This guide provides resources to help interested students prepare for law school or decide if law school is right for them.
It includes the following sections:
Law school in the United States typically spans three years and culminates in the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
Most law schools follow a similar structure, beginning with a first year (1L) curriculum that consists of foundational courses like Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Property. These courses focus on core legal principles, case law analysis, and the development of critical thinking and legal writing skills. First-year students are also introduced to legal research and writing.
In the second (2L) and third (3L) years, students have greater flexibility in selecting electives and specialized courses that align with their career interests, such as intellectual property law, environmental law, or corporate law. Many law schools offer clinical programs where students can gain hands-on experience by representing real clients under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Externships, moot court competitions, and law review opportunities also become available. Most students use their final years to prepare for the bar exam, a licensing test required to practice law in the U.S., by taking bar-focused courses or participating in bar prep programs.
