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If you’re contemplating law school application, it is imperative that you develop a plan and set goals. Begin by reviewing admissions requirements and matriculant data of schools which you would like to attend as well as those which might be out of your reach.

Law schools seek applicants who can demonstrate more than their GPA or LSAT score when considering admissions into law school. Law schools favor applicants who demonstrate critical thinking, analytic abilities, empathy and service to society as part of their skillset.

1. High LSAT Score

An LSAT score above 170 should be your goal if applying to top law schools; although lower LSAT scores might still get into good schools if your GPA rises sufficiently to offset it.

At most schools, scoring 170 or above will place you in the 90th percentile for accepted applicants; scoring 177 or above may make you eligible for some of the very top law schools – typically Yale, Harvard, Stanford University of Chicago and Columbia (although Yale may not always qualify as T-6 due to its national reputation).

If you are applying to one of these schools, an excellent LSAT score is vital in order to have any chance of admission. While scoring perfect on the LSAT may not be easy, even scoring 160 or above would put you into the 99th percentile for most accepted applicants at most law schools.

LSAC publishes data on the LSAT scores and GPA of admitted students to each law school, which can help you establish what a good LSAT score might be for your intended law schools. You should also take into account other admissions factors like undergraduate GPA, extracurricular activities, major difficulty, etc. when setting your target LSAT score range.

Be mindful that LSAT scores and GPA are only part of your law school application – other aspects such as letters of recommendation and personal statements could play an integral role.

2. Strong GPA

If you want to pursue law as a profession, an undergraduate degree that fits is key. Major in history or political science which could open doors into legal fields; take classes related to writing and research that could prepare you for law school; join pre-law societies or participate in community service that show admissions committee your enthusiasm and dedication towards lifelong learning; pursue extracurricular activities like joining pre-law societies or volunteering – these will demonstrate to them your enthusiasm about law and how far you are willing to go for knowledge.

As you research potential law schools, you’ll discover their GPA and LSAT requirements vary widely. A higher undergraduate GPA increases your odds of admission; however, even those with 4.0 GPA have only about a four percent chance of getting into Columbia Law School which has one of the lowest admit rates among top law schools.

To offset a low GPA, aim for a high LSAT score. Furthermore, many law schools will review all aspects of your application, such as your undergraduate record, letters of recommendation and personal statement. A consistent upward trend in grades can offset a lower GPA while an impressive essay can compensate for an average LSAT score.

If your GPA and LSAT scores are causing anxiety, there are plenty of schools which make entry easier than others. Willamette University boasts an acceptance rate of 76% with an impressive bar pass rate (79.5%) while Loyola College of Law boasts 60% acceptance and an 84.5 percent bar pass rate (84.5%).

3. Strong Letters of Recommendation

Many law schools require applicants to submit letters of recommendation, and having strong recommendations can make a tremendous difference in your application process. Letters of recommendation can often be one of the most coveted components of an application package and allow applicants to showcase their academic and professional accomplishments more fully than numbers alone can do.

When selecting recommenders for law school applications, it is crucial that professors or supervisors know enough about you to write persuasive letters on your behalf. Ideally, professors or work supervisors will have strong relationships with you and are enthusiastic about writing letters on behalf of law schools applications. Furthermore, these individuals will be able to articulate clearly why you would make an ideal fit in their program as well as provide insights into what contributions can be expected as a lawyer in their community.

As a general guideline, it’s best to contact potential letter writers early in the year and request their recommendations by early August of your senior year (or earlier if possible). Ideally, building strong relationships with professors or mentors helps them provide you with more helpful recommendations; also it makes sense if applying specifically to Lewis and Clark’s highly acclaimed environmental law program, asking professors specifically about that program makes more sense than asking more broadly why you would make a great fit for law school.

Make sure to stay in regular touch with your recommenders. Though this may seem cumbersome, this regular check-in allows them to write an effective letter for you as well as providing them with any materials needed to support your case and politely reminding them of any deadlines.

4. Strong Personal Statement

Personal statements are perhaps the most essential element of law school application packages, even more so than LSAT scores and GPA. Students use the personal statement as an opportunity to showcase their character, unique experiences, and motivations; showing admissions committees who they truly are beyond numbers on transcripts and resumes. Therefore it’s imperative for applicants to spend ample time thoughtfully writing and revising personal statements prior to submission.

Students should keep in mind that their personal statements will be read by real people who can detect when an applicant attempts to persuade them emotionally through his/her essay. Though adding emotion can make your essay more engaging and easy to read, excessive emotion could come across as desperate or demanding, which should never happen in an admissions essay.

Personal statements should also contain emotional resonance while adhering to an organized structure. There are a variety of approaches for organizing personal statements; generally it’s best to keep introduction and conclusion short while the body of the statement provides details and answers any admissions committee queries.

Finally, students must keep in mind that personal statements will likely be read by a variety of audiences including professors and third-year law students who have yet to graduate law school. Therefore, they should pay attention to how their statements will be received by readers, taking care to avoid writing about sensitive topics (i.e. race, religion or sexuality) unless specifically requested to do so by an admissions committee.

5. Strong Motivation

Law school can be challenging, and if you’re feeling discouraged it’s easy to fall behind. When this happens, remember your motivations for studying law in the first place and what drove them. Many pursue law to make an impactful statement and earn the respect and admiration that comes from becoming a practicing attorney – less than one-third of law students attend law school with hopes of making money or joining an elite firm as their ultimate goal.

Renew your motivation by looking back over what you’ve achieved so far and anticipating what lies ahead. A progress log can also help track improvements as a law student and keep you focused.

Finding other students who share your goals and passions may make staying on course easier, whether that means joining a study group, moot court competitions or any extracurricular activities – having peers that understand your desire to become a lawyer can be invaluable!

However, ultimately your motivation and determination are of utmost importance. No matter how well prepared or performing on the LSAT and GPA exams you may be, without the drive and desire to continue legal education you won’t succeed as a lawyer. If you need guidance in finding your motivations it may be advisable to set up a meeting with an admissions consultant to discuss options and your path ahead.