Students who hope to get into a top-ranked law school often worry that the school where they earned their undergraduate degree is not impressive enough for admissions committees. In most cases, however, your grade point average (GPA) is actually more important than the undergraduate institution where you study. While in college, work to maximize your GPA by taking classes in which you feel you can excel. Choose a major that interests you, not one that you think will look impressive on your record, because chances are you will earn higher grades in classes that capture your attention.
Besides your GPA, one of the main factors that admissions committees at top law schools consider when studying your application is your Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score. To earn as high a score as possible, you must prepare thoroughly for the exam. Visit any bookstore and you will find countless LSAT prep books, complete with practice tests. If you are particularly nervous about the LSAT, it may be a good idea to take a formal test preparation class with a professional instructor. Expert instructors are often aware of techniques that can help you excel on the LSAT, so a prep course may help better prepare you for the exam and set your mind at ease.
Though it can be overwhelming to complete applications to several law schools, it is important to take the time to write individual personal statements for each school. If you use the same essay for all schools, you may not adequately answer a school's specific questions. Writing a unique statement for each school also provides you with the opportunity to explain why a particular law school is a good fit for you, which can go a long way in conveying your interest in the school.
Most top-rated law schools require letters of recommendation with your application, and choosing the right people to write these letters may mean the difference between an acceptance or a rejection letter. Choose individuals who can speak credibly about your academic or professional career. Though your mother, cousin or best friend may have plenty of complimentary things to say about you, admissions committees likely will not be impressed by their letters. Instead, ask professors, work supervisors or other individuals who have supervised you while you served in a leadership role. Two to four letters of recommendation are generally required, and you may find it helpful to provide the individuals writing your letters with a brief list of projects or assignments that you completed under them to jog their memory.