8 Tips for Navigating the Law School Application Process

The law school application process can be daunting, especially for first-generation professional students. Here are a few suggestions that may make that process easier to navigate.

1) Prioritize the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)

Outside of your GPA, the LSAT is one of the metrics used to determine how successful an applicant may be as a future law student. The LSAT is scored on a scale from 120 (the lowest score) to 180 (the highest score). Scoring 170 and above puts you in the 90th percentile of all test takers. An excellent GPA and a competitive LSAT help get your foot in the door. Give yourself ample time to prepare for the test, and take it when you are ready. There are a variety of test prep materials out there. Personally, one of the more cost-effective yet hard-hitting options is 7Sage. For $70 a month, you can access hundreds of explanation videos and almost every LSAT ever made.

Some other popular test prep companies include Blueprint, PowerScore, and Kaplan. I also signed up for a couple of tutoring sessions through Wyzant.com. For $30/hr, I was able to get a couple of sessions in with a tutor to help me zone in on my problem areas. Although it is my personal belief that any test you have to spend money to do well on is inherently inequitable, your LSAT score and GPA can determine the financial aid you receive from the schools to which you are accepted. Making as much of an upfront investment into your LSAT score as possible allows you to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long term.

2) Do Not Rush the Editing Process

The LSAT and GPA get your foot in the door, but your narrative pushes it open. There are thousands of qualified students applying to each school in a given year. How do you make yourself stand out? Your application materials should clearly explain why you are pursuing law school and what you can contribute to your future class and the legal profession.

The law school admissions process is special in that receiving an acceptance to a school is not just an invitation to join the intellectual community of that school but an invitation to join the legal profession. I spent about six months editing my application materials on and off. Before starting the writing process, I reflected on what I hoped to accomplish as a lawyer. Zeroing in on your “why?” gives you the clarity to craft a compelling personal statement. This is how you stand out. Having clear and concise writing skills is essential to success in the legal field. Taking the time to cut the fluff and submit a well-written statement demonstrates that you have this ability.

3) Answer the Prompt that is Given to You

Few schools offer an interview to applicants, so writing an optional statement adds another layer to your narrative. Before the Supreme Court decision, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, these statements were called “diversity statements,” and the prompt allowed you to write more generally on the diverse perspective you would bring to the law school and legal community.

Since then, instead of calling them diversity statements, many schools now refer to them as optional statements, and instead of having an open-ended prompt, they will provide you with several prompts that you could select. Please ensure you are answering the prompt you selected and not just writing about your diverse perspective generally.

Taking the time to write these optional statements gives schools another perspective on your application. For example, someone might speak about how their time as a student-athlete made them resilient or about how their religion shaped their ability to question narratives and be more skeptical. These prompts give you the freedom to think more broadly about what you want to write but generally keep it short and sweet. Most schools will have a length requirement for these statements, and they usually are one to one and a half pages long. The brevity is also part of the challenge in writing them, but a succinct, clear optional statement can be a powerful addition to your application.

4) Keep the Formating and Narrative Consistent Across Your Application Materials

One of the biggest skills every law student and lawyer needs to have is an attention to detail. Keeping the formatting consistent down to the most minor details like font, font size and margins across all your application materials is a clear indicator of this skill. On your law school resume, be consistent with little things like use of periods, and edit your bullet points so you do not have hanging lines.

Double-check if the schools you are applying to have formatting requirements as well. Some schools may want you to use size 14 Times New Roman font instead of size 12 Times New Roman font. A slight difference, but it shows whether or not you pay attention to detail and if you can follow directions. You need to put your best foot forward in every aspect of your law school application process, and it starts with these small details.

5) Beware of Predatory Law Schools

Predatory law schools often have high acceptance rates and charge steep tuition for a subpar legal education. Many lure students in with large, conditional scholarships, which are tied to strict academic requirements—such as ranking in the top 20–50% of the class. These schools expect that most students will lose their scholarships after the first year or even the first semester, making legal education far more expensive than it initially seemed.

These schools exaggerate job placement rates and have low bar passage rates, making it harder for graduates to practice law. High tuition and little to no financial aid lead to significant student debt and a lack of strong career outcomes. These institutions focus on profit over education with little regard for student success. For the good of your education and your pocket, please steer clear.

6) Don’t Count Yourself Out—Let the School Make that Decision

Many law school applicants, especially first-generation and/or marginalized students, have a tendency to self-screen. Applicants see their LSAT or GPA below the median and assume their chances are over. This is not true. Is it harder to get in below the median? Yes. But it does not mean it is impossible or improbable. I know law students and lawyers who attended top schools with LSAT scores in the 150s.

Your LSAT and GPA open the door, but they don’t solely determine the admissions committee’s final decision. Your narrative, your passions, and your personality matter. Apply widely and broadly because you never know what may be in the cards for you!

7) Apply Early!

One of the best things you can do when applying to law school is apply early, ideally by November 15th. Earlier in the cycle, there are more spots available and more financial aid. As the application cycle continues, spots and aid can become more scarce. Getting your materials in as soon as possible gives you the best chance at a wide range of schools. The adage: “the early bird gets the worm” really applies here.

8) Stay off of Reddit

The infamous r/lawschooladmissions community can be filled with many toxic, naive, and myopic takes on the law school application process. When used for good, it can be a place to connect with other students, receive advice, and celebrate wins. Unfortunately, the “T-14 or bust” mentality can cause applicants to put undue pressure on themselves. The T-14 are 14 law schools that have historically ranked in the Top 10 of the US News and World Reviews Report. Generally, there is little movement within this group, and it is difficult for schools outside it to break into it.

There is a perception on this subreddit that attending one of these “elite” schools is the only way to be successful in the legal field. This idea can be damaging to first-generation students. For us, the calculus is often different. Law school is a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. While it is true that the legal field can focus too heavily on prestige, it would be disingenuous to say that the only successful lawyers come from elite schools. Life and a quick scroll on LinkedIn will tell you that is not true. Be intentional about your goals, and do not let group hysteria lead you astray.

Remember: Your Law School Application Process is Unique to You!

The most important thing you can do is stay grounded in your “why.” Whether it’s a passion for justice, a desire to uplift your community, or a dream you’ve had since childhood—hold onto it. That clarity will guide you through the complexities of the application process.

Choosing the right law school involves many factors—cost, location, community, career opportunities, and personal circumstances. What matters most is finding the path that aligns with your goals and values.

Trust yourself and stay focused. No matter where you start, your dedication and resilience will take you exactly where you’re meant to be.