Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get into law school? This is a question that will send you off on an adventure of research and consideration. Let us help you get started on the right foot.
Our FAQs below cover just a few of the first questions you might have. We respond to the basics: how to get into law school, the cost of law school, when to apply to law schools, and how to apply to law schools.
You can learn even more by registering for our free, self-paced Preparing For Law School program with 100+ online mini-lessons. Course content is exclusively created by attorneys and law academics so you get an insider view of the field.
Getting into Law School
Q: How hard is it to get into law school?
A: Getting into law school might not be as difficult as you think. While there is no doubt that many law schools have high academic standards combined with a good standardized test score, requirements for each school vary. There are approximately 200 law schools across the U.S., all looking to bring together a mix of students that shape each new class. Your personal background and experience may be exactly what they’re looking for.
Q: What GPA do you need to get into law school?
A: The top law schools in the country will want to see a highly competitive GPA, usually between a 3.7 and 4.0.
While many schools require a 3.0 GPA, it is important to remember that GPA is not the only metric law schools care about. LSAT scores, your lived experience, and your background are all important factors an admissions team takes into account.
Q: How much does law school cost?
A: Education Data Initiative reports that the average total cost of law school (3 years) in 2023 is $220,335. Tuition accounts for $146,484 of this total, with $73,851 accounting for living expenses.
Of course, this is just an average, and there is a wide range of costs dependent on the school you select. For example, you can typically rely on public law schools to be more affordable than private schools.
Q: Is law school worth it?
A: The major benefits of attending law school include high earning potential, a wide range of legal careers available across many industries, and impressive professional skills like research and communication.
Our free Preparing for Law School program will give you an in-depth look at the profession and provide reflection questions to ask yourself as you consider applying for law school.
When to Apply for Law School
Q: When should I apply to law school?
A: Deciding exactly when to apply to law school is a personal decision. While some may choose to start immediately after finishing their undergraduate degree, others will choose to wait several years (maybe even decades) to apply. In fact, the American Bar Association reports that most students wait a year before starting law school.
For many, waiting allows them to start their professional career, save money for law school, or spend more time studying for the necessary standardized tests. Some may even defer an admission to take a gap year.
Once you decide you are ready to apply, you should plan around law school applications typically opening in the month of September. You’ll want to begin researching and gathering the application requirements by January of the year you’re applying. That will give you the spring to research your top picks, study and take the necessary exams, and begin considering who you’ll ask to write your letters of recommendation.
Most law schools admit students on a rolling basis, so it’s to your advantage to apply early. Aim to have all of your applications submitted by the winter holidays.
How to Apply to Law School
Q: What do you need to get into law school?
A: The most common requirements to get into a law school are strong academic performance in an undergraduate degree program (usually a 3.0 GPA at a minimum, or a 3.7 to 4.0 GPA for top law schools), and a strong standardized test score (the LSAT is the most widely accepted exam, although many schools also accept the GRE).
Experts recommend aiming for a 150 minimum LSAT score, with a 170 goal for a top law school. However, “numbers” are not the only component that admissions committees consider.
You’ll also need to secure excellent letters of recommendation to include with your application, a strong resume showcasing your involvement, experience, and leadership capabilities, and narrative pieces (personal statement, optional addenda, etc.) that tell the admissions committee who you are, in your own words.
Q: How many law schools should I apply to?
A: The general consensus is that you should apply to a minimum of 5 law schools, and up to 12 if you’d like to increase your odds even more. It’s recommended that you include a mix of reach schools, target schools, and safety schools.
Q: What’s the #1 thing I should know before applying to law schools?
A: You should feel strongly that being a lawyer is the career for you! Law school is a significant investment of time and money, so you should do your research about the career in advance.
This is where our free Preparing for Law School program comes in. The 3 course modules include:
Module 1: Why Law School?
Module 2: Why You?
Module 3: Why Now?
The program’s mini lessons will guide you through making this big decision.