After High School, what are the steps to becoming a lawyer?

Question

You don't have to read this if you don't want to but here is what I want, it would be great if someone could help.

So anyway right now I'm in High School and I'm getting an IB Diploma. I want to become a lawyer when I get older. However, for college, I would love to study in Germany for however long is needed just to get the experience of it. So would me going to college in Germany make sense? Even if it was for just one or two years. After school in Germany, would I then come back to America and go to law school to finish getting my studies?

PLEASE HELP!

By the way one of the reasons I want to study in Germany for a few years is because tuition will be mostly free with the IB Diploma and I love the German language.

Answer 1

1 or 2 years won't hurt. However, I'd get your degree from a US school. Otherwise, you may run into problems getting your college education recognized by law schools or a State's Bar.

Oh, I saw your other question. You intend to study law over there. Well, unless you do international law with just Germany (not sure what the job market is on that), you'd be wasting your time. Either pick another subject (like Finance or even just the German language), or do a degree in Law there, then come back here and try and get a LLM from a US school. Then, maybe you can be licensed to practice in both countries.

Don't do law there for a year or two and then come back here to finish undergrad. We don't study law in undergrad here and law schools tend to not like kids who take too many "law" titled courses in undergrad cuz they think they have to untrain these kids.

Answer 2

Basically, to become a lawyer you 1) Graduate from an accredited university. 2) Take the LSAT (can be done while in college). 3) Apply for and get into a law school. 4) Take and pass the bar exam in the state(s) where you want to practice law.

You would be wise, however, to check with the local Bar association in the country / state where you want to practice. Individual requirements may vary, but this is the most common path.

Personally, I think your idea of studying abroad would help to differentiate you from other candidates looking to get into law school. You can major in whatever interests you so pick something that you wouldn't mind doing if for some reason becoming a lawyer falls through. Also, if there is a particular branch of law (e.g., business, criminal, patent) you want to go into then consider that when you pick your undergrad degree.

Answer 3

I waited 10 years to attend college after high school. I have travelled all over the world, and have learned to speak French. I am not the same person I was when I was 18. I plan to graduate college this year Summa *** Laude. Waiting made all of the difference.
I would say go to Europe. If you truly wish to be a good and admirable lawyer, be sure that it is your passion. Your first step to becoming a lawyer should be this experience - as a basis for future reflection.
You are in high school. While you are of a mature age, your maturity is about to "do right by you." Your perpectives are going to change. Go for it.

Answer 4

YOu will need a 4-year degree (in anything), then apply to law school. You will need to take the LSAT before you apply to law school. But you have to have a 4-year degree from college or university before the 3-year law school.