Law in the US

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Is Law School Right for Me?

Prior to entering law, most people have had very little exposure to the profession apart from what is depicted in the media. Yet law is a costly and demanding course of study and should not be entered into lightly. Before you apply to law school, it is helpful to evaluate your skills, interests, and goals to see if it would be a good fit. For example, you should ask yourself:

The cast of Law & Order

It would also be beneficial to try to learn more about the field. You can do this by conducting informational interviews with attorneys and law students, shadowing a lawyer you know, visiting law schools and auditing classes, attending civil or criminal proceedings, or securing a law-related internship. You should try to learn what a typical day is like, the benefits and drawbacks of that career, and the skills necessary for the job. Additionally, you should familiarize yourself with current and future trends by reading newspapers, magazines, journals, websites, and blogs to give you an overall understanding of the profession.

Once you’ve decided law is for you, you should consider the areas of law that you find most interesting to make sure you look at schools that emphasize these areas. Some potential fields include environmental law, government, employment law, intellectual property, public interest/human rights, corporate law, and international law.

Overview of the JD

The Juris Doctor (JD) is meant for those who wish to practice law or work in the legal field in the US. It is a postgraduate degree that requires three years of study. You must have earned your bachelors degree before entering law school.

The first year is structured with mandatory courses like civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and procedure, legal method, legal writing, property law and personal injury law. It may include mock trials where students argue cases against one another.

During the second and third years of study, students have more flexibility to choose electives that meet their interests in addition to their required courses. Courses may include evidence, civil litigation, taxation, wills and trusts, administrative, corporate, commercial, family, environmental and international law.

It is essential to gain work experience while you are in law school. During your first year, you may take a clinical or externship course that allows real or simulated work with clients. The opportunities vary by school but typically involve on-site clinics with minor clients, an external clinical placement at a law firm or public agency, or a course with simulated clinical work. Students usually gain additional experience through summer internships and clerkships. The most crucial being the summer between the second and third year of law school.

Academic Preparation

Law students come from all different backgrounds and walks of life. While some individuals go directly from undergraduate school, others take a few years off. Law schools accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) accept candidates from diverse backgrounds and varied academic disciplines.


"The ABA does not recommend any particular group of undergraduate majors or courses that should be taken by those wishing to prepare for legal education; developing such a list is neither possible nor desirable. The law is too multifaceted, and the human mind too adaptable, to permit such a linear approach to preparing for law school or the practice of law. Nonetheless, there are important skills and values, and significant bodies of knowledge, that can be acquired prior to law school and that will provide a sound foundation for a sophisticated legal education." (Recommendations of the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.)


There is no formal curriculum for students wishing to go into law. Instead, the ABA and its 183 law schools look for applications from well-rounded students who have taken a challenging course load. Preference is given to students who exhibit strong analytical skills, persuasive, clear and concise writing and speaking abilities, and logical reasoning.

Barack Obama teaching at the University of Chicago Law School

While there are not any required pre-law courses, ABA law schools recommend students take at least one course in several of the following areas:


Additionally the ABA suggests a strong candidate should possess the following core skills and values:


General Knowledge

In addition to the fundamental skills and values listed above there are some basic areas of knowledge that are helpful to a legal education and to the development of a competent lawyer. Some of the types of knowledge that would maximize your ability to benefit from a legal education include:


How Can I Prepare for Law School?

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  1. Focus on your studies and try to get the best marks possible. One bad term will not disqualify you from law school but try using resources like advising, counseling, and tutoring if you need extra help.
  2. Establish strong relationships with your lecturers, professors, and advisors. This will help you when you are asked to provide letters of recommendation.
  3. Engage in the St. Andrews community. Your application will be judged by your extracurricular activities as well as your academic credentials. Admissions officers look favorably upon applicants exhibiting leadership, initiative, and commitment.
  4. Explore the world of law. Speak with current law students and practicing lawyers. Participate in internships and job shadowing opportunities to get a feel for the field.

Where Should I Apply?

Develop a list of 10 to 15 schools at which you think you can have a reasonable chance of acceptance. You should research the programs, faculty, curriculum and other school specifics instead of simply relying upon prestige or reputation. Keep in mind your personal needs and professional goals, as the most highly ranked law school may be a poor fit for you. It is also important to be realistic about where you are likely to be admitted. You can use grades and LSAT scores as a benchmark for this purpose.

You should consult The Boston College Online Law School Indicator as well as the websites of each individual law school.

The Application Process

LSAT

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) was developed by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) to measure your ability to reason and think analytically and to predict potential success at law school. This mandatory test is divided into three sections: logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension. The exam consists of five 35-minute sections (one of which is experimental) and a 30-minute writing exercise. The writing sample is not scored but is sent to every law school to which you apply. Some admissions officers do consider the writing section in their decision process. Scores range from 120 to 180 points. This standardized text is offered four times a year, in June, September or October, December and February. You can register for the test online.

If you plan to attend law school right after college, you should take the exam in June of your third year to allow you to take full advantage of rolling admissions and early decision opportunities. It also gives you more time to determine the pool of schools to which you’re applying. However, you can take the September/October test in your final year and still be assured your scores will reach admissions in a timely fashion.

If you plan to take time off before attending law school, you may want to wait to take it after graduation when you have more time to prepare. Scores are usually valid for five years.

Test Preparation

You should be well-prepared for the LSAT. It is recommended that you take the test only once. If you need to take the exam multiple times, you should be aware that your scores may be averaged and schools will see all of the dates for which you sat the exam (including “no shows” and cancelled tests).

You should make studying for the LSAT a priority. There are many different ways to prepare for the test, but many people find taking practice tests is the best way to study. You can obtain copies of “disclosed” tests on the LSAC website. Additionally, you can take preparatory course through Princeton Review, Kaplan, and Binary Solution (in New York). The Fulbright Commission also has a list of test tutors and educational consultants.

LSDAS

The Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) assembles the data relevant to your application and passes it along to the law schools to which you apply. All law schools require you subscribe to LSDAS in order to be considered for acceptance. A complete LSDAS report includes your transcript(s), cumulative GPA, LSAT scores, recommendation letters, the writing sample from your LSAT, and information from your registration forms. It may include the mean GPA and LSAT scores from your institution(s).

Information from other institutions you attended, such as grades from study abroad courses, will be combined so that grades that were not part of your undergraduate GPA will become part of your GPA in the LSDAS report. In addition, the LSDAS will combine your cumulative GPA and LSAT score in an index that is used in the admission process.

You can register with LSDAS online on the LSAC website. You should subscribe no later than September of the year in which you plan to apply (subscription is for one year). LSDAS takes time to process your report before the application deadline. Be sure to carefully and accurately complete all of the forms.

Filling Out the Application

U.S. Constitution
Paper applications are still acceptable, but most law schools prefer online applications through LSDAS. If you are using a paper application, make sure you write neatly or use a typewriter. Keep a copy of all application materials for your records.

Answer any application questions in a straightforward manner. Provide complete information in response to questions concerning your academic conduct and criminal record. Law schools and state bar jurisdictions require full disclosure.


How should I respond when law schools ask about class rank?

St. Andrews does not provide a class rank for its students. If you are asked to provide your class rank, you may write N/A.


How should I respond when law schools ask about the other law schools to which you are applying?

You should answer this question honestly, but you do not have to send an exhaustive list, just an accurate representation of where you’re applying.


Should I include a resume?

Yes, you should submit a resume with your application. It should be professional and informative.

Application Expenses/Fee Waivers

Expenses

Applying to law school involves several different fees. You need to be prepared to pay LSDAS registration fees and LSAT exam fees on top of the application fees for the schools to which you are applying. Law school application fees typically range between $50 and $100. Most schools tend to be at the higher end of this range, though schools affiliated with state university systems can be at the lower end.

Fee Waivers

American and Canadian citizens who currently receive financial aid can apply for application fee waivers. To do so, please visit the LSAC website to complete the online application (available each September) or download the form for hard copy submission. You will be required to provide a copy of your financial aid status statement. Alumnae will need to provide the previous year’s tax information.

The form takes some time to fill out and LSAC requires six weeks for processing. Additionally, the service is very stringent about its policies. Therefore, you should be realistic about your chances of receiving a waiver.

Dean's Certification

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Some law schools ask for a statement of good standing, or Dean’s Letter/Certification, from all undergraduate and graduate institutions where you are or have been a full-time student. This varies by school, so check the requirements of each law school to which you are applying before submitting this letter. In most cases, it is submitted to provide information about past and current difficulties, such as academic or disciplinary probation.

If you need a Dean’s certification, you should email the Registry. In your email, you should list your name, student ID number, and the type of form you are requesting.

If you have attended schools other than St. Andrews, you will most likely need a separate Dean’s Letter from each of those institutions. Please check with the law advisor or Dean’s Office at each of these institutions for their procedural requirements.

It takes about three weeks to have a Dean’s Letter put on your file after it reaches LSDAS. Make sure you have opened a Credentials file before submitting a request.

Personal Statement

The personal statement is a way in which schools can assess your personal values, interests and character. Since most schools do not provide interviews, this is the way Admissions Officers get to know you as an applicant. Therefore, the essay should introduce you as a person. It also allows the Admissions Committee to evaluate your writing skills and communications abilities. Your statement must be clear, concise, well-organized and focused. It should also be persuasive and distinguish you from other candidates.

The personal statement is an opportunity to share your strengths. This is where you can discuss significant accomplishments, contributions, and experiences that are not addressed elsewhere in your application. It should not be used to explain, apologize for, or defend negative parts of your application, like a poor academic record or LSAT score. The appropriate place to do this would be an addendum, not in the personal statement.

Your personal statement should showcase your strong writing abilities. Make sure you use correct grammar and spelling. Vary your sentence structure. Some law schools will ask for it to be two pages long whereas others will set word limits, such as 500 words. In either case, so long as it is engaging, it is not problematic to slightly deviate from this guideline. Your essay should be double-spaced with appropriate margins and in 11 or 12 point font.

Recommendations

Most law schools require you to submit two letters of recommendation with your application. Law schools prefer academic references for applicants still enrolled in college or recent graduates (one to four years out of school). These are typically written by faculty members who know your intellectual capabilities and can comment on them in great detail. The recommender should be willing and able to take the time to write a thoughtful and thorough letter. It is advisable to select someone who knows you well and thinks highly of your abilities. In general, it is better to ask a faculty member with whom you took several classes and received the equivalent of a “B” than a faculty member that gave you an “A” but doesn’t know you well. While it can be beneficial if the recommender is well-known in his or her field, it is only helpful if this person can comment on your work and skill set in great detail. It is better to have a strong and detailed letter from a teaching assistant than a couple impersonal lines from a famous professor. You should try to select recommenders who have seen you in other relevant activities and can compare your achievements and strengths to other students.

You should try to contact your potential referee in person, if possible, when asking if he or she would be willing to write you a letter. If not, a phone call is appropriate. You should do so by email only as a last resort. It cannot be emphasized enough how important it is to get a sense from that person whether or not he or she is willing to write a letter for you. You should phrase your request in a way that enables the potential recommender to decline if he or she does not feel comfortable doing so. One way is to say, “Do you feel you know me well enough to write a letter of recommendation supporting my application to law school?” Do not pressure a potential recommender to write on your behalf. Typically, you will not receive a good letter from someone who does not wish to write one. A lukewarm recommendation can oftentimes do more harm than good.

After the recommender has agreed to write your letter, it is helpful to set up a meeting to discuss your career plans. Letters describing your suitability to a particular goal tend to be very effective. Remember goals are works in progress. You can discuss general interests as well as specific plans depending on your situation. It is helpful to provide your recommender with an updated resume, current transcript, a copy of a paper you wrote for his or her class, a list of extracurricular activities, and other relevant information that will give him or her a sense of you and your accomplishments.

During your meeting, it is helpful to mention your timeframe and to provide him or her with a “deadline” for which the letter should be submitted. Make sure you are flexible and accommodating but still realistic. As faculty members have busy schedules and many recommendations to write, you should ask for a recommendation the summer before your final year. After your initial request, it is fine to follow up by email or phone thanking the person for writing the letter and asking if he or she needs anything else. You should follow up appropriately but not excessively.

Since most law schools give more credibility to confidential recommendations, it is strongly suggested that you waive your right of access to the letter.

Submitting Letters of Recommendation

U.S. Supreme Court Justices

All law schools will accept letters of recommendation from the LSDAS. In some cases, law schools will still want you to have the recommender fill out the top portion of their forms and return it with the letter directly to the school (you should provide the recommender with stamped envelopes).

For LSDAS, you should provide the writer with the generic recommendation form available online. This form is submitted to LSAC, not to the school. The institution then requests your recommendation from LSAC once your application has been received. Most schools prefer to receive letters through LSDAS because they tend to be more reliable. If you’re using LSDAS, make sure a signed recommendation form is included with each letter. Allow two to three weeks for processing.

Most schools require two letters of recommendation but may accept up to four letters. However, more is not always preferable. Your recommenders should be chosen very carefully and additional letters should add something to your application. If you are sending more letters than required, you should list the two you want read the most where you list your recommenders. LSDAS will not process more than three letters.

If you have a letter that is school-specific, you can send that in addition to the LSAC generic forms. You can direct letters of recommendation to specific schools based on the number letters each school requires or the need to target certain letters to certain schools. Please refer to the Law School Admissions Council website for more information.

Let your recommender know when you plan to submit your applications. Check back with them to ensure they have submitted the recommendation letters on time. It is your responsibility to keep track of their status.

Academic Transcripts

LSDAS reports will include copies of your undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts. Law schools will evaluate your academic record very closely, paying special attention to the rigor, breadth, and depth of your undergraduate curriculum. Law schools expect to see strong performance in upper-level and/or graduate level courses. They will not be impressed with an abundance of introductory level courses. It is important to have a well-rounded and challenging liberal arts curriculum.

Law schools are interested in the trends of your grades. Some allowances are made for “off” semesters if there is significant improvement in subsequent semesters. Generally, an upward trend is looked upon more favorably than a strong start followed by poor upper year grades. Likewise, improvement after a change of major or leave of absence can have some bearing on how your grades are perceived. If you did have a problem semester or year, it is useful to submit an explanatory addendum with your application. This addendum should explain the nature of the difficulty and how you came to resolve it. This explanation should only be made in the addendum not in the personal statement.

You are responsible for sending all of your transcripts to LSDAS. You can obtain your St. Andrews transcripts by following the instructions available online. If you attended other undergraduate institutions for credit towards graduation, follow their procedures for obtaining a transcript and have it sent to LSDAS using the Transcript Request Form.

St. Andrews will send a grading sheet with your academic transcript that converts your grades here to the American scale.

Fall Semester Grades

If your grades for the fall semester are consistent with or better than previous semesters, you should send updated official transcripts to each of the law schools and to LSDAS. This can help make a difference in the admissions process.

The Admissions Process

U.S. Supreme Court
You should begin thinking about the components of your application the spring before you plan to apply. A completed application includes the following: an application form, personal statement, letters of recommendation, Dean’s Letter/Certification (only some schools), and an LSDAS report with your academic transcript(s) and LSAT score(s). These documents should be submitted by late-October/mid-November so they reach schools well before their application deadlines. Applying early will not guarantee admission or early notification, but it greatly enhances your chances of acceptance, particularly at schools with rolling admission.

It is solely your responsibility for getting application materials in on time. Keep track of all dates and make copies of all application materials (including checks). Be sure to leave sufficient time for recommendation letters to be written and Dean’s Letters/Certificates to be obtained.

You should receive notification from LSDAS within six weeks of submission. You can track your application status on the LSAC website. If you do not receive notification by that point and it does not appear online, you should call them to follow up. Their number is 1-215-968-1001. Press 0 to speak to a representative. If there is a processing error or delay that is no fault of your own, you should contact the individual law schools and inform them of the situation.

Some law schools may inform you that your application is complete. If you do not receive verification of receipt within two weeks of submission, you should contact the admissions office via email to check the status of your application. Most admissions offices cannot process status checks over the phone so please refrain from calling them.

You can monitor your application status online through LSAC.


Offers of Admission

You can expect to hear a decision by mid-April, if not sooner. Schools will ask you to submit a tuition deposit to secure your place by late April or early May. It is possible to ask for an extension of this deadline if you are awaiting financial aid information or have other timing concerns, such as an upcoming campus visit. Contact the Office of Admission to discuss this option.

To help you make your decision, many schools hold on-campus programs for admitted students. They are usually one or two-day events that offer campus tours, sample classes, panel discussions and opportunities to engage with current students. It is recommended that you either attend one of these events or visit the school independently before committing to a school.

Once you have made your decision, make sure to withdraw your offer of admission from all of the other schools that have offered you a place.

Hold and Waitlist Categories

If you receive a “hold” or are put or a waitlist, it is recommended that you write to the law school reaffirming your interest. You should include any academic or extracurricular achievements that have occurred since you applied. Send any supplemental information that will support your application, such as an additional letter of recommendation, an updated resume, fall grades or, if applicable, spring grades.

The number of people admitted off the waitlist varies from year to year. Sometimes you will not hear a final decision until late in the summer. You should remember to be patient and make sure your file remains current.

Choosing a Law School

You’ve been accepted. Now how do you make the decision on which school to attend? Here is a list of factors the ABA recommends you take into account:

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Additionally, here are a number of questions you should ask yourself before finalizing your decision:

Law School Resources & Links

Financial Aid Sites

Financial Aid Options for International Students

Opportunities for Minority and Underrepresented Students

Advice for International Students

International students looking to study in the US have to meet certain visa requirements to commence their studies. Some schools will require that you demonstrate your ability to support yourself during the period of your program. Funding varies from school to school and some universities are not able to offer substantial packages to foriegn students. Federal funding and other sources of aid may have restrictions based on nationality.


You should look at the number of international students enrolled in the programs to which you’re applying. Talk with current students and alumni about the availability of funding, the campus culture, the structure and demands of the program, and other areas of interest. Additionally, you should speak with the career center at each school to gauge the success of international students in securing employment, either in the US or in their home countries, after graduation.


Here are some websites that should be of assistance:

Career Options in the UK

You should check the professional association in your home country to see if a US degree meets requirements enabling you to practice law in your home country.

The US legal system has roots in the common law tradition of English law, however, as its primarily focuses on the US Constitution, UK nationals returning to the UK with a JD will have to qualify to practice law.

To qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, internationally-educated lawyers must pass the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT). It is administered by Central Law Training (CLT) and consists of four main areas: property, litigation, professional conduct and accounts, and principles of common law. Before sitting the test, all candidates must apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for a Certificate of Eligibility. The Certificate will statewhich of the main subject areas the candidates is required to pass and any requirement for further training. You should visit their website for more information and to register.

Organizations like the Law Society also provide information for international law graduates pursuing a career in the UK.

The Fulbright Advisory Service offers a number of resources on postgraduate study in the US, through its website, annual USA Grad School Day event and commercial partners.

Relevant Links

Practicing Law in the US

The LLM

To practice law in the United States, you typically need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree (application process described above) or a Master's degree in law (LLM). The JD is meant for those who wish to practice law or work in the legal field in the US. It focuses on American law. The LLM is meant for already qualified lawyers who would like to study a particular type of law. In either case, you also must pass the bar exam and have a legal right to work in the US.

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LLM programs are tailored to a candidate's interests and require a thesis or independent research. They are usually one year long and have concentrations such as taxation, international law, or comparative law. Some schools offer US comparative law or US legal studies to allow foreign law graduates to gain insight into the American legal system.

The ABA does not provide accreditation for LLM programs. Some schools require LLM applicants take the GRE exam. However, the GRE plays less of a role in the application process than the LSAT does for JD applicants.

Please note some LLM programs only offer admission to international applicants who already have an undergraduate law degree and are qualified to practice in their home country. Other universities will only require the candidate is qualified to practice in a common law country and, in some cases, has a few years of work experience.

For more information, please visit the Fulbright Commission website.

Other Degrees

The Doctor of Juridicial Sciences (SJD or JSD) and the Doctor of Comparative Law Studies (DCL) are both law degrees at the doctoral level. These are targeted towards individuals wishing to pursue an academic career in law.

Most law schools offer joint degrees in various disciplines. The most common are the JD/MBA or JD/MA in economics, international relations, public policy, or political science. These degrees take more time than the JD alone but less time than it would take to do each degree separately.


Qualifying to Practice Law

To practice law in the US, you must have the legal right to work in the country and be admitted to the bar in an individual state. This involves passing the state bar exam and any other exams required by that state's bar examiner. Most states only allow a student to sit the bar exam if the law school which awarded their JD was approved by the ABA. Students who have completed their LLM may be qualified to take the bar exam in California, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia. Each state's bar association sets the criteria for eligibility. Contact the bar association of the state in which you intend to practice law for more information, including test dates and sites.

In addition to the state bar exam, 47 states also require the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Other multistate exams include the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). The licensing process also involves assessment of an applicant's character and fitness to engage in the practice of law. The National Conference of Bar Examiners provides more information.

Job Search

Martindale.com is the one-stop employment resource to help attorneys, lawyers, paralegals, law school students and legal professionals find legal jobs in local areas. Register for free access to legal articles, legal topics and to conduct comparisons of lawyer and law firm profiles.


Resources in the Careers Centre

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