Is law school or med school more competitive?

Asked by: Jimmy Lindgren  |  Last update: September 22, 2025
Score: 5/5 (32 votes)

Most J.D. programs are only three years, and some take only two years. Law school admissions is less competitive overall than med school admissions. While the top schools in both fields are very hard to get into, there are plenty of less-selective, lower-ranked law schools whose graduates are eligible for the bar.

Is med school more competitive than law school?

However, med school is generally regarded as more difficult than law school. It is known to be more time-consuming, competitive and stressful and has higher dropout rates. Med school requires extensive memorization.

Is law school really that competitive?

Law school is a highly competitive environment for most people, and students are constantly vying for grades and job opportunities. Grade curving, which is a common practice by law school professors, often means that only the best students succeed in law schools.

Which is harder, law school or nursing school?

Generally speaking: Med school is much harder than nursing school. Law school is much harder than nursing school. Electrical Engineering major is harder than nursing school.

Is law school the hardest degree?

The law school coursework is diverse and vast, which means you can't afford to slack off. You need to put in the necessary work throughout the program if you want to succeed. In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment.

Law School vs. Med School: Which Is Harder?

30 related questions found

What's the hardest degree to get a first in?

Law. Law is officially the hardest subject to get a first class degree in4, so we all know it's hard going. If you think you know what it's like to have a lot of reading, go and talk to a Law student. Except that you probably won't find any, because they'll be in the Law library, reading.

How hard is med school?

Med school is indeed excruciatingly hard, you often feel alone and constantly doubt your capabilities. New concepts and terms are being thrown at you left and right, and you struggle to stay afloat amidst the deluge of new information.

Is the MCAT harder than the NCLEX?

4. Is the NCLEX Harder Than the MCAT? No, the NCLEX isn't harder than the MCAT.

Do lawyers or nurses make more?

In general, lawyers make more money than nurses. However, not all attorneys make a lot of money. Most people think of the elite lawyers that work for the biggest law firms, where a partner can make over $1 million per year. That is a minority of lawyers.

Can I get into law school with a Bsn?

A: The nurse needs to first obtain a bachelor's degree, then take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), apply to law school, be admitted, successfully graduate, and then pass the bar exam to become licensed.

How hard is law school realistically?

Law school is very hard—harder than college or university. This is due to a heavy course load, a high-stress environment, and difficult course material. But completing law school is not impossible; over 40,000 law students make it to graduation each year.

Is a 3.7 competitive for law school?

The average GPA for law school is between 3.5 to 3.7. However, like LSAT scores, it's important to understand that the specific average GPA can differ depending on the law school and its level of competitiveness. Top-ranking law schools often expect higher average GPAs, typically ranging from 3.8 to 3.9 or even higher.

Is law school hard in Canada?

Law school is hard – and that's a fact. But before you count how many sleepless nights you may have in the future, you must first prepare your Canadian law schools' requirements. This might be the initial obstacle you would have to face in achieving your dreams of becoming a lawyer.

What is the hardest specialty to match into?

The top 3 most competitive specialties, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, and dermatology, are all within 1.3 points of each other. In 2022, 8.4 points separated the top 3 most competitive specialties. But keep in mind that the total scores are only relative to the specific year.

Is it harder to get into medical school or law school in Canada?

It's harder to get into med school. If you want to go to law school, chances are you'll get into some school, even if it's not a very good one.

Is med school more competitive than PhD?

The average MCAT score of MD/PhD matriculants in the 2022-23 cycle was 516.2, and their mean GPA was 3.82. In comparison, medical school matriculants overall had an average MCAT score of 511.9 and average GPA of 3.75 during the same cycle.

Do nurses make $100,000?

Depending on the specific role or nursing specialty, nurses can often make well beyond $100,000, annually. If you're looking for a lucrative profession, consider a nursing specialty.

Which field of lawyer makes most money?

Corporate and tax lawyers tend to be the highest earners, with patent and IP lawyers not far behind. Trial lawyers also pull down a lot of money, particularly in the civil litigation field. Other lawyers are more motivated by getting justice for their clients than by collecting the largest possible paycheck.

Is being a lawyer worth it?

Lucrative career

They make a national average salary of $50,979 per year . Though you may not earn this income as a new lawyer, you can work your way toward this salary with enough hard work and experience. However, finding satisfaction in your specific field may be worth more than your annual salary.

Which is harder, LSAT or MCAT?

The difficulty of the LSAT vs MCAT is subjective and depends on an individual's strengths and interests. Some may find the MCAT more challenging due to its extensive scientific content, while others may struggle more with the LSAT because of its emphasis on logical reasoning and comprehension skills.

Does it look bad to take the MCAT 3 times?

Retaking the MCAT isn't a red flag, and even three attempts may not impact your admissions decision, although we recommend performing your best on the first two tests.

Is a 515 MCAT competitive?

If you scored a 515 on the MCAT, this means you performed in the 91st percentile according to most recent AAMC statistics, and you now have a competitive score for med-school admission.

Is law school harder than med school?

Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.

Is a 3.7 bad for med school?

Is a 3.7 GPA too low for medical school? A GPA of 3.7 is far from low and is generally competitive for many medical schools. Remember that medical schools assess various elements of your application, including your MCAT score, extracurriculars, and personal qualities.

Is it OK to fail in med school?

Getting Bad Grades in Medical School. I'm not going to sugarcoat it: most of us fail at least once in medical school. Unless you're one of those rare students who can absorb knowledge like a sponge, failure is all part of the process.