Education · 1 of 5

The path

Seven years minimum after high school, and there is no shortcut around any of it.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Grades matter, because your college grade point average is half of your law school application. Start a language now, ideally Spanish.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree, any major

   4 years

   Law schools do not require a specific subject. Pick something you will get a high GPA in and that makes you read and write a lot.

3. 3

   LSAT (Law School Admission Test)

   Months of preparation

   The only admission test accepted by every accredited law school, and the strongest predictor of first-year performance. Your score decides both where you get in and what it costs.

4. 4

   Law school

   3 years

   Three years for the professional law degree. Take the immigration clinic, where you represent real clients under supervision, and intern at a nonprofit each summer.

5. 5

   Bar exam and admission

   Summer after graduation

   Pass your state's bar exam, clear the character and fitness review, get sworn in. Then start practicing.