Is it your dream to make the world a better place? Being a lawyer is the dream of many, and if the public good is what you’re for, you should know that the path isn’t an easy one. The field of law is full of landmines, long hours, and hard work. While rewarding, it can be incredibly challenging.
Here are a few tips to make the entire journey easier:
Choose realistic law schools (and a few reaches)
Everybody wants to go to the best law schools, maybe even the Ivy League, but this isn’t always realistic. To get into the best of the best, you need to be the best of the best. Maybe you are. But finance can also be a struggle. Be sure to choose a university that makes sense for you and that fits into your budget.
Get registered for the LSAT ASAP
Every aspiring law student must take the LSAT or the Law School Admission Test, which is administered by The Law School Admission Council. It is a standardized test that takes a few hours to complete. No pressure, but it essentially determines if applicants are fit to join their selected law schools. The test is administered seven times a year in test centers all around the world, so if you’re looking to apply, you will need to check the dates and register for the LSAT 10-12 months in advance.
Many law schools advise students to take the test in December when applying for fall admission. However, it is best to take it anywhere between June-October of the previous year because many seats might already be filled by the time your scores reach the admission center.
Have a plan for studying for the LSAT
One of the best things you can do to prepare for the LSAT is to practice as often as you can. You can find classes online, as well as local lessons and private ones, for more interaction. As early as possible, set aside study time and pick the best material you can come across either from friends or from online. Additionally, to help you with your practicing, you can also find apps, practice tests, and practice courses to get you ready for the final test.
Full-length practice tests can help you figure out what your weak areas are and how you can make up for it. Even when you’re studying, make sure to focus on the Logical Reasoning section because it contains more than half of the entire test score.
Make sure your GPA is up to snuff
Almost every top law school requires a high GPA or something close to perfect, so make sure that you don’t forget your classes while you are preparing for the LSAT. Even though you will have separate study time, you will still need to balance out your classes and any extra work or courses that you might take up to help strengthen your resume.
Getting into an average law school would require a minimal GPA score, but if you want to aim for the best, you will need to do your best. Do your research to determine what the GPA requirements are for your top school choices.
If all things are equal, having something extra helps
One of the main things you need to remember is that you are going to be competing for seats in some of the top law schools. Since many people will be competing for the same spots, having extra assets on your side can boost your chances of getting into the school of your dreams.
If you manage to get reference letters from your school teachers or essays, this can give you an added advantage. Work experience helps too because almost every student works part-time or as an intern to give their resume that extra heft.
Practice makes perfect
After you have registered and selected your exam dates, you will need to find material and start taking classes. If you think that you don’t require prep classes, you can take different tests or short courses online that help prep you. As with any test, practice makes perfect, and practicing with sample tests and courses can prepare you for the LSAT test.
