Law school

Five Books You Should Read Before Law School

So you’ve made it into law school and you just can’t wait to start. Take advantage of this down time now, because you certainly won’t have any once you start law school. Here are five worthy titles you should consider adding to your 0L summer reading list.

To Kill a Mockingbird. If you haven’t read Harper Lee’s classic novel about race relations and the law in the South, you’re missing out. Read it– not only for Atticus Finch’s courtroom performances, but also because it’s an amazing read.
One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School. This book is a classic recommendation for any 0L student. The book is an autobiographical tale of Scott Turow’s first year of law school.
Plain English for Lawyers. Even if you don’t read it over the summer, this is one book you should definitely look into purchasing for future reference. Writing is an essential skill for future lawyers to develop, and this book tries to teach it with practical applications and a sprinkling of humor.
How to Succeed in Law School. This book delves into daily law school life and covers what you may experience in your years at law school. You’ll walk into your first day of classes feeling much more prepared.
Getting To Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams. You don’t want to learn about something as important as law school exams on the fly. It takes time and effort to wrap your mind around law school exams, so get a head start with this highly-recommended book.

Tips for Law School Hopefuls

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So you want to head to law school, eh? While there are no hard-and-fast rules or formulas for who will and who won’t get into law school, these helpful tips and pointers may give you a leg up on the competition.

Study for the LSAT

Sounds obvious, right? There’s a difference between preparing and adequately preparing for the LSAT. It’s a big test. Give it the respect it deserves. Plan to study at least 100 hours for the exam and invest in LSAT preparation materials. Don’t be afraid to take an LSAT prep course, either. Just make sure your course instructor has a reputable bio.

Analyze Which Law Schools you Want to Go To

It’s far too costly and time-ineffective to apply to a list as long as your arm. Research, research, and research some more to pick your trim list of prospective law schools. You’ll need to strongly focus on these schools, so choose a small list with plenty of variety.

Give Your Personal Statement the Attention it Deserves

Don’t treat your personal statement like a throwaway essay. Your personal statement can make or break you. Make sure you don’t write one personal statement for each school: admissions counselors can spot a generic statement in a heartbeat. Take the time to answer each school’s specific question. It’s an important step that many applicants ignore.

Prepare for Your Interviews

Know the school’s program inside and out. You want to look like a knowledgeable candidate who knows exactly why he wants to go to this particular school. Don’t give canned answers. You need to walk in stocked with solid answers.