Requirements to Study Law at a University

Bachelor's Degree

• A basic law school requirement is a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. If you choose to go the traditional route of majoring in pre-law, English or political science, that is fine. However, you can major in fields such as nursing, engineering or math and get into law school if you take a variety of courses, along with honing your research and writing skills.

  A GPA of 3.25 is decent, but a higher GPA will improve your chances of admission. A candidate with a lower GPA may be considered but she would also need a high score on the LSAT.

LSAT

• Although there are six section on the LSAT, you will receive one overall score; the sections are as follows:

  1) Logical Reasoning 1
  2) Logical Reasoning 2
  3) Logic Games
  4) Reading Comprehension
  5) Experimental Section
  6) Writing Sample

  When you receive your test results, it will include your overall score, ranging from 120 to 180; a range of scaled scores above and below your score; and a percentile score.

  Each law school has an LSAT score that they consider to be superior. You do need to know that approximately 12.5 percent of LSAT takes score 162 or better, another 12.5 percent score less than 142, while 75 percent score between 142 and 162. These statistics give you a basis of comparison, so you will know whether your scores are competitive.

Personal Statement

• You should tailor your personal statement to your audience, which includes admissions officers, professors and students. Your essay should demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the law profession. The essay should have a strong introduction and conclusion, and there should be a logical progression in the six to 10 paragraphs; it is worth writing, rewriting and getting a professional to edit it, if necessary.

Letters of Recommendation

• Many law schools require two letters of recommendation but will accept up to four. Letters from professors or employers are acceptable, and you should supply your letter writer with all they need to write an excellent letter, including the following:

  1) a copy of transcript
  GO
  2) a copy of work from professor's class (with comments)
  GO
  3) a copy of resume
  GO
  4) a copy of personal statement (if written)
  GO
  4) a signed Law Schools Admissions Council (LSAC) letter of recommendation form (if you are using their service)
  GO
  5) any institutional forms that need to be filled out; and
  6) a stamped, addressed envelope.