Some important steps must be taken before you have the opportunity to enter a US legal program.
The first step is to obtain a bachelor’s degree, which is the minimum academic requirement that gives you the possibility to apply to any law school in the country. The American Bar Association (ABA) has not recommended a single specific field, therefore your journey to law school can start from basically any area of study, regardless of whether it is psychology, business, political science, math or something else. Typically, before applying to law school, students major in economics or political science, English, philosophy, business, or even journalism.
The next step is to go through the LSAT process – the abbreviation stands for “Law School Admission Test.” You MUST take the LSAT to be eligible for the application review process in law schools. Officers will use your scores to determine your knowledge. The text includes five sections with multiple-choice questions, and there is also a sample writing section that is not scored. By completing the test, you are demonstrating your skills in areas such as analysis, presenting a coherent argument, as well as the ability to reason and think critically.
Next is the application step. Just select ABA accredited schools. Officials will consider your GPA, undergraduate course work, and LSAT score, but you will also be evaluated for your community service, letters of recommendation, and organizational affiliations.
The National Conference of Bar Examiners created the Multistate Uniform Bar Examination which is fully implemented by Colorado BAR Examiners including a multiple-choice exam, an essay section, and two 90-minute performance test questions.
What will you need as a foreign student?
- Bachelor’s degree (in any subject)
- Registration with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
- LSAT score
- Recommendations
- TOEFL score
- Economic documents that accredit your funds for the academic year.
How is Law School different in the United States?
Many countries offer the opportunity to enter a law program immediately after completing high school, without the need for a prior higher education credential. But in the United States, you first need to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, admissions tests for law schools and universities in other countries are field-specific, while in the United States the LSAT assesses critical thinking, argumentation, analytical skills, and those qualities.
Best Law Schools in America
- Harvard
- Yale
- Columbia
- Stanford
- University of Chicago
- NYU
- Penn University
- University of Virginia
- UCB
- Northwestern University
Types of law degrees in the US
Juris Doctor is the title awarded by all the country’s law schools. It is the minimum requirement for those who wish to practice a legal profession in the States. Full-time students complete the program in three years, while part-time students complete the program over four years. With the current restrictions because of COVID-19, you can take an online JD program approved by the American Bar Association.
Master of Laws is a degree that requires a one-year, full-time participation course. It can be done by both American students and foreign students.
Doctor of Legal Sciences is the equivalent of a Doctorate. It is the highest type of degree in the field of legal science. It takes three years to do this, and students who want to teach law do so more often.
How To Get Accepted Into US Law School
- The first step is to graduate from high school with good grades . Then you must enter a bachelor’s program, no matter what the field of study is. Next, you must pass the LSAT with a good enough score to be competitive. Have letters of recommendation from your professors or employers if you have done an internship that is relevant to the legal field.
- Select the schools that best suit your needs. Familiarize yourself with its requirements. Be prepared for interviews.
- Start the application process. It is good to consult with a special consultant who offers his services to foreign students who wish to practice law in the USA.
Having followed all these steps, you are on your way to studying law in the USA!