Apply to Law School

Before you begin researching law schools or preparing to apply, take some time to decide whether law school is right for you.

First, think about your career goals. If you plan to practice law, then by all means apply to law school. But a law degree is not necessary for some law-related fields, so connect with connect with BC alumni on Eagle Exchange to find out more about the profession you intend to enter.

Joining a law-related student organization can be a great way to determine or enhance the level of your interest in law. The Bellarmine Law Society and the AHANA Pre-Law Student Association present panels each year on different aspects of the legal profession and the law school admission process.  The Boston College Mock Trial team offers the opportunity for intercollegiate courtroom competition.

Consider the financial implications of a law school degree. While some careers in the law can be very lucrative, salaries vary considerably depending on your career path. Learn more about financing law school before applying.

If you plan to apply to law school, it’s never too early to start thinking about how to strengthen your application and make yourself an attractive candidate. Here are some strategies.

Choosing a Major

Law schools are interested in candidates from every discipline. The American Bar Association states that “there is no single path that will prepare you for a legal education.” So you should choose a major that you’re interested in, as opposed to a major that you think will “look good.” It is your performance, much more than the specific courses you have taken, that will determine your attractiveness as a law school applicant.

That being said, if you want to prepare for the rigors of law school, choose courses that will develop your analytical and writing skills as part of a broad liberal arts background.  With this in mind, Boston College does offer a variety of law-related courses that may be useful for students considering law school, even if they do not provide any direct advantage in gaining admission.

These fall into three broad categories:
Note: These are just a few examples of the many number of courses available at Boston College!

Click here to view current pre-law course recommendations.

Skills Useful for Law School
In addition to analytical and writing skills, pre-law students benefit from developing their skills in analytical thinking, public speaking, debating, Latin, accounting, and finance.

• COMM 1030 Public Speaking
• COMM 1105 Elements of Debate
• CLAS 1010 Elementary Latin
• ENGL 4412, 4579 Writing Workshops
• MFIN 1021 Basic Finance
• PHIL 2264 Logic

Substantive Areas of Law and Legal Reasoning
If you want to know whether you will find the practice of law interesting, exposure to one or two substantive law courses can be helpful in making your decision.

• BSLW 1021 Law I: Intro to Law and Legal Process
  BSLW 1022 Law II: Business Law
• BSLW 1147 Constitutional Law
• BSLW 6674 Sports Law
• POLI 3521 International Law
• POLI 2386 Civil Liberties

Courses about Law and the Legal System
The courses described here can make you a stronger law school applicant by improving your skills and enhancing your understanding of the law and how it works.

• POLI 2327 U.S. Constitutional Development
• COMM 4472 Race, Law, and Media
• INTL 5563 Ethics, Religion, and International Politics
• SOCY 1030 Deviance and Social Control
• SOCY 1140 Legal & Illegal Violence Against Women
• HIST 1715 Citizenship, Immigration, & Belonging in the U.S.
• HIST 4442 U.S. Immigration History

Participating in Activities and Internships

Over time, get more deeply involved in fewer extracurricular activities. Take opportunities to lead. Research projects, public interest programs, and business experiences are all valuable in building your skills and reflecting an engaged, problem-solving attitude.

Visit the Career Center’s internship page to learn more about how to secure an internship opportunity and to learn about where BC students interned previously.

Consider joining the student pre-law organizations at Boston College, the Bellarmine Law Society and the AHANA Pre-Law Student Association.

For more information about preparing for law school, see the American Bar Association’s pre-law page.

As you prepare to apply to law school, it’s important to learn as much as possible about different schools so you can target your applications most effectively. Here are some resources to help you identify which school is likely to be the best fit for you.

LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools
This tool  provides information on the approximately 200 ABA-accredited law schools, including faculty, library resources, enrollment, and links to each law school for bar passage percentages, placement data, 25th and 75th percentile LSAT scores and GPAs

The NAPLA-SAPLA Book of Law School Lists (pdf)
Comprehensive listings of law school academic programs, areas of emphasis without graduate degrees, joint degree programs, schools that award non-need-based scholarships, and study abroad. Note: Last updated for 2017-2018.

The ABA Standard 509 Reports
These reports provide the most current and comprehensive data from the American Bar Association including LSAT score and GPA ranges for each school.

XploreJD by AccessLex
XploreJD is a free online search tool from AccessLex that uses a data-based approach to assist you in learning about law schools that meet your criteria, including location, cost, academic experience, and more.

Analytix by AccessLex
Analytix is a free tool from AccessLex that allows you to compare law school employment rates, bar passage rates, outcomes, costs, scholarships, and more.

Index to Law School Rankings
Sort potential law schools based on criteria such as median LSAT score and GPA according to the Index to Law School. You may also filter by State as well.

Ready to apply to law school? Here are some steps to help you strengthen your application and get in to the best possible school.

The LSAT

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is the standardized test of record to apply to law school. The LSAT is generally offered nine times per testing year (June-May). Students and alums applying to law school are encouraged to take the LSAT in the summer before the fall in which they apply. Please view the Law School Nuts & Bolts: The LSAT video for further information on preparing for the LSAT and the exam timeline.

There is no one way to study for the LSAT. There are a number of services and resources open to you, including BC Test Prep Courses, the Khan Academy, and the LSAC Official Test Prep.

Note that an increasing number of law schools, though not all, now accept the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in lieu of the LSAT. Click here for a list of law schools that accept the GRE.

The personal statement

Your law school personal statement needs to do two things: it needs to tell the law school something about you, and it needs to, in some way, answer the question “Why do you want to go to law school?” The statement should be roughly two pages long and should be clear, concise, and compelling.

Law schools will also ask for a series of supplemental statements, many of which are optional, including diversity and other statements. If you have something to say that adds to your application, we recommend writing a supplemental statement. For more information, please view the Law School Nuts & Bolts: Personal and Supplemental Statements video and view the How to Write a Personal Statement section below.

Letters of recommendation

Most law schools ask for two recommendations from people who recognize your strengths and understand your goals. Make an appointment to meet with your recommenders, and bring copies of your resume and/or work that you have done in their classes. Let them know why you are asking them to write for you and where you are applying, and review the points you would like them to cover. Also, make sure they know your timeline for completing your application, and give them plenty of time to meet your deadlines.

Resume

While the resume doesn’t take the place of the application form, it gives you the opportunity to highlight specific details and experience. Include a section on related coursework and research papers. For most law schools, you don’t have to restrict your resume to a single page.

Character and fitness questions

Some schools my require a Dean’s Recommendation or Dean’s Clearance of your academic and disciplinary standing. However, most will ask you to the answer questions about your academic and disciplinary standing yourself, in the Character and Fitness section of your application. Applicants must follow strict guidelines for candor and could jeopardize their applications if the standards are not met. See Full Disclosure on Disciplinary Issues below for details.

A&S students and alumni may submit the forms to the Office of Student Services, Lyons Hall 103 or via fax to (617) 552-4975. Carroll School of Management students submit forms to the Associate Dean. Questions? Send an email to studentservices@bc.edu, call (617) 552-3300, or stop by the Office of Student Services in Lyons Hall.

Transcripts

BC students and alums who are applying to law school should request that their transcript be sent to the Law School Admissions Council in the Agora Portal. Click here for instructions.

Your transcript is an essential part of your Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report that is submitted with your application. Please allow at least several weeks for your transcript request to process.

Law school is a significant commitment of both your time and resources. Before applying, it is important that you understand how to finance your legal education. We encourage you to draw on the following resources as you consider applying and to connect with law schools of interest about scholarship opportunities.

• Financing Law School
  Read this blog post for information on law school costs, financial resources, and more to get you started in the application process
• LSAT and Application Fees
  There are a number of costs associated with the law school application process, including registering for the LSAT, purchasing the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), and paying individual law school reports and application fees. Learn about the costs here.
• LSAC: Paying for Law School
  Take advantage of the Law School Admissions Council’s accessible resources on financial aid options, scholarships, student loan and debt resources, and more.
• AccessLex: Financing Your Legal Education
  Draw on AccessLex’s range of resources and tools, including webinars and info sheets, to better understand how to finance law school and pursue your legal education.
• Law School Scholarship Databank
  Access a comprehensive law school scholarship databank with updated links to hundreds of funding opportunities from external organizations.
• Student Loan Calculator by AccessLex
  Use this calculator to clarify law school cost of attendance, especially if you are carrying student loans from your undergraduate institution, and to learn about loan options.
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  Applicants who will apply for federal loans to help pay for law school must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  For students interested in careers in public interest law, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forgives the remaining balance of federal Direct Loans after ten years of payments. Learn more here.
  

Before you write, think expansively and plan deliberately

Consider the times in your life that most vividly reflect your character and personality, or that demonstrate your commitment and initiative.

Try “freewriting”—writing for a set amount of time without stopping and with no thought to grammar or spelling—to help you get started or generate new ideas.

Start by setting your style and structure

Write a working introduction just to get started. The introduction you actually use may be the last part of the essay that you write.

While the final essay should be about two pages long, early drafts will vary in length. Start by getting the main elements of the story you want to tell down on paper, then edit or expand the piece.

Avoid titles and epigraphs (quotations at the beginning of your essay), as they can be distracting.

Keep the focus on you

Show who you are by addressing these questions:

• What have you learned from your experiences?
• What do you want to learn more about (in general, not necessarily related to the law)?
• What are you motivated to do next (again, generally—not in a specific area of law)?

The key elements of the story should be your own observations, thoughts, and feelings.

Use clear, concise language

The essay takes the place of an interview, so “talk” to the reader. While the essay should be lively and expressive, it is not an exercise in creative writing. It is an exercise in communication.

A statement is stronger with fewer adjectives and adverbs. Limit the use of metaphors and allegories, if you use them at all.

Use the active voice. (“The boy sailed the boat,” not “The boat was sailed by the boy.”) Give specific examples that support your assertions and your purpose.

Tell your story in your own voice

Write about something you like or something you know. Be willing to start over if your theme isn’t working out.

“Don’t teach, don’t preach, and don’t make a speech.” Your readers know what the law is and what lawyers do.

If you enjoy writing the piece, it will show and your audience will enjoy reading it.

Writing about the law

If the application does not require you to write specifically about the law, consider writing more broadly about your experiences and goals.

If there is a required question about becoming a lawyer, be specific and substantive in your reasons. You may want to become a lawyer because you enjoy the power of words, advocacy, or the role of a constructively engaged expert. You may want to become a lawyer because you have experienced what lawyers can do and you want to do that work.

If you choose to write about the law as part of your essay, consider incorporating your ideas into your concluding paragraph. Connect how this particular degree will help you reach your goals.

Spend some time, seek advice, and then take ownership

An essay that presents your ideas accurately and articulately will require several drafts.

Complete a first draft, set it aside for a while, and then review it. Ask yourself if the work presents a positive impression of someone who is proactive, resourceful, and resilient.

Edit the text for clarity, the paragraphs for strength and purpose, the structure for logic, and the completed essay for message and style.

Show your edited draft to a friend or two. Listen carefully to their reactions to see if they understood your meaning. Next, show your edited draft to an advisor.

When you consider revisions, the goal is to strengthen your own voice. In the end, this is your personal statement.

Finally, proofread the essay. Check syntax, grammar, and spelling carefully. Do not rely on spell-check computer applications. Then let the law schools know what you are thinking: send it.

There are a number of resources to support students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in attending law school. We encourage you to draw on the resources below and to schedule a coaching appointment with the pre-law advisor to discuss your interests and what is available to you!

• LSAC Diversity Resources
  Access the Law School Admissions Council’s (LSAC) range of resources available to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
• LSAC LGBTQ+ Resources
  LSAC includes various resources for LGBTQ+ students, including information on choosing LGBTQ+-friendly law schools and coming out on your application.
• Applicants with Disabilities Resources
  Access this page to learn about resources for law school applicants with disabilities, including how to request accommodation on the LSAT. Applicants with disabilities are also encouraged to reach out to law schools of interests about offerings and accommodations.
• Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) Pre-Law Programs
  CLEO hosts a number of programs throughout the academic year and summer for underrepresented students that include application resources, mentorship opportunities, and more.
• AccessLex Diversity Pipeline Program Directory
  Access this comprehensive directory of various pipeline programs focused on supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds to aid their successful entry into law school and the legal profession.
• SEO Law
  SEO offers a range of programs to support aspiring law students from underrepresented backgrounds in the application process and allow incoming law students to gain experience in the legal field.
• Pre-Law Summer Programs Database
  Each summer, a number of organizations and universities host programs that allow students to receive support with the law school application process, gain exposure to different legal fields, and receive mentoring from legal professionals. Check out our database to find opportunities of interest.
• LSAC Fee Waivers
  For applicants who may be unable to pay the costs associated with applying to law school, including LSAC, CAS, and application fees, consider applying for fee waivers. Learn how to here.

Here are some resources to help you navigate the law school application process.

General Legal Resources

The American Bar Association and the Internet Legal Resource Guide are both excellent sources of legal information. Both also contain links to all accredited law schools in the United States. 

Additional Diversity Resources

The following organizations can provide insight, advice, and opportunities to candidates from underrepresented backgrounds applying to law school:

• Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
• Hispanic National Bar Association
• LGBT Bar
• Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
• National Black Law Student Association
• Native American Rights Fund
• NCAAP Legal Defense and Education Fund
• Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund