Brought to you by Career Services and the
Pre-Law Advisor
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Take some interest
assessments
Conduct research on
legal careers
Investigate online
resources
Intern, extern, or
shadow law
professionals
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Conduct
informational
interviews
Speak with both
satisfied and
dissatisfied lawyers
Discuss law school
with alumnae or
current students
Take a position as a
legal assistant,
research assistant, or
paralegal
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Average starting salary $86,396; median salary
65,750.
11% of salaries were below $40,000
Salaries of more than 75,000 accounted for nearly
43% of salaries reported
About 27% took positions in public service,
including judicial clerkships, government agencies,
and public interest orgs.
Aprox. 56% of the class chose private practice in
law firms.
Graduates entering business accounted for about
14%
Approximately 23% of graduates were employed in
positions for which bar passage is not required
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Developing skills
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Selecting a major
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Compiling an impressive record
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Other activities
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National/Regional schools
Faculty
Facilities and resources
Student body
Special programs
Career services
Student life
Costs
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Schools with reputations that tend to appear
in various “top ten” lists.
Schools with good regional reputations
Local schools
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Check out the Official Guide to ABA-
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Approved Law Schools
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The Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law
Schools 2010
NALP-The Association for Legal Career
Professionals
Catalogs and bulletins
The NAPLA/SAPLA Book of Law School Lists
Various Law School Days
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SBC Alumnae lists – Legal, etc.
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Law School Admissions
Test (LSAT)
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Undergraduate grade
Point Average (GPA)
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Applicant Index
Objective Criteria
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Personal Statement
Letters of
Recommendation
Experience
Various recruitment
programs, i.e. Minority,
etc.
Subjective Criteria
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Applying to Law School
Take the LSAT the Summer or Fall
of the year you apply
LSAT
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Organizes and analyzes applicant information in a way that
allows law schools to compare academic records from
undergraduate schools that use different grading systems. A
law school report is compiled:
A year by year grade and credit summary
Photocopies of transcripts
Your GPA for each academic year, your degree
A description of your overall grade distribution
The mean LSAT score and GPA of students at your school who have
subscribed to the LSDAS and your percentile rank among those
students
Up to 12 LSAT scores, including cancellations and absences
An average LSAT score, if you have more than one score on file
Copies of LSAT writing sample
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You can apply to any ABA approved law school
through the LSDAS electronic applications at the
LSAC website.
You can also complete applications located on
websites of law schools or call those schools for
hard copies
Applications are straight forward; be truthful and
forthright; enclose a resume but do not use as a
substitute for responding to questions.
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Background, personal qualities, leadership; skills,
motivation to learn
Highlight and expand on what is important in your life;
select significant events and experiences that
demonstrate growth, change, persistence, distinctive
qualities
Two double spaced pages, if no guidelines on length
Serious, honest, sincere, confident.
If you are addressing a specific school it is imperative
that you demonstrate knowledge of the school and its
programs, faculty, etc. and why you connect with it.
Follow good essay writing guidelines. The thesis is why
law school is for you.
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1 to 2 letters of recommendation
Faculty letters carry the most weight – Your
academic potential
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Cover sheet – courses, research, experience, etc.
Copy of your transcript
A draft of your personal statement
A resume
Copies of exams/papers in his/her class
Recommendation forms from LSAC or the law schools
Stamped envelopes addressed to LSAC or to the schools
A list of dates when recommendations are due
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8 – 12 law schools
A couple of stretch, several
where you have a good chance, a
sufficient number that you have
at least one school you would
like to attend
Submit applications by early
November if possible
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Start early
Make realistic choices on
schools
Read information provided
by schools very carefully
Follow directions
Print applications to use as
drafts
Provide complete and
accurate responses
Make copies of completed
Applications
Submit fees with
applications
Respect deadlines
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Write a letter to the director of Admissions
If the school is your first choice, state that if
accepted you will attend
If you are a senior, inform the school of
accomplishments since you applied, ex.
Completed honors thesis, Phi Beta Kappa, etc.
If you are working, include an updated resume,
describe any worthwhile activities.
Send an additional letter of recommendation, do
not exceed four, however.
Visit the law school; demonstrate your interest,
take a tour, sit in on a class, talk to faculty,
admissions folks.
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Devote more time and energy to academics
during your senior year
Your entire academic record will be available
to schools not just six or seven semesters
You may just need a rest after 4 rigorous
academic years
You can gain professional experience and/or
test drive a legal career by working as a legal
assistant or paralegal.
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Personal Savings/Family support
Federal Loans
Private loans
Grants and scholarships
Earnings
Frugality
Complete your FAFSA as soon as possible
after January 1