If you’re gearing up to apply to law school and want to learn more about law school requirements, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, I’ll explain the most common law school requirements so you can apply confidently.
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
What are the basic requirements or prerequisites for law schools?
The main law school requirements are:
- An undergraduate degree
- Admissions tests (LSAT or GRE)
- A personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
We’ll look at each of these below.
But before we get into law school requirements, let’s briefly touch on application deadlines.
Most law schools begin accepting regular decision applications on September 1st and have a February or March deadline.
Make a note of these dates so you don’t forget.
Now, let’s talk about the most common law school requirements and prerequisites.
Undergraduate degree
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school is one of the most important law school requirements.
Most people assume they have to major in a law-related field or take pre-law courses or specific prerequisite courses.
But that’s not true.
So, what’s the best major for law school students?
The truth is, there isn’t one — because nothing can really prepare you for law school.
Here are the five most common majors:
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice
- Economics
- English
If you majored in another field, don’t count yourself out!
At the end of the day, what matters most is that your major was challenging and helped you hone skills like writing and research.
In fact, your “uncommon” major could actually help you stand out.
You can read more about the best law school majors in this guide.
A good GPA is also important — but what’s “good” depends on the school you hope to attend.
If you want to get into any law school, you’ll need at least a 2.5 GPA.
But if you’re aiming for the best law schools in the country, anything below a 3.6 will be considered low.
If your GPA is lower than your dream school’s average, you can still be accepted — I’ll show you how in this guide.
Admissions tests
For many, admissions tests are one of the most daunting elements of law school requirements.
The two most widely accepted tests are the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
The LSAT is designed to gauge how prepared you are for law school.
Traditionally, it has three scored sections: Reading Comprehension, Logic Games, and Logical Reasoning.
There’s also an unscored writing element.
In August 2024, the Logic Games section will be replaced with a second Logical Reasoning section.
LSAT scores range from 120 to 180.
A 150 will get you into most accredited schools, but it varies.
You’ll need a 160 or higher to get into a top 25 law school.
T-10 law school requirements are even higher — you should score at least 170.
I’ve compiled a complete guide to LSAT score data here.
While the LSAT is specific to law school, the GRE tests a broader range of skills.
Some law schools have started to accept the GRE in place of the LSAT, including:
- University of Chicago Law School
- Yale Law School
- Harvard Law School
- New York University School of Law
- Duke University School of Law
The GRE has three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
You can score anywhere from 260 to 340, but you should aim for an overall score of 328.
If you take the LSAT, you don’t have to take the GRE.
However, a good GRE score might help you increase your chances of acceptance in the face of a low LSAT score.
Transcripts
Transcripts are also important law school requirements.
Why do law schools ask for your transcript?
Because they provide a detailed look at your past academic performance, including your courses, grades, credits, and cumulative GPA.
These elements help admissions teams determine if you’re cut out for the pressures of law school.
But you can’t just send your transcript alongside your application.
Instead, each institution will submit your transcript to LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
The CAS simplifies applying to law school by combining transcripts, test scores, and other documents (like letters of recommendation) into one report.
When you’re ready, you’ll purchase the report, and the CAS will send it directly to each law school you apply to.
The best part? You only have to upload each element of the report once.
It’s also worth noting that the CAS standardizes your grades based on a universal scale for a fairer evaluation.
A five-year CAS subscription costs $200, and each report costs $45.
Personal statement
GPAs and LSAT scores aren’t the be-all and end-all of law school requirements.
A great personal statement matters, too.
You can use it to show who you are beyond the numbers, stand out from the crowd, and support weaker GPAs or LSAT scores.
To write a powerful personal statement, you’ll need to know what law schools want.
Cohesive story
First, focus on a broad theme to tell a cohesive story.
Doing so will let you showcase seemingly unrelated themes and tie them together in a unified narrative.
Think about everything that has shaped your journey to pursuing law school. What theme emerges?
Motivation
You’ll want to illustrate why you’re going to law school.
And if you don’t have a concrete reason, it’s okay!
You can always talk about why you might want to explore that possibility — as long as it fits your theme.
Remember: the more detail, the better.
Critical thinking skills
You have to illustrate how you think.
And if you can talk about something bigger than you while still discussing your individual experience, you’ll do precisely that.
If you haven’t had that lightbulb moment of finding a great topic yet, don’t panic!
I’ve created a definitive guide to personal statements (and included some ideas) — check it out here.
Here are a few to consider:
- Do you have unique skills or talents?
- What have you accomplished that you wouldn’t add to your resume?
- What don’t people know about you?
Learn how to kickstart your personal statement in this FREE guide:
Letters of recommendation
Almost every school asks for letters of recommendation, making them one of the most common law school requirements.
Letters of recommendation won’t be the thing to get you accepted, but they do matter.
They show that others believe you can succeed as a student and future lawyer.
And, sometimes, they can help admissions teams choose between two students.
Typically, schools require at least two letters but allow up to four.
So, who do you ask?
Professors are your best bet — who better to speak to your academic abilities than someone who’s taught you?
If you’re applying a few years after undergrad and can’t get an academic letter, asking your boss or a colleague is also acceptable.
Don’t ask friends or family.
And avoid asking anyone who can’t speak to who you are in a genuine way, even if they are well-known.
Don’t be afraid to take control of the narrative.
There’s no shame in telling your recommenders specific things you’d like them to mention.
Most want to be told what to write.
Learn exactly how to ask for letters of recommendation in this guide.
Resume
Well-crafted law school resumes are one of the most overlooked law school requirements.
Your resume is your chance to highlight more than just your education.
It’s where you show off your qualifications and accomplishments, relevant activities, publications, skills, and interests.
And it can even show off traits and experiences that set you apart, like:
- Demonstrated leadership abilities
- Strong work ethic
- Effective management of multiple responsibilities
- Proficiency in analytical and writing skills
- Participation in cultural or volunteer activities
That may seem like a lot of information to include in just one or two pages.
So, let’s talk about what to leave out.
Generally, your high school years do not matter to law school admissions teams.
This is a professional degree, which means they’re far more focused on your maturity and ability to thrive and succeed under extreme pressure.
It’s also safe to ignore the skills that everyone else has — like proficiency in Microsoft Office or the ability to type quickly.
Focus instead on the skills that set you apart from the pack.
Want to learn more about creating a powerful law school resume? I’ll teach you how in this guide.
Those are the basic law school requirements — but there are some others you may not have considered yet.
Keep reading to learn about them!
Are there any additional requirements for law schools?
There are a few law school requirements I haven’t touched on yet — like proving that you’re proficient in English.
English proficiency test for international students
If your first language isn’t English, some law schools might ask for evidence that you can speak it fluently.
Typically, this involves taking a standardized test like the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
They’ll help admissions teams determine if your English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills meet their standards.
Of course, this varies based on the school, so check individual school requirements.
Practical experience
Practical experience is a great way to develop knowledge and gain exposure to real-world scenarios.
Getting practical legal experience would look good on your application, but exploring other fields is also okay.
Practical experience will arm you with skills law schools desire, such as:
- Leadership
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Working well under pressure
There’s no hard-and-fast rule regarding what practical experience looks like.
While some applicants work full-time, others might participate in internships or volunteer work.
Whatever the experience, it will help you develop critical thinking skills relevant to your law school education and prepare you for any challenges you might face.
Extracurricular activities
While they’re not technically law school requirements, extracurricular activities will boost your application and help you stand out.
Participating in an extracurricular activity will show that you can manage your time effectively, work well with others, and, depending on the activity, want to help people.
While all extracurriculars are great, focus on choosing ones that involve service, require a significant time commitment, and allow you to develop relevant skills.
Bonus points if you hold an important position, like president, executive member, or chair!
Here are some extracurriculars to explore:
- Sports teams
- Internships
- Mock trial
- Community service
- Student government
- Research
Your story
Remember, the most important part of your personal statement is being able to tell a cohesive story.
That means you must be selective about what you include. Otherwise, you run the risk of appearing chaotic and disorganized.
It’s best to identify your theme before you write your story.
Here are a few things to ask yourself as you brainstorm:
- Which three character traits set you apart?
- What is something that someone wouldn’t know about you?
- Why are you applying to law school?
- What do you want to accomplish as a lawyer?
Take your time answering these questions — but don’t spend more than a couple of hours on them at a time.
Include everything.
And when you’re ready, look at your answers objectively and figure out how you would sum them up in a single sentence.
There’s your theme!
Before we wrap up, I want to touch again on one of the most important law school requirements: your GPA.
What GPA do you need to get into law school?
The average GPA of entering law school students is 3.55, but the GPA you’ll need depends on the school you want to attend.
Realistically, a 2.5 GPA is the lowest GPA any law school will accept.
But if you want to attend a top 10 school, a “safe” GPA is 3.85 or higher.
As long as you’re close to a school’s average GPA, you can probably get in.
For example, a 3.4 would be acceptable for a school with a 3.7 average, but a 2.8 wouldn’t be.
Next steps
There you have it!
A comprehensive guide to the most important law school requirements.
I’ve helped dozens of students navigate law school requirements and get into their number one school.
And I can help you, too.
Find out what it’s like to work with me here.
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