Understand the Process

• Research the role of a lawyer. Before you pursue a law degree, it is wise to thoroughly research the different aspects of being a lawyer. This includes the different types of law, the different career paths available to lawyers, and the different types of law schools. You can do this by talking to lawyers, reading books and articles about law, and visiting law schools.
  • Check out job statistics and salaries
  • What exactly do lawyers do?
• Take courses you can excel at. While many graduate programs require the completion of certain prerequisite courses, law school programs do not. However, having a strong academic record from a reputable college or university is important for getting into law school. Make sure to keep your GPA high, so you can demonstrate your academic abilities.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities. Law schools look for well-rounded applicants who are involved in their communities. Participating in extracurricular activities can show the admissions committee that you are a well-rounded individual with a variety of interests.
• Volunteer your time. Volunteering is another great way to show the admissions committee that you are a caring and compassionate person. You can volunteer for a variety of causes, such as legal aid or social services.

• Start thinking about your LSAT strategy. The LSAT is a standardized test that is required for admission to law school. The test measures your reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical writing skills. The overall recommended study time for the LSAT is ~200 hours over 3-6 months.
• Start networking with lawyers. Networking with lawyers is a great way to learn more about the legal profession and to get your foot in the door. Attend legal events, such as bar association meetings and CLEs, and reach out to lawyers in your area who work in areas that interest you.
• Connect with faculty members. You will need recommendation letters from 1-2 faculty members to include with your law school application. Build relationships with faculty by actively participating in class and attending office hours.

• Take the LSAT. The LSAT is a critical part of your law school application, so it is important to take the test early and to give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Plan to talk the LSAT about 18 months before you want to begin law school.
• Start writing your personal statement. The personal statement is an important part of your law school application, so it is important to start writing it early and to give yourself plenty of time to revise and edit it.
  • Need some writing help? Check out the Writing Resources Center!
• Start researching law schools. Once you have taken the LSAT and written your personal statement, it is time to start researching law schools. Consider factors such as location, cost, and program strengths when making your decision.
  • Search for law programs
  • Remember, make sure you ask the law school questions to help you make an informed decision on which program is right for you
• Start drafting your law school applications. Law school applications can be complex and time-consuming. It is important to start drafting your applications early and to give yourself plenty of time to proofread and edit them.
  • Take a moment to understand the application process

• Submit your law school applications. Many law school applications open in September, and you should plan to apply by the end of December (applying after January 1 may decrease your chances of admissions and funding).
  • Applications to law schools are processed through LSAC, and organization that serves as a clearinghouse for applications
  • Check out the detailed process
• Wait for decisions. Law school decisions can take several months to arrive. In the meantime, you can relax and enjoy your senior year!
• Celebrate your acceptance! Once you receive your acceptance letters, it is time to celebrate! You have made it through the law school admissions process and are one step closer to becoming a lawyer.

GPA is one of the most important factors in law school admissions. The GPA that law schools consider is one that’s calculated by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), the organization that coordinates the law school admissions process. An LSAC GPA includes all grades on all transcripts for courses taken before getting your first bachelor’s degree.

If you took classes at a college/university other than Charlotte, then your LSAC GPA will be different than your Charlotte GPA. For example, if you attended CPCC before finishing your bachelor’s degree from Charlotte, your LSAC GPA will include grades for all classes taken at CPCC and Charlotte.

Law schools will need a copy of your transcripts from all colleges/universities you attended.

What GPA do I need to go to law school?

While there isn’t a specific GPA minimum for law school, law schools look for students with high GPAs. Of North Carolina law schools, the average GPA of admitted students ranges from 3.41 to 3.89. If law school funding is important to you, aim for a GPA that’s higher than that average.

Do graduate-level courses “count” for law school?

Law schools will see all of your transcripts, which includes transcripts of your graduate-level coursework. However, the primarily GPA that law schools see is from your undergraduate coursework.

The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), offered by the Law School Admissions Council, is the most common test required by law schools. It measures reading comprehensive, logical reasoning, and argumentative writing. Plan to take the LSAT about 18 months before you want to begin law school (if you want to start law school in Fall 2028, take the LSAT in Spring/Summer 2027). Most people who are successful at the LSAT study for ~200 hours over a period of 3-6 months.

Your GPA and LSAT score are the most important factors in law school admissions and funding.

Some law schools accept the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) instead of the LSAT, and a small percentage of law schools accept JD-NEXT. However, most law school students take the LSAT.

Law schools look for involvement outside of the classroom, which could be leadership involvement, community service, research, and professional experience.

While legal experience isn’t required, exposure to the legal field and law-related experience is helpful. Some students get that experience by volunteering for a legal aid clinic, working part-time at a legal firm, or interning with a nonprofit, county criminal justice office, or court system.

Most law schools require letters of recommendation from 1-3 professionals. Current students and recent grads are expected to include one or more faculty member as references, while experienced professionals (who have worked for 5+ years before applying to law school) may use professional references.

During your time at Charlotte, work to get to know faculty members by attending office hours, participating actively in classes, and maintaining strong grades.

Law schools require one or more writing pieces as part of the application. Often referred to as “personal statements,” these writings may ask you to reflect on your interest in law, future career goals, strengths, and reasons for applying to the specific law school.

Example personal statement prompt: The personal statement is your opportunity to tell us about yourself.  Please attach a personal statement that will give the Admissions Committee information you believe is relevant to the admissions decision that is not elicited elsewhere in the application.  You may address your academic or intellectual interests, significant accomplishments or obstacles overcome, personal or professional goals, educational achievements, or any way in which your perspective, viewpoint, or experiences will contribute to the rich diversity of the School of Law community.

Law schools will ask a series of questions to assess a candidate’s fitness for the field of law. Questions focus on academic discipline, arrests, and convictions.