What Qualifications Do You Need for a Law Degree?

by Louis Kroeck

The main qualifications necessary in order to apply to law school are a college degree, a good LSAT test score and letters of recommendation. Law schools' qualifications vary, but all accredited law schools in the United States require these three components. Although it is not necessary to attend law school in order to practice law in every state, law school is a firm requirement in most states.

College Degree

It is not necessary to have a specific pre-law degree in order to attend law school. However, it is necessary to have at least a bachelor's degree. Specialized undergraduate degrees are not necessary, as law schools generally like to promote diversity among candidates, and there is no requirement for a degree in political science or pre-law. If you wish to sit for the patent bar after attending law school, you will need to obtain a bachelor of science degree recognized by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.


The LSAT, or the law school admission test, is administered by the Law School Admission Council. The LSAT covers reading comprehension, verbal skills and logical reasoning. Most prospective law students take the LSAT the year before they intend to attend law school. Your score on the LSAT, coupled with your GPA from your undergraduate work, will give you a good idea of which law schools you can attend.

General Application Requirements

Most law schools require three letters of recommendation from teachers, professionals or other lawyers. Additionally, many law schools require a personal statement, personal references and an application fee. In many instances, the application fee can be waived if you contact the law school's admissions department. The application requirements will vary based on the schools you wish to attend.

Other Qualifications

In order to bolster your chances of being accepted into law school, you should note any professional or graduate experience -- in any field -- that you have when drafting a personal statement or answering questions on your law school application. Although not required, these qualifications will help you to stand apart from the other applicants and bolster your chances of being accepted.

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