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“Why are you interested in law school?”
That’s the first question a law school admissions officer will ask you if you’re considering law and law school. Having a concrete, thoughtful answer to this question is essential.
To get to that point, you need to know what you’re talking about, which in turn requires that you do some research to thoroughly explore law as a career option. A legal education can lead to a wide range of career possibilities. It can also open doors to careers in business, government, education, and communication as well as many other fields. The law can be an exciting, intellectually challenging, and rewarding profession. But, law school is also an enormous commitment and while it is indeed possible, it’s not a foregone conclusion that you will be able to easily take a J.D. and work in another field if you decide that law is not the right path for you.
In other words, it’s crucial for you to determine whether law is right for you before you go to law school.
By taking an early and active role in your career planning, you will be in a better position to decide whether law school is for you!
Resources For Exploring Legal Education
Regardless of your major or year in school, there are programs and resources available to help!
- Sign up for the Legal Pathways mailing list to make sure you get updates about programs and events on campus for law-interested students!
- The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website has a plethora of resources for students hoping to attend law school or considering applying. Make sure to spend time exploring what they have available, like the many free resources for aspiring law students
- Legal Pathways Mentorship Program
- ABA-LSAC Official Guide to Law School
- American Bar Association (ABA) national Pipeline Diversity Initiatives Directory
- AccessLex Institute: Aspiring Law Students
- Join a student group, like Pre-Law Society
- Observe a law school class at a local law school, like University of Washington School of Law or Seattle University School of Law by contacting the admissions department
Perspectives on law school and practice
- Law School Admission Council: Discover Law
- American Bar Association: Should you go to law school?
- Above the Law: Deciding To Go To Law School In One Epic Flowchart
Law-related student organizations
- Criminal Justice League
- Collaborative Association for Reintegration and Education (CARE)
- Pre-Law Society
