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Law school
Usually how long does it take to become a lawyer?
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Andrew’s Answer
Seven years (**but keep reading!).... You first need to complete a bachelors degree (generally a four year program) followed by law school (ie a JD degree, which takes three years) and lastly the state bar exam wherever it is you decide to practice in the US. However, I would recommend taking a year or two between undergrad and graduate school to work. These years of professional experience before law school allow you to have a more matured perspective on life, a better understanding of working life and potentially a better understanding of yourself before committing to a major investment like law school. Plus, law school admissions teams love diverse professional backgrounds! It doesn't matter what you do either, just do it well and you'll find a way to connect the threads between that experience and what you want to do in law school/as a lawyer. So in short, don't rush things too much and get as much experiential learning as you can before and during school. Best of luck!
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Claudia’s Answer
Hi Jocelyn! It takes 7 years total (typically). To go to law school you need to get your bachelor's degree at a university and usually that takes 4 years although it can be done in less time if you have AP credits from high school or other college credits. After you finish your undergraduate degree you can go on to law school and for the most part that would take 3 years (although some law schools have accelerated programs where you can finish in less time).
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DENNIS’s Answer
Jocelyn: After you graduate from High School you need to go to college. Upon graduation from college(usually 4 years) you need to attend law school . Law school takes about 3 years to complete - you can go just nights which takes longer. After that you need to take the Bar Exam so you can practice in a state.
It's a long road but a road worth taking! Good luck.
It's a long road but a road worth taking! Good luck.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
jocelyn
Updated
Lexie’s Answer
The first step to becoming a lawyer is to get accepted and go to law school, where you will typically be in a program that is three years (full-time) or four years (part-time). After you successfully graduate from law school, you can apply to take a bar examination where you live/would like to practice law. You will need to apply for the exam, study for the exam, take the exam, and then await your results. If you successfully pass the bar examination, then you are able to be admitted to practice/sworn in as a lawyer (the final step - yay!).
To give you an idea of timing, I entered law school and completed law school in three years. I graduated in the spring, took the bar exam in the summer and received my results and was sworn in as a lawyer in the fall. So I would say four to five years in short!
To give you an idea of timing, I entered law school and completed law school in three years. I graduated in the spring, took the bar exam in the summer and received my results and was sworn in as a lawyer in the fall. So I would say four to five years in short!
Thank you for the advice, Lexie.
jocelyn