Studying law in the USA brings a lot of advantages to a prospective lawyer. Studying law in the USA is very different from studying law in many other countries. You will gain the basic skills to work as an attorney in various fields such as politics, diplomacy, economics, or business. Studying law has numerous rewards. However, it can be a solitary and an intimidating journey.
The USA has a proud history of law practice in their country. They provide a good learning environment and resources to groom effective lawyers. Therefore, students from around the world come to study or practice law in the United States. In the USA, Law is a professional academic field that is equivalent to a graduate degree in other parts of the world. Therefore, you must complete a bachelor’s degree before you can apply for Law in the United States.
In this piece, I will walk you through the steps and requirements that are needed for studying Law in the USA.
Requirements for Studying LAW in the USA.
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Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
In the USA, you must have a bachelor’s degree before you can study law in the USA. Most universities prefer students to have a bachelor’s degree in courses such as political science, criminal justice, history and philosophy. Additionally, you should have a high GPA and engage in relevant extracurricular activities while studying.
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Academic Transcript
You need to submit your academic transcripts during your application. Your transcripts should contain all the courses you studied as well as the grades. Additionally, your transcript must be submitted in the English Language.
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Write the LSAT
The Law School Admission Test(LSAT) is a compulsory test that every applicant must take. It is a standardized test that is used to screen law school candidates. The minimum score for most schools is between 120-180. However, this score varies across different schools. Therefore, you need to make sure that you verify the required score for the school you are applying to.
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Letters of Recommendation
You need to have at least three recommendation letters. It should consist of 2 academic and 1 professional letters. These letters must be gotten from an employer or a previous lecturer. Therefore, recommendation letters from a friend or family will be rejected.
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Personal Statement
You need to write a personal statement. This is an opportunity to discuss your aspirations and show the admissions committee why you would make a good lawyer. Additionally, you should explain what your career aspirations are, and how your academic and personal history has prepared them for this field of study.
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Create a CAS Account
Almost all U.S. law schools require applicants to use the CAS for their law school applications. Therefore, you need to create a CAS account to apply for Law in the USA. This will enable you to submit your application to your preferred school.
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English Language Requirements
International students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Test. Different universities have the preferred test that they use for screening. The minimum cut-off marks for these tests are: TOEFL: 80-90 and IELTS: 7.0. However, you need to verify from your school of interest to know the test you can take.
How to Apply
You can apply to study law in the USA through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). You need to submit your documents and credentials through the CAS. Furthermore, your application will be directed to your school of interest. Most approved law schools in the USA require that their applicants register for and complete their applications through the CAS.
Duration
The duration for studying law in the USA is three years. You will spend three years in law school. However, you can spend more years if you choose to acquire higher education such as Ph.D.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for studying law in the United States depends on the university you choose to pursue your law education. Additionally, International students pay higher tuition fees. Therefore, the average tuition fees for studying law in the USA is between $28,264 to $41,726 annually.
Universities that Offer Law in the USA
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
- Stanford University, Stanford, California
- The University of California, Berkeley, California
- Columbia University, New York City, New York
- New York University, New York City, New York
- University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
- The University of California, Los Angeles, California
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
- St. John’s University, New York City, New York
- Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri
- Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
- University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Maryville University, St. Louis, Missouri
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
- Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
- Western New England University, Springfield, Massachusetts
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
- Webster University, Webster Groves, Missouri
- Pace University, New York City and Pleasantville/Briarcliff, New York
- Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania
- University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
- The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
- The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Keiser University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
- George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
- Worcester State University, Worcester, Massachusetts
- University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut
- Seattle University, Seattle, Washington
- Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
- Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana
- University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
- Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
- Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
In Conclusion, you need to verify the requirements for the university of your choice before you make your application. Additionally, you should make your applications early enough before the deadline. This is to enable you to have a chance of getting admitted. Feel free to reach out to us for further inquiries or assistance.
Good luck!