So you want to go to Law School. What now?

Check out our FAQ for common questions every Law School applicant stumbles upon.

What do I need to do in order to apply?

The first thing you should do is open an account on LSAC.org. This is the portal through which every prospective law student will send their information to law schools so that they can participate in the application process. The required documents vary from law school to law school, but in general you will need to send your official university transcripts, a few recommendation letters, your LSAT scores, and a personal statement. All of these are extremely important, but due to the number of applications law schools receive every year, LSAT scores are considered to have the most weight.

What is the LSAT?

The LSAT is a 3-hour exam designed to test your abilities in reading comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and writing. It is usually composed of five sections, with two sections in logical reasoning, one section in reading comprehension, one section in analytical reasoning, and one control section - each 35 minutes long. As of 2020, due to coronavirus converns, the typical LSAT has been replaced by the LSAT Flex, a fully online exam composed of a single logical reasoning section, one reading comprehension section, and one analytical reasoning section.

How long - and how - should I study for the LSAT?

Although the average law applicant studies for around three months to prepare for the LSAT, most specialists advise you to study for at least six months.  This is because the LSAT is an exam in which you can improve your score dramatically with preparation. Typically, the first thing to do is take a diagnostic test to understand in which areas are your strongest and which you should work on more. From there, design your own schedule according to your availability and specific needs. Khan academy offers a free study plan with webinars, practice drills, and ten free practice tests. To focus on learning about specific sections and strategies, Powerscore and LSAT Demon have books focused on each of the sections. For advanced drilling resources, 7sage is the most popular service.

When should I apply?

Law School applications open around October and close around January for seniors who want to start their JD in the Fall right after their graduation, but those who submit their applications earlier in the cycle have higher chances to be accepted. You want to send those apps in as early as possible, so avoid procrastinating! At the same time, it has become increasingle common for applicants to take a gap year and gain some professional experience before entering Law School. Each prospective law student has a different trajectory, so instead of comparing yours to others', focus on your own personal goals.