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American legal education is one of the best in the world. Becoming a lawyer in the United States is not easy, you have to study a lot and take difficult exams, but you will receive a first-class legal education abroad and a diploma that will allow you to work in the United States and other countries around the world.
The legal education system in America
The process of studying law in the United States is different from other countries where you can enter law school immediately after graduation.
First, a law degree in the United States can only be obtained in law schools. Most law schools are part of public or private universities and are strictly regulated by law.
Secondly, you cannot get a law degree at the undergraduate level in the United States. To study jurisprudence at a law school, you first need to study for 4 years in a bachelor’s degree in a specialty related to law, or any other direction, pass a specialized exam and only then apply to the law school.
Legal education in America begins with a J.D. (Juris Doctor), which is equivalent to a master’s degree. This is the first and basic level of education in US law schools. Earning a J.D. enough to start a legal practice or continue legal education.
How to get into US law school?
If you are going to study to become a lawyer in America, it is important to know in advance how to apply to the university, and what subjects you need to take to become a lawyer.
To enroll in an American School of Law, a student must submit the following documents:
- bachelor’s degree (4 years of study) from a university or college
- LSAT exam result
- 2 letters of recommendation from teachers in the last place of study
- TOEFL / IELTS language exam certificate
- bank statement confirming the solvency
- Some law schools also require a resume and/or motivational essay to apply.
The process of applying for a lawyer in the United States is long and complex. Two important features distinguish it from admission to other specialties.
First, in most cases, you will need to register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) to enroll in law school. It is a nationwide platform that organizes students to enroll in US law schools. Through the same system, documents are submitted to law schools. CAS registration is compulsory for most schools, but some schools also accept student documents directly. You need to pay $ 200 to register with CAS, and then it will cost $ 35 to send your documents to each law school.
Secondly, a prerequisite for admission to a law school in the United States is to successfully pass the LSAT exam. This is a challenging, comprehensive test that is conducted 4 times a year around the world and lasts half a day. Despite the fact that the test is designed for people who have never studied law, it is difficult to pass it. The LSAT tests reading and word processing skills and determines how well a student is prepared to study at a law school. The exam consists of sections such as logical thinking, reading comprehension, analytical thinking, and written reasoning. Because LSAT scores play a critical role in law school enrollment, in a highly competitive environment, many students spend months preparing for the test and even take special LSAT preparation courses.
How much does a legal education cost in the USA?
A law degree is one of the most expensive in America. The high cost of legal programs in America is due to their high popularity (there are always enough students who are willing to pay more than $ 100,000 for tuition), and a large competition for places, and a lack of government funding.
The cost of the bar exam ranges between $600-3000 depending on the state and payment terms. Connecticut bar exam price is $800, while in Minnesota you’ll pay $600 for the same exam.
The average cost of tuition for public law schools in the United States is $ 39,612 per year, and for private law schools, it is $ 43,020 per year. Tuition fees at top US law schools are even higher, averaging $ 60,293 per year.
It should be noted that the salaries of lawyers in the United States are also among the highest. In the private sector, most graduates earn $ 60,000-85,000 per year, slightly fewer graduates receive $ 100,000-150,000 per year or more. In the public sector, the salaries of most graduates are $ 50,000-60,000 per year, slightly fewer graduates – $ 60,000-75,000 per year.