Building a career as a lawyer is a task that requires a lot of study, hard work, endurance and above all, goal orientation. Because the average salary for a lawyer is quite lucrative, students flock to law schools, increasing competition.
Requirements to enter law schools
To start your career as a lawyer, it is imperative to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as Criminal Justice or Humanities and Social Studies. However, getting into the best law schools is quite a difficult task. For example, a high GPA (grade point average) of at least 3.0 or 3.5 is required to enter a school. Other requirements include:
- LSAT (Law School Admission Test): This is a 3-hour entrance exam that the applicant must take to enter law schools. The exam tests applicants in 4 different sections, two sections on logical reasoning, one on reading comprehension and one on analytical reasoning. There is also an experimental section, which although not graded, must be done very carefully. An admission committee will consider an applicant only if she has a score of at least 165 out of 180.
- Letters of Recommendation: Schools also evaluate candidates based on the letters of recommendation they receive.
- MBE and MPT: The Multi-State Bar Examination (MBE) is taken after graduating from a law school, before practicing law. This six-hour exam covers a variety of topics, with a relevant state document. The Multi-State Performance Test (MPT) is a state-specific exam that also covers different topics. This is usually taken with the MBE.
- Individual Statement: Individual statements are a reflection of the applicant’s personality and persuasiveness, a vital quality for an attorney.
Things to Know Before Enrolling in Law Schools
- High cost: While law schools typically charge more than $20,000 a year, private schools can charge tuition anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000 a year. To ease the burden, the student can try scholarships, grants, or take out a student loan.
- Hard work: Law studies require three years of continuous hard work, with a lot of legal research. The first year is also known as the most difficult as there are high chances of elimination for non-dedicated students.
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