This handbook is primarily for seniors and others who are applying to law school this year. It should also be useful for juniors and younger students who are looking ahead toward the time they complete their applications.
This book does not address the fundamental question of whether law school and a career in law is a good choice for the reader. Although the question is vitally important, this issue is very much an individual matter that does not lend itself to discussion in a book of this kind. Legal education and a career in law can be challenging and satisfying, but law school is not for everyone. There are books on reserve at the library that can help you to explore this question, and we would encourage you to talk to lawyers, law students, judges, law school admissions officers, Career Center personnel, and anyone else who you think may give you some insight as to whether a career in law is right for you.
Throughout the book you will see quotations like the one in the shaded box below:
“Law school is hard, it is frustrating, it is designed to break you down and then build you up so you think like a lawyer. It is not fun, but there are good parts, and if you know how you want to use [a legal education], it is worth it.” Georgetown 2L
These are from students at a variety of law schools who were surveyed in recent years. Each received his/her undergraduate degree from Washington University. The designation “1L,” “2L,” or “3L” denotes first, second, or third-year law student, respectively.
Keep in mind the big picture: like any good employer, law schools are looking for smart, hard-working, and interesting people to add to their communities. It is your job to become as strong as possible in each of these dimensions; by doing so, you make yourself more appealing to many different law schools.
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"The Mellon Mays Programs has been one of my most impactful experiences at WashU. Not only was I given the guidance and support to conduct a two-year independent research project, but the relationships I have formed with my mentor have led me to definitely pursue a career in academia."
