What is Law School Really Like?

Question: What is Law School Really Like?

Answer: Law school isn't like your traditional undergraduate lecture class. Instead, it is entails interaction between the professor and the students. Professors use the Socratic method which entails asking open-ended questions and probing students' understanding. Professors also present students with cases that require the students to not only understand concepts but to apply them to real life situations. Cases, like everyday problems, are messy. Students struggle but learn a great deal from messy cases.

Law school curricula must meet the requirements of the American Bar Association. Courses, therefore, cover laws, rules of court, legal principles, and so on. You will not specialize in law school. Learning to practice a specific specialty comes after law school. p]Attending lectures is necessary in law School. Failure to attend classes lowers your grade, which is usually based on attendance, participation, and a final exam. There are no quizzes or midterms in Law School - just a final exam and sometimes a paper.

Law School is a three year commitment and each year is different from the last. The following is a brief description of each year in Law School:

First Year:

• The first year is the most competitive.
• Take many courses.
• A common curriculum looks like:
  • 1. Torts
  • 2. Property Law
  • 3. Contracts
  • 4. Constitutional Law
  • 5. Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
  • 6. Civil Procedure
  • 7. Legal Research and Writing
• Make friends and establish your network. These individuals will be your future colleagues.

Second and Third Year:

• Continue taking more courses.
• Courses are now chosen by you.
• Courses that are offered cover various subject matters.
• Somewhat less competitive than the first year.

While in Law School, you are being prepared to think like a Lawyer and develop analytical, creative, and logical thinking skills. Additionally, you strengthen your reading and debating skills. Law School is very competitive and requires extreme dedication. Always be prepared.