Re: Law School Info
I can answer some questions.
Is 4 years of undergrad recommended, or is it necessary?
Not necessary, although check with admissions requirements at each school you apply for all their requirements. Many students do 3 yrs of undergrad.
It depends on you - if you need more time to brush up your skills, then take the extra year taking some rigorous reading/analysis type classes. If you're weak on speech then spend another year building your speaking talents.
When should you sit for your LSAT?
I believe if you do it any time in your 2nd or 3rd year of college, you should be ok. That's if you're in a 4 yr undergrad track.
Someone told me to major in programs that you are interested in. But is there one program out there which is better than the other one, just to impress the admission committee?
Some majors, like the sciences, can be impressive. Law schools like to see that you were diverse in your education, as your field requires you to know about how the world works. Your customers will come from all walks of life - the more you're exposed to, the better. Sciences comes in real handy, because if you know your science, you can catch lies better in court room cases having to do with technology, medical malpractice, environmental, pharmaceutical, etc type lawsuits better. Just gives you an edge. Also depends on what kind of law you want to practice. Criminal - then try doing a psychology-type major. Medical malpractice - good idea to do biology and maybe even go to medical school before law school. Business/corporate law - do business-type majors. That sort of thing. Double or triple majoring always helps as well.
*Also I know that extra curricular activities and work is important. So say you do go into a co-op program, would that co-op count for your work experience? And what kind of extra curricular activities besides joining the law society at the university? *
I don't know what a co-op is - is this a canadian concept? In the states, doing internships at law firms, volunteering in the legal system and other areas of personal interest, and gearing your activities for your specialty of interest all help. LSAT is a major key player though.
What else should a highschooler applying to undergrad should know in order to apply to law school in the future?
If you're in high school - just focus on some key things: leadership skills, speaking abilities, debating abilities, your ability to effectively use good vocabulary when talking, your ability to be persuasive and manipulative with people, understanding human psychology, and most of all - experience life and don't be afraid to be a hard-arse. 80% of it is your personality. If you're soft like a sponge - doesn't matter how smart you are - you wont make it.
The job market in law is too competetive. America churns out lawyers like candy. Result: You have to compete for a job when you're getting out of law school. And if you don't have job offers coming out of law school, its really difficult. Law school also has a big drop out rate, so be prepared for the financial saccrifice.
