Tips for Women Entering Law School
If you are a woman thinking about entering law school, you will need to be prepared to work hard and put your full effort into the process. It can be hard to compete, so it’s a good idea to start the preparation process early on.
Staying Organized
It’s a good idea to create a timeline of deadlines so you can stay on top of them. Organize these by school since different ones have varying deadlines. Mark personal deadlines, such as when you need to ask your professors or supervisors for letters of recommendation. Consider how you will organize your finances as well. Getting your graduate law degree can be expensive, and during law school, you will most likely not have time to work to bring in extra income. You might want to consider taking out a student loan from a private lender to pay for the degree.
Targeting Your Interests
It’s a good idea to ensure you are taking a demanding enough course load, especially if you already know the requirements of your desired school. These courses should intellectually challenge you, allowing you to develop the skills and abilities you know you will need in order to do well on future exams. It’s a good idea to take courses that focus on reading, writing, and even philosophy. These will all help create a solid foundation for taking the LSAT later on.
Of course, try to take other courses besides social sciences or humanities. A law school admissions counselor wants to see you have taken a variety of different classes so you can broaden your horizons. If you have a particular school in mind, ensure they know they are your targeted school. Don’t lie if you only have a couple of most-desired schools, but do take the time to carefully think about the ones that will give you the right mix of career opportunities and academics. You can let a few top ones know you are the most interested in them.
Taking the LSAT
Many need to take the LSAT several times in order to pass, but try to take it only once if possible. Think of the first time as your only time taking it so you motivate yourself to do your best. It takes money and time to take the test each time around, and these are both resources that might be significantly limited. The admissions process can be time-sensitive, so you will need to keep ahead of things. The first time around, you should aim to get the highest score possible. Still, if you feel you could benefit by taking the test a second time around to boost your score, this can still be a possibility.
Getting Together Letters of Recommendation
Many law schools will require you to submit letters of recommendation, so take the time to cultivate relationships with possible writes of these letters. You don’t want to have a relationship with one of these people just to get a letter out of them, especially since having a network of supporters can help you out later. Still, having a great letter from someone who knows your qualities can be extremely helpful in the admissions process.
