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izaiah
Student
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What is the best college for law if you come from a low income family.
I come from a low income family but I was to attend law school but I do not know where to start. #struggle
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3 answers
Zahid Iqbal
Software Engineer
119
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Zahid’s Answer
Here's an insightful response from a lawyer on whether it's possible go to a law school if you have a low income:
[Yes, you can, but you will have to be very qualified since you will need scholarship money from the school. If you have a high GPA and are able to score high on the LSAT entrance exam, you will probably have offers of at least partial tuition, and sometimes of full tuition, from several law schools. They will make these offers because they believe that you will bring something they need to their law school. It could be that your GPA and LSAT score are much higher than those of their average students. That would mean you would probably attend a school ranked lower than others you could probably gain admittance to if you were able to bring more of your own money. What else could you bring a school? You might bring some type of diversity to the school. That, with a strong LSAT and GPA (or even not so strong) can sometimes even get you into a school more highly ranked than that you could get into with just your LSAT and GPA. Maybe you can offer geographic diversity to a law school in a far away state. So, basically, it comes down to doing some detailed research for schools that people with more money don't have to do. The LSAT offers fee waivers and semi-used study books are available pretty cheap. All schools will waive the application fee if you ask them. Then, you will have to find money for a place to live and food, because you won't be able to work your first year. You can find roommates and cook ramen noodles and such. Take out as little in the way of loans as is absolutely necessary. It's hard to pay it back. So, it can be done. Have you already proven yourself to be a “survivor?” If so, then you can probably do it.]
- Jennifer Jones, J.D. Law, Baylor Law School (1981)
What she said goes a long way. A friend of mine did his whole medicine education with full tuition paid by the university. The key to that is having a very high GPA. So if you can study hard, be on the Deen's list (like college Honor Roll), keep your grades and GPA up then you can qualify for many scholarships and grants as well as a full ride going into college.
With that said, there are many affordable as well as tuition-free colleges out there you can look into. Check out the following links to better understand your options.
College Guide For Low Income Students
https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/low-income-students/
How to Pay for Law School
https://www.biglawinvestor.com/how-to-pay-for-law-school/
20 Colleges with Free Tuition
https://affordableschools.net/20-tuition-free-colleges/
Colleges with Free Tuition for Low-Income Students
https://blog.collegevine.com/colleges-with-free-tuition-for-low-income-students/
10 Most Affordable Law Schools in the United States 2020
https://affordableschools.net/the-10-most-affordable-law-schools-in-the-united-states/
[Yes, you can, but you will have to be very qualified since you will need scholarship money from the school. If you have a high GPA and are able to score high on the LSAT entrance exam, you will probably have offers of at least partial tuition, and sometimes of full tuition, from several law schools. They will make these offers because they believe that you will bring something they need to their law school. It could be that your GPA and LSAT score are much higher than those of their average students. That would mean you would probably attend a school ranked lower than others you could probably gain admittance to if you were able to bring more of your own money. What else could you bring a school? You might bring some type of diversity to the school. That, with a strong LSAT and GPA (or even not so strong) can sometimes even get you into a school more highly ranked than that you could get into with just your LSAT and GPA. Maybe you can offer geographic diversity to a law school in a far away state. So, basically, it comes down to doing some detailed research for schools that people with more money don't have to do. The LSAT offers fee waivers and semi-used study books are available pretty cheap. All schools will waive the application fee if you ask them. Then, you will have to find money for a place to live and food, because you won't be able to work your first year. You can find roommates and cook ramen noodles and such. Take out as little in the way of loans as is absolutely necessary. It's hard to pay it back. So, it can be done. Have you already proven yourself to be a “survivor?” If so, then you can probably do it.]
- Jennifer Jones, J.D. Law, Baylor Law School (1981)
What she said goes a long way. A friend of mine did his whole medicine education with full tuition paid by the university. The key to that is having a very high GPA. So if you can study hard, be on the Deen's list (like college Honor Roll), keep your grades and GPA up then you can qualify for many scholarships and grants as well as a full ride going into college.
With that said, there are many affordable as well as tuition-free colleges out there you can look into. Check out the following links to better understand your options.
College Guide For Low Income Students
https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/low-income-students/
How to Pay for Law School
https://www.biglawinvestor.com/how-to-pay-for-law-school/
20 Colleges with Free Tuition
https://affordableschools.net/20-tuition-free-colleges/
Colleges with Free Tuition for Low-Income Students
https://blog.collegevine.com/colleges-with-free-tuition-for-low-income-students/
10 Most Affordable Law Schools in the United States 2020
https://affordableschools.net/the-10-most-affordable-law-schools-in-the-united-states/
Melanie Anderson
Equity Operations Lead
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
This is a great question. If you are currently in high school looking at undergraduate universities, you might want to look at the law schools that interest you and see what the academic makeup of their first year class is and work backwards from there. Most law schools will post the statistics of their incoming students including average LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) score, college/undergraduate GPA, as well as where their students come from.
But please know that any college can help you get into law school. Law school (in the US) is a graduate level educational program with schools across the world that accepts students from all universities. I do believe that schools with higher rankings tend to prepare students better and/or make it easier to be accepted into the better law schools. Additionally, certain majors tend to be better suited for law school coursework. For reference though, I went to a state school (California State University, Fullerton) and had friends from my undergraduate school go to law schools of all ranks across the US. The greatest indicators for getting into law school would be your undergraduate GPA and your score on the LSAT. So my suggestion would be to focus your attention on those.
But please know that any college can help you get into law school. Law school (in the US) is a graduate level educational program with schools across the world that accepts students from all universities. I do believe that schools with higher rankings tend to prepare students better and/or make it easier to be accepted into the better law schools. Additionally, certain majors tend to be better suited for law school coursework. For reference though, I went to a state school (California State University, Fullerton) and had friends from my undergraduate school go to law schools of all ranks across the US. The greatest indicators for getting into law school would be your undergraduate GPA and your score on the LSAT. So my suggestion would be to focus your attention on those.
Nicole Bridgeman
Change Management Consultant
5
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
If law is your passion, you can make it happen!
Like Melanie said, law school is a graduate level program and technically anyone (regardless of major/school) with a 4-year degree can apply to a law school. Law students often major in Political Science, History, Philosophy, or Business - so any undergraduate university with these types of programs would be ok. But first focus on building a plan for college that is realistic and affordable for you. If possible, check with your career center about scholarship opportunities. Become very familiar with the financial aid application (FAFSA) and prepare to fill it out. Grants, scholarships, and other forms of aid ARE available, but you've got to put in the work to apply. If your parents are low-income you'll be more likely to qualify for state and federal grants that can pay for your college tuition, books, housing, and other expenses. This is how I got through college! Good grades and a high GPA will be helpful to get you into a good school. Volunteer work is helpful too. Law school will be hard work, so might as well start now by focusing on your grades and applying for every possible financial aid opportunity. :) If you can't afford a 4-year college, aim for a local 2-year community college and you can transfer to a 4-year college later.
Take it one step at a time. Law school is a great goal, but you might also find other interests along the way. (For example, there are many good options and well-paying jobs in the Business field.) If you work hard, aim for good grades, apply for colleges, apply for financial aid, and stay committed - you WILL be successful. Good luck!
Focus on getting good grades / highest possible GPA
Talk to your high school career center (if you have one) about Scholarships & Financial Aid
Apply for colleges. Consider colleges with a decent Political Science or Business program.
Complete the FAFSA - this is the most important application for financial aid!
Consider volunteering or doing other extracurricular activities to improve your chances of getting into college
Like Melanie said, law school is a graduate level program and technically anyone (regardless of major/school) with a 4-year degree can apply to a law school. Law students often major in Political Science, History, Philosophy, or Business - so any undergraduate university with these types of programs would be ok. But first focus on building a plan for college that is realistic and affordable for you. If possible, check with your career center about scholarship opportunities. Become very familiar with the financial aid application (FAFSA) and prepare to fill it out. Grants, scholarships, and other forms of aid ARE available, but you've got to put in the work to apply. If your parents are low-income you'll be more likely to qualify for state and federal grants that can pay for your college tuition, books, housing, and other expenses. This is how I got through college! Good grades and a high GPA will be helpful to get you into a good school. Volunteer work is helpful too. Law school will be hard work, so might as well start now by focusing on your grades and applying for every possible financial aid opportunity. :) If you can't afford a 4-year college, aim for a local 2-year community college and you can transfer to a 4-year college later.
Take it one step at a time. Law school is a great goal, but you might also find other interests along the way. (For example, there are many good options and well-paying jobs in the Business field.) If you work hard, aim for good grades, apply for colleges, apply for financial aid, and stay committed - you WILL be successful. Good luck!
Nicole recommends the following next steps: