To practise law, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. The University at Buffalo School of Law reports that political science, psychology, criminal justice, English, history, economics, and sociology are the most common undergraduate majors among accepted students.
Referral letters
Official transcripts and recommendation letters are required application materials for law school. According to the Law School Admission Council, the best recommendation letters come from people who are familiar with your work and can comment on your strengths and prospects. You may learn how to write an effective letter by looking at samples like the ones Boston University has put online.
LSAT – Law School Admissions Exam
The Law School Admission Council is in charge of coordinating the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) (LSAC). There are four portions of the test that together measure your logical thinking, analytical reasoning, reading comprehension, and writing abilities. You’ll have three and a half hours to complete the test. The Princeton Review reports an average score of 151 on a scale from 120 to 180.
There are seven times a year that you can take the LSAT. The Princeton Review recommends taking the exam as early as possible, ideally in the spring of your junior year, to ensure that your results are ready in time for the early application deadlines of the colleges of your choice. Before applying to law school, make sure you check with the schools directly. Acceptance of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as an alternative to the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is slowly expanding.
Going to School for Law
The standard period spent in law school is three years. A number of educational establishments provide courses that may be completed on a part-time basis, allowing students to attend lessons in the late afternoons and on weekends. At the moment, there are no online legal degree programmes that are recognised by the American Bar Association.
Gaining Admission to a Prestigious Institution
It’s not easy to get into the best law schools, but there’s a good reason for it. Graduates are in great demand from illustrious companies and may expect starting earnings significantly higher than those of their non-graduate counterparts. Public Legal reports that the average starting income for graduates from prestigious universities like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cornell, and Northwestern is $180,000. Salary reports from graduates of the lowest-ranked institutions range from $45,500 to $70,000.
The Bar Exam
Each state’s Board of Examiners controls its own version of the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). There are resources for every jurisdiction’s bar exam on the website of the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NBEX). Deadlines for registering and other specifics might differ from state to state, so it’s crucial to do your research. The bar examination takes place over a span of two days. If you’re debating whether to write down or type up your responses, check out the benefits and drawbacks listed on JD Advising. Exams are given twice yearly, and success is required before you may work as an attorney. Seventy-five per cent of 2018 test takers succeeded in their initial attempt, citing the American Bar Association. Approximately 97% of graduates have passed their state bar test within two years of receiving their degree.
Judge
The President of the United States makes judicial appointments, which must be confirmed by the Senate. They serve indefinitely and hear matters involving federal statutes, the Constitution, interstate conflicts, and bankruptcies. Depending on the state, judges can serve either a fixed term or indefinitely if elected. The vast majority of both criminal and civil matters are heard before them. In 2010, federal judges made between $175,000 and $225,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average salary range for a state judge is between $100,000 and $200,000, however, this varies widely by jurisdiction.
Master of Law
Colleges and universities employ law professors to instruct students. The Society of American Law Teachers (SALT) reports that these professionals typically make six figures. According to a pay study conducted by SALT in 2012, the average annual income for a tenured professor was $170,000 and that of a tenure-track associate professor was $90,000 to $130,000. According to the website Education Dive, New York Law School has the second-highest professor salary in the United States. The average salary for a full-time professor in 2012 was $175,000.
