Are you interested in a career as a lawyer in the USA?
Perhaps you have always wanted to become a lawyer, or perhaps after recent events, you are just now entertaining the idea of becoming a lawyer in the U.S. Well, this is a great goal that requires commitment, passion, and effort.
Studying law can open many doors – people who obtain a law degree can go and practice law as an attorney, but they may also find careers in other fields such as politics, diplomacy, economics, business, technology, and education.
The rewards are plenty, but before you embark on this journey, you must understand your goals and what it will take to achieve them.
The admissions process for law schools in the U.S. can be a bit complex, and for some students, it can also be intimidating. So, let’s explore more about the law school application and admissions process.
Law School 101
In several countries, students start their law studies right after high school or secondary school. Most universities in other countries only require a high school diploma or the equivalent in that country to admit students to their law faculties.
Studying law in the U.S. is quite different from the international format. Law is a professional program, the equivalent of a graduate degree in other parts of the world. You must have a bachelor’s degree before applying to a law degree program in the U.S.
Law schools are part of public or private universities that grant Juris Doctor (J.D.) degrees. Law schools may also grant other graduate law degrees such as Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees for students who have already obtained their Juris Doctor.
The J.D. Program
The Juris Doctor (J.D.) program typically lasts 3 years for full-time students and 4 years for part-time students. First-year (1L) students usually take courses in legal writing, contracts, torts, criminal law, constitutional law, and other courses.
Most students feel that their first year is the hardest and the most intense because of all the core courses, exams, and the Socrates method. This is a method used in most law classes where students are cold-called by the professor to state a case or respond to a case-based question.
Although some international students may be scared to speak up in classrooms, most foreign students do fine in these classes. Many classes are divided into smaller sections for courses such as Legal Writing. Students should use this opportunity to meet classmates, make friends, and practice speaking in front of an audience.
Most second-year students (2L) focus on other activities such as Law Review, Moot Court, and other extra-curricular activities that offer a lot of practice. This is extremely important for most 2L students since they need to start looking for legal internships for the summer months between the second and third years.
These internships are very important since some of them will lead to full-time employment after graduation.
Law Specializations and Bar Exam
Third-year students (3L) focus on taking electives such as international law, immigration law, antitrust law, intellectual property law, and other courses that serve as specialization courses.
Third-year students also focus most of their time on obtaining employment and studying for the bar exam.
In the U.S., a Juris Doctor (J.D.) is not enough to practice law. J.D. graduates must take the bar exam for the state where they plan to practice. See the American Bar Association (ABA) for more information about American Bar exams.
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Law School Application
Before we learn about the application process, it’s important to choose a few law schools that meet your criteria.
Law School Rankings can help, but you should definitely visit the schools’ websites, tour the campus, talk to current students and graduates, and learn as much as you can.
Practicing attorneys and law school counselors usually suggest that students attend law school where they intend to practice. Laws in the U.S. are different in every state, so students should keep that in mind.
You may also like: Top 10 International Law Schools in the U.S.
What are the requirements to apply to law school?
1. A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent (4-year university degree) in any subject. Yes, you can be a Spanish major or an Engineering major and still be eligible to apply to law school.
2. Register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) – Nearly all ABA-approved law schools (and some non-ABA-approved schools) require that their applicants register for and complete their applications through the CAS.
3. LSAT scores
4. Recommendations
5. TOEFL scores if English is not your native language
6. Financial documents showing proof of funds for the academic year. You only need this if you are applying for an F-1 student visa.
If you are still really interested in going to law school, here are some things you can do next:
1. Check out the LSAC website for more information about Law Schools
2. Check out Law School rankings
3. Go and talk to some lawyers and research what it’s really like to be an attorney and practice law
4. Check out the websites of a few law schools and research their admissions requirements
5. Start studying for the LSAT
Teachers, students, and reviewers all agree: The LSAT Trainer is the most advanced and effective LSAT prep product available today.
Denisse Romero
Denisse is a global education and communications consultant, as well as the main person behind MacQuil. As an international mentor and frequent traveler, she enjoys sharing information to help anyone travel, study or work abroad.
Denisse holds a Master's in Management from GWU, a Master's in Education from Harvard University and an Executive Coaching Certificate from the University of Cambridge.
