Choosing your career is a significant decision. While some feel pressured to follow in a parent’s footsteps or take over the family business, others choose careers based on their skills and interests.

Lawyers are legal experts who need exceptional research and analytical skills to locate information and develop legal arguments. Lawyers must also have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including writing and oral skills. You may be drawn to this profession because you love researching and presenting oral arguments, or you may want to pursue a profession where you can champion your clients and fight for their rights. If you want to become a lawyer, you can follow these four steps to prepare for your law career.

1. Prepare for the college application process.

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You’ll need to complete seven years of postsecondary studies to become an attorney, which is why you must start preparing for college when you’re in high school. It’s crucial you take courses that will impress college admissions review boards and get good grades.

You can also work with a college admissions counselor to ensure you impress the admissions review board when you apply to your dream school. Experts with college admissions consulting firms can help you identify the best college programs to consider to achieve your academic and career goals. Experts can review your application essay and your entire application. You’ll learn about ways to improve your application by engaging in extracurricular activities and demonstrating leadership skills through volunteer activities. Working with a college admissions counselor during your sophomore or junior year will ensure you have enough time to acquire the knowledge and experience needed to impress your top-choice schools.

2. Gain practical experience.

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Many law schools prefer applicants with practical experience. Your college admissions counselor can help you locate suitable internship opportunities, which are a great way to learn about the legal field and lawyers’ tasks.

Suppose you get an internship with Nava Wilson LLP. Working with Malliha Wilson is an excellent way to learn about different legal specialties because Wilson handles various legal matters, including labor law, human rights law, and corporate law cases. Wilson’s an award-winning lawyer with experience working for the Government of Ontario and presenting cases to the Supreme Court of Canada. You can learn a lot about the legal profession from an experienced attorney like Wilson.

3. Meet the law school admissions requirements.

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You must earn an undergraduate degree before you can pursue a law degree. While you might think pursuing prelaw studies is the best way to prepare to earn a law degree, you can pursue any major. Identify courses that develop the research and communication skills required to be a successful attorney. You may also need some specific courses based on the legal specialty you plan to pursue. Suppose you’re considering patent law. Patent lawyers need scientific knowledge. Earning a science or engineering degree will impress legal schools and future employers.

Most law schools require applicants to pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The LSAT’s composed of multiple-choice questions and a writing test. The LSAT tests your analytical and logical reasoning skills, in addition to your written communication skills.

4. Earn your legal credentials.

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After earning your bachelor’s degree, it takes three years of study to earn your law degree. Identify the legal specialty you want to pursue before applying to law schools to ensure you select schools with appropriate courses. Otherwise, you’ll choose a specialty during this time and adjust your studies accordingly. Once you earn your law degree, you must take the bar exam to be licensed to practice law in your state, enabling you to work as a lawyer.

Start preparing for your legal career in high school by ensuring you have an impressive college application. You’ll also need to gain practical experience, fulfill the law school application requirements, and earn legal credentials to become an attorney.