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As people start hearing back from law schools, there is much celebration and often some disappointment. However, there is also a third possibility that not much is written on — being waitlisted. I was waitlisted at nine (you read that correctly) law schools, including eight in the top
The “right time” for law school will vary from person to person, based on many factors, from finances to undergrad experiences to family considerations. But here’s the good news: every year, first-year law students come from a mix of folks fresh out of undergrad and those who have been working
Should you choose a concentration or specialization in law school? What do they entail? And what’s the difference, anyway? You’ll find answers to these frequently asked questions and more below.
Future 1Ls, this one's for you! I thought I would share my thoughts on the factors rising law school students should consider when choosing a law school.* I think there are three things that you should consider once you have made the choice to go to law school: finances, school
I spoke at my law school at an admitted students’ event about how I decided on a law school. I am sharing some of my thoughts here as well because I know that many of you are making the same decision.
So, you’re ready for law school! Congratulations on making that decision. But which school to go to? There are hundreds of fine law schools throughout the country and finding the right fit can be a daunting task. This post discusses some of the factors rising law school students should consider
I got an email asking me for advice on studying for the LSAT – the law school admissions test. I told the person I’d write a thread about it so others could benefit from the information. So here goes.
It has happened to you before. Your cousin’s best friend is thinking of becoming a lawyer. Your neighbor’s daughter is a college senior applying to the same school where you studied law. As a shining young face of the legal profession, you are asked to have The Talk about what
Is law school right for you? The answer to this question is often unclear. If you’re thinking about law school, you probably fall into one of two categories: You either dream of being a lawyer or you’re at a career decision point and looking for your next move. Before you buy
Q: I’m a freshman in High School, and I want to prepare to become an attorney. I have already done a bit of research, but there are still a few questions that I have (below). A: Excellent! You are preparing early! Being a lawyer can be fascinating and rewarding. But it’s
Is pre-law right for you? Yes, no, and it depends. I recommend any students considering law school participate in a pre-law program after careful evaluation. In addition to going through a pre-law program myself, I talked with two young lawyers that both attended an undergraduate program that offered a pre-law
If you’re like a lot of lawyers I speak to, you’re constantly watching out for good books that might lead you to rethink the way you run your practice and/or the services you render to your clients. I’m just like you. The truth is, my computer bookmarks are full of links
Some attorneys knew what kind of law they want to practice long before law school. Others may be well into their career and still trying to figure it all out. For the latter, we've got a new tool for you. ABA Legal Career Central has teamed up with
You’ve decided that law school is your next step. But, there are approximately 200 accredited law schools in the U.S. How do you choose which schools to apply to? Many applicants want to apply to only the top schools as ranked by US News and World Report rankings or a similar
We often talk to young undergrads who want to know our secret formula for success – should they join 15 clubs in college? Major in Philosophy to demonstrate logical thinking and writing skills? Take that prestigious internship on Capitol Hill? Study abroad to learn a second language? The right response
The ABA has graciously invited me to write for its law school audience. I couldn’t think of anything more topical to write about for a law school audience than the information my peers and I wish we had known before embarking on our law school journey. My social network unanimously
American Bar Association data show that in 2012, out-of-state tuition at public law schools averaged $36,202 per year and private law school tuition averaged $40,634. Factoring in “indirect costs” such as books, housing, board, and health insurance (which can cost between $12,500 and $25,000 per academic year), the stated “cost
Nikki Johnson-Huston always wanted to get a master of business administration (MBA) degree, but her ultimate dream was a law degree. She didn’t think she could do both, so she opted for law school. One of the first things Johnson-Huston learned in law school was that her assumption was wrong. She
Law school is a social and cultural world unto itself. Like all societies and cultures, it has its own set of norms and rules. Understanding and employing proper etiquette will help you succeed. “We had an incident in a student’s first week at school,” recalled Sarah Zearfoss, senior assistant dean for
Law professors expect students to understand the basic concepts through their own class preparation. Undergraduate professors typically lecture and tell students everything they need to know. Law professors rarely explain everything in cases because they expect students to have thought extensively about the material prior to class. They discuss only
Before the Bar is the blog of the ABA Law Student Division. It brings together a diversity of opinions, experiences, and voices from those associated with the law anywhere in the world and is targeted to law students, current, past and future.
Unless stated, the opinions shared by our writers do not reflect the official position of the American Bar Association.
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