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There are at
least five variables that come into play
when law schools evaluate prospective
students: GPA, LSAT scores, letters of
recommendation, personal statement, and
valuable life experiences such as
internships, jobs, extracurricular, and
volunteer activities. There are other
factors that might play into the equation,
depending on the particular law school.
When reviewing an
applicant's academic record, law schools look closely at
rigor of course selection, and GPA earned. Therefore, choose
a major that excites you so that you will do well and enjoy
your time at Trinity. Rather than trying to figure out what
the admissions committee wants, it is best to study subjects
you feel passionate about and in which you can excel; earn
excellent recommendations from professors, employers and
internship sponsors; and prepare yourself thoroughly for the
LSAT.
The best preparation for law
school is taking undergraduate courses in many different
areas that are academically challenging. No specific majors
or courses are required or even suggested before you enroll.
Because your law courses will require you to read, analyze,
and write, you should be sure to take many courses that give
you practice at those skills. Admissions committees prefer
that applicants major in traditional liberal arts and
sciences fields, and sometimes look with disfavor on
candidates who design their majors or choose more modern or
progressive majors.
Study abroad, internships,
and work experience that show significant responsibility can
enhance your application. Extracurricular activities that
demonstrate leadership abilities can also have this effect.
While law schools do not
require you to have legal experience, an internship in a
legal setting can provide you with the hands-on experience
and access to practicing attorneys to help you assess
whether law school is the right decision for you.
The following list of skills
and knowledge areas recommended for law school have been
defined by the American Bar Association:
WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED TO
SUCCEED IN LAW SCHOOL?
Analytical and
Problem-Solving Skills
Includes critical thinking,
tolerance for ambiguity, ability to structure and evaluate
arguments, ability to apply principles or theories to new
situations and developing solutions to new problems.
Critical Reasoning Skills
Includes experience reading
and critically analyzing complex texts, whether in
literature, politics, economics, history, or philosophy and
the ability to read and assimilate large amounts of material
in short amounts of time.
Writing Skills
Ability to express oneself
clearly and concisely, mastery of language, grammar and
syntax. Includes analytical and interpretative writing and
writing works of substantial length.
Oral Communication and
Listening Skills
Ability to speak clearly
and persuasively, to understand and interpret others’
communications quickly, and to respond in an organized,
critical, and composed manner.
Research Skills
Ability to complete
projects involving substantial library research and the
analysis of large amounts of information. Skill at planning
a research strategy, analyzing, organizing and presenting a
large amount of material, as well as familiarity with
computerized tools of research.
In general, you should
consider taking courses in the following areas, as your
major permits: English, Literature, History, Political
Science, Philosophy, Economics, mathematics, Psychology,
Sociology, Anthropology, non-Western studies, languages,
natural sciences. |
