Law school programs are designed on a three-year curriculum that occurs after you have completed your undergraduate studies. During the first year, the school will likely determine your classes. The first year is competitive and stressful. Teachers will challenge you with massive workloads and difficult cases. During the second year, you can pick your own courses, and in the third year you can pick up an internship in addition to your studies.
While in law school, you will study some of the most landmark court decisions in United States history. You will also study obscure and otherwise less noteworthy cases that your professors deem to have educational value. Expect to spend a lot of time reading court documents and case briefings, and even more time preparing your own. In class, you will often engage in debates with your teacher which are designed to challenge your thinking process and understanding of the law.
Depending on where you intend to study, your tuition for law school could run you as much as an undergraduate degree. With tuition, housing, food, books, and other supplies, you can expect to spend up to $150,000 on your law school education, according to Georgetown University's Career Education Center. You will likely need to pay for most of these costs through student loans.
Every law school in the United States must design its curriculum to match the standards set forth by the American Bar Association. This association determines what knowledge and skills are required of a lawyer, and you cannot practice anywhere in the country until you have passed the bar exam. The exam covers several aspects of the legal profession and is generally considered very challenging, even for students who have spent time preparing for the test.