By Laura Fields

Getting into Law School

Some major steps are to be undertaken prior to gaining the chance to get into a USA law program.

The first step is to obtain a bachelor’s degree, which is the minimum academic requirement that gives you the ability to apply to any law school within the country. The American Bar Association (ABA) has not recommended a single specific field, thus, your law school journey can start from basically any study area, no matter if it’s psychology, business, political science, mathematics, or something else. Usually, before applying to law school, students major in economics or political science, English, philosophy, business, or even journalism.

The next step is going through the LSAT process — the abbreviation signifies “law school admission test.” You MUST take the LSAT to be eligible for the process of application review at law schools. Your scores will be used by the officials to determine your knowledge. The text includes five sections with multiple choice questions, and there is also a writing sample section that goes unscored. By completing the test, you are showing your skills in areas such as analysis, putting forth a coherent argument, plus the ability to reason and think critically.

Next is the application step. Only select ABA-accredited schools. Officials will take into account your overall grade point average, the undergraduate coursework, as well as LSAT score, but you shall also be evaluated by your community service, recommendation letters, as well as organizational affiliations.

What Will You Need as a Foreign Student

• Bachelor’s degree (in any subject)
• Registration with Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
• LSAT score
• Recommendations
• TOEFL score
• Financial documents proving your funds for the academic year.

How is Law School Different in the USA?

Plenty of countries offer the chance to get into a law program right after finishing high school, not needing a prior higher education credential. But in the United States, one needs to first graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree. Also, the admission tests for law colleges and universities in other countries are in specific fields, whereas in the USA the LSAT evaluates critical thinking, argumentation, the ability to analyze, and such qualities.

The Best Law Schools in the USA

• Harvard
• Yale
• Columbia
• Stanford
• University of Chicago
• NYU
• Penn University
• University of Virginia
• UCB
• Northwestern University

Types of Law Degrees in the USA

Juris Doctor is the degree given by all law schools within the country. It’s the minimum requirement for those who wish to practice a legal profession in the States. Full-time students complete the program in three years, while part-time students do so for four years.

Master of Laws is a degree that requires a one-year full-time participation course. It can be undertaken both by USA students and by foreign students.

Doctor of Juridical Sciences is the equivalent to a PhD. It’s the highest type of degree in the field of legal sciences. It takes three years to achieve and is most commonly pursued by students who wish to teach law.

How to Get Accepted into Law School in the USA

1. Step number one is to graduate from high school with good grades. Then, you need to enter a bachelor’s degree program, no matter what the field of study is. Next, you should pass the LSAT with quite a good score to be competitive. Have letters of recommendation from your teachers or from employers if you’ve undergone an internship that’s relevant to the legal field.

2. Select the schools that are best suited for you. Familiarize yourself with their requirements. Be prepared for interviews.

3. Start the application process. It’s good to consult with a special consultant that offers their services to foreign students who wish to pursue law in the USA.

Having taken all of these steps, you are well on your way to studying the law in the U.S.!