What to Know Before Applying to Law School
Law schools challenge students in and outside of the classroom. Before enrolling in a J.D. program, law applicants should be aware of what the school environment will be like, how much it costs to get a law degree and what distinguishes one school from the next.
Here are five questions they should ask admissions and career experts about options for enrollment, hands-on learning and financing.
1. Time
How long does it take to become a lawyer?
Program Length
Students can complete law school in two years, three years or longer.
It depends on whether they attend an accelerated J.D. program, a traditional law program, a part-time program or a dual-degree program. Many law students are also in an MBA program, for example.
2. Preparation
What type of classes should undergraduate students take before sitting for the LSAT?
Academic Readiness
The Law School Admission Test, also known as the LSAT, tests prospective law students on their critical thinking, logical reasoning and writing skills.
College students can take a variety of undergraduate courses to improve in these areas, but experts highly recommend students take an LSAT preparation course or buy LSAT study materials.
3. Cost
How much does it cost to attend law school?
Price of Attendance
The price of a law education depends on several factors, including a school’s location, the amount of time a student is in school and whether a school is public or private.
The average tuition and fees for private institutions was $40,634 in 2012, according to the American Bar Association. At public schools, it was $23,214 for in-state students and $36,202 for out-of-state students.
4. Career
What do I need besides a J.D. to practice law?
Job Opportunities
After J.D. candidates complete law school, they must take a bar examination to become a licensed law professional.
Law school applicants shouldn’t put too much weight on a school’s bar passage rates for its graduates, but they should be aware that passing the bar can influence a student’s ability to get a job, experts say.
5. Job Training
How do law schools prepare students for the real world?
Experiential Learning
Many schools offer practicums or clinics — which allow students to work with real clients on cases — for students in their second or third year.
Clinics can focus on specific legal issues, such as immigration law or asylum issues, and one case can require a student to work on it for as many as 25 hours in a given week. Law school applicants should find out what type of experiential learning opportunities schools offer when deciding where to go, admissions experts say.
More on Legal Education
Learn more about applying to law school and get our complete rankings of the 2017 Best Law Schools.
For more advice and information on how to select a school, connect with U.S. News Education on Twitter and Facebook.
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5 Questions to Ask if You Want to Be a Lawyer originally appeared on usnews.com
