Happy 2026, everyone! With the new year, the January LSAT is right around the corner, so here are some predictions and tips for LSAT test day.

What Will Be on the 2026 January LSAT?

Logical Reasoning

You will get two scored Logical Reasoning sections, and potentially a third experimental (unscored) Logical Reasoning. Unfortunately, the experimental section can show up anywhere on the test, so you should treat each section as if it was scored.  Try to avoid the guessing game of which section is unscored, as it takes your focus away from the task at hand and could lead to you not giving it your all.  These experimental sections are used by LSAC to test future LSAT sections.

Within each LSAT Logical Reasoning Section, you can expect a somewhat even distribution of difficulty, with easier to medium questions at the beginning and harder questions in the back half of the test.  That said, difficulty isn’t necessarily linear. I would expect at least one particularly difficult LSAT question during the first ten questions and some easier ones near the end.  

The vast majority of the questions you encounter will be based on analyzing arguments, particularly flawed arguments. So, make sure you are doing the work up front on these questions to identify what the argument is trying to prove (the main conclusion) and how it’s trying to prove it (the premises and subsidiary conclusions).  This step can help you more than you’d think in identifying what type of argument is being made and potential pitfalls, flaws, and assumptions the argument makes to bridge the gap from premises to conclusion.

More LSAT Help

🧠 An Introduction to the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section

📝 If You’re Studying for the LSAT, Memorize This List of Vocabulary Terms

Reading Comprehension

You will get one scored Reading Comprehension Section (and potentially one unscored section), consisting of four passages.  Unlike other standardized tests, the LSAT is much more concerned about the underlying logic and distinguishing between viewpoints than memorizing details. So, make sure to focus on the overall viewpoints being made as you read and where the author stands on the issues.  

While you probably will not get more than one or two questions testing background information prior to viewpoints, you do want to make sure you have a good enough handle on any potential key terms, problems or issues the passage focuses on, and the overall subject and scope of the passage, as these can give you a more precise sense both of where the passage is going and what the viewpoints are centered on.  

Even for detail-oriented questions, the right answer will be directly in line with the overall viewpoints they are supporting, so start there and only go back to the passage as needed.  Keep in mind that you need direct textual support from the passage for pretty much any answer you choose (apart from a couple of Strengthen or Weaken questions). Be skeptical and fussy with your breakdown of answers and don’t let the LSAT lull you into a false sense of security with how it words the beginning of a given answer choice.  The whole answer needs support.  If you find phrases like “most scientists agree” or “something will likely happen in the near future,” ask yourself if you really have enough support to choose an answer about what most scientists think or what will happen in the future.  A good rule of thumb is that if an answer doesn’t seem directly related to your tags of the main points of each paragraph, it’s likely outside the scope of the passage.

More LSAT Help

📖 How To Approach Reading Comp on the LSAT

🎨 Getting Through Brutally Difficult Reading Comp Passages About the Arts

⚖️ Getting Through Brutally Difficult Reading Comp Passages About the Law

🧬 Getting Through Brutally Difficult Reading Comp Passages About Science

Narrowing Down Answer Choices

While the LSAT can be tough and require a high degree of precision on tougher questions, it is important to keep in mind that it is fundamentally a fair test.  The last thing the LSAT wants is for there to be any bias or subjectivity as to which answer is right, as they could get sued or have to throw a question out (both of which would hurt their reputation and bottom line). 

Accordingly, the LSAT puts elements in wrong answers that are indisputably wrong based on the question type.  If you’re on the fence about a certain element of an answer, see if you can find a different part of the answer (or other answers) that is more obviously wrong.  The LSAT isn’t really a test of “good answer” versus “better answer” versus “best answer.”  It’s a test of “one of these answers is good enough and doesn’t have any elements in there that make it a wrong answer.” Other answers could have certain elements that you like better but also have a fatal flaw.  It is always better to go with the “meh” answer that does nothing wrong than the otherwise “perfect” answer that gets something wrong.  Make sure the entire answer works before picking an answer and moving on.  

Final Thoughts

If a certain question doesn’t go your way, just note that each question is only worth one point!  There are plenty of other questions on the test, so seek out your next point and roll with the punches.  Even 180 scorers aren’t going to be 100% confident in every question and every answer. They give themselves the best shot at the most points by doing the work up front and being methodical in their approach by seeking out elements they can rely on to confidently eliminate wrong answers and choose answers that match their anticipations.  If you are stuck on a question on the January LSAT, it’s perfectly fine to take an educated guess and come back.  That way, you’ll give yourself a chance at getting all those easier points and know how much time you have left to tackle the ones you guessed on or skipped. 

Most importantly, trust your instincts and analysis!  We tend to remember particularly tricky questions that burn us, but the majority of the questions are going to be relatively straightforward if you anticipate and know what you are looking for as you analyze answers. 

P.S. Decided to reschedule your January LSAT? Or simply getting familiar with the test before your test date later this year? We can help maximize your prep time!

Schedule a free consultation with our Enrollment Advisors to find the best LSAT course to meet your scheduling needs and score goals.

New year, new YOU, right?

If you didn’t reach your target LSAT score this year, the upcoming year brings more chances to crush the exam. However, LSAT success doesn’t happen overnight, and falling into last year’s same habits likely won’t bring about new results.

To help motivate you, we’ve come up with three New Year’s resolutions for college students (and non-trads!) that will make your LSAT studying a little easier. The best part is you only have to keep these resolutions until you take the LSAT (unless you find they vastly improved your life).

Do New Year’s Resolutions [Really] Work?

The answer to this question, like most questions you’ll come across as a lawyer, is it depends.

Many people make New Year’s resolutions hoping to start fresh and improve various aspects of their lives. On January 1, we hit a hard “Reset” on life. However, studies have shown that only about nine percent of those who make resolutions actually achieve them.

It all comes down to your individual commitment and effort towards achieving your goals, barring any factors outside of your control, of course. While it may seem tempting to set grandiose resolutions for the new year, it’s important to be realistic and set achievable goals. In other words, consider setting intentions rather than resolutions.

Celebrating your victories—big and small—keeps you motivated and more likely to stick with your New Year’s resolutions/goals.

New Year’s Resolutions for LSAT Students

What are some attainable goals you can set for yourself to achieve LSAT success in the new year? Let’s dive in!

1. Stay Consistent

One of the most important things you can do at the beginning of your LSAT prep is to create and stick to a consistent LSAT study plan. This not only helps build discipline but also ensures that you are consistently engaging with the material at a schedule that works with the rest of your commitments.

The average LSAT student preps for about two to three months. Your study plan should include time to learn the ins and outs of the LSAT itself, take full-length practice exams, and review your practice thoroughly to learn from your mistakes.

Hold yourself accountable and take the guesswork out of creating a balanced and effective LSAT study schedule by using our free customizable LSAT study planner tool.

2. Read More

Reading is an essential part of the LSAT (in fact, there’s a whole section devoted to critical reading skills). You will be asked to read passages and understand the viewpoints, arguments, and themes presented to you.

The material in the Reading Comprehension Section can be heavy, so it’s best to get used to reading densely packed articles and novels so your eyes won’t glaze over on test day. If books aren’t your thing, there are several news sites you can read every day to sharpen your reading comprehension skills.

Still, the goal is to get used to reading more and for longer periods at a time, so if the best you can do initially to get into the habit is to load up your Kindle with books recommended by #booktok, that’s a good start.

Sign up to get expert tips and exclusive invites to free LSAT classes and law school admissions workshops!

3. Start Living a Healthier Lifestyle and Get More Sleep

No, you don’t have to hit the gym every day. However, making small changes and smarter food choices can greatly improve your health, which directly influences your studying. Studies show certain foods can boost your brain power, while exercise can relieve daily stress and help clear your mind.

Getting enough sleep is also crucial for your brain health. Contrary to popular belief, it can be detrimental to stay up late, studying or otherwise. Sleep deprivation reduces productivity and contributes to mental and physical health problems.

So hit that snooze button if you need to and consider taking a walk to wind down instead of immediately rushing home to binge-stream.

Final Thoughts

As you probably figured out, these “resolutions” are really just simple changes that are easy to implement and unlikely to be forgotten by February or by your upcoming LSAT date. Remember, success on the LSAT comes from consistency and small victories, not massive life overhauls. By making small tweaks to your daily and study routines, you’ll be in far better shape to reach your goal score.

Ready to reach your goal LSAT score in 2026? Blueprint LSAT students increase their LSAT scores by 15 points on average. Whether you want to prep in a Live Online or 170+ Course, on your own schedule with a Self-Paced Course, or with a private LSAT tutor, we have an LSAT prep option that fits your learning style!

The LSAT is intimidating enough as it is. But if you’ve been out of school for a while and you’re a non-traditional student, that intimidation factor may be even greater. You may be wondering:

• Can I do this?
• Do I still have my “book smarts”?
• Can I compete against people half my age?

This article is here to reassure you that, no matter your age, you can successfully make the career change toward law school and it starts with conquering the LSAT.

Non-Traditional Student LSAT Tips

Am I “Past my Peak”?

Maybe you’re worried that you’re not as sharp as you used to be. Perhaps you’ve even heard that “fluid intelligence” — the ability to quickly process and recall information — peaks in our early 20s and slowly declines from there. 

Thankfully, there’s good news! Recent MIT research suggests the reality behind intelligence is far more complicated than you think. Yes, younger people typically process information faster. However, this belies the reality that intelligence is truly a multifaceted range of mental skills, some of which peak early on but many of which peak much later.

And that’s just fluid intelligence, which fails to take into account our crystallized intelligence — that is, our reservoir of facts and knowledge that continually expand with our worldly experience. Crystallized intelligence dictates that if you’re older, you’ve likely read more, have a better vocabulary, and have higher emotional intelligence. These skills can translate to real advantages on LSAT test day, especially in the LSAT Reading Comprehension Section, which covers a breadth of subject areas, is laden with emotional tone, and often has a tricky vocab word or two.

The LSAT Is  Not an IQ Test

The logic and structural reading concepts on the LSAT are more akin to learned skills, not measures of aptitude. In other words, the LSAT is more like riding a bike or playing an instrument. You improve by learning how it works and by practicing deliberately.

Does innate intelligence help? Probably. A musically inclined person might pick up the guitar faster than someone who isn’t.

However,  if the LSAT were primarily an intelligence or aptitude test, we would expect undergrads from the world’s best schools to cluster near the top of the scoring range. They don’t. Historically, even at elite colleges, average LSAT scores tend to fall in the mid-160s—strong results, but far from the ceiling.

In my experience working with LSAT students, raw ability can only get you so far. We see this when students have high LSAT diagnostic scores. Once a student has crossed the mid-160s, closing the gap to 180 depends far more on their mastery of specific logic and structural reading skills. What makes the biggest difference on the LSAT isn’t intelligence, but practice.

The LSAT Is Learnable

Say it with me: The LSAT. Is. Learnable. 

From my experience as a teacher, the number one predictor of a student’s success is how consistently they practice and review. Logical Reasoning is predicated on arguments. Arguments tend to follow the same patterns, methods of reasoning, flaws, and types of assumptions. Reading Comprehension tends to ask about the same handful of themes, viewpoints, and support, again and again. 

If you can stick with your LSAT study schedule, you will familiarize yourself with these patterns and see progress. It just takes the resilience to keep with it and the curiosity to ask “why?”, even in moments of failure.

How Your Experience Translates on the LSAT 

If there’s one underappreciated advantage a non-traditional student has is real-world experience. Many LSAT questions, especially in Logical Reasoning, deal with the inner workings of groups and institutions—business scenarios, policy debates, and the like. If you’ve spent years attending meetings, evaluating proposals, and reading dense reports, you’ve been training for this test without realizing it. Even if not, you too have likely,  absorbed way more practical experience than you might think.

As a teacher, I’ve seen younger students take quickly to the more abstract logical concepts, but they often struggle to connect them to practical applications. Non-traditional students don’t have that problem.

Establish An LSAT Study Schedule That Works for You

As a non-traditional student, you probably can’t dedicate 20 hours a week to LSAT prep. You have a job, actual responsibilities, and maybe a family. That’s fine! Consistency beats volume. Studies show that when it comes to learning a subject, distributed practice—shorter, regular sessions over time—is more effective than marathon cram sessions.

If you work a full-time job, try to be disciplined about maintaining regular short study “windows.” Thirty focused minutes before work and another 30 in the evening every day is a great foundation that will far outperform a sporadic three-hour study binge on a random Saturday.

Build your LSAT prep into your existing structure rather than try to overhaul everything. And be realistic with yourself. If your prior commitments mean that you will need six to nine months of studying instead of three, that’s okay.  You’re still going to make it happen. Don’t rush your LSAT prep.

Consider Your “Why”

Your emotional resilience connects to something much deeper: your motivation.

Many people take the LSAT because it’s the next checkbox after undergrad. You’re doing this because you’ve made a conscious choice to overhaul your life. You have something that many lack: clarity of purpose. When practice gets tedious or you hit a plateau, your peers might question whether law school is even worth it. You already know it is. That conviction will carry you through the hard days in ways that raw intellect never could.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to imagine that younger test-takers have some inherent advantage, like better memory or fewer commitments. The reality is far more complicated. Nearly everyone struggles with the LSAT.  The difference is that you’ve probably learned to cope more effectively. You’ve already navigated career challenges, personal setbacks, and workplace pressure. When the going gets tough, you can lean on that experience and know that everything will be all right.

Are you ready to reach your LSAT potential? Blueprint LSAT has helped thousands of students increase their LSAT scores by 15 points on average—including working professionals, career-changers, and students balancing full schedules. Whether it’s in a Live Course  or 170+ Course led by expert Blueprint LSAT instructors, in a Self-Paced Course that gives you total control over your schedule and studying, or one-on-one with a tutor, we have the LSAT prep that fits your learning style.

Get started today for free by creating a Blueprint LSAT account!

Further Reading

🌱 Growth vs. Stagnant Mindset: Why It Matters in LSAT Prep: Discover how a growth mindset can make all the difference in your LSAT motivation and LSAT prep.

🏫 Five Things Nontraditional Law School Applicants Should Know: Applying to law school can be a daunting process, no matter your background, but if you’re a non-traditional student, you face a unique challenge. Here are five things you should know about the admission process if you’re a non-traditional applicant.

💻 How to Study for the LSAT Part-Time: If you’re planning to balance studying for the LSAT with a course load, internship, or job, then read this to learn how to fit LSAT prep into your busy schedule! 

Got an aspiring lawyer in your life (yes, you count)? As the holidays roll around, shopping gets tricky when their life revolves around taking LSAT practice tests, drinking unsafe amounts of caffeine, and repeat. Before you default to another coffee mug, let Blueprint help you level up your gifting game with pre-law gift ideas they’ll actually use—and love.

Gift Ideas for Pre-Laws and Future Lawyers

1. Pay Their LSAT Registration Fee

We’re starting off strong with the updated version of “cash in a Christmas card.” The LSAT registration fee is $248, which translates to about a month’s worth of large coffees, dozens of study snacks, or a new laptop battery! Plus, nothing says, “I believe in you” like paying the registration fee for the most defining test of their (pre-law) life.

2. A Blueprint LSAT Course

After paying the registration fee, pre-law students need a way to prepare for the LSAT. Set that future lawyer on track toward their goal score with a Blueprint LSAT prep course! From our Live Course and 170+ Course options to a flexible Self-Paced Course, we have something for every learning style. Or, if you want to give a truly personalized experience, consider gifting them a tutoring package with one of our highly qualified experts!

Think of it this way: A competitive LSAT score can lead to admission offers from top law schools and hefty law school scholarships. That sets the stage for stronger career outcomes, including more competitive starting salaries after graduation. So, Blueprint LSAT courses are the pre-law gifts that keep on giving.

3. Dimmable Desk Lamp

When the lights go down, the books come out. Many students don’t have time to study during the day because of classes or work. So, a dimmable desk lamp is great for these night owls. This one comes with four different settings, including “Study” and “Relax,” to vary the amount of blue light emission.

4. “Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar”

Looking for a White Elephant gift that still matches the future-lawyer vibe? This book will guide LSAT students through the intricacies of philosophy without putting them to sleep. Can you buy this book and skip a Philosophy 101 course? No. Will you crush the Logical Reasoning Section after reading the book? Also no. Will you have a chuckle at the expense of Sherlock Holmes and Plato? Probably.

5. Brain Teaser Puzzles

For a study break that still keeps your brain engaged (and distracts you from doomscrolling), these wooden puzzles are perfect! Even if the recipient never figures it out, these pre-law gifts will still look great on their desk.

6. A De-Stress Kit

If there’s one thing all LSAT students (and law students, for that matter) have in common, it’s the heavy amount of pressure they’re under. What better way to show you support them than by putting together a personalized de-stress kit? Include things like bath bombs, a candle, a book (a fun one, not something on Torts or Constitutional Law), an eye mask, essential oils, or whatever you think your student will find relaxing. Sometimes, the most appreciated gift is a study break.

7. Standing Desk Converter

Sitting for long periods isn’t great or healthy, but standing desks often take up a lot of space and can be pretty pricey. Solution: a standing desk converter. It turns any regular desk into an adjustable standing workspace that they can store when not in use, saving space and their lower back.

8. A Drink Tumbler

Whether it’s coffee, tea, plain water, or whatever their drink of choice is, tumblers are essential for anyone moving or studying on the go. Perfect for those early morning classes or late-night study sessions, a portable tumbler keeps beverages hot or cold for hours. You can go the basic route with Stanley, but any stainless steel option will do. Just remind your gift recipient to wash it regularly.

9. Food Delivery

Prepping for the LSAT can feel like a part-time job. Factor in college classes, real jobs, and other responsibilities, and pre-law students have very little time to cook three square meals a day. Make an LSAT student’s life a little easier by gifting them the joy of convenient food through an UberEats gift card or a meal prep delivery service.

10. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones can range from surprisingly affordable to “this better raise my LSAT score.” But at the end of the day, anything that helps your future lawyer shut out the world, lock in, and actually focus makes for a really thoughtful and practical pre-law gift idea.

Honorable Mention: A Soundproof Booth

Appropriately called a “Zenbooth,” this soundproof sanctuary gives an LSAT student the privacy to scream, cry, and cheer to their heart’s delight without distracting (or alarming) everyone around them. Maybe you can go in on this pre-law gift with other people as a group gift everyone can use.

Whether you’re checking off your own wish list or helping a future law student, investing in LSAT prep now will set you up for success in the new year. Blueprint LSAT students increase their LSAT scores by 15 points on average. Whether you want the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, prefer to navigate the LSAT with instructors in a Live Course or 170+ Course, or even private LSAT tutoring, we have the study method that fits your learning style.

With personalized LSAT prep that’s as unique as your goals, we’ll help you kick off 2026 feeling confident and ready to tackle the test. Schedule a free consultation and let’s make sure you’re on track for law school success in 2026!

So, you’ve decided to become a lawyer. You might be wondering if February is too late to apply to law school this cycle. 

You likely fall under two groups. Either you took the LSAT in January or earlier, but haven’t hit your target LSAT score. (Don’t worry—you’ll get there!) Or maybe you couldn’t take the LSAT sooner and your day of reckoning is upon you.

Enter: the February LSAT! 

Although schools have a rolling admissions process, the sooner you can apply before priority deadlines, the better. While you wait for your LSAT score, gather the rest of your law application materials. Cross your t’s and dot your i’s. Time is of the essence!

Wait, what? You’re not ready to submit your applications as soon as scores are released? Never fear.

Even if you haven’t started your law school applications, we’re going to help you navigate the admissions puzzle so you can apply ASAP.

Law Schools That Accept the February LSAT

These are law schools that accept the February LSAT as either the final LSAT administration for the admissions cycle or one of the final ones. 

Law Schools That Might Accept the February LSAT

These law schools don’t clearly state the latest LSAT they’ll accept, but their application deadlines fall after February LSAT scores are released. That means the February LSAT may be an option—just be sure to check with each school to confirm.

January LSAT Recommended or Suggested

LSAT Not Specified

• Albany Law School
• Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
• Ave Maria School of Law
• University of Baltimore School of Law
• Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
• Baylor Law School
• Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
• Capital University Law School
• Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
• Case Western Reserve University School of Law
• Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
• Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law
• Charleston School of Law
• Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Tech
• Cleveland State University College of Law
• Cornell Law School
• University of Dayton School of Law
• University of Denver Sturm College of Law
• University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
• University of the District of Columbia (UDC) David A. Clarke School of Law
• Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
• Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) University College of Law
• Georgetown University Law School
• George Washington University Law School
• Golden Gate University School of Law
• Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law
• University of Idaho College of Law
• Indiana University Bloomington Maurer School of Law
• Inter-American University of Puerto Rico School of Law
• University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law
• University of La Verne College of Law and Public Service
• Liberty University School of Law
• Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law
• Lewis and Clark Law School
• Louisiana State University (LSU) Paul M. Herbert Law Center
• Loyola University of New Orleans (LOYNO) College of Law
• University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
• University of Massachusetts (UMass) School of Law, Dartmouth
• University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
• University of Miami School of Law
• Michigan State University College of Law
• University of Minnesota Law School
• Mississippi College School of Law
• University of Mississippi School of Law
• University of Missouri School of Law
• University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law
• University of Montana Blewett School of Law
• University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
• New York Law School
• NCCU School of Law
• Northeastern University School of Law
• Northern Illinois University College of Law
• Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
• University of Oklahoma College of Law
• University of Oregon School of Law
• Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law
• Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
• Quinnipiac University School of Law
• Regent University School of Law
• University of Richmond School of Law
• St. Louis University School of Law
• University of San Diego School of Law
• Seton Hall University School of Law
• South Texas College of Law, Houston
• Southern University Law Center
• Southern Illinois University School of Law
• University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Law
• Texas A&M University School of Law
• Thurgood Marshall School of Law
• Texas Tech University School of Law
• Thomas Jefferson School of Law
• University of Toledo College of Law
• Touro Law, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
• University of Tulsa College of Law
• University of Northern Texas (UNT) Dallas College of Law
• University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
• Vanderbilt University Law School
• Vermont Law and Graduate School
• Wake Forest University School of Law
• Washburn University School of Law
• Washington and Lee University School of Law
• Washington University School of Law, St. Louis
• Western Michigan University Cooley Law School
• West Virginia University College of Law
• Widener University Delaware Law School
• Widener University Commonwealth Law School
• Willamette University College of Law
• University of Wyoming College of Law

A Step-by-Step Guide: Applying to Law School in February

Step 1: Start With Your Letter of Recommendations

Ask several professors or employers (or anyone who can speak to your academic potential) to write you a Letter of Recommendation. You need to get those in ASAP, but writers can be slow, especially this late in the year.

Stay on top of the people writing your recommendations without being pushy. However, make sure you use every weapon in your polite pressure arsenal to get them submitted promptly. LSAC says it will take a few days to a week for your letters to get processed and as mentioned before, time is a luxury!

More Help

💌 How to Get Letters of Recommendation (And What to Do if People Say No)

📝 Building Your Law School Application: Letters of Recommendation 

📧 Use This Email To Ask For Letters of Recommendation

Step 2: Finish All Your Essays

You already know about the personal statement, but you also need to decide if you’re going to write an addendum or diversity statement. Additionally, check to see if the law school requires any additional essays. Most schools at least want short answers to several questions. You might also consider writing a statement of perspective or essay about why you want to go to one particular school.

Make sure to check if a law school has any word count or page limits. Don’t wait until the last minute to throw something together. Regardless if February is too late to apply to law school or not, you must always ensure that these soft factors are top-notch to get into your top choice.

More Help

📝 Quick Tips for a Quick (But Effective) Personal Statement 

❌ The Dos and Don’ts of Your Personal Statement

🩹 When Do You Need a Law School Addendum?

Step 3: Actually Fill Out The Applications

You can’t forget about this obvious step: fill out your applications. Most ABA-accredited law schools use the CAS. Once you have filled out one, the answers you have provided should auto-populate for other schools.

However, that is no guarantee, and filling this out often takes a few hours. This step is probably the most straightforward, so why not have it done before scores are released? (That’s a rhetorical question; don’t answer it. Just go fill out the apps.)

Step 4: Craft An Academic Resume

 An academic resume is not wildly different from a typical job resume. However, there are a few key differences. Most notably, don’t include a statement of purpose. It looks silly. 

Your law school resume should include academic accomplishments. Highlight what a great writer and student you are. Tell the admissions committee about your notable publications, academic awards, and even making the Dean’s List.

In addition to academic accomplishments, show off your impressive work experience from undergrad and beyond. Describe your work experience in a manner that highlights experiences that will translate to law school: e.g. research, writing, analytical skills, etc.

More Help

✅ Use This Law School Resume Template

📄 Your Law School Resume vs A Job Search Resume

Bonus: Update Law Schools

Finally, a few notes for those of you who have already submitted your applications inclusive or are on waitlists/hold. Log on to your LSAC account, and make sure that every school to which you want your February LSAT score reported is marked as such.

When your score is released, LSAC will automatically send it to each of these schools, giving you a precious few-second jump on the competition who have not applied.

If you have your heart set on starting law school this fall but haven’t applied, don’t despair. February is not too late to apply to law school, but you will need to get the rest of your application together beforehand. Your missing puzzle piece at this point should be your February LSAT score.

Alternatively, if you decide to wait to apply until the next cycle to strengthen your application, that’s a fine option too! Our Law School Admissions Consultants can help transform you from a good applicant to a competitive one.

In the meantime, download our free Guide to Getting Accepted to a T14 Law School to help set yourself apart from your peers!

Final Thoughts

Law school application timelines aren’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is the “right” LSAT test date. While some schools clearly accept February or later LSAT scores, others recommend earlier test dates or don’t specify at all. That’s why it’s so important to research each school’s policies and confirm details directly with admissions offices before finalizing your plan.

Whether you’re gearing up for the February LSAT or planning to test later in the year, having a smart, structured prep plan can make all the difference. Blueprint LSAT Prep has the best LSAT prep courses tailored to your individual learning style. From a Self-Paced Online LSAT Course to a Live LSAT Class and specialized 170+ Course and even private LSAT tutoring, we have the LSAT prep designed to increase your LSAT score by 15 points, on average!

Don’t want to commit to a prep course right now? Get access to a bunch of free LSAT resources when you start a free Blueprint LSAT trial.

Want to balance going to law school while still maintaining an active lifestyle and scaling mountains on the weekends? Then exploring law schools in Colorado should be at the top of your list. Colorado is known for its arid desert, river canyons, and the snow-covered Rocky Mountains. This state is a magnet for winter sport enthusiasts, those who love nature, and college students. The capital and largest city, Denver, dates to the Old West, with a vibrant downtown that draws crowds and people from all walks of life. 

Below, you’ll discover what the top law schools in Colorado are and the median LSAT scores and GPAs you’ll need to be a competitive applicant.

Top Law Schools in Colorado

1. University of Colorado, Boulder Law School
2. University of Denver Sturm College of Law

These are the two highest-ranking law schools in Colorado. Each has a prestigious program, with exciting student organizations and legal journals you can get involved in. Keep reading to see if either of them is right for you.

1.  University of Colorado, Boulder Law School

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #46
Tuition: $36,494 (full-time)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.79
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 164
Acceptance Rate: 36.4%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 81.1%

The University of Colorado Boulder Law School has an accelerated program that allows students to graduate with a JD in as little as 2.5 years. So, if speeding through your law degree is of interest, this is your place! Areas of study include legal theory, legal writing, health law and policy, civil rights and racial justice, and entrepreneurial and business law (among others). This law school also has an Experiential Learning Program for clinics, externships, and voluntary public service to help you gain practical experience. 

There are three legal journals at this campus, including the University of Colorado Law Review, the Colorado Environmental Law Journal, and the Colorado Technology Law Journal. Additionally, there are more than 30 student organizations to check out, including the Colorado Law Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Environmental Law Society. 

The application deadline is April 1 and the fee to submit is $65. The full-time tuition (for both in-state and out-of-state students) is less than that of many other top-ranked programs. It’s even less than what many students at lower-ranked programs are paying. 

2.  University of Denver Sturm College of Law

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #88 (Tie)
Tuition: $61,530 (full-time)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.65
Media LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 159
Acceptance Rate: 53.1%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 81.7%

The Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver was founded in 1892 and is one of the first law schools established in America’s Mountain West. A heavy focus is placed on clinical training, legal writing, trial advocacy, and ethics. This law school offers many options, including a traditional JD program, a professional part-time JD program, four LLM degree options, and four master’s degree options.

Students can tailor their legal training by enrolling in a variety of programs, including the Constitutional Rights and Remedies Program, the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program, and the Animal Law Program. Earning certificates in one of these programs allows students to gain expertise, consider a career in a particular area of the law, and network with like-minded individuals. 

The application deadline is June 1 and the fee to submit is $65. Tuition is significantly higher compared to the University of Colorado, Boulder, which ranks higher at the latter end of the Top 50.

How Do I Get Accepted to a Colorado Law School?

Whether you’re applying to the best law school in Colorado or in another state, the process is the same. The first step in the law school admissions timeline is to take the LSAT. Although there are no required LSAT scores for law school, the median scores of these law schools in Colorado give you a pretty good indication of how you compare to their previous incoming class. Remember, law schools want to attract the best, so make sure you give yourself the ultimate chance by getting a high LSAT score.

Further Reading

📈 What Is a Good LSAT Score Anyway?

📍 Download a Free 18-Month Law School Application Timeline

Ace the LSAT

Blueprint LSAT Prep has the best LSAT prep courses tailored to your individual learning style. From a Self-Paced Online LSAT Course to a Live LSAT Class and specialized 170+ Course and even private LSAT tutoring, we have the LSAT prep designed to increase your LSAT score by 15 points, on average!

Don’t want to commit to a prep course right now? Get access to a bunch of free LSAT resources when you start a free Blueprint LSAT trial.

In the Blueprint LSAT classes I teach, we cover some of the hardest LSAT questions ever. These are questions that more than half the group often gets wrong. It can be demoralizing, but I tell my students to embrace the challenge—I know they can do the easier ones on their own!

What exactly makes a hard LSAT question “hard,” though? Today, we’re going to uncover exactly that.

Standard Legal Disclaimer

Law School Admissions Test questions are copyrighted materials. If you’re on the pre-law path, you probably know that means we can’t republish them here.

So here’s the plan: I’m going to walk you through various aspects of LSAT question difficulty, from beginning to end. We’re going to focus on the LSAT Logical Reasoning section since those questions are self-contained and don’t require reading an entire passage for context. For each “element” of question difficulty, I will reference a real LSAT question (providing preptest, section, and question numbers) that showcases the given trait.

In some situations, in order to illustrate a concept, I will write fake questions that use the same techniques as the cited materials. But if you’re studying for the LSAT, I would encourage you to look up the real questions! Much can be learned from really studying the test writer’s tendencies.

Further Reading

🧠 An Introduction to the LSAT Logical Reasoning Section

❓ Breaking Down LSAT Question Types

Understanding LSAT Question Prompts

The first difficulty jump students can encounter in a question is from the question itself (the “prompt”). Most LSAT question prompts are more or less straightforward, but some of them disguise what they are asking.

Here are a few examples of unusual question prompts. Can you figure out the question type of each?

1. Davis’s response suggests that he interpreted Carrie’s criticism to mean…
PT 119, S4, Q15

This question definitely buries the lede. It’s one of those two-speaker stimuli where the second speaker responds to the first; here, we’re asked how Speaker #2 (Davis) interpreted something said by Speaker #1 (Carrie).

On the surface, this looks pretty innocuous. But let’s ask ourselves, what is this question really asking us to do? If we’re diving into how Davis interpreted Carrie’s words, what does that suggest about Davis?

Exactly. It suggests that Davis’s response is somehow flawed. Indeed, the question of “how does Davis interpret Carrie?” implies that he misinterprets Carrie. (If there were no misinterpretation, why would the question be asking?)

So yes, this is a flaw question, despite the fact that it doesn’t explicitly reference a flaw! Trippy.

2. Which of the following most logically completes the argument?
PT 140, S1, Q4

You might think you know what type of LSAT question this is. You may have seen this kind of language dozens of times before. But here, the context of the stimulus can change the meaning of the question.

Most of the hardest LSAT questions of the above type look something like this:

Which of the following most logically completes the argument?

Chef Lee has nine cabbages and three summer squashes. Chef Lee always chooses the vegetable that is more plentiful in the kitchen. Hence, _______.

This is what we’d call a soft must-be-true question. It asks for what conclusion is most strongly supported by the facts given. (Here, that Chef Lee will choose cabbage over squash!)

However, consider this variant that uses the exact same question prompt:

Which of the following most logically completes the argument?

Chef Lee has nine cabbages and three summer squashes. Hence, he will choose to prepare cabbage for tonight’s dinner, since _______.

Although it looks the same on the surface, this is no longer a soft must-be-true question. We’re being asked to fill in a “since,” not a “hence.”In other words, we’re looking to supply a premise, not a conclusion. That makes this a strengthen question.

The takeaway here is to read the stimulus carefully and to not assume that the same question wording always connotes the same question type.

3. Based on the passage, which of the following is the most accurate assessment of Alex’s claim?
PT 156, S2, Q5

This is an interesting question because, unlike the other 95% of Logical Reasoning questions, it resists categorization. In a Flaw question, we’re essentially asked, “Why is the argument flawed?” Whereas a Describe question (sometimes called a “Method of Argument” question) asks, “How is the argument successfully made?” The former deals with invalid arguments; the latter, valid ones.

But here, we’re being asked to assess the claim. Whether the argument is valid or not is undetermined. Indeed, if we look at the answer choices, we get a mixed bag:

A. The claim is acceptable because…
B. The claim is questionable because…
C. The claim cannot be evaluated because...
D. The claim has not been established because…
E. The claim is dubious because…

The answer choices run the full spectrum from valid (A), to “it’s impossible to know” (C), to completely invalid (E).

The lesson here is that some LSAT questions are true oddballs. This question mixes up patterns we’re familiar with (Flaw, Describe) in a way we don’t typically see on the LSAT. The key in these situations is to apply the skills we already have: What’s the conclusion? What’s the best supporting evidence? Does the evidence do its job? With these fundamentals in mind, we follow the instructions the question prompt gives us.

Navigating Wordy Stimuli in LSAT Questions

The stimulus is that short paragraph of text we get in a Logical Reasoning question. Another source of challenge in some of the hardest LSAT questions is the difficult language of these stimuli, which can be long, dense, and full of jargon.

Take this (fake) stimulus for example:

Epidemiologist: If the bacterial infection continues to grow exponentially, in a few days there will be ten billion bacteria per milliliter of blood in the patient’s bloodstream. Dr. Sanderson asserts that this will not be a problem, since she will have administered antibiotics by then to kill the bacteria in the blood. This, however, would be a temporary solution: if the bacterial population continues to double every 3 hours, and if at hour 72 half of the bacteria in the bloodstream were eliminated by antibiotics, then by hour 75 the bloodstream would be just as infected as it had been before the antibiotic treatment.
Adapted from PT 140, S1, Q6

If you’re like most students, this stimulus provides exactly the type of content you’re going to law school to stay away from: biological sciences, medicine, and enough math to look like one of those “story problems” from fifth grade. 

But here’s the thing, we don’t need to understand everything. The infection, the exponential growth, and the mathematical rate of spread are a sideshow, a distraction. The question prompt in this case gives us one job:

Which of the following most accurately states the conclusion of the epidemiologist’s argument?

This is a main point question. We want to stay on task and read with our blinders on. If a given sentence is the argument’s conclusion, great. If it’s not, we ignore what it’s saying.

Here, we get the conclusion midway through (The antibiotics are a “temporary solution”). After that, we can stop reading. Yes, really! The rest is just supporting evidence we don’t need for this particular question.

There are a couple of valuable takeaways from this one:

1.  Read the question prompt first. Doing this tells you what your specific job is in a given question. In a flaw question, you’re looking for some kind of error in reasoning. In a parallel question, you’re paying attention to argument structure. And yes, in a main point question, we just need to grasp the conclusion. We can ignore everything else.
2. If you made the mistake of reading the stimulus before the question in this one, you would likely waste precious time trying to grasp the numerical nuances of the bacterial spread, all of which is a tremendous waste of your precious time.
3. Not all information is important! I tell my students to “work smarter, not harder.” Focus on the information that helps answer the question, and avoid the rest. In a lengthy stimulus such as this, it is never the case that you will need all the information to answer a question. Key in on what’s important. Disregard the rest.

Sign up to get expert tips and exclusive invites to free LSAT classes and law school admissions workshops!

Let’s look at one more (fake) question:

Which of the following is most strongly supported from the scholar’s statements?

Scholar: A person who pursues knowledge without continual acknowledgment of the subjectivity and contingency of truth harbors a fundamentally naïve worldview. Yet those who are ceaselessly conscious of the subjectivity and contingency of truth necessarily compromise their capacity for intellectual conviction.
Adapted from PT 130, S3, Q15

This one isn’t as long as our medical science question, but Holy Philosophy, Batman! This one is just dripping with $20 words and abstract ideas.

The stimulus is short, but wordy, so let’s lean on strategy.

This is a soft must-be-true question. Like most must-be-true type questions, our success here is contingent on combining ideas. In other words, if A and B are both true, what happens when we put A + B together?

Let’s take a classic example:

Socrates is a man.
All men are mortal.
Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

The shared term—”man”—helps us realize that these ideas can be combined. Socrates is a man, but all men are mortal. The shared term is often the connecting tissue that lets us link ideas together.

Now let’s revisit our tricky stimulus:

Scholar: A person who pursues knowledge without continual acknowledgment of the subjectivity and contingency of truth harbors a fundamentally naïve worldview. Yet those who are ceaselessly conscious of the subjectivity and contingency of truth necessarily compromise their capacity for intellectual conviction.

Do we see our overlapping term?

Both the first and second sentences share an idea: constant awareness of “the subjectivity and contingency of truth.” Notice that both sentences use slightly different language to describe this awareness (“continual acknowledgement,” “ceaselessly conscious”). That’s another LSAT difficulty trick.

Either way, “conscious awareness of the subjectivity and contingency of truth” is quite a mouthful compared to “man” above. So, we’ll just call this constant awareness for short.

But if you see the overlap in ideas, this one is not that different from the Socrates example:

If you don’t have constant awareness, you’re “naive.”
But if you do have constant awareness, you’re “compromised.”

This means that the right answer will link “naive” and “compromised” in some way (specifically, “if you’re not compromised, you’re naive”).

The takeaway here is that complex verbiage can often belie a simpler logical structure. It often doesn’t matter what an argument says, just what it does. Don’t give up just because the language is tough. Read beyond the language and look for the underlying structure. Here, if you see overlap in terms, you’ve won half the battle.

Answer Choice Purgatory

So you’ve identified the question and made your way through a tough stimulus. Maybe you’ve even anticipated the right answer. Finally, you make it to the answer choices, only to be greeted with this:

(A) provisionally endorsing a strategy on the grounds that it avoids invoking contested terminology used by the opponent
(B) provisionally endorsing a strategy on the grounds that it leads to a counterargument that would enable the participants to resolve a dispute
(C) provisionally endorsing a strategy on the grounds that it leads to a counterargument whose acceptance requires adopting a position that contradicts one’s initial stance
(D) dismissing a strategy on the grounds that it relies on an appeal to emotion rather than addressing the validity of the position
(E) dismissing a strategy on the grounds that it prevents the participants from identifying which assumptions are actually in dispute
Adapted from PT 136, S2, Q25

For context, these are the answer choices from an imaginary Describe question. High-level Describe questions are a real culprit for LSAT difficulty and staples in the hardest LSAT questions!

What often makes answer choices difficult in Describe is the level of abstraction. All five of the above are very indirectly referencing the argument advanced in the stimulus, but only one of the five is actually making an accurate characterization of what that argument is doing.

The abstract language here is enough to make your eyes glaze over. Actually, LSAC is counting on it. So, how do we fight the urge to throw in the towel?

Finding Patterns in LSAT Questions

The first thing we want to deploy is a technique called parallelism. In questions with lengthy answer choices such as this, the LSAT often uses patterns. Rather than read all five answer choices from end to end, we want to first lightly skim the beginnings of each answer choice in parallel with each other, directly comparing them.

Here, for instance, we have “provisionally endorsing a strategy” versus “dismissing a strategy.” Hard though these answer choices may be, it’s probably pretty easy to figure out whether the argument is saying “do this!” or “don’t do this!” By figuring out this first fork in the road, we can eliminate two to three answer choices from the jump.

Let’s say we’ve dismissed the “dismissing” answer choices and are left with (A) through (C). Still, we can continue with our parallelism technique.(A) says the strategy helps us “avoid” something, while (B) and (C) say the strategy leads to an effective counterargument. If we decide it’s the latter, then it’s simply a matter of comparing the type of argument in (B) versus (C).

The actual right answer here is beside the point—but definitely look up the original! Rather, the takeaway, like before, is that there are usually ways to “work smarter, not harder.” Rather than becoming completely overcome by the difficult language, we can continue to problem solve and look for patterns. Then, we can conscientiously eliminate answer choices that misdescribe the tone or thesis of the argument.

Final Thoughts

The LSAT is designed to test your ability to reason under pressure, and one of its primary weapons is difficulty by obfuscation. Whether through confusing question prompts, dense stimuli, or abstract answer choices, the test is constantly trying to obscure simple logical tasks behind layers of complexity.

The good news is that “complex” does not have to mean “impossible.” The techniques we’ve discussed—reading the question first, identifying overlapping terms, using parallelism in answer choices—are all ways to cut through that obfuscation and get to the heart of what’s being asked.

The hardest LSAT questions aren’t hard because they require advanced knowledge or a genius-level IQ. They’re hard because they demand focus, strategy, and the discipline to work smarter rather than harder. These are skills that anyone can develop, but are hard-earned through hours of practice and review. Master those skills, and even the toughest questions become manageable.

Blueprint LSAT can help you cut through the confusion with more than 7,000 LSAT questions at your fingertips. ​​Whether you want the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, prefer to navigate the LSAT with instructors in a Live Course or 170+ Course, or even private LSAT tutoring, we have the study method that fits your learning style.

If you’re taking the LSAT or applying to law school (or baking a loaf of bread, or trying to fix your car, etc.), you have almost certainly come across Reddit. Reddit is a social media platform filled with community forums (called subreddits) dedicated to various topics, law school admissions included. Wherever such communities exist, there are online users who make posts, share stories, and give advice. This means, yes, there is a law school admissions Reddit subreddit.

You may have also heard (or perhaps experienced) that Reddit can be a toxic place. It can contain misinformation and embellishment. (Lies you say? On the internet?!)

The question is whether any of this Reddit stuff is worth it, and if so, how to separate the good from the bad. Here is some guidance on that subject for anyone applying to law school.

You Already Have All The Law School Admissions Information You Need

Any one of us can do an internet search of our school of interest right now and find out the median LSAT and grade point average for the incoming class of students. They’re called 509 ABA Disclosures and every school makes one annually.

The information in the 509 ABA Disclosures provide us about 90% of the data we need to know where we stand on admissions odds. If our grades and LSAT score are above a school’s medians, we’re likely to be admitted. If these numbers are below, we’re a long shot. If they’re a split or right at the median, coin flip. Yes, a good personal statement and letters of recommendation can push us over the edge into waitlist or “admitted” territory. But for the most part, the numbers tell the story.

You can also peruse the pages and pages of articles in this blog and download free resources created by law school admissions experts. Here are a few:

• A Step-By-Step Guide to Applying to Law School
• 2026 Law School Application Deadlines
• How to Use Law School Admissions Calculators and Predictors
• Download an 18-Month Law School Admissions Timeline

The Downside of Reddit

I try not to get in the habit of telling people how to spend their valuable time. But consider whether any of this Reddit business is worthy of that time. Reddit is a social media platform. Social media is engineered for one reason only: to keep us using it. Studies repeatedly show that it makes us deeply unhappy, deadens our ability to focus, and foments anger, cynicism, and incivility.

In short, it can make you a bit negative.

Of course, clicking a Reddit link because you Googled “chances of getting into Columbia Law” is not going to rot your brain. You’re just seeking information. However, consider how likely you are to then navigate to the front page and spend the next 20 minutes doomscrolling. If this is you (I know it’s me), stay far, far away.

Then, if you decide to post questions on Reddit about your law school admissions odds, you might get helpful answers. It’s true—we won’t disparage the fact that there are some genuinely kind and helpful people on there! Then again, you just might get utterly toxic, pessimistic, jealous, disinformed, widely-celebrated antipathy. 

Be Wary of Stories Posted in Law School Admissions Reddit

People like anecdotes and Reddit is filled with them. “I had a 3.9 and a 149 and still got into Fordham.” “I had a 3.8 and a 180 and still got rejected by Harvard.” The Law School Admissions subreddit is filled with anecdotes like these.

There’s nothing wrong with an anecdote, in theory. As long as you keep in mind that it’s a sample of one and may not be indicative of a larger trend. After all, this is just a single person’s story of what actually happened to them. 

However, remember, anyone can lie on the internet. Reddit is anonymous. You don’t know who is on the other side of the keyboard. People have all kinds of weird reasons to lie, but it usually comes down to attention and emotional validation. 

People will lie about where they applied, where they were rejected, where they got in, who they interviewed with, and what an admissions officer said or did, just to score fake internet points, which Reddit calls “karma.” (People on the internet will also lie about other stuff, like “what’s going on in the world,” but that’s another blog post.)

The Pros of Law School Admissions Reddit

Needless to say, I don’t go on Reddit! I don’t think it’s good for you or me or society’s mental health. But even in a cesspool of negativity, there can be positive currents: actually useful information, the occasional jab of peer encouragement, and friendly strangers who just want to help. It’s helpful to see that you’re not going through this process alone and that there are a lot of people who share your anxieties.

Do I really think you should banish Reddit and all other similar social media from your life entirely? (Actually, yes!) But no, you shouldn’t have to. Sometimes you’re just searching for answers and you end up on a Reddit page. That’s just where the information is, and that’s perfectly fine. And if you chance upon an encouraging comment or a helpful anecdote, all the better.

Just keep in mind: Reddit is a fine resource to get advice and answers. However, it’s not a place to hang out all day. If you needed help with your car, you might go to a mechanic, but that doesn’t mean you would spend all your free time in the lobby of an auto body shop.

So next time when you’re online, anxious, and just looking for law school admissions answers, make sure to use Reddit the right way: as a tool, not a home.

No matter where you are in the law school admissions journey, Blueprint LSAT is here to help you every step of the way. From a DIY Self-Paced Online LSAT Course to a Live LSAT Class and specialized 170+ Course and even private LSAT tutoring, we have the LSAT prep designed to increase your LSAT score by 15 points, on average! And when you’re ready to apply, our Law School Admissions Consultants have years of experience helping applicants get into their top schools.

Don’t want to commit to a prep course right now? Get access to a bunch of free LSAT resources when you start a free Blueprint LSAT trial.

Arkansas is a landlocked southern U.S. state bordering the Mississippi River and home to the Ozark and the Ouachita Mountains. 

It’s the 33rd most populous U.S. state, the 29th largest by area, and it’s often been satirized for some of its questionable laws. Some of these are downright hilarious, such as it being illegal to honk your car horn near a sandwich shop in Little Rock past 9 p.m. All kidding aside, the state played an important role in American history, and many consider the integration of Central High School in Little Rock to be a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement.  

Arkansas is also the birthplace of former President Bill Clinton. His presidential center, which includes the Clinton Presidential Library, the offices of the Clinton Foundation, and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, is located in Little Rock. 

Below are the top law schools in Arkansas, which are steeped in history and filled with possibilities. 

Top Law Schools in Arkansas

1. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville School of Law
2. University of Arkansas, Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law

These are two high-ranking law schools in Arkansas. Each comes with a top-notch law program and a high acceptance rate. Keep reading to see if either one of these law schools is right for you. 

1. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville School of Law 

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #115 (Tie)
Tuition: $18,881 (full-time)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.63
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 156
Acceptance Rate: 28%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 81.8%

The University of Arkansas Fayetteville School of Law offers clinics in civil litigation and advocacy, human trafficking, immigration, community and rural enterprise development, and criminal practice. It also has pro bono programs to help you gain practical legal experience. Students interested in earning dual degrees can earn a JD/MBA (Master of Business Administration), a JD/MA (Master of Arts), a JD/MSW (Master of Social Work), or a JD/MPA (Master of Public Administration). 

There is also an opportunity to become involved in one of the school’s 27 legal organizations, including the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, the Black Law Students Association, and the Environmental Law Society. Law journals produced here include the Arkansas Law Review and the Journal of Food Law and Policy. 

The Fayetteville School of Law is particularly appealing for its low tuition and the slightly lower median LSAT score of program entrants compared to applicants at the top 50 law schools. 

2. University of Arkansas, Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law  

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #139 (Tie)
Tuition: $17,474 (full-time)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.47
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 151
Acceptance Rate: 39.2%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 75.4%

The William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, is a public law school. The Bowen Student Success Program and the Professional Mentor Program pair students with a practicing lawyer and judge in their first year for guidance and practical experience. Before graduation, law school students are required to participate in an externship or clinic, and are also encouraged to participate in the Bowen Concurrent Bar Preparation Program. 

Students at Bowen enjoy a low student-faculty ratio of roughly 10:1 and can take advantage of the school’s part-time evening program, the only part-time law school in Arkansas. The school has very affordable tuition by law school standards, and a relatively high acceptance rate. Last but not least, Bowen also accepts JD-Next scores if you’re dreading taking the LSAT!

How Do I Get Accepted to an Arkansas Law School?

Whether you’re applying to a law school in Arkansas or another part of the country, the process is the same. The first step in the admissions timeline is to take the LSAT. Although there are no required LSAT scores for law school, both of these schools in Arkansas have median LSAT scores that give you a pretty good indication of how you compare to their previous incoming class.

Remember, law schools want to attract the best, so give yourself the ultimate chance by getting a the best LSAT score you can.

Ace the LSAT

Blueprint LSAT Prep has the best LSAT prep courses tailored to your individual learning style. From a DIY Self-Paced Online LSAT Course to a Live LSAT Class and specialized 170+ Course and even private LSAT tutoring, we have the LSAT prep designed to increase your LSAT score by 15 points, on average!

Don’t want to commit to a prep course right now? Get access to a bunch of free LSAT resources when you start a free Blueprint LSAT trial.

So, you want to go to law school? But you’re not sure what it entails. Look no further! Here’s our law school “blueprint” (pun absolutely intended) on what is law school like and what to expect during each of the three years of law school.

Note: The different years of law school, and the students in them, are often referred to as 1L, 2L, or 3L. So, when we talk about “1L,” we mean the first year of law school, and so on. 

1L: The Foundations

Ah, 1L. The year most look back on and think, “I’m glad I never have to do that again!” It’s arguably the hardest of the three years. But don’t worry, it’s not as miserable as people make it out to be. In fact, you might even have…fun? Let’s dive in and see what law school 1L is like.

On the first day of class, you meet your section. Also called pods, mods, or any other name for a group, sections are composed of the students you take most (or sometimes all) of your first-year classes with. They generally range from 30-80 students, depending on the school.

As you take your seat in class, you know you’re experiencing the same course load as most 1Ls across the country. Though the order in which they’re taken may vary, 1Ls take the same core subjects: 

• Contracts
• Torts
• Property
• Criminal Law
• Civil Procedure
• Constitutional Law
• A course focused on legal writing and research 

After class begins, your professor calls on you unprompted. She asks you for the facts of a case from your reading. You’re nervous, but it’s okay. Everyone else isn’t thinking about what you’re saying. They’re just glad they weren’t the one called on. 

And that, my friend, was your first cold call. You learn that law school professors make their teaching points by eliciting answers from students. Sometimes who they call on is random, and sometimes there’s a schedule. Regardless, cold calls get easier each class  because you learn your first cold call was no exception–everyone else really is just thinking, “Thank God it’s not me.” Every. Time. 

Law School Workload

When you’re not in class, you’re reading for class. Because you’re assigned anywhere from 15-50 pages of reading per class per day. The more the class meets during the week, the less reading you’ll have for that class each night and vice versa. 

Yet this reading is not like college. You can’t skip it. To be prepared to talk about the cases in class, you create case briefs: a written summary of the important facts, issues, holdings, and reasoning by the judge in your own words. Thankfully, the skills you learned while studying for the LSAT come in clutch. You can parse through dense language to understand the arguments just like with Reading Comprehension passages. You can spot when the parties make flawed arguments, just like in Logical Reasoning. At first, each brief takes you a long time. But you get faster the more you do them. 

Law School Exams

With all this preparation, class participation must be part of the grade, right? Wrong. You learn your final exam is 100% of your grade (though some professors may also include a relatively small midterm). 

So, following the advice of 2Ls and 3Ls, you start finals preparation in October. You do so by outlining. Outlines are documents of all the material you learned in class condensed into one master study guide of rules, cases, and concepts. You quickly learn outlines are long, usually 50-150 pages. However, you also see that the process of synthesizing the material is what helps it all click.

After Thanksgiving, it’s all about practice exams. Just like with the LSAT, the best prep is doing actual problems. Luckily, most of your professors post prior exams and model answers to which you can compare your answer. And you find a great handful of students from your classes to form a study group to review exams together. 

However, the exams don’t look like the case briefs you’ve been writing for class. Instead, they look a lot more like that writing section of the LSAT you probably spent a little amount of time on. Because class is where you learn the rules of the law, and the final is where you apply them to hypothetical situations. 

Exams roll around. You’re nervous, but you’re ready to crush it. All of a sudden, your first term is over!

Preparing for Summer Law Jobs

There is one more thing to note about 1L. While learning how to do law school, you’ll also start preparing for your first legal jobs. Job applications for both of your law school summers start to open towards the end of your first term. (Yes, both!) That’s why your 1L grades, especially first semester, matter so much. A lot of schools even restrict extracurricular involvement during 1L because of it. 

Each legal career path has slightly different timing. You can meet with your law school’s career counselor to help you track deadlines, attend networking events, and target positions that fit your interests. 

Now the first year is done. It was challenging–no sugarcoating that. Your grades mattered, your workload was heavy, and the learning curve was steep. But it was also incredibly rewarding. You built consistent study habits just like you did when studying for the LSAT. You found classmates you enjoyed working with. And you studied subjects that, perhaps for the first time, actually apply to the career you want to pursue. And just like that, that’s what law school is like in your first year.

2L: Finding Your Path

2L is your time to explore new areas of law and get involved beyond the classroom. Join a journal or law review, compete in moot court or trial team, participate in affinity groups, and start completing externships or internships. The law school is your oyster. But be careful not to overcommit. Just because you can do everything, doesn’t mean you have to. 

As for classes, you finally have full control over your schedule. A balanced one usually includes:

• One bar-tested class (a subject that will appear on your state bar exam)
• One exam-based class
• One seminar (paper-based final)
• One experiential course, clinic, internship, or externship

Of course, that’s just a guideline. You might take more classes now to lighten your 3L year, or vice versa. You may also choose to start tackling other graduation requirements this year, like any substantial writing requirement your school imposes and/or the MPRE. The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam is an ethics exam required to become an attorney.

If you haven’t secured a 2L summer job yet, this is also the year when you continue or ramp up your search.

2L is busy, but it’s also when you begin personalizing your law school experience. You know how to study, you’ve built friendships, and you finally get to dive into subjects that interest you most.

3L: Preparing for Your Career

You blink, and suddenly it’s 3L. You’ve made it to the home stretch.

So, what is law school like in your last year? You still have flexibility with your schedule. So take any classes, clinics, or externships you’ve been meaning to try. You’ll also want to finish up any lingering graduation requirements.

By now, law school feels more comfortable. If you front-loaded your classes during 2L, you might finally feel like you can breathe. Many students already have job offers from their 2L summer positions; if not, 3L fall is the time to apply.

This is also the year to savor. It’s your last before stepping fully into the professional world. So don’t stress too much about bar prep just yet. Most people don’t start studying until spring or after graduation.

Enjoy it. Take in every moment. You’ve earned it.

Final Thoughts

Now that you’ve read through all three years, you have a realistic picture of what law school is like. All that’s left is—you guessed it—applying and getting in! 

Blueprint LSAT has helped thousands of pre-laws reach their law school dreams. A competitive LSAT score will help you stand out from the rest! Blueprint LSAT students increase their LSAT scores by 15 points on average. Whether you want the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, prefer to navigate the LSAT with instructors in a Live Course or 170+ Course, or even private LSAT tutoring, we have the study method that fits your learning style.

When you’re ready to apply, our Law School Admissions Consultants are here to help you build a strong application that powerfully highlights your unique strengths and enables you to secure that acceptance!

Further Reading

💰 How Much Does Law School Cost? A Breakdown for Future Lawyers: If you’re dreaming of becoming a lawyer, you’ve probably asked yourself this big, looming question at least once: How much does law school cost?

✅ Law School Entry Requirements: Do you know what you need to apply to law school? Check out our comprehensive guide to learn everything you need to know before starting the application process.