Getting Ready for Law School

Law schools aren't looking just for a high LSAT score. The best law school applications come about by taking the right steps from the beginning of your freshman year throughout your undergraduate experience. Here is a reference list of things you can do to enhance your chance of entering law school.

Broaden your academic horizons.

Take classes that will develop your reading, writing, thinking, researching, and analytical skills. If you hone these skills as an undergraduate you can focus your time in law school on the law. Build your writing skills by taking courses focused on writing. Lastly, take courses that will require you to become comfortable reading difficult material, because in law school critical reading, re-reading, and analysis will be essential.

Pick a "good" major.

A "good" major is a major you enjoy. Law schools like a level of diversity in their entering classes, and one way to achieve this is through diversity of undergraduate majors.

Talk to your professors.

Students who get to know their professors will get the most out of their undergraduate years. Pre-law students should feel especially motivated to develop personal relationships with professors, knowing that these relationships can lead to more knowledgeable, more compelling letters of recommendation.

Get involved.

Whether you are president of the fencing club, volunteer at your local church community, or are in student government, law schools seek students who do work outside of the classroom. Participate in activities you enjoy. There are no "right" activities to get admitted into law school.

Look ahead.

Ask yourself, "Why do I want to go to law school?" Evaluate your skills, values, and interests. Gather career information, look for internships. Look into different areas of practice, work environments, and what attorneys actually do. This will allow you to pick the best career path for you.

Balance your budget.

If you have many debts you may have trouble finding government loans for law school. Starting now you should watch how you spend your money by limiting credit card use and eliminating unnecessary expenses.

Keep yourself in check.

When law school graduates take the state bar exam, bar associations perform a background check. This is why many law schools want students to inform them of any misdeeds they may have been charged with in the past. So, offenses such as underage drinking or cheating can impact your life and career for years to come. Remember, you don't have to make excuses for a clean record.

Use the resources available to you.

Find organizations that will help you prepare for law school. The Law School Admission Council has videos for students available on its website (www. lsac.org), and The Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) organizes summer programs for minority students interested in law school (www.cleoscholars.com/index.cfm).

These ideas give you the best ways to get the most from your undergraduate experience while you make yourself a qualified candidate for law school.