Here's How:
- Begin with the end in mind.
Ask yourself, "Where do I want to end up? Where do I want to practice? What sort of work environment am I interested in -- prosecutor, public defender, large law firm, solo practitioner, government?" These questions can help you pinpoint which law school program would best suit you.
Consider going to school in the jurisdiction in which you'd ultimately like to practice. It will let you get a three-year head start on creating professional relationships, which are crucial for career success.
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- Register and prepare for, and take, the Law School Admissions Test.
Give yourself plenty of time when selecting a test date, in the event you end up needing to take the test a second time.
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- Select your targeted law schools.
Begin to look at schools in the state and region in which you want to practice. Ideally, you want to select a mix of 6-10 schools: 2-3 schools at which your LSAT and/or GPA scores exceed the median, 3-4 with median scores similar to yours, and a few schools where the median credentials exceed your own.
Some suggest choosing the best (i.e., most highly ranked) school you can get into. This approach necessitates applying to at least a few schools which you believe might be a a bit "out of your league."
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- Apply to each selected school.
Keep a master list of your target schools and their critical dates (early admission, notification, and especially any deadlines). Separately calendar those dates; create "reminders" or "alerts" for each date of 1-2 weeks in advance.
For each application, you will need the application form itself, the required number of transcripts from undergraduate school, possibly a personal essay and a number of recommendations.
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- Figure out how you'll pay for law school.
Law school is an expensive undertaking. Very few students are able to get through all three years without some form of financial aid. Learn what's available, apply early, and arrange the best package for your needs.
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Tips:
Keep excellent records of your applications and LSAT registration. Make copies of every document before you mail it in; not only will it come in handy if something gets lost or misdirected, but it's good practice for your future career as a lawyer!
Allow yourself plenty of time for this process. While it's possible to take the necessary steps in a fairly short amount of time, the longer you leave yourself the more prepared you are likely to be.
Take excellent care of yourself and your health during this process. Get enough sleep, eat well, and get regular exercise. The body can react negatively to stress, and the last thing you need on the day of the LSAT is a stress-induced illness.
What You Need:
- Time
- Law school directory (there are plenty on the internet)
- Computer with internet access and printer
- Law school brochures (request directly from schools selected)
- Resource(s) for LSAT preparation (i.e., books, prep courses, etc.)