Tips For International Students Applying To U.S. Law Schools

Tips For International Students Applying To U.S. Law Schools

The opportunity to attend law school doesn’t only exist within the borders of the United States. As an international student applying to American law schools, there are some things to keep in mind. Before spending hours preparing for the LSAT, filling out law school applications, and securing letters of recommendation, hear us out. Here are our top three pieces of advice for international students applying to U.S. law schools.

Tips For International Students Applying To U.S. Law Schools

The TOEFL

While the LSAT usually gets all of the attention when discussing law school applications, there’s another important test to know. As an international student applying to American law schools, you may or may not know what the TOEFL is. The TOEFL stands for “Test of English as a Foreign Language” and is created and administered by Educational Testing Services. The TOEFL is used to measure English proficiency. We’re talking language skills, writing skills, reading comprehension skills, and basic speaking abilities. While not every American law school requires the TOEFL, some do require that you complete this examination as part of the application process. Be sure to double-check whether schools you’re interested in require the TOEFL!

Do You Need A J.D.?

As an international student applying to U.S. law schools, make sure you have a plan for that shiny new J.D.! While having a J.D. can certainly be an asset, it might lose some of its value depending on where you plan to practice law. If you plan to practice law in the United States, then a J.D. is a necessary asset. However, if you plan to return to your home country to practice law, confirm just how necessary the J.D. degree is. Some countries around the world have entirely different systems of law when compared to those that exist in the United States. You don’t want your three years of hard work and J.D. degree to be less valuable (or even unnecessary!) than you originally intended.

Figure Out Where To Take The LSAT

As we mentioned above, the LSAT is a key requirement in the world of law school admissions. If you’re an international student applying to law schools in the United States, figure out the logistics of taking the LSAT. If you’re nowhere near a testing center in your home country, you may have to explore other options. Some students simply travel to a location in the United States that offers the LSAT. However, this might not be practical for all international applicants. The second option is to request a nonpublished testing center. You may request the Law School Admission Council to establish a nonpublished test center if you’re more than 100 miles from nearby testing centers. However, keep in mind that LSAC charges an additional fee above and beyond the traditional LSAT cost for this service.

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