In 2010, a study of U.S. law school matriculants determined that the most influential factors for students deciding to attend law school were a desire for a challenging and rewarding career, academic development and financial security.
Today’s law school applicants are different. As U.S. News & World Report noted, the 2022 LSAC matriculant survey showed that 70% of incoming law school students reported that social justice, aiding others, and boosting their communities were their chief reasons for attending. Today’s law school applicants are increasingly socially conscious, more mindful of others, stronger contributors in their local communities and on the whole, less driven by power and prestige.
Regardless of your reasons for considering law school and a legal career, it’s never too early or too late to starting thinking about how to best position yourself for the law school admissions process.
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HOW TO GET INTO LAW SCHOOL
Focus on your grades.
- High school and college students who know (or suspect) that law school is in their future don’t have courses to “waste” with pass/fail grades (which I call “GPA killers”) or grades that are Bs that could have been As. It can be useful to look up law schools that you love or that you’ve heard of and gauge what their most recent law school class profile shows for undergraduate GPA averages.
- NYU notes that for their Class of 2023 entering JD profile of 430 full time students, the undergraduate GPA 75th percentile was 3.96, 50th percentile was 3.90 and 25th percentile was 3.77.
- Request a copy of your transcript and evaluate it often versus waiting until the tail end of your college career.
Choose a major that aligns with your interests.
- Political science, history, economics and philosophy are not the only way. Plenty of students go on to law school with STEM backgrounds, engineering majors, chemistry lab experiences and more. The best major and minor for law school are those that you can excel in and that facilitate your work carving out strong faculty support and mentorship.
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Take tough classes and focus on writing.
- Don’t be afraid of assignments that demand a 20-page research or analysis paper. You can’t get feedback on or publish your writing from your coursework when you only have multiple choice exams. Law is a writing and reading-centered profession. Ever hear a law student or lawyer talk about late nights writing appellate briefs? College is where the prep for that starts.
Build your resume with intention.
- Students who have law school in their future should focus on their resumes right from when high school ends, if possible. Once your Common App days are over, your resume writing days begin. We help our students flip their activity sheet sections of the Common App into resumes so that as a rising college freshman, you can see what you have on your resume. What are you missing? What about pursuing a summer internship? Local community volunteering? Publications? On-campus club leadership? Research at the college level with a faculty mentor? Start plugging holes from your first term.
Attend a law conference.
- This can be good resume building but it’s also an eye-opening experience because you’ll be surrounded by peer scholars and working professionals who have or want a career in law. Many law school conferences and legal symposia are open to the public and some are virtual too. For example, a future law school applicant might want to attend the American Society of Comparative Law Annual Conference, (Oct. 17-19, 2024) at Texas A&M.
Build up your civic leadership.
- Volunteering in your local community isn’t a way to boost your resume. It’s also a way to initiate positive change, engage with community members, and leave an impact. I’ve had past students work with a local refugee crisis center, domestic violence women’s shelter, immigrant outreach center, historical societies, on political campaigns via Rock the Vote volunteering, and more. If you’re in Boston, perhaps that’s helping with apartment setups for newly arrived refugees and joining the “resettlement staff” here. In Phoenix? Here’s another example. In DC? Check out the nonprofit Vote Forward.
Know the stats.
- Law school apps are up and so is applicant diversity. The Law School Admissions council (LSAC) reported a 4% increase in applications to ABA-approved law schools in 2024 over 2023. Also, as law school applications are up, applicant diversity is up as well. For 2024, Black and Hispanic/Latino applicants were both up 8.5% and Asian applicants increased 4.7%.
ARE YOU A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT INTERESTED IN LAW SCHOOL?
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Many of the high school students we work with have their sights set on law school after college graduation. If you are one of these students, keep in mind that “pre-law/law” is not a major at most schools. Take the time to investigate exactly what aspect of law interests you (philosophy, history, government, etc.) and then cultivate those academic interests in high school and into your college years.
Focus on Academics: Law schools typically look for students with strong academic records. Focus on maintaining strong grades, particularly in challenging courses such as English, history, government, and debate.
Develop Critical Thinking Skills: Law school emphasizes critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving. Engage in activities that develop these skills, such as debate clubs, mock trial competitions, and philosophy classes.
Extracurricular Activities: Participate in extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. If these extras support your academic niche, all the better!
Cultivate Writing Skills: Strong writing skills are essential for success in law school and legal practice. Take writing-intensive courses and consider joining the school newspaper, literary magazine, or debate team to hone your writing abilities.
Build Relationships with Teachers and Counselors: Establishing strong relationships with teachers and counselors can lead to valuable recommendations when applying to college and later to law school. Seek their guidance and support throughout your high school years.
Prepare for Standardized Tests: Learning how to best prep for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT for college admissions will help you gain best study practices for when you have to prepare for the LSAT.
Research Colleges and Majors: Look into colleges that offer strong pre-law programs and advising or majors that align with your interests and goals. Consider factors such as faculty expertise, internship opportunities, and alumni success in the legal field.
Develop Time Management Skills: Law school demands excellent time management skills. Practice managing your time effectively by balancing academics, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and personal responsibilities in high school.
Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on current events, legal issues, and developments in the field of law. Reading newspapers, magazines, and online resources can help you develop a deeper understanding of the legal profession and its challenges.
As you consider your post-college career options, reflect on what it is about the legal profession that most intrigues you. Why do you want to become a lawyer? Who are lawyers you have known and what about their professional lives makes you gravitate to their roles? Their prestige, influence, transferrable skills, work environment, job outlook, options for career climbing? Applying to law school can be an overwhelming process. Career planning is about picking your passion and adding fuel to that via a degree, research, focus, and hard work. Let us help!
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