How does someone get into law school? Unfortunately, you can’t just sing a few songs like in Legally Blonde—getting into law school is just as intensive as law school itself. It’s time-consuming and requires the utmost dedication to succeeding. That’s why it’s important to know the steps you’ll need to take to get into law school before you even start; knowing what you’re getting into is half the battle, as the saying goes. Here are just a few requirements you need before you can get into law school.

Get a bachelor’s degree.

Unlike other graduate programs, law school doesn’t have a specific prerequisite degree or specific courses needed to get into its programs. People who get into law school come from all sorts of backgrounds with varying degrees. The important thing is that you get a bachelor’s degree full-stop and that you have a high grade point average upon graduation. Look at your schools of choice’s GPA requirements, then focus on achieving this GPA during your time as an undergraduate. 

Pass the LSAT.

During your undergraduate career, you should focus on studying for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) in addition to your other course work. This is a required exam to get into any law school and costs about $500 on average to take. The score you get on this test determines whether or not you’ll get into your school of choice, so you need to study early for it. You can do that by:

• Enrolling in LSAT courses. These courses will give you the resources needed to study for the exam and guide you through expectations for the exam.
• Get a private tutor. You can get recommendations from your school’s law department, law professors, or law students.
• Study on your own. You’ll be able to study at your own pace this way, but be careful not to get too distracted without a tutor to keep you in line.

Get your documentations.

This ranges from official transcripts, personal statements written by yourself, and letters of recommendation. You’ll want to give plenty of time for your official transcripts and letters of recommendation; transcripts can take several days to come in, and depending on the number you request, you’ll need a bit of money to cover the cost of them all. Letters of recommendation will take several days at minimum as well, so having a time cushion for these documents will be beneficial.

Apply to law schools.

When applying for law school, you should apply to at least five schools to increase the chances of one accepting you. When you’re deciding what school to go to, look at the financial cost, the school’s location, and what the school can offer you that aligns with your career goals. Also, ensure that the school has American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation, or you won’t get credit for your courses.