Working 60-80+ hours a week is typical here (especially at larger firms), but most lawyers can expect to work long hours no matter what field. For instance, if you’re passionate about tight-rope walking and want to start a club on campus—which requires a petition, campus grant money applications, arguing your case to the student activities committee, etc.—that can be an equally strong addition to your application, while adding color to it. Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them. } You cannot go straight from high school to law school. Lawyers make a median salary of $129,910, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Luckily, prospective law students can major in anything. The film Legally Blonde actually provides a good overview of what to expect (minus arguing a criminal murder trial as a first-year): hours of reading cases and studying each night, being cold called on to analyze cases in class, and forming study groups to get through all the material. This type of law involves providing legal work to marginalized groups. Law school is typically a three-year course of study that culminates in sitting for the Bar Exam in the state you wish to practice in. Indiana University stresses the importance of writing, especially, since most law school courses assign a class grade based on a single end-of-course essay or research project. Most students use the first summer of law school to intern in an area that interests them. But there is a large amount of variation between different specializations and the public and private sectors. hbspt.forms.create({ In some ways, you’ve been preparing for law school your whole life. Lawyers make a median salary of $129,910, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many politicians also come from backgrounds in law. Lawyers make a median salary of $129,910, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 'View - Blog CTA', { There are a lot of considerations to take into account while looking into colleges, and career exploration is at the top of that list. How to Prepare to Be a Lawyer in High School . Read on to learn more about what becoming a lawyer would mean for your academic future. But if you don’t, then figuring it out can be a daunting prospect—there are so many possibilities. But what constitutes a good school can vary from person to person—what works for your best friend or sibling might not be a good fit for you. Moot court competitions and summer camps are available for high school students. This requires an extensive interview process with multiple rounds. Law school is typically a three-year course of study that culminates in sitting for the Bar Exam in the state you wish to practice in. Many individuals have a lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer, and they begin taking steps to improve their chances of getting into a good law school as early as their high school days. I have a 4.0 and am in the top magnet school in state as a communications major. For example, in 2012, only 8 percent of applicants to Yale Law School were accepted. Most states require that aspiring lawyers obtain this degree before taking the bar exam. You don’t need to. This work could include negotiating contracts, managing risk, advising on business deals, and anything else that comes up in day-to-day business. BMus, BPHE, BKin etc. How to Become a Lawyer But if you don’t, then figuring it out can be a daunting prospect—there are so many possibilities. Anonymous answered . 2. The University of Texas at El Paso holds High School Law Camp in the summer that includes three weeks of law instruction, moot court competition, and skills preparation. Again: pre-law is not a major. Some law schools (usually state schools) will actually ask for your high school information as well as college. Here are ten books that will help you prepare for the adventure of law school: 1. Public Interest What Classes Do You Need To Take In High School To Prepare To Be A Lawyer? These experiences are also a great asset for when you write your application essays, particularly “why career” or “why major” essays. actually provides a good overview of what to expect (minus arguing a criminal murder trial as a first-year): hours of reading cases and studying each night, being cold called on to analyze cases in class, and forming study groups to get through all the material. You can apply to law school with any major, so study what you want while  developing skills that will benefit you in law school and beyond. Start by inquiring about informational interviews or job shadowing with local law firms that specialize in different areas. Calculate your chances at your dream schools and learn what areas you need to improve right now — it only takes 3 minutes and it's 100% free. Calculate your chances at your dream schools and learn what areas you need to improve right now — it only takes 3 minutes and it's 100% free. You then take elective courses based on your interests, such as corporate law, tax law or labor law. As an example of the diversity within the field, lawyers may prepare mortgage papers, draft and file will and trust documents, defend a client in a criminal trial, or conduct research in international shipping disputes, all within a standard workweek. Discover schools, understand your chances, and get expert admissions guidance — for free. So, make sure you’re taking a wide range of courses where you can; for instance, if you major in a STEM field, make sure that you take some courses that require readings and papers rather than problem sets and lab reports. Now what? I'm in high school, and I'm thinking of becoming a lawyer, so I was wondering if there was anything I could do to prepare for college and law school. } Clerking for a judge is also a government position available to lawyers; becoming a judge is also a possibility, but only a small percentage of lawyers go on to become judges, as it requires gaining much experience and being appointed or elected to the position. Start by inquiring about informational interviews or job shadowing with local law firms that specialize in different areas. degree. These experiences are also a great asset for when you write your application essays, particularly “why career” or “why major” essays. Law is an oft-discussed profession—and for good reason. Student volunteers perform clerical duties and similar tasks while learning about the legal profession. Some lawyers do this in a courtroom as advocates for their clients, while others advise their clients and might not spend any time in a courtroom at all. Most law school graduates work in law firms when first starting out, to get the specialized experience necessary before going into other fields later on. You can major in anything and still become a lawyer. In high school, you should start to think about what type of law you want to practice. , knowledge, and many graduates Complete a one-year clerkship afterward patent law: Shadow a lawyer she... Or a… here are ten books that will demonstrate how you spend your summers is extremely important in law Confidential. Obtain this degree before taking the LSAT good summer associate position and excelling in it can mean that first... 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