A Juris Doctor (JD) degree provides legal education that equips individuals to practice as attorneys.1 It offers students the chance to become attorneys.1
Most law school courses use a Socratic method of learning, where professors encourage their students to participate in discussing assigned reading and court cases. Courses often cover criminal law and procedure; constitutional and property law; as well as legal writing.
You’re interested in the law
Are You Applying to Law School? It is likely because of a strong passion for law. Law school is an intensive academic experience that will test even the most talented and prepared student; competition among law schools may make admission hard to come by, so having a clear reason why you want to attend will help ensure success in law school.
As this will aid in crafting an impressive application and communicating your interests to an admissions officer, this step can also be invaluable in crafting an engaging essay or essay about yourself that communicates your passions to them. Many bright applicants cite generic themes like helping people or working for government as goals to pursue. While admirable goals, such goals may appear too generic when reviewed against hundreds of applications daily by an admissions officer.
An undergraduate student can best demonstrate their interest in law by participating in pre-law clubs and societies as an undergraduate. An internship provides you with experience of everyday legal practice; many schools also offer Master of Laws (LL.M) programs which enable you to specialize in an area of the law. Finally, visiting potential law schools to see where you fit on campus and if three years could be an option is important – GPA/LSAT scores will always take precedence, however other factors such as extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, personal statements etc can give applicants an edge over similarly qualified applicants.
You’re a good student
Law school is not an easy degree to earn; maintaining a high GPA in undergraduate classes, excelling on the LSAT exam and successfully passing the bar exam are all tough hurdles that must be cleared to become a lawyer. But if you possess all of the academic credentials needed to gain admission and believe law can have a positive influence in the world then pursuing law as a profession may be worth exploring further.
As a student, you will become immersed in the legal system, developing critical thinking and analytical reasoning abilities along with writing abilities such as legal writing and persuasive writing – invaluable skills that you will use throughout your professional career.
As part of your classroom learning, you will also form strong networks among fellow students and professors. Your classmates may become future colleagues that provide invaluable support and advice in your law career. Your professors can serve as invaluable resources – from providing job leads to giving feedback on assignments or papers. Be sure to treat all individuals with dignity; their responses reflect on you professionally as an attorney.
You’re willing to work hard
As a prospective law student, one of the key questions you need to pose yourself is whether or not you’re willing to put in extra work. Law school may not be for everyone and can be challenging if you don’t have enough time or energy for attendance; but if you do put in enough effort and graduate successfully with your degree, the rewards can be significant.
Students typically choose law school to advance their careers and acquire an edge over competitors in the workplace. Employers often pay more for candidates with a J.D. for mid-level management roles.
Law students are also expected to engage in extensive reading and writing. Students often need to read casebooks that compile court opinions related to specific areas of law before using these as the basis for analysis and synthesis in class. Law students will then need to extrapolate broader legal principles from these cases before applying them to another set of facts in class.
If you want to attend law school, it is advisable to spend your undergraduate years laying the groundwork for application. This might involve majoring in subjects that relate to law such as political science and public administration. Furthermore, speaking to current students or recent graduates about their experiences would also be beneficial, as would visiting campuses and sitting in on classes when possible.
You’re a risk-taker
Are You an Ambitious Risk Taker Who Wants to Make an Impact in the World? Becoming a lawyer could be just what’s needed! By following your passions and creating meaningful change through working closely with people to solve real world problems. Additionally, specialization may exist in environments, animals or children advocacy, in addition to non-legal jobs in law such as policy analysis for Congress or think tank roles.
Law school applicants often already boast impressive achievements, whether in academics, exemplary grades, rockstar LSAT scores, or other areas such as overcoming major life challenges. Law school admissions “predictor” calculators often give strong odds of acceptance at top law schools even if your undergraduate GPA and LSAT scores don’t quite measure up to these standards.
Clerking on a federal court, such as the Supreme Court of the United States, can also be an invaluable experience, offering you a chance to form close ties with an esteemed judge while witnessing firsthand how courts work.