We answer a lot of law school admissions questions throughout the year. One of the most prevalent comes from the younger crowd of aspiring law school applicants. “I’m only a junior/senior in high school, but I already know I want to go to law school. What do I need to do to increase my chances of getting into [law school]?” First of all, kudos to you for pre-planning! Here are some pointers to help you on your path.
Basic Requirements
These are the two basic requirements you need to apply to any U.S. law school.
- Finish high school and obtain a four-year undergraduate degree at a college or university. You cannot go straight from high school to law school.
- Take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).
Fundamentals for Admission
Of course, there is a lot more to it than that. Keep in mind that there isn’t a specific formula for getting into law school. People from many different paths and walks of life end up in law school! There isn’t a specific college class you should take or a college major you should have. What you need is a stellar academic record, an exceptional LSAT score, excellent letters of recommendation, and a résumé. Let’s break that down a little further.
- Academic Record. The closer you can get to a 4.0, the better. Having an excellent display of achievement in your classes will open numerous doors for you when applying to law school.
- LSAT Score. This goes hand-in-hand with your GPA. Combining a stellar GPA with a high LSAT score is the ticket to getting into any school you want. The test has a scoring scale of 120 to 180. But, to have a shot at the best schools, you need to aim for at least a 160. Preferably, a 165. If you want to go to the very top schools, you need to aim for 172+.
- Letters of Recommendation. Similar to the teacher recommendations you get for your college applications! When the time comes, you will need to ask your college professors for recommendations.
- Résumé. Specifically, one that shows involvement. Usually, law schools don’t prefer a specific type of internship or activity over another. The purpose of this is to demonstrate commitment and leadership in two or three causes over your college career. Rather than sporadic participation in 10+ activities, focus on a few core activities that matter to you.
Competition
Even with all that, admission is not a definite thing. You will still face some tough competition! Spots in a law school class are often intense, regardless of their credentials, particularly if you’re aiming for top schools. Yale Law, for example, has the lowest admissions percentage of all the law schools in the United States (just over 7%). For now, your aim needs to be to finish high school and get into the college of your choice.
What to Focus on in College
Once you’re in college, here’s what you can do to create a solid applicant profile. Hopefully, if you do everything right, you’ll have an advantage in the law school application process.
- Carefully Choose a Major. Pick a college major that requires a lot of reading- and research-intensive classes. Students that aim to apply to law school often favor political science, history, economics, or sociology. Although, you’re certainly not limited to these disciplines. These not only prepare you for law classes but demonstrate that you can handle a heavy academic load.
- Keep an Upward Grade Trend. This means that your grades either get stronger as you go through school or start off strong and remain there. Most law schools want to see GPAs of 3.5 or above. Like we mentioned above, the closer you get to a 4.0, the better. If you get a B during your freshman year, it’s not a deal-breaker! Don’t stress too much if you flounder initially. Your focus should be keeping your grades as high as you can and keeping them there.
- Challenge Yourself! Intro classes are okay for your freshman and maybe sophomore year of college. Once you’re a junior, your focus here on out should be upper-level classes and seminars. This allows you to really hone in on your specific interests within the major. As always, try to keep your grades up throughout.
- Establish Rapport with Professors. Particularly in your final years of college, form strong relationships with your professors. You can do this by attending office hours, working for them as a research assistant, and talking to them after class. They will become the ones writing your letters of recommendation! They will only be able to write effective and positive ones if they have specific, anecdotal knowledge of you and can favorably compare you to your peers.
- Work on Extracurriculars. Don’t worry about being a part of 30+ student groups. Instead, focus on 2 or 3. Involve yourself in these groups in your freshman and sophomore years, then obtain leadership positions during your latter years.
- Take the LSAT Early. Taking the LSAT either the summer after your junior year or the fall of your senior year offers multiple advantages. It allows you to get the LSAT out of the way and apply as early in the admissions cycle as possible.
- Research Law Schools. Put together a list of law schools you want to apply to in your sophomore or junior year. Start by researching them and becoming familiar with their LSAT and GPA requirements. Take note of their acceptance percentages. A great place to start is LSAC’s Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools.
For now, focus on doing very well in high school and getting into a great college or university. Once you’re there, start applying the tips above to create a solid law school applicant profile. You’re already on the right path by starting to think about this so early on, so just keep on being as dedicated as you are now, and you’ll do great!
Kamilla says
Hi, im currently a junior in highschool. And i have already decided that i want to go to law school (crimimal law; intellectual property law). I was wondering if i could take 4 years of community college online while still in highschool, then take the LSAT test to attend law school.
Dave Killoran says
To attend law school you need a full 4-year BA/BS degree. Most community colleges offer only 2-year AA degrees, which would not qualify. And, if you’re a HS junior, it’s unlikely you can do two years of CC while in high school still.
Thanks!
Ali Ahmad says
Hello, my name is Ali and I am a senior at a High School. Since June is almost here, we’re doing a final English project that talks about the future careers. I already chose the law career. My question is can you post like small points that talks about the steps for being a lawyer after graduating from High School?
Thank you!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Ali,
You have to be a college graduate to become a lawyer, so that is the first step. thereafter, it becomes a matter of simply going through the admission process outlined above: applying to schools, writing essays, taking the LSAT, etc. There’s no special requirement beyond having a college degree and fulfilling the application requirements.
Thanks!
Javeria Jabeen says
hey, so I’m about to be a senior in high school next year and my junior year was terrible, my overall GPA was 2.8. I’ve been stressing all year and tried to get better but I took a hard class and now it’s biting me in the butt, lol. anyways, I’m going to try and aim for a 4.0 GPA or close for my senior year because I know I can. I’m just worried that one year having a good GPA won’t help me get into a good college, and I’ve been dreaming of going to NYU or UPenn, or Berkely. please help me. I don’ know if id gets accepted, then I don’t want to get de motivated and then do badly in any college I do get into, thus ruining my chances of getting into a top-tier law school. please help
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Javeria,
Thanks for the post! I know it’s easier said than done, but don’t stress yourself out too much, especially about your law school future!
First, spend your time focusing on your remaining year in high school to strengthen that GPA and make sure the rest of your college application (extracurriculars, college essays, letters of recommendation, SAT/ACT scores if applicable) is as strong as possible. This will help you get into one of your dream schools you listed above. 🙂
Secondly, keep this in mind: when it comes to law school, the prestige of your undergrad school is less important than your performance in undergraduate school. So whatever college you end up attending, make the most of your time there! 🙂 Then, toward the end of your undergrad, you’ll want to study hard for the LSAT, as that’s arguably the most important part of your law school application! But that’s still in your distant future — focus on enjoying and succeeding in your last year of high school for now!! 🙂
David Ogunlana says
Hello, My name is David. I am in my final year for high school. I live in MB, Canada, and I just wanted to clarify something with you. According to the information that I have right now, I will be needing 60+ hours of University/College before I am eligable for taking the Lsats. This 60+ hours (which are roughlt about 2 years of high school ) can be taking at any University or College. It is after the Lsats that Law University searching should begin?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi David,
It’s acceptable to attend any college or university that leads to a 4-year degree, which typically consists of completing 120 credit hours. And while taking the LSAT is a requirement to apply to law school, you can certainly begin the process of searching for law schools you’re interested in attending beforehand. That way you’ll be well aware of the LSAT score needed in order to gain admittance.
Thank you!
Efrata Mathewos says
Hi
So I live in Ethiopia, and i want to apply for a us college as an international student. As an international student can I learn law in US after college?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Efrata,
Thank you for your comment and of course! The two basic requirements you need to apply to any U.S. law school are the same for every individual:
(1) Finish high school and obtain a four-year undergraduate degree at a college or university.
(2) Take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). More information about the LSAT may be found here: https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/about/.
Feel free to check out this U.S. News article that covers which U.S. colleges accept the most international students here: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/universities-with-the-highest-international-student-acceptance-rates.
Thank you!
Ayden says
Hey! I’m A high school senior and I only have a 3.0 will this affect my path towards law school?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Ayden,
Thank you for your comment! Please note that law schools primarily care about your undergraduate GPA and LSAT score, particularly the LSAT score. Those are the standard predictors of how a student will do in law school. So establishing a solid GPA during your time in undergrad will far outweigh your academics in high school. Feel free to check out this blog directed towards college freshmen and sophomores that explains how to best get ready for the LSAT and apply to law school here.
Thank you!
Eric. L says
Hi, I’m going to HS this September in Ontario and my parents are wondering if I’m permitted to do a six-year term (pre-med and med school) directly after HS and take Law when I finish with med. I see that one of the requirements to take Law in America is a four year undergrad degree. So what would happen in this situation if I were to follow my parents’ plans?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Eric,
Thank you for your comment! In general, to be academically eligible to enter an ABA-accredited law school in the US or Canada requires the completion of coursework that totals an undergraduate degree. A pre-med track is typically completed while obtaining a bachelor’s degree, so you could double check if that’s the case with the six-year program that you mentioned. Furthermore, individual law schools do have different and specific application requirements. So, if you have any law schools in mind, it wouldn’t hurt to check out their website(s) to see what those requirements are!
Thank you!
Aneidra Donaldsom says
I’m 14 years old and I want to become a civil rights lawyer … I’m currently in the 9th grade , I need some advise , I can handle alot of pressure… What are the best advise u have for me
Fatoom says
Hi
I just want to know what is the idea that after graduation high school then go to the university/collage and then go to law school why can’t we just go directly from high school to law school?
And what should we take in the university for 4 years? Like anything we want ?? and is this law (4 years undergraduate and 3 year law school) just for some countries or all??
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Fatoom,
Thank you for your comment! Unfortunately, you cannot go straight from high school to law school. Finishing high school and obtaining a four-year undergraduate degree is one of the basic requirements you need to apply to any U.S. law school. Studying law in the US is different from studying law in several other countries. In many countries, students begin their law studies following graduation from high school or secondary school. In the US, however, law is a professional academic field, the equivalent of a graduate degree in other areas of the world.
Please keep in mind that there isn’t a specific college class you should take or a college major you should have. What you need is a stellar academic record, an exceptional LSAT score, excellent letters of recommendation, and a résumé. In addition to the advice above, our Vice President, Jon Denning, wrote a blog recently directed towards college freshmen and sophomores explaining how to best get ready for the LSAT and applying to law school!
https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/how-should-freshman-and-sophomores-in-college-prepare-for-the-lsat/
So pay close attention to the content in both blogs (the page we’re on, and the link I just posted) and you’ll be good to go!
Thank you!
Bob says
I graduated23 years ago, my GPA was not good as classes bored me and was tred of having to correct teachers. My funal for computer was to figure out what what a fortan program does. It was about a 200 page program. I founf a mistake around page 3 which would have simply make the computer say “0”. This particular teacher was not a fan of me because I was bumped into his AP class who already did all the work of a 2nd year computer program. Well he failed me on the final, even though I was right. During summer school one of the instructors asked how I failed AP computers as I wrote programs for other teachers, and I was a member of MENSA. I told him and he got the dean and I typed out the entire program and the final answer was “0” just like I said. I thought it was a trick final and I caught line voiding what he thought people would put down. This was happening in3 classes I bumped up in and he asked me to wait and went and got my diploma. Anyway, my JR. year I pass the lsats, but a wrench was put in and blocked me. Later I got West Nile Virus and encephalitis and it killed 1/4 of my brain. Luckily Mensa Membership is till 2017. If I wasted to go to law school, what would be requirements? Im sure I would fail due to brain injury, but still like a challenge. Mensa is coming for a new test OCT31st…would like to see what I would due with the right front lobr dead and getting worse. I volunteered as a child advocate for over 300 cases with an out of state lawyer. He would consult and I would show them the forms and any legal matters were done via phone conversation. Only lost one case due to a failed drug test as I told her to cut 3 inches of he long hair..instead she tried a useless shampoo and failed and lost custody. Are there different rules when a person has been out of school so long andand injury to brain and am considered disabled. Not that you can tell anyway.I could memorize entire books by reading them day before test..I can not do that anymore. I am the only male on both sides of the family that didnt graduate. I actually won largest single monetary award with the eeoc..but I was smart then..sll the men are..my Uncle was an engineer who helped design first rocket to moon, my dad was a math wiz and CPA, my son is a nuclear engineer and daughter is in the movies. Any, what are requirements ?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Bob!
These are the two basic requirements you need to apply to any U.S. law school, and they are the same for every individual:
(1) Finish high school and obtain a four-year undergraduate degree at a college or university. The date in which you completed these degrees are irrelevant.
(2) Take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). More information about the LSAT may be found here: https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/about/. LSAC (the makers of the LSAT exam) is committed to helping candidates with disabilities. They provide information for applicants with disabilities here: https://www.lsac.org/discover-law/diversity-law-school/applicants-disabilities.
Again, people from many different paths and walks of life end up in law school. What you need is a solid academic record, an LSAT score, letters of recommendation, and a résumé. This article does a great job of breaking down those requirements a bit further.
Thank you!
Denver Kennemer says
Okay so I’m currently a freshman in hs and I’ve always wanted to go into law since 4th grade. I want to be prepared for what’s ahead of me and I always like to have a plan. I’m struggling a little bit with actually picking a school and the whole “what classes” thing. I did a lot of research and not a lot came up as far as what courses could be taken, what could be done while I’m in hs to better my chances for getting into law school, ect. I got to a college preparatory school but it’s a bit difficult to find anything that could help me better my chances as far as extracurricular activities or anything. Do you have any recommendations? I know I’m thinking a bit ahead for a freshman but I’m really curious.
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Denver!
The best thing a student in high school can do is get great grades and high test scores to go to a good college, and if they want to start a routine of sorts that might help them down the road on the LSAT, we would encourage becoming a daily reader, and downloading some puzzle apps (like sudoku, crosswords, math/logic games, etc.). Please keep in mind that reading and analytical skills are all that matter on the LSAT, and there’s no time like the present to start honing those!
In addition to the advice above, our Vice President, Jon Denning, wrote a blog recently directed towards college freshmen and sophomores explaining how to best get ready for the LSAT and applying to law school!
https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/how-should-freshman-and-sophomores-in-college-prepare-for-the-lsat/
So pay close attention to the content in both blogs (the page we’re on, and the link I just posted) and you’ll be good to go!
Thank you!
Alyssa Lemke says
Hey it’s Alyssa, I was wondering if I go to collage for a law course and get my Bachelor degree, then go to law school can I become a criminal lawyer?
Dave Killoran says
Hi Alyssa, yes! Get your bachelor’s first (in any subject, btw), and once you are completing that you can apply to law school.
Work hard on that college GPA for now–it’s key!
Good luck!
Sierra says
Hi! I am going to be entering Sophomore year of high school this year and am reasonably sure I want to become a lawyer. Do you have any advice as to what I can do right now to prepare?
Thanks!
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Sierra!
In addition to the advice above, which outlines pretty clearly exactly what you need to focus on the next two years, our Vice President Jon Denning, wrote a blog recently directed towards college freshmen and sophomores explaining how to best get ready for the LSAT and applying to law school!
https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/how-should-freshman-and-sophomores-in-college-prepare-for-the-lsat/
So pay close attention to the content in both blogs (the page we’re on, and the link I just posted) and you’ll be good to go!
Thank you!
Eileen says
Hi! I am currently a senior in high school and I am very interested in going to law school. I wanted to know if there were any programs for law similar to the BS/MD program in which students accepted into the program have the ability to go to medical school immediately after undergrad.
Thank you!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Eileen,
Yes, there are programs like that out there! They are usually called something like a “3+3 BA-JD Program” (or BS-JD) or an “Accelerated JD program,” and schools such as Penn, USC, Fordham, Arizona, USF, Willamette etc all have them (as do many others). Check the schools you are considering to see if they have such an option!
Nidhi says
Hello,
I’m an Indian and want to apply in USA law colleges for JD. I am in high school and want read it somewhere that Michigan University provide undergraduate law degrees. Is it true because in Indian we have such integrated law courses?
Dave Killoran says
Hi Nidhi,
Thanks for the question! I’m not aware that Michigan has an undergrad law major. I know they have a Law, Justice, and Social Change program that can be used as a minor but that’s about it. So, there’s no JDs granted form any undergrad program in the US. I’m sorry!
Gladine says
Hey your blog was really informative. I’m currently a sophomore in High School about to be a junior in Florida were allowed to take dual enrollment classes which basically allows us to take college classes while in high school to get our AA Degree. Currently I’m enrolled in Intro to Criminal Justice and Constitutional Law are these classes really important going forward in my law school career? Also taking the SATs/ACTs I know getting a high score is good but is taking the LSAT and scoring higher than the SATs/ACTs be more important? Also in my situation I’ll be graduating high school with two years under my belt all I need is two more years before going off to law school so when do you reccomend taking my LSATs and do law schools pay attention to how many times you take the LSATs. Also do you have any recommended study material for the LSATs. Thank you for your time and replying in advance:).
Perla says
What’s up I’m Perla and I’ve found your article very interesting and helpful so I wanted to thankyou for that! I’m a sophomore in hs and I’m interested in applying to law school so with that in mind I was hoping you could answer my questions:
1. What classes should I take during highschool in order to get a better understanding of law?
2. What extracurriculars would you recommend to join that would help get an experience related to law?
3. Is the LSAT just based on law, or is it based off on something else?
4. Would starting a club about law make me stand out a lot? And if so what should be fundamental and crucial to the club?
Thankyou!!!
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Perla!
Thank you for your questions.
1-2. Please note that law schools typically pay no regards to what applicants did in high school. Therefore, clubs, extracurriculars, etc. in high school aren’t relevant, nor are classes taken that might be related to the legal field (especially because high school students generally have a predetermined curriculum to follow).
3. The LSAT surprisingly has nothing to do with law. According to Law Services (the producers of the test) the LSAT is designed “to measure skills that are considered essential for success in law school: the reading and comprehension of complete texts with accuracy and insight; the organization and management of information and the ability to draw reasonable inferences from it; the ability to reason critically; and the analysis and evaluation of the reasoning and argument of others.”
4. The best thing a student in high school can do is get great grades and high test scores to go to a good college, and if they want to start a routine of sorts that might help them down the road on the LSAT, we would encourage becoming a daily reader, and downloading some puzzle apps (like sudoku, crosswords, math/logic games, etc.). Please keep in mind that reading and analytical skills are all that matter on the LSAT, and there’s no time like the present to start honing those! 😊
Sidney says
Hi! I’m currently a junior in high school and last year I had a rough patch in my sophomore year bringing my gpa down to a 3.1. This year I’ve gotten my head in the game and brought up my grades all while taking APs and Honors. I’m gonna be taking my SAT for the first time soon and I’m honestly worried I won’t score super high. But despite all this will I still be accepted into good or decent colleges so that I can continue my path on possibly being a law student ? I’ve been really stressing about it.
Jon Denning says
Hey Sidney – thanks for posting, and congrats on getting such an early jump on things in terms of your studies and eventual career!
Honestly at this point I wouldn’t be too concerned about the law student side of the equation; instead focus your efforts on high school, with a 4.0+ from here on out—the higher you can pull that GPA up the better!—and your SATs/ACTs (I suggest taking both if you can, and multiple times each). Law school is still a lonnnng ways off, likely 6+ years or more, and will depend entirely on your college GPA and the LSAT scores you get your junior or senior year of university, rather than your high school resume and, suprisingly, even the prestige of where you go to college and get your undergrad degree.
That is, while you obviously want to go to the best school possible for college and maximize the quality and value of the education you’ll receive there, if you perform well academically in college (3.7-3.8+ GPA), even if it’s at a school that might not be considered Ivy League-level by reputation, and then you do well on the LSAT, you can theoretically go to any law school in the world: the college you attend will have far less affect on law school options than your hard collegiate credentials (undergrad GPA and LSAT). The real key is shooting for the best possible data points at each academic stage: the best scores and GPA in high school to make college options more plentiful (and cheaper), then you get a reset of sorts where you need the best possible undergrad data points to open law school doors.
So start hitting the books for the SATs, and as I said above likely for the ACTs too (you may find one suits you better than the other, and schools don’t care which you take), consider getting an SAT tutor or at least forming a study group with high-achieving school peers, know that you’ll have multiple chances at each test so there’s very little pressure your first time out, and stay diligent with your course work so that your GPA rebounds as much as possible! That’ll set you up to enter the next phase of your eduction empowered and in-control!
Izzie Farah says
Hi, so I’m sophomore in HS and I’ve just decided that I want to go into law, I was wondering what classes should I take and do I need AP classes because I don’t take any AP classes only -1. And do colleges and uni’s care too much about ur science classes?
Dave Killoran says
Hi Izzy,
Thanks for the question! Universities actually do care about your science classes, as well as the level of difficulty of all of your classes (so if you can, ramp up those AP classes!). Of course, you also need to perform well in everything, so work hard to maintain the best GPA you can.
While I can understand the desire to perhaps avoid math or science, you don’t really get a choice in doing that–you will need those classes to graduate and schools will want to see how you did. they want smart, well-rounded individuals, so work with that in mind.
Good luck and see you in a few years for the LSAT 🙂