Are you wondering if pursuing a law degree is worth it? The rise of college tuition and lower demand in the market is only magnifying the importance of this question. Some of the most important things you should know while considering a career in law are listed below.
Majors
Before you can get into law school, you must first go through an undergraduate program. Often, people make the mistake of thinking that because they aren’t yet in law school, any major they choose will be okay. Technically most majors will allow you to complete this requirement, but you must also keep in mind your grade point average. Law school acceptance rates are well below 20 percent, which means even students with 3.8 GPA will often be denied admission.
So, what major should you choose for the best chance of admission? History is considered to be the best major to pursue; data on College Consensus shows that history majors have an 85 percent rate of acceptance into a law school.
The LSAT
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is the nationally accepted entrance exam for all the law schools in the United States and Canada. The exam is separated into two parts, which consist of a multiple-choice section and an essay section. The LSAT is not a test to determine your knowledge of the law; instead, it tests how you analyze it. As you may know, practicing law requires a lot of reading, code-breaking and explaining. Therefore, according to the University of Massachusetts, law schools want to know if you have strengths in those skill areas. The best way to prepare for this type of exam is to go over practice tests and seek additional information regarding the exam’s structure.
Law School
When it comes to choosing the right law school, there are a few things to keep in mind. One of the most common issues that students face is the distance of the school from their home. The fact is that the farther you are from home, the more expensive it is and distant you’ll be from your family and friends. When it comes to choosing the right place to learn, you should also consider its track record. According to Gomez Trial Attorneys, law school is an intense study of the law that applies to certain situations. A deep understanding of the law prepares law students to represent clients who need legal help. Although most schools will provide you with the basics, you might want to look for one that goes above and beyond with their teaching styles. For example, they might teach about resources such as nationalpardon.org.
Careers
Contrary to what television shows tend to portray, not all attorneys are constantly in the courtroom battling it out. Fortunately, this means there are a variety of legal careers to choose from. Some of those include being a private consultant to businesses, a professor of law, law firm administrator and banker. With today’s innovations in technology, most of these jobs can be performed and applied for via the internet.Are you considering a career in law? Practicing law is one of the most revered career paths, and rightfully so. However, before you take the big leap and invest your time and money, it is highly recommended to consider the actions you’ll need to take to accomplish this dream.