Obtaining a law degree can lead to enormous career opportunities, many of which have nothing to do with entering a courtroom and facing a jury. There are more than 30 types of law that can be practiced, including intellectual property, environmental, business, immigration, entertainment, and, of course, criminal law for those who do, in fact, want time in a courtroom.

What do students need to know about applying to law school? Firstly, it is not that dissimilar from applying to college. Courses taken and grades achieved are critical from an admissions standpoint, as are standardized test scores, usually the LSAT’s, but occasionally the GRE’s. Law schools, however, are also very interested in your resume – what have you done with your time during college to support your choice of law that you want to practice. When applying to law school you often indicate the type of law you intend to study while at that school and having a resume that supports your choice is helpful.

Timing for submission of your application is very important for law school. Most law schools are rolling admissions – even if that is not indicated on their applications. This means that once your application file is complete (your recommendations, essays, transcripts, etc.) then your application will be evaluated. The later in the cycle you apply, the fewer spots will be available. The LSAC application opens sometime in August and this “common application” is the platform for law admissions. Starting in August or September will ensure that completed applications will be ready as early as possible to give an applicant the best chance for admission.

Most law schools to not have interviews, so it is vital to have the strongest essays possible to present to the admissions committee, as this will be your one opportunity for them to get to know who you are. Take the time you need to craft meaningful essays that answer the prompt for each law school.

Finally, just as when applying to college, it is important find a variety of law schools that meet your needs. Just applying to a dream law school could end up with a big disappointment – find a balance of schools that offer the specialty you want in the locations that make sense for you but also offer a reasonable chance for admission.

Whether you pursue a career in politics, the judiciary, or the business world, a law degree provides a strong foundation to support your future success. The first step towards is finding law programs that meet your needs, completing those applications, and getting ready for your future to begin!