How I Got a Full-Tuition Scholarship to Law School
Being a first-generation college student and not coming from exorbitant amounts of family money, the cost of law school was always daunting. When researching what law schools I would apply to, there was always the aspect of “okay, let’s check the tuition first.” Money has always played a big part in my life, but especially so once law school was on the radar and officially part of my plan. Because let’s be real - it’s expensive! The whole process can get really pricey. I self-studied entirely for the LSAT and it still was one of the most expensive endeavors I have pursued so far in life (other than undergrad tuition, but we get to push those loans off for a little while at least…)
Getting a scholarship at law school was a top priority for me while I was in undergrad, studying for the LSAT, and eventually applying to schools. Never did I expect to see that “full-tuition scholarship” letter from my top choice school, and it was one of the best moments of my life. Happy tears people, so many happy tears! Here are the 5 most significant tips I have for receiving a full-ride scholarship for law school.
1. Focus Up in Undergrad
This seems obvious - of course, you have to try hard during undergrad. Two of the main things that law schools consider when reviewing your application are your GPA and your LSAT score. The better you do in undergrad, the better that GPA is going to look and help prove your case for why that school should let you into their next class - and give you a big scholarship too! I first started undergrad as an Economics major thinking that it would be very impressive to prospective law schools, but the truth is I wasn’t as good at economics as I was writing. I made a huge decision that next semester to change my major to Writing, and it was arguably one of the best choices I made during my journey. Not only would I have a better time during undergrad, but I would get better grades - aka, better overall GPA. I knew that it was the right change because my semester with the economics classes was the only semester I didn’t make the Dean’s List (sad face), but once I switched to the writing classes I was consistently on the Dean’s List.
Sure, a more challenging major will presumably get you a bit more slack for a lower GPA, but don’t pick something incredibly stressful just to have an “impressive” major. Pick what you like and what you’re good at because you want to enjoy your time in undergrad as well. (It flies by you sooo fast.)
2. Invest in Quality LSAT Study Materials - And Start Studying Early On
Whether you are better at studying in a group setting or alone, there are so many materials on the market for the LSAT and law school in general and it can get a bit overwhelming. I chose the self-study route, as I tend to study better alone and I wanted to save money as well (those LSAT courses can be incredibly pricey). I also studied for about 5 ½ months, and I think this was a good amount of time for me. Some articles will say 3 months or even 1 month of study before test day - respectfully: no. Study for longer than you think you need to. You’ll thank me later.
Here is a summary of each resource I used during my LSAT study period.
The LSAT Trainer by Mike Kim. GUYS - this was a game-changer for me. By the time the actual LSAT rolled around, my book was covered in sticky notes and highlighter marks. This book was imperative for understanding each section of the LSAT. It’s a well-rounded piece of material that I would recommend to everyone.
7Sage. This was another daily resource for me during my study. I chose the monthly plan, which was and is currently priced at $69 a month, but I fully believe it was well worth it and huge for me in my comprehension of the test - specifically logical reasoning and logic games.
Khan Academy. This is a free resource for LSAT study that I used more so in the beginning as a good starting point. Unfortunately, I am not sure if they offer this resource any longer.
Practice tests. You have probably heard this before - taking previously administered LSATs, specifically under real testing conditions, is extremely beneficial in preparing you for what to expect on test day. You can find these tests in multiple locations, but on 7Sage there are tons of tests available and a very easy-to-use way of seeing exactly what you got wrong.
3. Build Up Your Resume Before You Apply
Part of being a well-rounded student in undergrad when preparing for law school afterward is having more than just good grades, but good extracurriculars as well. Choose things you enjoy rather than choosing activities and organizations that you think will just look good (so you actually participate).
If you can, look for internships, legally relevant if you can find any, and chances are your school has some organizations that are law-based as well. As far as a job, feel free to keep or find the job that is going to pay you what you need during your time in undergrad. Making money is important too. Another note - get your resume proofed! There are resources that almost every university has that will help you review and proofread your application materials.
4. Recommendation Letters
This goes along with my first tip because part of focusing up in undergrad is creating meaningful relationships with professors, staff, and employers. Most law schools will want at least one recommendation letter from a professor, and while I know that during the pandemic and Zoom-school it was more difficult to meaningfully connect with your professor, it is important to do what you can to make sure they know you on that next level. If the school allows/asks for more than one letter, another recommendation can come from another professor, staff member, or employer. Just make sure whoever you ask to write you that letter is going to be a true advocate for you and your abilities.
5. Put Your Heart and Soul into that Personal Statement (don’t be afraid to get truly personal)
Although I think my whole application painted me as a compelling potential law student, I think that my personal statement is what may have stood out most and resonated with the admissions office. After much back and forth in my head, I decided to go ahead and write about something really personal and deep - something that shaped me as a person and that I don’t normally share with just anyone (especially people I have never even met before!) I think the key to this is writing about a major experience that is maybe negative in a meaningful and almost positive light. Talk about how this experience was difficult, but you came out on top. Take those struggles and adversities you’ve faced in life, and write about how you’re now a better person for it. The admissions office is more than likely going to see you as a strong, emotionally intelligent, and durable human being: all great qualities for an attorney.
Applying to a handful of law schools (or even just a couple) can be incredibly costly. You may see online people saying they’ve applied to 10 or even 20 law schools, but when you take into consideration that the LSAC requires you to pay $45 for each application on top of the school’s own individual fee, that is a large chunk of change for applications.
While I realize the cost of applying can be quite burdensome, I believe casting as wide of a net as you are fiscally able to will be incredibly beneficial in the long run. I ended up applying to 8 law schools, some I considered safety schools, meaning I was fairly confident I would be accepted, and others as reach schools, which are schools that I had a shot at getting into but I wasn’t necessarily convinced they’d let me in. The school that awarded me the full-ride scholarship, and the one I am choosing to attend in the fall, was more of a safety school, but by no means was I expecting the financial package that I was given.
With that being said, always shoot your shot (to the best of your financial ability) and stay optimistic, productive, and positive! You never know the extent of how much all of your hard work will pay off in the end.