What It Takes to Be an Attorney

Undergraduate Degree

A bachelor's degree is the first big step on the way to becoming a lawyer. While you can pretty much get the degree in anything you want, that doesn't mean that your 4-year degree won't matter once it comes to law schools. In fact, getting a degree in liberal arts or business can help you when applying for graduate school. No matter what field you apply in, however, it's important that you excel in your program. Your GPA is extremely important. This is one way to set yourself apart from other law school applicants. The higher your GPA is, the greater chance you have at being accepted to your desired programs.

LSAT Test and Scores

Before being accepted into a law school, you will need to take the LSAT. This test is comparable to the SAT exam you needed to take in order to apply for colleges and universities. However, the questions are of a higher caliber. Your score on the LSAT will greatly impact the programs in which you might get accepted. Higher LSAT and GPA scores will allow you a greater opportunity to ensure placement in the schools you desire. It could also allow you to decrease your time in the program. Some programs offer learning tracks that will count your last year of your undergraduate program as your first year of law school. However, to be qualified, you must have stellar LSAT scores and a high GPA.

Law School

Once you have completed your bachelor's degree and aced the LSAT, it's time for law school. This program is one of the most grueling out of all other professions. While you might think that your time will be spent reviewing high profile murder cases, that couldn't be further from the truth. A lot of your time will be spent reviewing laws and torts. Much of your time will be spent reading. It is said that for every hour you spend in class, you will spend at least 3 hours outside of class studying. While you may think that your grades don't matter at this point, that couldn't be further from the truth. Good grades and scores will ensure that you have the best job offers once you graduate. Also, the better the scores, the more you understand. This is vital, especially when it comes to preparing for the bar exam. 

The Bar Exam

Following your time in law school, you will have to pass the Bar Exam in order to receive your license to practice law. This exam is given in each state and is a way to assess whether or not you have learned the necessary information in order to competently practice law. Usually, the test will be broken up into two different parts that will be administered on two separate days.

Finding a Career

Once you have passed the bar exam, you will officially be able to practice law. However, the next step is finding a job. While you might have high hopes of becoming a partner in a powerful firm immediately, don't be surprised if it takes some time.

There is a lot more that goes into becoming a lawyer than simply reading books and watching legal shows. Any Austin attorney will tell you that it takes hard work, motivation, and hours of preparation in order to become successful in the field of law. 

Source : articlesbase.com