What to Expect When Studying Law at Stanford

A law degree from an accredited law school can be applied to several areas such as business, economics, politics, human rights, environmental issues, and international relations. Law students complete coursework that teaches them how to approach problematic issues in modern society. Law degrees prepare students for specific areas of focus and give a foundation for a range of other professions.

What to Expect at Standford Law

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Stanford University’s School of Law has been providing students a robust legal education since 1893. Mature and academically talented students are adequately prepared to practice law upon earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.). The graduate school offers several master’s degree programs, including Master of Laws (L.L.M.), Master of the Science of Law (J.S.M.), and Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.), as well as a Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.).

Stanford Law School is ranked as the number two program in the United States by the U.S. News & World Report. Its specialty focus areas rank in the top 11, including business and corporate law, constitutional law, criminal law, dispute resolution, international law, health care law, environmental law, trial advocacy, legal writing, and tax law.

Stanford is a dream school for many high school graduates, and like any selective school, applicants need to submit a flawless application. The application process includes a completed application for admission form, an application fee, a resume of academics, extracurriculars, and professional activities, an optional diversity essay, short essays, two letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores, including the LSAT and GRE.

How to Get Admitted

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Stanford University is a highly selective school with an in-depth application process. There are 45,000 Stanford applicants annually, and the acceptance rate is a mere five percent. The admission process is very selective, and the admissions committee pays close attention to the overall strength of each college applicant. Empowerly offers some helpful advice on how to get into Stanford. The admissions committee looks closely at the number of rigorous coursework applicants have completed and how well students perform in high school classes related to their intended major.

The admissions office is interested in seeing participation in productive summer extracurricular activities. Stanford applicants should complete a Stanford-sponsored summer program or another program of the same caliber. Admission officers look for applicants with a hunger to learn for the sake of gaining intellect. Academics, extracurriculars, and application essays should all reflect this. Admission officers pay close attention to the ‘intellectual vitality essay, personal qualities, and the strength of test scores.

Types of Law Degrees

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Pursing a law degree requires completing a bachelor’s degree before enrolling in a graduate program to earn a J.D. Students typically complete law school coursework in three years. Students can pursue graduate-level law degrees with a focus on academic research rather than real-life practice.

There are numerous practice areas that attorneys can pursue. Some of the most common practice areas include business and transactions law, securities law, international commerce, intellectual property law, mergers and acquisitions, estate planning, and more. The diverse group of attorneys at BOND SCHOENECK AND KING law firm specialize in over 30 practice areas representing companies, individuals, non-profits, and public sector entities. Their transactional lawyers provide a range of services to businesses of all sizes, from entrepreneurs and small businesses to large enterprises. Business transaction attorneys help business owners and leaders focus on business objectives by providing legal advice to avoid legal issues and navigate business challenges.

Earning a law degree instills countless skills that can be applied to real-life experiences. For example, graduates will gain knowledge of legal matters, professional expertise in law, the ability to draft legal documents, understand complex issues, create and deliver a persuasive argument, general research skills, analytical and reasoning skills, and problem-solving skills, and more.