Students learn law through reading casebooks and studying legal theories, writing essays and participating in class discussions; their grades reflect their ability to interpret and apply these theories.
Many students participate in extracurricular activities geared toward professional development, such as moot court or law review. Others take on internships to gain hands-on experience working real cases.
Why choose a career in law?
One of the primary motivations behind law degrees is realizing from their personal experiences that legal work is something they love doing. By becoming an advocate and making a difference in lives of others, pursuing law degrees gives meaning and contributes to fulfilling legal profession’s mission.
Another attractive aspect of law as a career choice is its promise for professional advancement. Students can engage in numerous extracurricular activities focused on professional growth such as law review and moot court competitions that offer valuable experiences while building both academic and social skills. Such events also serve as networking opportunities and can offer invaluable legal experience.
Law school also equips people with critical thinking and analytical abilities, providing them with tools they need to quickly evaluate complex situations and find viable solutions – skills which will prove valuable in many different careers and industries.
In recent years, the job market for lawyers has been relatively consistent. According to a report from the National Association for Law Placement, in 2019 92% of new lawyers who obtained legal degrees found full-time employment that required one. This marks an all-time high rate since 30 years! In addition, salaries continue to increase; currently median annual pay in private practice stands at $80,000 annually.
How to get into law school
An excellent undergraduate GPA and LSAT scores are key elements in getting into law school, but you also must demonstrate your dedication and passion for the profession. Speak with a counselor in your undergraduate career center about your interests before selecting a major that will give you an advantage if applying to law school later on; English imparts reading and writing abilities while psychology explores human nature while criminal justice offers insight into legal processes – or consider double majoring if your interests run deep across several subjects, according to Gerald Bradshaw’s Chicago Tribune columnist Gerald Bradshaw writes in that double majors can give competitive edges when applied towards admission applications compared with single majors alone if that particular major choice gives competitive edge on future applications!
Take an array of classes taught by professors who know you well to bolster your academic transcript and demonstrate that you will be able to handle the rigorous rigors of law school. Engage in activities outside of class that will hone leadership and public speaking abilities such as student government, intramural sports teams or volunteering for local community organizations. If possible, obtain an internship, as this will offer insight into your future field that won’t come through books alone.
Make a list of criteria you’ll use to narrow your school selection using law school databases, guides and the internet. Attend law school fairs/forums hosted by your undergraduate institution or LSAC to meet representatives and gain an insider perspective into legal education.
What to expect in law school
As part of their first year in law school, you’ll need to adjust to an unfamiliar academic environment and form of learning. Many students find the first year difficult; reading can often exceed 50-100 pages per class per night with more complex writing assignments compared with undergrad studies. Many schools provide early legal writing support classes in order to help their newcomers hone these essential skills.
Most law schools employ the Socratic method for teaching, with grades determined primarily through end-of-semester exams. As students rarely receive regular feedback on their work, this can be highly stressful. Therefore, developing an efficient study and homework routine is vital – some students find success by creating helpful outlines or participating in study groups; other rely on organizational and time management skills to avoid procrastination or poor study habits.
Law school professors can be invaluable career resources. They can offer insight into potential jobs or offer guidance regarding potential opportunities or simply talk with students directly about the work involved in becoming lawyers.
Moot court exercises provide students with additional classroom learning. Here, they research and prepare briefs for mock trials before presenting them to other students and judges for review. Moot courts aim to simulate what it would be like practicing law in real world scenarios.
What to expect after law school
After graduating law school, graduates may pursue several career options. They could work as solo practitioners or take up a judicial clerkship; find jobs at federal and state government levels; join a military unit; work for corporations with legal departments or non-profit organizations; become professors; or pursue further degrees such as advanced legal studies.
Many law school students choose to participate in student organizations and extracurricular activities as extracurriculars during law school, including moot court competitions or finding part-time jobs to make extra money while they study. Furthermore, some focus on writing for and editing for one of their scholarly journals – becoming part of one is considered an honor that could benefit a prospective lawyer’s future career prospects.
At first, law school can be dauntingly overwhelming; students must quickly read and analyze cases as well as prepare for several exams, all the while managing stress effectively and limiting procrastination in order to be successful in law school. Successful law students develop effective study techniques while managing stress effectively in order to thrive academically.
Before applying to law school, be sure to carefully consider your career goals and the current employment numbers. An increase in enrollments without regard for job market needs could result in an imbalance between demand for lawyers and available opportunities.