Welcome
Prospective
Student

Discover valuable insights on applying to law school and access tools designed to support your success every step of the way.

How To Apply

From Start to Submission

With personalized insights, practical tips, and expert guidance, we’re here to simplify the law school application process.

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RESOURCES

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Factors For Admissions

Law schools seek candidates who demonstrate potential, purpose, and the ability to thrive in a rigorous academic environment

Strong Academic Record

Grades are a significant consideration.

Personal Statement

Craft a compelling statement.

LSAT/GRE

A strong LSAT score is your best chance.

Financial Aid

Making Law School Affordable

Navigate the financial aid opportunities available to fund your path to law school success

Scholarships & Grants

Discover the many opportunities through scholarships and grants, reducing financial barriers to law school success.

Federal & Private Loans

Explore federal and private loans to finance your education, bridging gaps for law school success.

Work-Study Employment

Work-study employment helps offset costs while gaining valuable experience during your law school journey.

MONICA
Mensah

ASSISTANT DEAN FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER TALKS ABOUT FINANCIAL AID

anm
baylor
houston
smu
south texas
st. marys
texas tech
ut

Careers in Law

Paths to a Legal Career

The legal field offers a wide range of career opportunities, from serving as a judge or attorney in a prestigious law firm to shaping policy in government roles. 

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Examples of Classwork

Get a Glimpse of the Law School Experience

Explore what it’s like to study law with real examples of classwork. Dive into a syllabus, review engaging lessons, and hear firsthand insights from a law professor in an exclusive interview.

SYLLABUS

Explore an example of a detailed law school class syllabus to see how course structure, assignments, and key deadlines are organized.

LESSONS

Examine of a law school class lesson assignment to see how complex concepts are taught and applied in practice.

PROFESSOR INTERVIEW

Enjoy easy access to your cottage with ample space and secure parking areas, so you can focus on relaxing.

SPECIAL THANKS

This project was made possible thanks
to a generous grant from the
Texas Bar Foundation
TXBF.ORG

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APPLICATION TIMELINE

📅 18-24 MONTHS BEFORE LAW SCHOOL

• Research law schools and programs

• Accrue letters of recommendation

•Plan LSAT preparation strategy 

📅 12-18 MONTHS BEFORE LAW SCHOOL

•Take the LSAT (or plan for a retake if needed)

•Begin drafting your personal statement and other essays

•Request transcripts and letters of recommendation

📅 9-12 MONTHS BEFORE LAW SCHOOL

•Finalize your law school list

•Complete and review applications through LSAC

•Submit applications early (many schools have rolling admissions)

📅 3-6 MONTHS BEFORE LAW SCHOOL

•Compare financial aid offers and negotiate scholarships

•Visit schools and attend admitted student events

•Secure housing and finalize enrollment details

📅 1-3 MONTHS BEFORE LAW SCHOOL

•Prepare for 1L year: books, study strategies, networking

•Attend orientation and connect with future classmates

WHY YOUR GPA MATTERS

A high GPA is a crucial factor in law school admissions because it demonstrates academic discipline, intellectual ability, and consistency in handling rigorous coursework. Admissions committees view a strong GPA as an indicator of a candidate’s ability to excel in legal studies, where analytical thinking and precision are essential. While a high LSAT score can offset a lower GPA, maintaining a strong academic record increases competitiveness, enhances scholarship opportunities, and improves chances of admission to top-tier law schools.

MAKING A STATEMENT

A personal statement is a critical component of a law school application that provides applicants with an opportunity to showcase their unique experiences, motivations, and qualities beyond GPA and LSAT scores. It serves as a narrative-driven essay that helps admissions committees understand an applicant’s intellectual curiosity, passion for law, and personal journey leading to legal studies.

Key Elements of a Strong Personal Statement:

1.Compelling Introduction – Hook the reader with a personal anecdote, a thought-provoking statement, or an impactful moment that influenced your decision to pursue law.

2.Clear Motivation for Law – Explain why you want to study law and how your background, experiences, or values align with a legal career.

3.Personal Growth & Experiences – Highlight academic, professional, or personal experiences that shaped your critical thinking, leadership, or advocacy skills.

4.Connection to the School’s Values – If possible, tie your goals to a specific law school’s strengths, programs, or faculty.

5.Well-Structured & Concise Writing – Keep it within two pages, using a clear structure and compelling storytelling to keep the reader engaged.

6.Strong Conclusion – Reinforce why you are a great candidate for law school and how it aligns with your future aspirations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

•Clichés and generic statements (e.g., “I want to help people” without deeper explanation).

• Rewriting your résumé instead of telling a compelling story.

•Neglecting proofreading, leading to grammar errors or unclear writing.

•Lack of authenticity – admissions officers want to hear your genuine voice.

essential. While a high LSAT score can offset a lower GPA, maintaining a strong academic record increases competitiveness, enhances scholarship opportunities, and improves chances of admission to top-tier law schools.

SCORES SHAPE FUTURES

The Importance of LSAT & GRE Scores for Admissions

Standardized test scores play a crucial role in law school admissions, as they help admissions committees assess an applicant’s analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and reading comprehension skills—key abilities required for success in law school.

1. LSAT (Law School Admission Test)

The LSAT is the traditional and most widely accepted exam for law school admissions. It consists of sections that evaluate:

Logical reasoning – Assessing argument evaluation and critical thinking.

Reading comprehension – Testing the ability to analyze complex legal and scholarly texts.

Analytical reasoning (logic games) – Measuring problem-solving and structured thinking.

Writing sample (unscored but reviewed by schools).

Why LSAT Matters:

The LSAT is often the most heavily weighted factor in law school admissions.

Many schools use an index formula combining GPA & LSAT to rank applicants.

Higher LSAT scores (typically 160+ for competitive schools, 170+ for top-tier schools) improve admissions chances and scholarship eligibility.

A strong LSAT can compensate for a lower GPA in some cases.

2. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

Some law schools now accept GRE scores instead of the LSAT, offering applicants more flexibility. The GRE includes:

Verbal reasoning – Similar to LSAT reading comprehension.

Quantitative reasoning – Tests math and data analysis (not on LSAT).

Analytical writing – Assesses argumentative writing skills.

Why GRE Matters:

Allows applicants from other academic backgrounds (STEM, business, social sciences) to apply to law school.

Some law schools accept GRE scores to promote applicant diversity.

GRE is less logic-heavy than the LSAT, making it a preferable option for students stronger in verbal and quantitative skills.

Not all law schools accept the GRE, so it is important to check each school’s policy.

3. LSAT vs. GRE – Which One Should You Take?

Take the LSAT if:

You are targeting top law schools (LSAT is preferred at T14 schools).

You are confident in logic-based reasoning and analytical thinking.You want to maximize law school scholarship opportunities.

Consider the GRE if:

You are applying to both law school and other graduate programs.

You have strong quantitative skills and prefer math-based reasoning over logic puzzles.

Your target schools explicitly accept the GRE (Check LSAC’s list of GRE-accepting law schools).

cAREER PATHS

TRADITIONAL LEGAL CAREERS

Attorney (Litigation or Transactional) – Practice in civil, criminal, corporate, or other legal fields.

Judge – Serve in state or federal courts, interpreting and applying the law.

Public Defender – Represent individuals who cannot afford legal representation.

Prosecutor – Work for the government, bringing criminal cases against defendants.

Corporate Counsel (In-House Lawyer) – Provide legal guidance to companies and organizations.

Law Firm Partner – Lead a law firm, manage cases, and build legal teams.

Law Clerk – Assist judges in researching and drafting legal opinions.

Mediator or Arbitrator – Resolve disputes outside of court through negotiation and mediation.

GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY CAREERS

Legislative Counsel – Draft and analyze laws for government officials.

Policy Advisor – Work on legislative, regulatory, and policy issues for governments or think tanks.

FBI or CIA Legal Counsel – Advise on national security, surveillance, and criminal matters.

Compliance Officer – Ensure companies and organizations follow federal and state laws.

Foreign Service Officer/Diplomat – Represent the U.S. government abroad in legal and policy matters.

BUSINESS & CORPORATE CAREERS

Entrepreneur – Start and run a business using legal expertise.

Human Resources Manager – Handle employment law, workplace policies, and labor relations.

Risk Management Specialist – Assess legal and financial risks in corporate decision-making.

Contracts Manager – Draft, review, and negotiate business contracts.

Investment Banking or Finance – Specialize in mergers, acquisitions, and regulatory compliance.

EDUCATION & ACADEMIA

Law Professor – Teach at law schools, conduct research, and publish scholarly articles.

Legal Writing Instructor – Teach legal research and writing skills to law students.

Dean or Law School Administrator – Manage academic programs and student affairs.

Nonprofit & Advocacy Careers

Civil Rights Attorney – Work on issues related to discrimination, social justice, and equality.

Environmental Lawyer – Focus on climate change, conservation, and regulatory compliance.

Immigration Lawyer – Assist individuals with visas, asylum, and citizenship applications.

Nonprofit Director – Lead organizations advocating for legal and social causes.

MEDIA, JOURNALISM & COMMUNICATION CAREERS

Legal Analyst or Commentator – Provide expert legal opinions on TV, radio, and news outlets.

Legal Journalist – Report on court cases, legal issues, and government policies.

Author or Legal Content Creator – Write books, blogs, or educational content on law and policy.

TECHNOLOGY & LEGAL INNOVATION CAREERS

Legal Tech Consultant – Develop and implement technology solutions for legal services.

Cybersecurity & Privacy Lawyer – Advise companies on data protection and cybersecurity laws.

E-Discovery Specialist – Manage digital evidence and legal technology in litigation.

ALTERNATIVE CAREERS

Real Estate Developer – Use legal knowledge to navigate property law and contracts.

Sports Agent – Represent athletes in contract negotiations and endorsements.

Talent Agent/Entertainment Lawyer – Work with artists, writers, and filmmakers on contracts and rights.

Ethics & Compliance Officer – Ensure ethical business practices and regulatory compliance.

INTERVIEW PREP

RESEARCH THE FIRM OR ORGANIZATION

Study the firm’s website, recent cases, notable clients, and practice areas.

Review recent news, major settlements, or landmark cases to reference in conversation.

Check LinkedIn and NALP reports for insights on firm culture, salary expectations, and trends.

KNOW YOUR RESUME INSIDE AND OUT

Be prepared to discuss every experience listed—internships, law journal work, moot court, and pro bono work.

Expect behavioral questions like:

“Tell me about a time you handled a difficult legal issue.”

“Describe a challenge you faced in law school and how you overcame it.”

PREPARE ANSWERS TO COMMON LEGAL QUESTIONS

“Why do you want to work at this firm?” → Tie your answer to their practice areas and values.

“What practice area interests you and why?” → Show a clear direction but remain open to learning.

SHOWCASE YOUR LEGAL THINKING & PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

Many firms ask hypothetical legal questions to test reasoning.

Example:

“A client confesses guilt in a case, but you find exculpatory evidence—what do you do?”

Think logically and apply ethical considerations and legal reasoning in your response.

HAVE SMART QUESTIONS READY FOR THE INTERVIEWER

Avoid generic questions like “What is the culture like?” (You can find this online.)

Instead, ask:

“What qualities make associates successful here?”

“How does the firm support professional development for junior attorneys?”

“What is the biggest challenge your team faces, and how can a new hire help solve it?”

DRESS PROFESSIONALLY & PRACTICE BODY LANGUAGE

Wear a conservative suit in navy, gray, or black.

Maintain good posture, eye contact, and a confident handshake.

MOCK INTERVIEWS & PRACTICE RESPONSES

Practice with career services, a professor, or a mentor to refine your responses.

Record yourself answering key questions to analyze your tone, clarity, and confidence.

FOLLOW UP WITH A THANK YOU EMAIL

Send a personalized thank-you email within 24 hours.

Reference a specific part of the conversation to reinforce your interest.

JOB SEARCH TOOLS

NALP’s PSJD (PUBLIC SERVICE JOBS DIRECTORY) – This platform is ideal for law students seeking public interest, government, and pro bono opportunities. It provides job listings, fellowships, and internship postings tailored to law students and recent graduates interested in public service.

LINKEDIN & LINKEDIN JOBS – LinkedIn is essential for networking, finding job postings, and connecting with legal professionals. Many law firms and legal departments post job openings directly on LinkedIn, and the platform allows students to engage with industry leaders, showcase their skills, and leverage mutual connections.

SYMPLICITY (or YOUR LAW SCHOOL’S CAREER SERVICES PLATFORM) – Many law schools provide access to Symplicity, an exclusive job board where employers specifically target students from certain law schools. This platform often includes on-campus interview (OCI) opportunities, resume reviews, and direct application links to law firms, corporations, and government agencies.