Ja'Brille Norcott ⋅ Dumfries, VA U.S. Air Force, Technical Sergeant ⋅ 7 years served

Hey Jameel,

I'm actually going through the process of applying to law school and I found some extremely valuable resources from this website and many others specifically targeted to getting veterans into graduate school.

First, I hooked up with a great attorney on ACP that's been guiding me through the process and gathering all the info she can for me from the connections she has with new law grads who've been through the admissions process recently and job/school around the country. So I highly recommend using the match up tool to find someone on here willing to help you out.

Second, a website I've found perfect for this is http://service2school.org/. Service 2 School is a community of vets who have either gone through the process of getting into grad school or currently going through. The mentor I was paired with just recently got into Harvard law and many of the others have graduated from top institutions like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford. They also have a great guide on their website which covers the basics of a vet applying to law school.

Also to some of the comments about needing a 3.9 and 170+ for the T14 schools, most of the vets I've talked to at T14's typically fall short of these numbers but are often given a bump from personal statements, work experience, and the general perception of being a vet competing against fresh college grads in the admissions process.

Seriously Jameel, if you need any help or have any questions please shoot me a message and let me know what'as up. Good luck to you, sir!

Laurence Schnabel ⋅ Templeton, CA Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP ⋅ 45 years experience

SGT- I passed on your name to Brain Rawers in Lewis brisbois Bisgaard & Smith's San Diego office and Brain is happy to chat with you if you choose to contact him. Kevin Eng is another Lewis Brisbois atty and former Marine SGT , with whom Brian can put you in contact if you want even more Marine advice.

Laurence Schnabel ⋅ Templeton, CA Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP ⋅ 45 years experience

You should take an LSAT course such as Kaplan or Princeton offers. Next, apply to the highest rated ( U.S. News & World Report) law schools for which you have a realistic chance of being admitted. The higher ranked the school, the better your chances to land a good job in the legal field once you graduate. If you wish to chat with some attorneys , find a Marine or Navy JAGC reserve unit and talk to one of the unit's attys. I was in a Navy JAGC unit in Long beach while I practiced law in a downtown Los Angeles law firm. Whatever you do , DO NOT apply to law schools which are not ABA accredited- you will find it very difficult to get a job out of one of these unaccredited law schools. Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith atty Brian Rawers ( in firm's San Diego office) is a former Marine JAGC officer- you can contact him thru the firm's web site if you wish to chat with a very good trial atty ( tell him Larry Schnabel suggested you contact him for advice- I am Of Counsel to Lewis Brisbois) .Good luck

Beverly Cooper ⋅ Waukegan, IL College of Lake County/ Teaneck Community Charter School ⋅ 45 years experience

While I am not a lawyer, I am a veteran/ master educator of 45+ years, which included graduate advising, portfolio counseling and similar support for students interested in various fields of study and vocation in the arts. However, I completely agree with Josh Kurtzman of Schiff Hardin LLP and others, who responded to your inquiry below. Taking courses that guide you through sitting for the LSAT or any graduate level/ professional exams is paramount to "acing" a successful score on that exam. These courses prepare and familiarize you with the exam's overall format, and assists you in timing your responses appropriately so you can complete the exam, which is as important getting the right answers.

Equally important is time spent working in an actual law office, as nothing will give you the experience of what being a lawyer is about like real time; even though as an intern, you certainly won't be privy to everything going on. But a little of that experience can go a long way to help you get focused. Besides, it's important to remember that exams are generally designed to test what you don't know, rather than what you do know, so do not underestimate any opportunity to work in any legal situation that echos what you want to do later on professionally, before you sit for the exam. Good Great Luck!

James Garza ⋅ Sandy, TX self-employed ⋅ 18 years experience

i'm a medical doctor, not a lawyer. but i took and aced the LSAT in college in 1988. i couldn't agree more with those who say it's all about knowing how to take a test. all i did was take a free one-day Kaplan review course then reviewed the provided material carefully for a few days. it's mostly testing logic and common sense.

Shellye Reteguiz ⋅ Jacksonville, FL Florida Coastal School of Law ⋅ 10 years experience

Good Morning, I recommend that you also look in to the Pearson's LSAT prep program, Pearson's centers are located at most installations, there is always one close by. Also, some Law schools offer LSAT prep courses. I know we (Florida Coastal School of Law) are working on designing our own LSAT Prep program that is designed to target the LSAT rather than test taking skills.

We also have great programs at FCSL and we have an A+ in Experiential Learning (tide with Yale), and we are the Moot Court National Champions for 2 years in a row. Although you are looking in the Bay Area I still wanted to share with you the Pearson's Testing Center, it should always be Active Duty and Veterans first stop when preparing for any tests or when needing to take a test.

Good Luck to you, if you or anyone else is interested in possibly coming to Law school in Sunny Florida please feel free to contact me directly at admissions@fcsl.edu

Josh Kurtzman ⋅ Chicago, IL Schiff Hardin LLP ⋅ 4 years experience

Jameel - you've gotten some great advice. However, I would echo two of them above the rest. First, is to definitely spend the money to do a course through Kaplan or another service. Many of them give you access to all of the previous LSAT exams and they also provide virtual instruction on the intricacies of the exam. I prepared while still on active duty in the Army.

The other piece of advice I think is very good is to work in a law firm for a year or two if you're career timeline/plan allows for it. Not only will it give you time to prepare for the LSAT, but as another commenter posted, it'll allow you to network and determine if you actually want to be a lawyer.

ALAN SCHWALBE ⋅ Cherry Hill, NJ Jacobs, Schwalbe & Petruzzelli, P.C. ⋅ 33 years experience

Good day Jameel.
I commend you for your service to our country.

While my practice is not in California I have advised and mentored many law students and undergraduate students seeking a legal career.

The LSAT and your GPA from your undergraduate studies are the two most important factors considered by law schools when deciding which applicants will be accepted into first year. Preparation, as with most things in life, is key. You'll certainly be able to locate test questions that were on prior LSAT examinations. If you have a few dollars I strongly urge you to hook up with one of the professional organizations that provide LSAT preparation. LSAT courses are offered by groups such as Kaplan and the Princeton Review. Some of these courses have different levels of engagement with some being entirely "homeschooled" others using online lectures and still others actually using in class lectures and testing. I think the main thing is to get your hands on as many tests as possible and practice, practice, practice. You want to try to get this on the first shot as, in most jurisdictions, the test is only offered twice each year.

I hope this advice was of some use to you. I wish you good luck and success in all your future endeavors.

kent norton ⋅ Sarasota, FL U.S. Navy Reserve, Lieutenant ⋅ 4 years served

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Kaitlyn Sommer ⋅ Hellertown, PA U.S. Navy, Lieutenant ⋅ 5 years served

Hi Jameel,

I went to law school from 2010 to 2013 after serving in the Navy and am now working as a federal judicial law clerk. I would like to second Jeremy Padbury's advice about working in a law firm for a year prior to law school. Not only would this give you the time to study for the LSAT while gaining valuable legal experience (I worked in admissions while in law school and we always favored people with any type of legal experience), but it would also introduce you to local attorneys and get you started networking in your legal market.

I am happy to help out in any way if you have any further questions.

Best,
Kaitlyn Sommer

Jeremy Padbury ⋅ Conshohocken, PA Johnson & Johnson ⋅ 10 years experience

I'll just share some great advice that I received, which was to consider working in a law firm for a year first before starting law school and while you prep for the LSATs. Law school is a huge commitment of time and $, and you want to make sure that you know what you're signing up for. I know lawyers who graduated from top schools who don't like what they do, but are burdened to their loans, while others have not been able to find work to repay those loans.

Don't want to discourage you, just recommend you do your due diligence. This is the path that I followed and I wound up declining law school to go in another direction.

FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. ⋅ San Diego, CA THE CONDOR GROUP ⋅ 30 years experience

I would be happy to help, if I can. I graduated from the University of San Diego Law School in 1974 after my tour as an Officer in the Navy, and degrees in Engineering and in Industrial Management and a corporate career. I currently serve on the Alumni Board for our Law School. Of course I would be happier if you chose our fine Law School here in San Diego. If you do I could introduce you to our Law School Dean and walk you around the campus. There is not much you can do to prepare for the LSAT. There is a book on the market that you could read for some preparation. Let me know if you would like more.

Scott Fruchter ⋅ San Bernardino, CA Attorney at Law ⋅ 18 years experience

The previous answers have been right on. In my experience the LSAT primarily measures your ability to take tests. So practice tests (and reviewing your answers) are the best preparation.

Judith Kahn ⋅ Saint Petersburg, FL Judith S. Kahn, Attorney at Law ⋅ 15 years experience

Take any reputable LSAT course. Spend every waking minute doing sample tests. After each one, check your answers &, when wrong, examine your thinking vs theirs so you can make a better decision next time. When you take the exam, do NOT stay in the closest hotel where all the others are staying. You will lower your blood pressure and enhance your ability to study & absorb if you stay as far away from the others as you can. On the exam, if unsure of an answer, mark a light line (not fully fill in) on the answer sheet of your best guess & move on. If you have time, you can go back & puzzle it through. If time runs out, you have already made your best guess & can just fill in those already marked in the last couple of minutes. It helps a lot to quickly read through the answers (in multi-choice questions) before your read the question itself. Often that will make the answer clear before you have had to read the entire question. Saves time & time counts lots on the bar exam. It is a very long test. Get lots of rest so you will be fresh. Eat a good breakfast. If allowed in your state, bring high energy snacks (trail mix, etc.). If you have a special need (frequent bathroom breaks, etc.), let them know & they will attempt to accommodate you (seat you close to the restrooms, etc.). Usually they give a 2-day refresher course just before the test to go over old stuff & tell you any new stuff. I did not find it helpful at all. Being around so many anxious folk, only raised by own anxiety level. For me, those 2 days would have been better served studying somewhere quiet, on my own or with a friend. I don't think I absorbed one thing in those 2 days, although I paid attention & took notes. I know that this is a bunch of random ideas but the others have really covered the rest very well. Best of luck.

Matthew Russell ⋅ Houston, TX U.S. Army, Sergeant ⋅ 6 years served

First you need to identify your target schools. That will realistically dictate the obsessive amount of studying you need to do. If you are looking at a T-14 you will need at a minimum, a 170 and a 3.9GPA. There are the occasional unicorns that get in without it, but they are the exception no the rule. If you are looking outside the T-14 then it gets a bit easier. That being said, if you are planning Sept. LSAT and you haven't started studying you are way behind the curve. PowerScore is probably the best prep class you can take, and I would enroll immediately. In addition to that, you need to be doing about 25 hours a week of study time on your own. Also PowerScore sells the "Bibles" for all the sections of the test. Buy those and use them in your study plan. I don't work for PowerScore, just from experience they are the best. Here is a 3-month plan:

http://students.powerscore.com/self-study/plans/3-Month-LSAT-Study-Plan.pdf

You have to learn how to take the test. You have to know how "they" want you to answer questions. That can really only be accomplished through massive amounts of repetition. Start now, and good luck!

Kendrick Wells 3 ⋅ Louisville, KY Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation ⋅ 30 years experience

In addition to the other helpful answers, I suggest that you start by digesting the LSAC website, if you haven't already. The LSAC publishes the LSAT and the website is informative, including in the area of preparation. You'll need at least an official book and a study plan that puts you where you want to be in time for the test. Preparation will be intensive. There are a range of books and courses available (Google LSAT preparatory books or courses). It will be important to study official LSAC materials and any other materials should be based on them. Your undergraduate study and a J.D. should be a good fit for the San Diego area. Best of luck.

Jessi Empestan ⋅ New Brunswick, NJ Johnson & Johnson ⋅ 12 years experience

Hi Jameel,

Congratulations and best of luck! In addition to the above answers (which are excellent and on-point), I recommend consider focusing more of your test prep time toward the logic section of the LSAT because that section requires the application of skills in a way that most students find novel. Test prep books are especially helpful here.

As for preparing for law school itself, I think that simply reading as much non-fiction as possible is helpful to improve your reading speed and retention. A typical law school week will require at least one if not several hundred pages of material to be digested, so the faster you can do that the more time you will have left to think critically about what you've read.

Best,
Jessi

Courtney Gordon-Tennant ⋅ Port Washington, NY US Navy JAG Corps ⋅ 7 years experience

Jameel,
Should you decide to take a course, look at their curriculum. When I took Princeton Review, every Saturday morning (for six Saturdays) was a practice exam. So when the Saturday morning came of the actual test, being accustomed to taking a test at that time helped rid me of test anxiety.

When you are ready to apply, talk to your professors to see who would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you.

As a vet, you would add a interesting perspective to law school. Good luck.

Susana Moraga ⋅ Hayward, CA California State University East Bay ⋅ 20 years experience

Jameel,

There are a variety of courses Kaplan and Princeton have been in the business a long time. There are also books that you can get to study with, search them online.
In the late 70's, when I took the LSAT, I just got a book and studied.
It depends on what kind of a learner you are, and your resources. I learn by reading and work well alone, others needed the group setting.
Knowing yourself is key and doing lots of practice exams so there are no surprises.
Feel free to contact me or better yet, if you are of a particular ethnicity, seek out those bar associations in San Diego; African American; Asian Pacific Islander, Latino, etc. they provide mentoring and support for law school application and are linked with student organizations in their community.
Good luck,