by Interstride
Prospective international students who want to study law in the US need to understand that they cannot study law at the undergraduate level in the US. Instead, one must do undergrad first to earn a bachelor’s degree, and then apply for law school to earn a J.D. degree. This differs from some countries including China, Australia, and the UK where you can start studying law in undergraduate school and earn a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B).
How to become a lawyer in the US
There are two types of law degrees in the US. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is needed to practice law, but some students who are interested in working in the legal field in another way such as consulting or compliance may earn a Master of Law (LL.M.). Generally though, when someone says they are studying law in the US, they are working on their J.D. Earning a J.D. typically takes three years of full-time law school. Law school tuition in the US is about $49,000 per year on average. You must have a bachelor’s degree and have passed the LSAT, the US’s law school admissions test, to apply for law school in the US.
After law school, you will need to pass the bar exam to become a practicing lawyer in the US. International students can also use their US law degree to practice law in another country. Many countries allow graduates with an LL.M. to practice law, and you can earn an LL.M. in the US in as little as one year.
What is “pre-law”?
Students in the US who know they want to go to law school after undergraduate school may say they are “pre-law”. Pre-law is not a major, a field of study, an academic department, or a college you apply to. In the US, pre-law is more of an intention. Pre-law students can choose any field of study that prepares them for applying to law school and for the LSAT.
What are the best undergraduate majors for law school?
There is no specific pre-law major. Some common choices of pre-law programs for undergraduates are:
- English
- Philosophy
- Political science
- Criminal justice
- History
- Communications
Can international students study law in the US?
Most US law schools accept international applicants, but admission to US law schools can be quite competitive. The US law schools with the highest numbers of international students earning J.D.s are:
- University of Detroit Mercy
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- University of North Dakota
- Harvard University
- Duke University
- Washington University
International students have multiple options for how they can study law in the US. Remember that if you want to practice law in the US, you must earn a J.D. through one of the following paths:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in the US and stay in the US to earn a J.D.
- Study law in undergraduate school in your home country or elsewhere, and then come to the US to earn a J.D.
- Earn a degree that is not law-related elsewhere (since there is no required pre-law major in the US), and then come to the US to earn a J.D.
If practicing law is not your long-term goal, consider a different path – study law in undergraduate school in a country where that is offered, and then come to the US for an LL.M. rather than a J.D. This is a common route for politicians around the world. For example, former Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-Wen has an LL.M. degree.
How to get into law school in the US as an international student
Choosing a major that shows your pre-law intent can help when applying to law school. International students are also able to gain experience in the US in the legal field through student clubs and internships using CPT or OPT work authorization, but the internship must be related to their academic major. Keep that in mind when choosing a major. For example, a degree in criminal justice could help you secure an internship with a law firm or legal aid program.
Some people work for a few years after undergrad before law school; others go straight from undergrad to law school. OPT allows students to work up to 12 months after graduation or 36 months with the STEM OPT extension for qualifying students. Certain psychology and communications degrees are considered STEM. This gives international students the chance to gain work experience and prepare for the LSATs after graduation.
Applying to law school in the US
Law school applicants must submit their official transcripts which show that they earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. If the transcripts are from another country and not in English, they must be translated. International applicants must also submit proof of English proficiency in addition to their LSAT scores. Study and prepare for the LSATs as much as possible as there are reading and writing sections that may be difficult for non-native English speakers.
Finally, the personal statement is an essential part of any US law school application. Students must demonstrate exemplary English skills and passion for law in their personal statements. The personal statement should explain why you want to attend law school specifically in the US. This is an excellent opportunity to highlight how your background as an international student can be advantageous to the school.
Concluding thoughts on pre-law for international students
The most important thing for international students to understand is that you cannot officially study law as an undergraduate student in the US. Pre-law is not an actual major but an intention to apply to law school after graduation. While there are common pre-law majors in the US such as English and political science, there is no specific major required for law school. This gives students flexibility for their undergraduate education, but it also means graduate school is required to study law in the US. Not sure if undergraduate or graduate school in the US is right for you? Read more here!
