Some specialized legal fields require a certain undergraduate degree. For example, if you want to be a patent lawyer, the United States Trademark and Patent Office requires that you have a degree in an approved technical field. [2] X Trustworthy Source United States Patent and Trademark Office U. S. government agency responsible for registering and protecting patents and trademarks Go to source The American Bar Association (ABA) does not recommend any particular undergraduate majors or courses; however, statistics show that prelaw and criminal justice majors are less likely to be accepted to law schools than students who major in fields that require intensive reading and writing. Prestigious universities have a reputation for being competitive. Not attending a prestigious or expensive university is certainly not a bar to being accepted to law school, but a degree from a competitive university will impress admissions boards and future employers.
Register early. You must take the LSAT in September or October at the latest to qualify for fall admissions. If you take the June exam and are disappointed with your score, you will have enough time to take it again before applying for the fall.
A top-notch study program should provide adequate time to study for the exam. For the summer examination, begin studying in January. [5] X Research source Your local library or bookstore should have copies of old LSAT exams. Find the most recent to take as practice exams and then move backward through older exams.
Register early and make sure to send your transcripts to CAS in a timely manner. You can find more information on registration here.
Follow the directions in each school’s application materials. If the school wants you to write on a specific topic, write on that topic. If you are given a word limit, stick to the limit.
For example, an addendum might clarify why one LSAT score is much higher than another, or it might explain why your grades were low one semester. Remember to explain, not make excuses. A sample addendum might read: “I am writing to explain why my grades dropped the fall of my junior year. Late that summer, I fell sick with mononucleosis. Although I could have taken the fall semester off, I wanted to graduate in four years for financial reasons. Accordingly, my grades suffered as I fought my illness, but they improved once I physically recovered. "
Many public law schools are less expensive than private schools, but some private schools may have more financial aid available. Carefully calculate the total cost, including average annual living expenses. If you are interested in attending a public law school in a different state, contact the Admissions office to ask about establishing residency. Residents of a state may qualify for lower tuition than non-residents. Understand that you will most likely not be able to work a regular job while attending law school full-time. Some programs require students to seek permission from the administration to work during the school year, especially during the first year.
Graduates of non-ABA-accredited schools must apply to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners for permission to sit for the bar exam, and must have practiced law for at least ten years in another jurisdiction, be in good standing with that jurisdiction’s state bar, and submit a compilation of work product demonstrating the ability to competently practice law. [12] X Research source As of 2015, Florida has 12 law schools, with University of Florida Levin College of Law being the top-ranked school in the state according to U. S. News and World Report and StartClass. com. [13] X Research source You can also attend an out-of-state law school and still take the Florida bar exam.
Pay careful attention to employment numbers. The most relevant statistic is the number of graduates who are working full-time in legal occupations. Avoid schools with low bar passage rates. Your law degree loses most of its value if you can’t pass the bar exam. Having to take the bar exam twice will also lengthen the time it takes to become a lawyer.
Divide your applications into three pools: safeties, targets, and reaches. A safety is a school where your GPA and LSAT are above the median. A target school will have medians equivalent to your scores, with reaches being those schools where you are well below the reported medians. Send a few applications to reach schools, but focus most of your attention on targets and safeties.
After earning your J. D. , you may consider applying to an LL. M. (Master of Laws) degree program. This is an advanced law degree in a specialized area, and usually requires an additional year of study. [14] X Trustworthy Source Law School Admission Council Nonprofit organization which supports law schools and students in the applications process and administers the LSAT Go to source
Many law schools employ practicing attorneys as adjunct professors. Adjuncts are a great resource for learning more about the local legal market.
Internships and externships. Work for a government office or a private firm in exchange for money (internship) or course credit (externship). [15] X Research source Clinics. School-sponsored clinics provide free or low-cost legal aid to the community. Work is performed by law students, under the supervision of law professors. Clinics may be repeatable for course credit. Judicial clerkships. Work for a judge doing research and writing. [16] X Research source Practical courses. Some courses, such as mock trial, mediation, and motion practice, have a large practical participation component. Competitions. Represent your school in mock trial, moot court, or other competitions. Clubs and associations. Campus groups are usually organized around a specific community or academic area of interest. Participation in such organizations shows leadership and a strong commitment to a subject or topic. Law review. Writing for your school’s law review journal requires strong writing skills, and gives you the opportunity to publish original work.
You are allowed to take the MPRE during law school, which allows you to get this requirement out of the way. Then you won’t have to worry about it while studying for the bar exam, and your admission to the bar will not be put on hold while you take the MPRE. Since you have already taken the LSAT, you should know how to prepare for this standardized exam. Gather practice materials, set a schedule, and approach the exam seriously. Give yourself enough time to fully prepare.
Register for a commercial bar preparation course, such as Barbri, Kaplan, Themis, and others. [22] X Trustworthy Source American Bar Association Leading professional organization of lawyers and law students Go to source These courses typically supply books, instruction, interactive online content, and individual grading of your writing. Commercial bar prep courses are the norm, and will be strongly recommended by your professors. Realistically, you will need to study full-time from the time you graduate in early June through the beginning of the test at the end of July. If your school offers additional bar preparation services, take advantage of them in addition to a commercial prep course. Many bar takers don’t pass on the first try. Don’t be discouraged; you can try again. [23] X Research source Applicants who have been disbarred must wait five years to apply for readmission to the Florida Bar, and must pay an additional application fee of $600. Applicants with a felony conviction must wait until their civil rights are restored before applying to the Florida Bar. [24] X Research source
Be sure to bring copies of your resume, transcripts, and writing samples, as well as the names of references. Being prepared creates a great first impression.
If the job posting requires a cover letter, customize your letter as much as possible instead of sending a form cover letter.
In the letter, explicitly state that you are not asking for a job. You will get a better response this way. Develop a list of questions and take notes. Be engaged. Ask the attorney if she knows anyone else you can talk to, and be sure to send a thank you note afterwards.
Working for free can pay off big time. You may be considered for the next opening that becomes available.
