So, You Think You Want to Go to Law School?
Introduction
The legal profession is one that is often discussed, highly respected, and rarely demystified. For most students, the journey into the career field may be challenging, but not impossible. One of the biggest misconceptions about the legal career is how daunting the practitioners can be. If you have family, friends, or mentors who are in the legal profession, the first thing you should do is speak to them. When you have the idea that you want to pursue law, speak to someone who pursued that career.
Me
I can vividly remember the moment I conceptualized attending law school. I remember each step I took to get in. While my journey may be atypical, I would not classify it as extraordinary. In fact, I would classify it as an inspiration for all those who wish to attend law school but feel like they do not know when and where to start.
Mentorship/First Conversation
The first thing any aspiring law student should do is talk to someone knowledgeable. It does not matter if that person is a current law student or a practicing attorney. Speak with them about their journey to the legal profession. Ask them to be candid in all answers. Ask them about the challenges and benefits of working in the legal field. No matter what school they attended or what they do for work, the common denominator will always be that law school is challenging. It is best to know what you are committing to and what you may have to sacrifice to succeed. Relationship building is a foundational skill for all attorneys, so it is best to develop it early.
I have had multiple mentors who have guided me throughout my journey. Having attorneys as mentors is imperative because they have helped me navigate the different areas of practice within the law. They highlighted the aspects of working in different legal spaces and how to thrive in those spaces. Additionally, they gave me insights on how to network effectively and build a brand within the legal community. I was also mentored in my first year of law school by a 2L. The knowledge she gave me was invaluable. She guided me on aspects of law school that are crucial for success, like preparing for class, how to outline, and how to study for final exams. My mentors have consistently strengthened my understanding of what it means to be a law student and a legal professional.
Creating a Timeline
Hopefully, the conversations you have help you discern if you are ready to go to law school or if you need more time. No matter which way you may lean, the next step is to look at a calendar. Some essential traits to succeed in the profession are organizational skills and timeliness. Look at a calendar and identify the following: LSAT dates, law school application period, and law school scholarship deadlines.
One of the biggest barriers to entry into the profession is the LSAT. This standardized exam is one way that schools differentiate candidates from each other. All have different experiences with taking this exam. No matter the score, the exam is not indicative of your ability to succeed in law school. It is merely a number to give you an idea of which schools you should apply. How much time a person needs to study for the LSAT and what score they need to attract their desired school is variable. You must do your own research.
Applying to law school earlier is better than later. However, you want to make sure that you can apply by the school’s scholarship deadline. No matter what law school you choose to attend, it will be costly. If you can avoid the excess financial burden by applying before the deadline, great. The earlier you can apply the better.
Application Materials
Your grades and LSAT score open the door for you, but your letters of recommendation and personal statement get you a seat. The latter has so much value because they highlight what you can individually contribute to the incoming class and ultimately the legal profession. Your letters of recommendation should come from people who know you well. While you may not be able to tell them what to say, be sure to seek people who can speak highly of your character. Your personal statement should describe who you are, what traits or stories define you, and how these will lead to you having a positive impact on the incoming class. You will need more than one draft of a personal statement. Have a variety of people give you feedback on your statement. (Hint: Ask the person with whom you first talked to provide feedback.) When asking for feedback, ask, “Does this story accurately depict me?”.
Conclusion
While the journey to law school may be intimidating and stressful, you do not have to do it alone. There are organizations created to promote and develop the next generation of attorneys. The Law School Mentor is an organization that was created to help connect aspiring law students to current law students and legal professionals. They have over 50 people who are willing to be a mentor to those who reach out. A simple online search and an email goes a long way. No matter where you are in your journey in the field of law, you are at the right place. Keep moving forward.
Zachary T. Jones is a 2026 J.D. candidate at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Zachary is the Pre-Law Director for the Midwest Black Law Students Association and a law clerk for Dussias Wittenberg Koenigsberger LLP.