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Your Path to a Law Career

If you are pointing toward a career as a lawyer, you have a fairly long road ahead of you, including four years of college and three of law school.

The path begins in high school. Students aspiring to the profession of law should work especially diligently in English classes to develop skills in communication, analysis, and the formulation of arguments; the core skills every lawyer needs. Those who aspire to be trial lawyers might want to consider becoming involved in theatre or debate, both of which offer opportunities for significant skills development.

In college, you can major in almost anything...law schools won't care, as long as your grades are good. The best law schools are highly selective, so if you are aiming high you'll be competing for limited spots with top students from throughout the country.

At some point in your senior year of college or afterwards you must take the LSAT. It is like the ACT or SAT for law school applicants. You may want to take test prep classes before signing up for the test, as your scores are very important and many of the applicants against whom you will be competing will take such courses.

It's best to choose at least four to six law schools to apply to. A minimum of two should be institutions to which your grades and LSAT scores would seem to ensure your admission.

While in law school, most students spend some time working in the field to help them develop professional contacts and decide which specialty area(s) are of the greatest interest to them.

Once you finish law school, you'll need to prepare for and pass the state Bar exam. The Bar will test your knowledge of state and federal law. Once you If you pass it, you'll be licensed to practice law in your state (and perhaps in some others).

Few careers require seven years of higher education and a state licensing exam. Thus, would be lawyers require a strong commitment to the profession. But, for those who make it, there are almost endless opportunities in law firms, government agencies, business, politics, and education.

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