Should I buy books for law school?
Asked by: Roger Wolff | Last update: February 12, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (74 votes)
Yes, you should buy required law school books and consider helpful supplements, but save money by renting or buying used, and wait to buy supplements until you know your professor's style, as they aren't essential for class but help fill knowledge gaps and prepare you for legal analysis. Focus on getting the core casebooks first, then seek advice from upperclassmen or academic support to choose the most effective supplementary guides (like "A Short and Happy Guide" series or "1L of a Ride") for your specific classes.
How much do you spend on books in law school?
Textbooks might not seem like a significant cost when compared to tuition and housing, but law school books can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,250 per year. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your book costs down. For example: Buy used books (assuming your professor doesn't require a book that was just published)
Should I go to law school book?
"Should I Go to Law School?" is a cautionary tale and realistic guidebook written by a recently minted Florida attorney. This book outlines the risks, the rewards, and the lifestyle impact that a law student will experience during the notoriously difficult 1L year.
What books do I need for law school?
4 Books Every Law Student Should Read for Success
- Four books I highly recommend. ...
- 1) A Short and Happy Guide series. ...
- 2) Deconstructing Legal Analysis: A 1L Primer by Peter T. ...
- 3) 1L of a Ride by Andrew J. ...
- 4) Juris types: learning law through self-understanding by Martha M.
What is the hardest year of law school?
Most law students agree the first year (1L) is the hardest due to the steep learning curve, new teaching methods (Socratic/Case Method), intense reading/writing, and high-pressure environment designed to build foundational skills, though 2L brings different stressors like career planning and internships. 1L is a "bootcamp" for thinking like a lawyer with unfamiliar concepts and high stakes for grades, making the transition from undergraduate studies particularly challenging.
Law School: Should you Buy or rent your books!
Is a 3.3 GPA too low for law school?
A 3.3 GPA isn't "bad" but makes getting into top-tier (T-14) law schools very difficult, as their median GPAs are much higher (around 3.7-3.9+), but it's often sufficient for mid-tier or lower-ranked schools, especially with a strong LSAT score, compelling personal statement, and relevant work experience, which can significantly boost your application by showing resilience and readiness.
Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?
Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.
Is 27 too late for law school?
No, 27 is not too old for law school; in fact, life and work experience gained by that age are often seen as advantages, making you more focused and mature than many younger students, with many older students finding fulfilling careers and succeeding in law school. While the average student might be younger, a significant portion of law students are 30 or older, and your maturity, different perspective, and practicality can strengthen your application and your experience in law school.
What is the best book for beginners on law?
For beginners wanting to understand law, books like Law School Confidential (for the experience), Letters to a Law Student (for system basics), or Thinking Like a Lawyer (for legal reasoning) are excellent, depending on whether you want a practical guide, a systems overview, or an introduction to legal thought; other great options include The Concept of Law for philosophy or America's Constitution for US history.
How much are books for law school?
Textbooks - California School of Law. Students can find the textbooks on numerous websites and in legal bookstores, the cost of textbooks varies but is roughly $200-$500 annually, depending on if new or used textbooks are purchased. $295 for the baby bar only. $150 for early access.
How much does 7 years of law school cost?
Law school typically costs around $200,000 to $300,000+ for the standard three years, but for seven years, you're looking at potentially $450,000 to over $700,000+ total, factoring in three years of J.D. (Juris Doctor) plus potentially an extra LL.M. or part-time/joint degrees, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, with significant variations between public/private schools, scholarships, and location.
Is law school no longer worth it?
A legal career can be highly lucrative, especially for graduates of top law schools, but the financial trade-offs are significant. Elite private schools come with higher tuition costs and can lead to more student debt, while public law schools typically offer lower tuition and debt levels.
What's the best age to go to law school?
For part-time students, the average age is slightly older, typically in the low to mid-30s. The range for the most recent entering class is 19-52. There's something to be said for gaining work and life experience before attending law school, as it helps ensure that it is truly what you want to do with your career.
Should I rent or buy my law school books?
Renting Saves You Money
Law textbook rental can and does save you money in the long run as long as you carefully research and compare your options. Make sure to compare the prices of textbook rentals as well as which books are the best to rent.
What LSAT score gets you a full ride?
To get a full law school scholarship, aim for an LSAT score in the mid-to-high 160s or 170s, especially above a school's median, though scores in the mid-160s can secure full rides at strong regional schools like Illinois or UMass, while top-tier schools often require 170+. A higher LSAT significantly boosts chances, often alongside a strong GPA (3.5+) and a holistic profile, with scores above 173-180 making you a prime candidate for many programs.
Is law school worth it after 40?
Yes, going to law school at 40 can be very worth it, offering advantages like valuable life experience that enhances studies and career fulfillment, but it requires careful consideration of career goals, financial investment, and time commitment, as older students often find rewarding second careers, leveraging past skills for a new path in law. While you're in the minority, older applicants are common, and their diverse backgrounds enrich the legal field.
What is the easiest law school to go to?
10 Easiest Law Schools To Get Into
- Ohio Northern University. ...
- Southern Illinois University. ...
- North Carolina Central University. ...
- Northern Illinois University. ...
- University of North Dakota. ...
- Texas Southern University. ...
- Barry University. ...
- Washburn University. Washburn University is a public school in Topeka, KS.
What does every law student need?
Law school supplies checklist: top 10 must-have items
- Laptop. Almost everything is done electronically in law school—from note-taking to exams. ...
- Laptop bag and backpack. ...
- Highlighters, pens, and pencils. ...
- Flash drive. ...
- Day planner/agenda. ...
- Bookstand. ...
- Padfolio. ...
- At least two interview outfits.
How hard is it to study for an LLB?
First, the workload is heavy. Law school students are expected to read hundreds of pages of legal text each week, and they are often required to write long essays and research papers for their law school classes. Second, the material you'll need to learn to become a lawyer is complex and non-intuitive.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
How old is the youngest lawyer?
The youngest lawyer is generally considered to be Sophia Park, who passed the California bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother Peter's previous record, though she'll be sworn in and licensed in March 2025 after turning 18, as most jurisdictions require lawyers to be 18. She accelerated her education, starting law school at 13 while in junior high and graduating early.
Do law schools prefer older applicants?
Many individuals considering a legal career wonder if there's an age limit for pursuing law and specific postgraduate law school programs. While it may seem daunting to go to law school at 40 or older, the reality is that age can be a significant advantage for mature candidates.
What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
Is baby bar harder than bar?
The Baby Bar (FYLSE) often has a lower pass rate (around 20-25%) than the main California Bar Exam (around 40-50%), leading many to say it feels harder, though the difficulty is debated and often attributed to the different test-taker pool (non-ABA students vs. all law grads) and lack of full law school training, making it a significant hurdle for those on an alternative path like Kim Kardashian. While the main bar tests many subjects over two days, the baby bar is shorter (one day, three subjects) but incredibly challenging due to its low success rate and specific focus on first-year law topics for non-traditional students.
How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?
Michelle Obama took the Illinois Bar Exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a common experience even for successful lawyers. She initially failed the bar, which was devastating, but she persevered and passed, later working as a lawyer before becoming the First Lady.