What to Know to Decide on Law School
Getting into and through law school typically requires years of hard work and lots of money. Many grads embark onsuccessful careers, but some struggle to find employment and pay off student loan debt, making the decision to go a very important one.
If you’re considering applying to a J.D. program, here are 10 questions that can guide your research.
1. Do I need to take the LSAT to apply?
The LSAT has traditionally been the standardized test used to help determine if an applicant will be accepted into law school. As legal education has changed, however, some schools have started to allow some applicants to enroll without taking the exam.
2. If I get a high score on the LSAT, am I guaranteed to pass a bar exam?
After getting a J.D., law graduates must pass the bar to become licensed practitioners — and passing the bar will expand a lawyer’s job opportunities.
Some state bar examinations are considered harder than others, however, and experts say a competitive LSAT score won’t always translate to success on a bar exam.
3. Do I need to go to law school to work in the legal field?
There are a number of jobs available that intersect with law but don’t require employees to have a J.D.
Legal enthusiasts can work in legal organizations as a communications manager or chief marketing officer, for example, says one expert. They can also work in functional roles in market research or pricing strategy.
4. Should I attend law school if I’m interesed in public policy?
A J.D. can lead to work in a various industries, such as health care or real estate. But for those interested in policy, a master’s in public administration or public policy may be a better fit, experts say.
That type of master’s degree can prepare someone to work as a city manager in a local government, policy analyst, budget analyst, program evaluator or program manager.
5. Will I need to specialize in a specific area of law as a student?
Many law students begin school without realizing what type of law they’d like to practice, but those who know which areas of law they prefer can use that as an advantage in the admissions process.
Experts say applicants can tailor their search to schools that focus on the areas of law they like. And once they enroll at one of these schools, an in-depth focus on a specific area of law can make them more competitive job applicants.
6. Will I get a six-figure salary with a law degree?
On everything from “Scandal” to “The Good Wife,” TV lawyers typically appear to be well paid. In reality, though, many new J.D.s make less than $100,000.
Most 2014 law school graduates made between $50,000 and $74,999, according to U.S. News data.
7. How much will a law degree cost?
School tuition and fees can vary depending on several factors, such as an institution’s status as public or private and whether a student attends full time or part time.
Negotiating financial aid packages and applying for scholarships can greatly reduce the cost, experts say.
8. Will classes be ethnically diverse?
Some institutions have high percentages of underrepresented minorities, such as the law schools at Florida International University and North Carolina Central University.
Law school experts recommend minority applicants speak with minority law students to learn about the environment at different campuses.
9. How competitive is the admissions process?
Since the Great Recession, there’s been a decline in the number of people pursuing law school. Some schools, however, are still flooded with far more applications than there are spots.
Georgetown University, for example, received 7,748 applicatons for fall 2015, according to U.S. News data.
10. How much does location matter when it comes to choosing a school?
Students who attend law school in the region they’d like to work can build their network sooner, experts say. And a strong network can be critical to finding employment after graduation.
J.D. candidates who attend highly ranked schools with a national reputation may have an easier time finding work outside of their school’s region.
More on Making a Law School Decision
Find out how to gauge if law school fits your career goals, and get our complete rankings of the 2017 Best Law Schools.
For additional advice and information on how to get accepted into law school, connect with U.S. News Education on Facebook and Twitter.
More from U.S. News
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10 Questions to Consider Before Applying to Law School originally appeared on usnews.com
