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Law School

Law, lawyers, and legal practice are necessary for the function of a free society. Whether writing the Declaration of Independence, drafting the U.S. Constitution, or litigating civil rights cases, lawyers have sought to rectify societal wrongs in our country for more than 200 years. That’s not to suggest that by becoming a lawyer you will necessarily be doing anything of these things. However, every day, lawyers ensure that the rule of law is respected by an independent judiciary. Moreover, lawyers work on everything from complex financial transactions and first-degree murder charges to contentious child-custody cases. These lawyers translate complicated legal concepts to their clients, juries, judges, and other lawyers. They serve as advocates, teachers, mediators, and counselors. They work for law firms, government agencies, corporations, NGOs, civil rights organizations, universities, athletes, celebrities, sport franchises, banks, and bar associations to name just a few. 

Students interested in entering the legal profession must first attend law school.  In the United States, law school is generally a three-year full-time or four-year part time program that leads to a Juris Doctor earned after a student attains a bachelor’s degree.   

The journey to becoming a member of the legal profession is long.  Good lawyers aren’t created overnight.   With strong academic credentials and proper preparation and advising, though, Ohio University students are admitted to law schools across the nation every year, including to top programs. 

Step one: Explore majors that develop skills requisite for success in law

Students can apply to law school with any academic background.  In fact, the American Bar Association (ABA) does not recommend any specific undergraduate major or group of courses to prepare a student for success in legal education. However, it is important that students take courses that challenge them to develop critical thinking, writing, and research, and other skills.  Additionally, it is important that students choose a major that they can excel in, since undergraduate grade point average is a component of the law school admissions process.   

At Ohio University, we offer six pre-law majors in Business, Geography, History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Sociology. Additionally, OHIO offers a competitive certificate in Law, Justice & Culture that many students interested in law school pursue. Find more information regarding OHIO’s Pre-Law offerings.    

Step two: Explore the legal profession

As you are deciding if the legal profession is a good fit for your interests and skill set, it is important to explore the legal profession. Ohio University offers students many opportunities to do this, including: 

  • Getting involved in co-curricular student organizations like Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, Ohio University Mock Trial, and others  

  • Pursuing legal internships, like the Access to Justice Internship and others through the Center for Law, Justice & Culture 

  • Engaging in campus programming, such as Mock Law School Classes with law school faculty and Pre-Law Day, where students meet and network with alumni lawyers and judges, and others 

  • Meeting with the Director of Legal Engagement and Pre-Law Program, who has years of practical legal experience and is a licensed attorney   

Step three: Prepare for and take the LSAT

Once students have decided that they would like to attend law school, they will need to take the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT. Students should register for an account with the Law School Admissions Council and review upcoming test dates. Generally, students must register for the LSAT approximately six weeks prior to the test administration dates.  However, students should study for the test for three to four months, with approximately 250 hours of studying, including practice LSAT administrations. A number of low and no-cost test prep options exist, including LSAC’s collaboration with the Khan Academy, as well as a number of commercial test preparation companies whose costs vary a great deal, depending on the company.  Scores are released two-three weeks after test administration dates and students should consider whether they would like to retake the test.  Generally, while law schools see all LSAT administrations, most schools will consider your highest score when making admissions decisions.  

As you prepare for the LSAT, be sure to meet with the Director of Legal Engagement and Pre-Law Program to discuss your plans.    

Step four: Prepare and submit strong law school applications

Law school admission season spans from early fall semester through late spring semester, with some schools even accepting applications into the summer.  Law schools operate on rolling admissions, meaning they make decisions on applications as they are received.  Because of this, students are well advised to submit their applications early in the cycle to position themselves to receive the best possible admissions and financial aid offers.     

All students submitting law school applications must register for and utilize the LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service.  This service collects your transcripts, LSAT scores, letters of recommendation, and other materials into one place and transmits them to law schools that you apply to.  

All candidates to law school must submit to all law schools: 

  • Transcripts of all post-secondary educational work 

  • LSAT scores  

  • Resume 

  • Personal Statement 

  • Two (or more) letters of recommendation 

In addition, some law schools have additional or optional materials that students must submit, such as addendum explaining certain issues, essays related to a candidate’s interests, and more. 

Before assessing which schools they plan to apply to, students should attend Ohio University’s Law Fair, which takes place every fall. They should also utilize the LSAC’s LSAT/GPA calculator, which helps them determine safe schools, target schools, and reach schools and their likelihood of admission at each.  

An ideal time for students to submit their law school applications is between late October and late November.  

As you are preparing your law school applications, be sure to make an appointment with the Director of Legal Engagement and Pre-Law Program.  

Step five: Assess offers and submit law school deposit

Students should learn their admissions decisions from most law schools no later than three months after submitting their applications. As students are deciding which schools to attend, they should consider: 

  • Cost of attendance with financial aid offers 

  • Bar passage rates 

  • Employment rate 

  • Geographic location  

  • Areas of specialization  

  • Whether the school is the right “fit” for them   

Each school has different deposit deadlines and amounts, so students should be sure to submit their deposits by those deadlines to ensure to save their seat in the class.  

The Director of Legal Engagement and Pre-Law Program is a great resource for assessing your law school offers.