Navigating your J.D. Journey...

How does one begin to prepare for a life in law?  One step at a time.  Preparing as an undergraduate can mean different things for different students.  Preparing after years of service in other fields will require different tools as well. Unlike other professional school programs, there are no formal pre-requisite courses that all applicants must take.  There is no preferred or required major, minor, or cookie-cutter course of study that will best prepare you for success in law school or as a practicing attorney.  As such, the American Bar Association does not endorse, nor do advisors with your best interests in mind endorse, formal pre-law curricular requirements for admission to accredited Law Schools.

Instead, Law Schools encourage you to explore your options, analyze the alternatives, and then choose the path (academic and extra-curricular) that is best for you and your skill set. The law touches every aspect of our lives in common.  The more diverse (academically and otherwise) the bench and bar, the better the law will be (and become!)

Nevertheless, there are things that applicants can do now, regardless of major, work experience or time-line, to identify experiences and build skills that are valued in both law students and attorneys.  Specifically, the best attorneys work every day to develop and prioritize:

• clear and persuasive communication skills, both in writing and in oral argument;

• strong analytical reading and writing skills;

• pragmatic and purposeful problem-solving;

• coalition building and developing community leadership.

The information provided via links on this site can be a prudent starting point for thoughtful law school preparation.  Indeed, taking the time to click on each of these links (and the links embedded therein) will answer the majority of your general questions about the components of the law school application process, and eventually thriving in law school and beyond.

However, these are only starting points, guideposts and suggestions, *not* a required curriculum.  Law Schools prefer to admit and teach students who bring with them integrity, intentionality, maturity and a truly interdisciplinary, well-rounded  skill set. As such, it is imperative that you understand the majority of the application process depends on YOU.

YOU should major in a subject you love to read, write and talk about; take courses that best suit you, your skills and your goals.  Doing so will help ensure that you are engaged with the material, which will lead to greater effort, better attendance and connections with instructors.  And these things will lead to better grades and stronger letters of recommendation, which are things Law Schools do consider when reviewing your application.

YOU are in charge of creating experiences in and out of the classroom that will prepare you for a life in law; and of course, YOU are responsible for achieving your best GPA and doing well on Law School entrance exams such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or GRE.

Nevertheless, a seasoned professional who has helped literally thousands of students gain admission to the law schools of their choice can help you navigate the process. Sometimes, it helps to have an experienced guide.