Pre-Law
at Arizona State University

What factors are considered in law school admission decisions?

There are basically two factors involved in the law school admission decision: your grade point average and your score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Those who have sufficiently strong scores are admitted. Those who do not are rejected. Applications in the middle range are enhanced by excellent recommendations and by evidence of extracurricular activities, internships, and foreign travel. See Law School Admissions.

When should I take the LSAT?

Ideally, you should take the LSAT in June between your junior and senior years. Generally, you are less busy in June than you will be in the midst of a semester when the other test dates occur. Furthermore, if you don't score as highly as you had hoped, it is not too late to retake the test in late September/October prior to the fall in which you plan to enter law school. See Law School Admissions.

Should I take the LSAT for practice?

No, definitely not. Whenever any of your LSAT scores are reported, all of your scores are reported. So every score is important. However, if your first attempt was influenced by unexpected and unusual circumstances, you might want to consider retaking the test. See Law School Admissions.

Should a student take one of the commercial LSAT preparation courses?

Approximately 40% of law school applicants have taken a commercial prep course. Students who have taken them report that such courses do familiarize you with the format of the test and reduce your test anxiety. These students also report significant improvement in test scores. If you choose to take one of these courses, take it as near to the time of the actual test as possible.

Commercial prep courses are not going to harm you. On the other hand, if you have real discipline, they do not do anything for you that you cannot do for yourself. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) sells preparation packets (LSAT prep materials) that contain previously administered tests. Supplemented with a good prep book, you can prepare yourself quite well. Prep books can be found at virtually any college bookstore.

Perhaps most importantly, you are much more likely to sustain a preparation regimen if you have paid dearly for the opportunity. These courses can be very expensive. See LSAT Prep Tests.

No prep course is going to be able to develop your analytical or reading skills in three or four weeks. They can tell you about the reading, writing, and reasoning skills that will be tested by the LSAT, but no prep course can develop those skills for you. Therefore, you should seek out courses that will help you develop those skills over the entirety of your undergraduate education. See Preparing for Law School.

What major should a student choose?

Law school requires strong writing and clear thinking, not exhaustive preparation in a specific discipline. The ASU General Studies requirements and the other requirements of your college afford you the opportunity to gain these tools regardless of your major.

Undergraduate majors in history, political science, English, and economics are well represented in law schools. You should major in something you enjoy. If you enjoy what you're studying, you're likely to make better grades, which in turn will increase your chances of gaining admission to the law school of your choice. See Preparing for Law School.

Will a double major increase a student's chances of getting into law school?

No. A double major is fine if you want to complete two degrees and thereby gain a broader knowledge base. But the fact of having two degrees is irrelevant in terms of law school admission.

Are foreign languages required for admission to law school?

No. Learning a foreign language can sharpen your analytical skills and increase your understanding of English. But, strictly speaking, study of a foreign language has little impact on the admission decision.

Are pre-law students required to take specific courses?

No. Law schools are looking for students who can read, write, and think clearly and well. Some courses are better than others at helping you to develop these capacities. See Preparing for Law School.

When should I apply to law school?

In August/September, a year before you plan to enter law school, you should do three things: (A) write to law schools to obtain catalogs and application forms; (B) sign up for the October LSAT, if you did not take the June test; and (C) consult with your designated Pre-Law Advisor. Applications should be completed as early as possible, preferably in November or December. See Checklist for Juniors/Seniors.

How many law schools should I apply to?

As a general rule of thumb, you should apply to one or two schools to which you have an outside chance of being admitted, one or two where you will be very competitive, and one or two sure things. On average, students apply to about five schools. Keep in mind that each law school charges an application fee, so this may limit the number of law schools to which you apply. See Choosing a Law School.

Which are the best law schools?

This depends on a large number of factors. Obviously, some schools have better reputations than others, but that doesn't mean they are the best school FOR YOU. Some students are looking for small classes. Some law schools spend more time on courtroom training (advocacy training) than others do. Other schools may offer programs that focus more heavily on a particular area attractive to you, e.g., tax law, environmental law, immigration law. And, of course, private schools cost more than state schools. Be careful not to be overly influenced by all the lists purporting to rank law schools. Rather, you should examine a school's curriculum, size, location, and other salient characteristics important to you when deciding where you would like to go. This is a major life investment, so make your choice with great care. See Choosing a Law School.

How expensive is law school, and how can I pay for it?

Legal education is not cheap. State schools in general are less expensive than private schools. Tuition alone can range from a few thousand to almost $30,000 per year. After including housing, food, books, and personal expenses, the total for your legal education could be as high as $140,000. Limited scholarship resources are available, and every school will have a financial aid office to help you explore your options. Most law students borrow money to go to school; there are several loan programs. Assuming you have a good credit rating, you will be able to obtain a loan if you are admitted to an ABA-approved law school. See Financing Law School.

My GPA is low, but I really want to study law. What are my options?

If you are truly interested in studying law, there are several law schools nationally where competition for admission is not as great. This does not mean that the programs at these schools are easier, simply that they have different admission philosophies that allow more subjective evaluations of your ability to be successful. Your Pre-Law Advisor can help you to identify schools to optimize your chances of admission. Remember that how you use your legal education after law school will be determined more by the contacts and experiences you develop during your education, your personality, debt level, and personal aspirations than by the particular law school that you attend. See the Boston College Online Law School Locator.

What are some common backup plans in case I am not accepted at one of the law schools of my choice?

It is best to take some time off from school and work. Law school can remain an option in another three to five years, after you gain some experience in business. Sort out your personal strengths and interests, and investigate professional opportunities for yourself. Work experience will also make you far more competitive in the legal job market once you graduate from law school. Some students further investigate the field of law by becoming a paralegal. Paralegal educational programs exist, but some law firms hire bachelor degree candidates for a one- to two-year period and train them as paralegals. Ultimately, whatever you choose to do will add perspective to who you are; and, if you can articulate your experience well in writing, all of your accomplishments will strengthen your application for admission.

You also may want to reevaluate the law schools to which you applied. You may have set your original expectations far too high, and in reapplying you may need to set more realistic admission goals. If you are truly interested in studying the law, there is a law school for you, and it will give you the skills necessary to pass the state bar exam. Earning a successful living as a lawyer requires many attributes not taught in law school.

Some students consider graduate programs to improve their competitiveness for admission to law school. Not all law schools review this course work in the admission process, so be sure to be aware of the policy of the particular law school(s) in which you are interested.

One last option is to attend a less competitive law school your first year and look to transfer for the second and third year. This plan is generally only a good one for students who truly excel in their first year of law school and can pinpoint specific reasons why they were unable to be as successful in their undergraduate education.

Should I go straight to law school or take some time off?

It depends.... A typical 21-year-old senior with no professional experience may well be admitted to a prestigious law program but may not, ultimately, gain as much from law school as if he or she had waited awhile. On the other hand, several years in the working world may not guarantee admittance for an applicant with a mediocre undergraduate record or poor LSAT scores. Certainly, you will lose nothing by waiting (assuming that you spend your time gainfully). Quality time away can bolster an otherwise lackluster application and may add another facet to your experience in law school itself.

I'll be working next year. Should I apply now and defer, or wait until next autumn?

A law school is under no obligation to grant a deferral. Although many do so, it is certainly not as common as it once was. In general, it is wise to wait until your credentials are as strong as possible: the combination of a complete four-year transcript and some professional experience will certainly be helpful to law school admission committees as they evaluate your application.

For how long is an LSAT score usable?

Five years, although many law schools will not accept scores older than three years. Check the requirements of each law school to which you wish to apply.