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate: This is a common choice for college graduates and usually takes 6 months to 1 year to complete.
ABA-Approved Programs: It's a good idea to choose a program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Many top law firms prefer this, and it looks better on a law school application.
As Preparation for Law School:
Pros for Law School:
Practical Skills: Law school teaches legal theory, but paralegal work teaches practical skills like filing motions, using research tools, and drafting documents. These skills are often challenging for first-year law students.
Real Experience: Working as a paralegal gives a true sense of the legal field's high-stress environment before spending a lot of money on a law degree.
Letters of Recommendation: A recommendation from an attorney who has seen their work can be more valuable than a general letter from a professor.
Cons for Law School:
Administrative Tasks: A lot of paralegal work involves clerical tasks like organizing files and managing schedules. Admissions committees know this, so students should aim to get experience in research and writing to stand out.
The LSAT Still Matters: Law school admissions focus heavily on GPA and LSAT scores. Paralegal experience can help, but it won't make up for a low score.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate: This is a common choice for college graduates and usually takes 6 months to 1 year to complete.
ABA-Approved Programs: It's a good idea to choose a program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Many top law firms prefer this, and it looks better on a law school application.
As Preparation for Law School:
Pros for Law School:
Practical Skills: Law school teaches legal theory, but paralegal work teaches practical skills like filing motions, using research tools, and drafting documents. These skills are often challenging for first-year law students.
Real Experience: Working as a paralegal gives a true sense of the legal field's high-stress environment before spending a lot of money on a law degree.
Letters of Recommendation: A recommendation from an attorney who has seen their work can be more valuable than a general letter from a professor.
Cons for Law School:
Administrative Tasks: A lot of paralegal work involves clerical tasks like organizing files and managing schedules. Admissions committees know this, so students should aim to get experience in research and writing to stand out.
The LSAT Still Matters: Law school admissions focus heavily on GPA and LSAT scores. Paralegal experience can help, but it won't make up for a low score.
Updated
Danielle’s Answer
Hi Hannah, it's great that you're exploring different options! If you're unsure about some requirements, taking a break between undergrad and grad school, including law school, can be really helpful. This break gives you time to reconsider your choice about returning to school or pursuing law. Good luck with your decisions!
Updated
Chu’s Answer
It has been ten years since I graduated, and I hope my experiences prove helpful to you. After finishing university, I chose to enter the workforce. One reason for this was that I had student loans to repay; another was that I wasn't particularly interested in my major. I hoped that by working, I could discover my true career path. I am still learning and growing to this day; therefore, whether you choose to pursue further academic qualifications or head straight into a job, the most important thing is simply to maintain a mindset of continuous learning.
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Amber’s Answer
Hi Hannah,
It is absolutely okay to take a gap year and work. I took a gap year only because I had no idea what I was going to do after undergrad. Many of my law school classmates took gap years and worked, and they came back with valuable experience that made them all them more competitive in the law school environment.
You did not mention your reasons for not meeting the requirements of law school. If you're determined to attend, I would suggest working on meeting those requirements immediately or during your gap year if that's the path you're choosing. It appears you already have (or are on track to finishing) an undergrad degree, so that's one requirement down! If it is the LSAT you're struggling with, you'll just have to figure out a strategy to improve your scores. For example, you could spend more time practicing or you could sign up for a course. If you think your current GPA may be on the lower end, you could use your gap year to boost your resume (and study for the LSAT!).
All the best.
It is absolutely okay to take a gap year and work. I took a gap year only because I had no idea what I was going to do after undergrad. Many of my law school classmates took gap years and worked, and they came back with valuable experience that made them all them more competitive in the law school environment.
You did not mention your reasons for not meeting the requirements of law school. If you're determined to attend, I would suggest working on meeting those requirements immediately or during your gap year if that's the path you're choosing. It appears you already have (or are on track to finishing) an undergrad degree, so that's one requirement down! If it is the LSAT you're struggling with, you'll just have to figure out a strategy to improve your scores. For example, you could spend more time practicing or you could sign up for a course. If you think your current GPA may be on the lower end, you could use your gap year to boost your resume (and study for the LSAT!).
All the best.
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hannah,
Law school is very grueling. I think if you don't currently meet the requirements, it would possibly give you difficulty. But, one way to get a sample of what law school entails, on a slightly less demanding program, would be to pursue a Paralegal Certification. Paralegals do much of the work for lawyers, and you would learn the nuts and bolts of the legal profession. Then, if you want to go to law school at a later time, you would be better prepared.
Life throws us roadblocks - it's up to us on how we handle them. I definitely don't see this as a "stop sign." It's just an obstacle!!
Law school is very grueling. I think if you don't currently meet the requirements, it would possibly give you difficulty. But, one way to get a sample of what law school entails, on a slightly less demanding program, would be to pursue a Paralegal Certification. Paralegals do much of the work for lawyers, and you would learn the nuts and bolts of the legal profession. Then, if you want to go to law school at a later time, you would be better prepared.
Life throws us roadblocks - it's up to us on how we handle them. I definitely don't see this as a "stop sign." It's just an obstacle!!