After you are accepted, CELEBRATE!
And then start preparing for next steps in the process
Spending (some) time the summer before 1L may prove beneficial to you. Here are some suggestions that law students do before they start law school.
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Once you accept an admissions offer, be sure to take all the steps the school requires to actually enroll in the school. The law school will send you information on how to enroll.
One critical step includes paying a deposit and sending your final transcript to your law school if you haven’t graduated yet.
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It’s a good idea to start researching housing options well in advance of starting law school to ensure you find the best fit for your needs and preferences. Each law school generally has information on housing for law students, so be sure to check out your law school’s website.
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Investigate financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Understand the cost of tuition, living expenses, and potential sources of funding.
Be sure to make a budget for your law school career. Law students may take out federal loans to help them pay for their law school and related expenses.
AccessLex Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to helping talented, purpose-driven students find their path from aspiring lawyer to fulfilled professional. As a nonprofit organization underpinned by nearly 200 American Bar Association-approved nonprofit and state-affiliated law schools, AccessLex is intently dedicated to the betterment of legal education. Learn more here.
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Law school orientation typically serves several purposes, designed to help incoming students transition smoothly into their new academic environment and set the stage for success in their legal education. Each law school will have thier own individual orientation, generally a week or two before the start of the school year.
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Read introductory books or articles about legal concepts and the legal system to familiarize yourself with the basics before starting law school.
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Keep your professional network up to date with your law school journey. It is better to take the time before law school to update your LinkedIn and resume because once fall hits, you will want to focus your time on reading and studying the law.
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Watch the LSAC Law School professional prep video to learn how you can put your best professional self forward as you begin your law school journey.
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Some law schools offer pre-law summer programs that provide a preview of law school life and academics. Consider participating in such programs to better understand the demands of legal education.
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Join potential reading groups of interest (or start one!) to help improve your reading skills (speed, comprehension, retention). Some law schools host reading groups the summer before 1L as a way of introducing you to other students and the faculty. Be sure to see if your law school does so if you are interested in participating in reading groups.
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If you have the time and resources available before starting law school and you’ve been wanting to travel, this might be a good opportunity to do so. Law school can be demanding, and you may have fewer opportunities for extended travel once you begin your studies.
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We highly recommend utilizing complimentary JDEdge by AccessLex® resources to help prepare for the academic rigor of law school
As per the AccessLex website, ” JDEdge by AccessLex® is a program offered free of charge to AccessLex member law schools that provides law school preparation and critical skills-building to incoming law students. ”
USC is an AccessLex member school-please take advantage of this resource to help you prepare to do your best in law school.
Understanding 1L
In the first year of law school, commonly known as 1L, students typically take a set of foundational courses that provide a comprehensive understanding of the basic principles of law and legal reasoning. These courses are generally consistent across law schools and often include:
- Contracts: Covers the fundamental principles of contract law, including the formation, interpretation, and enforcement of contracts.
- Torts: Torts are civil wrongs that result in harm or injury. This course covers negligence, intentional torts, strict liability, and other principles related to tort law.
- Criminal Law: Examines the principles of criminal liability, including the elements of various crimes, defenses, and the criminal justice system.
- Constitutional Law: Students study the United States Constitution and its interpretation by the courts. Topics may include individual rights, separation of powers, and federalism.
- Property Law: Covers the basics of property ownership, including real property, personal property, and the transfer of property interests.
- Civil Procedure: Focuses on the rules and procedures governing civil lawsuits, including jurisdiction, pleading, discovery, and trial.
- Legal Research and Writing: Often divided into two courses, students learn legal research methods and how to effectively communicate legal arguments through written memoranda and briefs.
These core courses provide a solid foundation in key areas of law and legal analysis, setting the stage for more specialized coursework in their second and third years of law school. Additionally, some law schools may require or offer other introductory courses such as Legal Ethics or Introduction to Law and Society.
We recommend taking advantage of the academic preparation resources in AccessLex JDEdge to help you adjust to the specific rigors of law school.
>Working during 1L and Law School
Most law schools do not allow 1Ls to work at all during the year, as they want their students to be focused on school. 2L and 3L students are generally not allowed to work more than 20 hours a week. Many 2L and 3L law students find part-time jobs, either on their law school campus, law firms looking for clerks, or outside businesses. Be sure to budget appropriately for your 1L year, given the work restrictions.