Can you skip college and go to law school?

Asked by: Barbara Collins  |  Last update: December 9, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (26 votes)

Pursuing law school without a bachelor's degree is possible for the right-motivated student. While most law schools expect applicants to have an undergraduate degree, certain accredited programs offer exceptions through bachelor's degree waivers or 3+3 concurrent enrollment options.

Can you get into law school without college?

Most law schools require a college degree, but some may only ask for equivalent course work, and some law schools focus on your legal interest and life experiences and not on your grades or LSAT scores.

Can I go to law school straight from high school?

In the United States, you can't go straight to law school from high school. You'll need to get an undergraduate degree first, and it can be in any major as long as you complete the necessary courses and meet other requirements for law school admissions.

Has anyone become a lawyer without a degree?

In four states, you can still take this non-law-school route to becoming a lawyer. Vermont, Washington, California, and Virginia all allow people to become lawyers by “reading the law,” which, simply put, means studying and apprenticing in the office of a practicing attorney or judge.

Can you practice law if you pass the bar but didn't go to college?

No, except in certain jurisdictions where you can ``read'' for the bar by studying case law under an approved senior attorney. You still need to pass the bar. And reading for the bar, where it is allowed, generally takes longer than law school.

How to Become an Attorney: WITHOUT LAW SCHOOL

44 related questions found

What is the easiest state to become a lawyer in?

Going by the 2021 bar exam passing rates, Wyoming has the easiest bar exam to pass. However, we don't really get the full picture by just looking at the passing rates. Each state's bar exam can differ in difficulty and content.

Did Mike actually pass the bar?

He fraudulently gained admission into the bar. That lie eventually caught up to Mike in the sixth season when he was imprisoned for fraud and for impersonating a lawyer. When Mike got out of jail, however, Jessica made an impassioned appeal to a judge and got Mike readmitted to the bar.

What state has the easiest bar exam?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.

Has anyone passed the bar without going to law school?

A number of historical figures became lawyers without law school, such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln.

What GPA do you need for law school?

Obtain High GPA & LSAT Scores

It's also worth remembering that getting into a top law school requires outstanding grades, not just good ones. According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools.

Can you take the LSAT without going to college?

Yes, you can take the LSAT without a bachelor's degree. However, you must have earned a bachelor's degree to enter law school. Many students apply for law school the fall of their senior year of college and then enter law school the following fall, after receiving their bachelor's degree.

How expensive is the LSAT?

What fees are associated with the LSAT? It costs $222 to take the LSAT and receive one free score report. In addition, subscription to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is required for application for most law schools. This subscription costs $200 and includes on score report for $45.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

Where can I go to law school without a degree?

At Empire College School of Law, prospective students do not need to have earned a BS or BA degree. According to a special California law, our applicants may be admitted with an Associate of Art, an Associate of Science degree, or at least 60 hours of college credit.

Can lawyers make 300k a year?

Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for attorneys in the US is just over $125,000. The highest-paid lawyers (10% of the legal workforce) make over $208,000 However, the top 1% of attorneys make $500,000 or more per year.

What field of law is most in demand?

Which Legal Fields Are in Demand?
  • Intellectual property law. ...
  • Family law. ...
  • Immigration & naturalization law. ...
  • Real estate law. ...
  • Contract management. ...
  • Compliance. ...
  • Labor and employment. ...
  • Corporate transactions. Also known as mergers and acquisitions, or M&A, this work navigates the buying and selling of companies and their assets.

Which law pays the most?

What are the highest-paid types of lawyers? The highest-paid lawyers typically specialize in fields such as corporate law, intellectual property, tax law, medical malpractice, and entertainment law. These areas command higher salaries due to the complexity, demand, and financial stakes involved.

What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?

California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.

What is the hardest bar to pass?

While Delaware has a higher cut score than California, California's bar exam is arguably the hardest in the country because more students take and fail the test.

How many times can you take the bar exam?

There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California. While it may come as a relief to many students who are planning to take the bar exam in California that there are no limits, California's bar exam is known for being one of the hardest exams in the U.S.

Has anyone ever practiced law without a degree?

If you meet the study requirements, you can skip law school and go straight to take the California bar exam. Passing the bar exam will give you a license to practice law in California. The apprenticeship program is an accessible choice since you don't need a law degree.

How does Mike become a lawyer without going to law school?

Mike Ross was able to practice law in Suits despite never attending law school, impressing Harvey Specter during an interview and getting hired on the spot. Harvey took a risk by hiring Mike, risking his own job and reputation, but he protected Mike throughout their time working together.

Was Mike drunk when he killed the cops?

Mike reveals he was feigning his drunkenness, holding the officers at gunpoint with a revolver he had hidden in the back seat when he broke into the car earlier. In the ensuing shootout, Mike kills both officers and leaves Philadelphia for Albuquerque.