To become a lawyer you must complete a three-year juris doctorate program, and then pass a comprehensive licensing exam through your state's board of bar examiners. Students considering law school generally begin to prepare for it their second or third year of college and often shape their undergraduate curriculum around their law school plans.
Bachelor's Degree
All students must have earned their bachelor's degree by the time they enter law school. Even though some undergraduate schools offer a pre-law curriculum, law schools accept students from all academic backgrounds.
Prospective law school students should choose coursework that emphasizes the skills they will need as a lawyer, such as writing, critical thinking, research, public speaking, and analysis. Thus, students considering law school should take coursework in English, philosophy, government, political science, communications, psychology, sociology and business.
LSAT
A major component of the law school admissions process is the LSAT, or standardized Law School Admission Test. The test is comprised of three sections: reading comprehension, logical reasoning and analytical reasoning. Generally, students take the LSAT during their junior year of college or one year before they plan to enter law school, although they often begin preparing for the test six to eight months in advance.
Application
Law schools require applicants to submit official copies of their college transcripts, LSAT scores, a statement of purpose explaining why they are interested in attending law school, and two to three letters of recommendation from college professors or employers. Some law schools may also request an in-person or telephone interview with applicants.
Law School and Bar Exam
With full-time attendance, students can complete their juris doctorate program in three years. During the summers, law students generally work as law clerks for judges or private firms to gain field experience.
Upon graduation, law school students must pass their state's bar examination before they will be permitted to practice law. The bar exam tests graduates' knowledge of law, ethics, and legal procedures.
In addition to passing the exam, prospective lawyers must also pass a criminal background check, obtain character references, and disclose their full legal history, including divorce, bankruptcy and juvenile offenses.
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