FAQ

 1. What can I do with a J.D. (i.e. a law degree)?

2. Should I go to law school?

3. What major should I choose and which classes should I take if I want to go to law school?

4. When should I apply to law school?

5. What are the key components of the law school application?

6. What kind of test is the LSAT and how is it scored?

7. How do I register for the LSAT?

8. When should I take the LSAT?

9. Should I take a commercial LSAT preparation course?

10. May I take the LSAT more than once?

11. What is CAS?

12. How can I find out which schools will likely accept me?

13. What should I write about in my personal statement?

14. Must I respond to the optional essays?

15. What are the fees associated with applying to law school?

16. How much does it cost to attend law school and how will I pay for it?

1. What can I do with a J.D. (i.e. a law degree)?

Most people practice law with it.  Legal practice is extremely diverse in its subject matter, however.  Legal specializations include corporate, securities, criminal, insurance environmental, employment, family, health, intellectual property, real estate, tax, civil rights and others.  In a general sense, however, most lawyers do similar things—they analyze problems and use their writing and oral skills to solve those problems. This takes place in a variety of settings including the private sector, government offices, and nonprofit organizations.

If you are interested in government or policy-making, you should know that many policy-making positions in the public and not-for-profit sectors do not require a law degree.  For those, a master's degree in Public Policy or Public Administration, or an M.B.A., may be more useful.

2. Should I go to law school?

Only you can answer that question, but there are several ways to increase your chances of making a good decision.  Work, intern, or volunteer at a law office or rights-based organization.  Even if you are unpaid, it will be worthwhile for you to work at a law firm, government law office, or some other legal setting to see how lawyers actually work.

Talk to lawyers.  Ask your parents and friends if they know a lawyer.  Ask this person for an informational interview and quiz them (politely) about their professional lives.

In figuring out if the law is a good fit for you, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you like to think of ways to solve other people's problems?
• Do you take pleasure in writing papers?
• Do you enjoy doing research?
• Do you like thinking on your feet?
• Are you comfortable speaking in front of people?
• Do you find history and current events interesting?
• Do you work well under the pressure of deadlines?
• Do you juggle multiple tasks well?
• Do you thrive in conflict situations?

 While not all legal occupations require all these skills, the majority do.

3. What major should I choose and which classes should I take if I want to go to law school?

There is no preferred course of study or major that will increase your chances of getting into law school.  Law schools want intellectually curious students with well rounded liberal arts backgrounds.  In their undergraduate years, students should actively develop their interests. 

The lack of a prescribed course of study often frustrates students who are looking for a clear roadmap that will lead to a legal degree.  However, this flexibility allows students to study what they enjoy, and students are more likely to do well in those subjects.

Take courses which will help you hone the skills which will eventually be important to you as a law student.  Such "lawyering" skills include:

• analytical thinking,
• problem solving, 
• critical reading,
• writing,
• oral communication,
• research,
• and task organization and management. 

As long as you develop these skills, you can major in virtually any subject. 

Common pre-law majors include political science (which provides insight into the formation and operation of the governmental institutions which underpin the American legal system); philosophy (which emphasizes critical thinking); and history and English (which tend to emphasize analytical and writing skills).  Exposure to economics and finance is also helpful.  A science background is useful to students interested in pursuing legal careers related to intellectual property.

The law schools also look to see that you take progressively more challenging courses as you move through your college years. 

4. When should I apply to law school?

Applications should be submitted as early as possible in the fall of the year prior to starting law school. It is ideal to be ready no later than Thanksgiving;  admission occurs on a rolling basis.  The process becomes more competitive if you apply later.  However, it is very important that you do not apply before you are ready.  A weak application that is early will not serve you well in the admissions process.  Thus, planning the application process is essential.

5. What are the key components of the law school application?

Law schools look at a variety of factors in making their admissions decisions, but three items have predominant weight:

• Law School Admission Test score (LSAT);
• prior academic performance (GPA); and
• the application form, particularly the applicant’s personal statement and other written materials.

 Law schools also require 2-3 letters of recommendation, preferably from college professors who know you well.  Students are encouraged to develop relationships with their professors.  If you have just had a successful class with a professor – particularly a professor with whom you have taken more than one course – go ask for that recommendation now for an internship or summer position.  You can “bank” the recommendation in a private credentials file such as Interfolio (see www.interfolio.com) and have it updated later when you apply to law school.  Approach your professors in the semester prior to applying to law school – do not wait for the last minute. 

Be sure to plan ahead so you have all the components of the application ready on time.

6. What kind of test is the LSAT and how is it scored?

The test is comprised of three scored 35-minute multiple-choice sections including:

• one reading comprehension component, 
• one analytical reasoning portion,
• and one logical reasoning sections.

There is an additional multiple-choice section that is experimental and unscored.  The student is not informed, however, as to which of the four multiple-choice sections on the test is the experimental one.  There is also an unscored 35-minute writing sample; copies are sent to each law school where you apply.  The scoring scale for LSAT ranges from 120-180; 150 is about the average score.

7. How do I register for the LSAT?

Register online at LSAC.org (the website for the Law School Admission Council) four to five weeks in advance of the test.

8. When should I take the LSAT?

The most important thing to remember is to take the exam only when you are ready. The LSAT is offered frequently during the year. Try to have the exam complete before the fall cycle when you apply, so that you can spend your time focused on the applications themselves. 

You can take the exam in the fall of your senior year, but you will have a heavy schedule. Taking the test in January of your senior year will preclude you from applying early.

Allow plenty of time to prepare. Many students need six to eight months of intensive study. It is not unusual for students to spend a year studying for the LSAT when they have not had prior rigorous standardized test prep. It is also not unusal for students to study for the LSAT after graduation, when they have more time. The majority of students apply to law school not as current seniors, but as alumni; this is a national trend.

Speak to the Pre-Law Advisor about Hunter’s subsidized LSAT prep course that begins in February with guided self study, and leads into a more intensive summer component. This is an ideal time for Sophomores to get started - if they are planning to go straight through without a break between college and law school. Students often spend 6-8 months preparing for the LSAT; it is not unusual to need a year of preparation.

9. Should I take a commercial LSAT preparation course?

This is a matter of personal choice. Some applicants prepare alone with inexpensive self study materials. Others find that the structured approach and prescribed test-taking strategies offered by a class are helpful. Whether you decide to take an LSAT prep course or not, the key to doing your best is to practice on actual exam questions.

10. May I take the LSAT more than once?

Yes, but your goal is to take this test only once. Law schools see all scores even if they report the highest score to the ABA; this is especially a consideration for the elite schools. In addition, student scores do not usually improve significantly in subsequent exams, unless there was a substantial reason for not performing well the first time (for example, illness or a mechanical problem with the exam). In general, a good strategy is to prepare thoroughly before your first exam, and go with your first score. Never take a reported LSAT for practice.

11. What is CAS?

LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is a centralized service that handles sending an applicant's LSAT scores, transcripts and letters of recommendation to law schools. Individuals who decide to apply to law school are required to subscribe to CAS through the LSAC website. There is a subscription fee as well as a fee for each law school to which credential information is sent.(See the question #15 below with regard to fees.)

12. How can I find out which schools will likely accept me?

Each school provides data on their website in an ABA 509 report, and it is collected on the ABA website. This data is also nicely consolidated by Law School Transparency. 

Also, think about where you want to practice law once you graduate. Find out where the schools place students upon graduation, and the nature of those jobs. Ask about bar passage rates. Students must pass the bar exam following law school graduation in order to practice as an attorney.

When you apply, target several schools in your LSAT/GPA range, several that are a reach (you might get lucky), and several that are below your range (safety schools). Applying to 7-10 schools is not unreasonable. Since many more students apply than can be offered admission however, never assume that getting in is a “sure thing”. Make your application as perfect as possible. 

13. What should I write about in my personal statement?

Answer the question you are asked. The personal statement serves as a writing sample that demonstrates you are ready to be a professional. This is a challenging essay to write; you should expect to draft and redraft numerous times. See your Pre-Law Advisor for feedback on serial drafts. Be sure to attend Hunter’s Application and Personal Statement workshop and other admissions programming.

14. Must I respond to the optional essays?

Answer a prompt relating to diversity based on your judgment. Other essays are an opportunity to provide the admissions committee with more information that may enhance your application

15. What are the fees associated with applying to law school ?

The dollar amounts for various application services change from year-to-year. Current fees are listed on the LSAC website at: http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/lsat-cas-fees.

The fees inovlved in applying to law school include:

16. How much does it cost to attend law school and how will I pay for it?

Law school is an investment in your future. The cost of attending law school can be expensive (private school tuition can be $60k+ per year), but there are ways to reduce and limit costs through careful planning in the application process. Many students will finance their degrees (i.e. use federal loans) and loan forgiveness may be an option in certain circumstances for those making a commitment to public service. To the extent that scholarships are available, most tend to be merit based awards made by the individual schools.