4 answers
1
Question
4 answers
Updated
Doc’s Answer
All in all Tevisha, it takes a minimum of seven to eight years to become a lawyer in the United States, including the time spent earning your undergraduate degree. Depending on when you take your exams and whether you pass on your first attempt, the process might end up taking longer.
STEP 1:
EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE
You need to earn a bachelor's degree in order to get into law school. There are no required courses or recommended majors for law school admission. However, courses that develop skills in writing, reading, public speaking, logic and research can be helpful. Some law schools may prefer applicants who have taken intellectually challenging courses.
STEP 2:
TAKE LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST (LSAT)
LSAT scores are required to be submitted along with your law school application. This test is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and is used to assess your reading, comprehension, reasoning and critical thinking skills.
STEP 3:
CHOSING A LAW SCHOOL BEST FOR YOU
You have a wide range of choices here. As you are considering which school you want to attend, think about the school’s reputation, student-to-faculty ratio and even its location. The first and biggest consideration should be the school’s accreditation. Ideally, the law program should hold an accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA).
STEP 4:
EARN YOUR JURIS DOCTOR (J.D.) DEGREE
Law school typically lasts for three years and results in a J.D. degree. You begin law school by taking courses in constitutional law, property law, legal writing, contracts and torts. You then take elective courses based on your interests, such as corporate law, tax law or labor law.
STEP 5:
PASS YOUR STATE BAR EXAM
Before you may practice law in the United States, you are required to pass your state bar examination and earn a license. Depending on your state, you likely need to pass a written bar exam, as well as a separate written ethics exam. If you would like to practice law in multiple states, you generally need to pass a bar exam in each state.
Hope this was helpful Tevisha
STEP 1:
EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE
You need to earn a bachelor's degree in order to get into law school. There are no required courses or recommended majors for law school admission. However, courses that develop skills in writing, reading, public speaking, logic and research can be helpful. Some law schools may prefer applicants who have taken intellectually challenging courses.
STEP 2:
TAKE LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST (LSAT)
LSAT scores are required to be submitted along with your law school application. This test is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and is used to assess your reading, comprehension, reasoning and critical thinking skills.
STEP 3:
CHOSING A LAW SCHOOL BEST FOR YOU
You have a wide range of choices here. As you are considering which school you want to attend, think about the school’s reputation, student-to-faculty ratio and even its location. The first and biggest consideration should be the school’s accreditation. Ideally, the law program should hold an accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA).
STEP 4:
EARN YOUR JURIS DOCTOR (J.D.) DEGREE
Law school typically lasts for three years and results in a J.D. degree. You begin law school by taking courses in constitutional law, property law, legal writing, contracts and torts. You then take elective courses based on your interests, such as corporate law, tax law or labor law.
STEP 5:
PASS YOUR STATE BAR EXAM
Before you may practice law in the United States, you are required to pass your state bar examination and earn a license. Depending on your state, you likely need to pass a written bar exam, as well as a separate written ethics exam. If you would like to practice law in multiple states, you generally need to pass a bar exam in each state.
Hope this was helpful Tevisha
Thank You Mary. Career Village is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud of.
Doc Frick
Updated
Brianna’s Answer
Hi, Tevisha,
Becoming a lawyer is an advance degree, meaning you have to attend an undergraduate university (4-years) before going to law school for a professional degree (around 2-3 years).
For undergraduate university, you can technically major in any subject. There are some colleges that offer a pre-law track with preselected courses which you may be interested in. Many lawyers have an undergraduate major in economics, philosophy, or political science as a part of this pre-law track.
You need to make sure your GPA in undergrad stays up because then you have to apply to law school. Law school applications typically require an essay, GPA, letters of recommendation, and a standardized test (either the LSAT or the GRE). These together make a strong application for your professional school.
While attending lawschool, you will have internship positions at different firms, also requiring an application process. Once you graduate, many people wind up being hired by the firm they intern with. After graduation, most states require that the pass the state Bar Exam to become a practicing lawyer. The bar exam is taken in two parts and requires a good deal of studying and preparation. If you have a law degree but do not pass the Bar, you are still able to work in most law firms as a paralegal or similar. There are also some instances where passing the Bar is not required to practice as a lawyer, but it's generally considered the gold standard.
Hope this helps!
Becoming a lawyer is an advance degree, meaning you have to attend an undergraduate university (4-years) before going to law school for a professional degree (around 2-3 years).
For undergraduate university, you can technically major in any subject. There are some colleges that offer a pre-law track with preselected courses which you may be interested in. Many lawyers have an undergraduate major in economics, philosophy, or political science as a part of this pre-law track.
You need to make sure your GPA in undergrad stays up because then you have to apply to law school. Law school applications typically require an essay, GPA, letters of recommendation, and a standardized test (either the LSAT or the GRE). These together make a strong application for your professional school.
While attending lawschool, you will have internship positions at different firms, also requiring an application process. Once you graduate, many people wind up being hired by the firm they intern with. After graduation, most states require that the pass the state Bar Exam to become a practicing lawyer. The bar exam is taken in two parts and requires a good deal of studying and preparation. If you have a law degree but do not pass the Bar, you are still able to work in most law firms as a paralegal or similar. There are also some instances where passing the Bar is not required to practice as a lawyer, but it's generally considered the gold standard.
Hope this helps!
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hi Brianna
The first step is the get the undergraduate degree out of the way. Talk to admissions and counseling about the type of undergrad degree you should do. Sociology, business and accounting might be the answer amongst others.
Then you need too take the LSAT. There is a lot of help books and prep classes that you can take.
After that take a look at the law school that fits your needs. There are online tours but I think going in person to the campus works out better.
Apply for financial aid. The window to apply starts in October 1st.
During law school try to work, volunteer or intern where you would like to work.
Then after grad school take the Bar Exam. Again there is a lot of help such as work books and classes.
The first step is the get the undergraduate degree out of the way. Talk to admissions and counseling about the type of undergrad degree you should do. Sociology, business and accounting might be the answer amongst others.
Then you need too take the LSAT. There is a lot of help books and prep classes that you can take.
After that take a look at the law school that fits your needs. There are online tours but I think going in person to the campus works out better.
Apply for financial aid. The window to apply starts in October 1st.
During law school try to work, volunteer or intern where you would like to work.
Then after grad school take the Bar Exam. Again there is a lot of help such as work books and classes.
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hey Tevisha! How exciting that you're living in the amazing city of NYC! You have a fantastic opportunity to gain some firsthand experience by walking over to 60 Centre St and watching a trial. When you're there, you'll see that lawyers come in diverse sizes and shapes, which just goes to show that *anyone* can excel in this field.
As you embark on this journey, remember to enjoy your time in school. Work hard, achieve good grades, and be proactive in giving back to your community. This will not only help you get into a great school but also build your character.
Above all, embrace your uniqueness! Being true to yourself is the secret ingredient to becoming a fantastic lawyer. Believe in your abilities, make the most of every day, and everything else is bound to fall into place. You've got this! Best of luck chasing your dreams! 😊
As you embark on this journey, remember to enjoy your time in school. Work hard, achieve good grades, and be proactive in giving back to your community. This will not only help you get into a great school but also build your character.
Above all, embrace your uniqueness! Being true to yourself is the secret ingredient to becoming a fantastic lawyer. Believe in your abilities, make the most of every day, and everything else is bound to fall into place. You've got this! Best of luck chasing your dreams! 😊