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How to Prepare for Law School

There is no single path that will prepare you for a legal education. Students come from all walks of life and educational backgrounds. Some enter law school immediately after completing their undergraduate studies. Others study law later in life, bringing with them experiences and perspectives gained from previous careers and courses of study.

How can you start preparing for law school?

Middle School Students

  • Keep your grades up: Grades aren’t the only factor that schools consider when accepting applicants, but they do matter.
  • Attend a summer enrichment program: The National Student Leadership Conference welcomes students from around the world to its middle school summer enrichment programs. Participants explore their interests through interactive, hands-on activities; go on exciting trips and tours; and develop the confidence and leadership skills required to achieve their goals.

High School Students

As you explore your interest in a legal education, here are some steps you can take:

  • Talk to your career counselor: A career counselor can recommend courses for you and help you choose your undergraduate school and major wisely. Your undergraduate education will have an impact on your law school opportunities.
  • Select challenging classes: Choose courses that will enhance your reading comprehension, writing, and analytical skills. By challenging yourself in high school, you will be better prepared to do well as an undergraduate, and therefore be more likely to succeed in law school.
  • Keep up your GPA: It’s not the only factor that schools consider when accepting applicants, but it matters.
  • Attend a law school event: Law schools all around the United States and Canada host events where you can learn about law school and law careers. Additionally, you’ll meet working lawyers, law students, and law school faculty. Visit Upcoming Events to see if an event is being hosted in your area.
  • Explore your many career options: Conduct online research about careers. Talk to law students and lawyers about their experiences. Find a mentor and take advantage of opportunities to volunteer, shadow, or intern with people working in the legal profession.
  • Attend a summer enrichment program: The National Student Leadership Conference welcomes students from around the world to its pre-college summer programs. Participants take part in hands-on simulations, leadership training, behind-the-scenes tours, and exclusive guest speaker presentations—all while living and learning on a real college campus.

First-Year Undergraduate Students

As you explore your interest in a legal education, here are some steps you can take:

  • Talk to your school’s prelaw advisor: An advisor can recommend courses for you to take, provide guidance on preparing for and taking the LSAT, and help you choose the right law schools to apply to.
  • Select challenging classes: Choose courses that will enhance your reading comprehension, writing, and analytical skills. By challenging yourself as an undergraduate, you will be better positioned to do well on the LSAT and in law school.
  • Keep up your GPA: It’s not the only factor that law schools consider when accepting applicants, but it matters.
  • Join a prelaw organization on campus: Many undergraduate campuses have prelaw student groups. They help you learn how you can become a competitive law school applicant. They also connect you to up-to-date news and resources on your campus and in your area. No prelaw group at your school? Start one yourself!
  • Attend a law school event: Law schools all around the United States and Canada host events where you can learn about law school and law careers. Additionally, you’ll meet working lawyers, law students, and law school faculty. Visit Upcoming Events to see if an event is being hosted in your area.
  • Explore your many career options: Conduct online research about careers. Talk to law students and lawyers about their experiences. Find a mentor and take advantage of opportunities to volunteer, shadow, or intern with people working in the legal profession.

Second- and Third-Year Undergraduate Students

As you continue to explore your interest in a legal education, here are some additional steps you can take:

  • Research law schools: In addition to speaking with your prelaw advisor, there are many online guides and sites that will help you determine which law schools might be right for you. LSAC offers a free searchable guide for ABA-approved law schools that is updated annually by the law schools themselves.
  • Attend an LSAC Law School Forum: LSAC Forums are held every year in cities throughout the country. These events allow you to meet admission professionals, prelaw advisors, and other experts from law schools and institutions, and attend workshops about the LSAT, the admission process, financing law school, and diversity in law school.
  • Visit a law school: Call the admission office and ask for a tour. Visit the school’s website, sit in on a class, and talk to alumni.
  • Begin preparing for the LSAT: Preparing for the LSAT actually helps you to hone your critical thinking and reasoning skills, which are necessary for law school. We encourage you to access free online Official LSAT Prep through LSAC’s LawHub and Khan Academy.

Fourth-Year Undergraduate Students and Beyond

As you complete your time on campus, continue to explore a legal education through the following steps:

  • Talk to your prelaw advisor: An advisor can provide guidance about the LSAT and help you choose the right law school for you. If you’ve already graduated, you can locate your prelaw advisor by contacting your undergraduate degree-granting school, or by establishing an LSAC JD Account, which will provide your advisor’s name and contact information.
  • Join a prelaw organization on campus: Even at the end of college, prelaw student groups can help you learn how to become a competitive law school applicant, and connect you with helpful resources on campus.
  • Attend an LSAC Law School Forum: LSAC Forums are held every year in cities throughout the country. These events allow you to meet admission professionals, prelaw advisors, and other experts from law schools and institutions, and attend workshops about the LSAT, the admission process, financing law school, and diversity in law school.
  • Visit a law school: Call the admission office and ask for a tour. Visit the school’s website, sit in on a class, and talk to alumni.
  • Begin preparing for the LSAT: Preparing for the LSAT actually helps you to hone your critical thinking and reasoning skills, which are necessary for law school. We encourage you to access free online Official LSAT Prep through LSAC’s LawHub and Khan Academy.
  • Explore your many career options: Conduct online research about careers. Talk to law students and lawyers about their experiences. Find a mentor and take advantage of opportunities to volunteer, shadow, or intern with people working in the legal profession.

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