Law school is a perfect choice for an English major who wants to use their literary skills to make an impact in their community. In fact, English majors generally do well on the LSAT, the exam students take to qualify for law school, because of their reading and writing abilities.
The English degree is a perfect steppingstone into the world of law.
The LSAT
The LSAT is the test law school applicants must take before they are admitted into a law school. It is one of the independent endeavors you must contribute independently before you are admitted into a law school.
There are 180 possible points for the LSAT. Most students average around 151-153. A score of 160 or higher is competitive for many law programs, but the median LSAT score of the specific school is the most important benchmark for admissions.
For instance, the median score for BYU Law School is 170. The ideal candidate should score 170 or higher.
The LSAT is given in two parts:
Multiple Choice Test
This section of the test is split into four sections (three scored, one unscored). The scored sections include the following:
Logical Reasoning I & II: These questions are designed to evaluate the ability to comprehend, analyze, and critically evaluate case methods by refuting incorrect answers and justifying correct ones. This is a process of elimination and logical reasoning. Many of the questions do not focus on law as their subject matter.
Reading Comprehension: These questions measure his ability to read, with understanding and insight, lengthy and complex materials like ones found in actual law. This requires the reader to carefully and accurately then determine the truth.
The unscored section uses both to prepare students with future questions.
Argumentative Writing
This section of the test is done separately. You will be presented with a debatable issue, along with multiple perspectives. You will then draft an essay, take a perspective, and defend it while also addressing some of the other perspectives.
This section is unscored, but Law Schools will be able to examine the writing and evaluate your skills and capacity.
Choosing Your Law
While in law school, you don't have to have your field figured out. It's more important to decide whether the law is for you. One of the purposes of the LSAT is to help potential law students learn whether law school is for them. If you enjoy the process of reading complex texts and following logical arguments, then law school is for you.
Once you have your JD, the key to choosing your field is understanding that law is divided into many specialized fields, but those fields overlap. Most lawyers specialize in overtime. It is shaped by the experience you gain through internships, jobs, and even specific courses.
You can work with your JD in the following roles:
- Career Attorney
- Appellate Litigation
- Judicial Clerkship
- Law Professor