What to expect as a 1L?
Asked by: Troy Little | Last update: December 9, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (16 votes)
Typically, first year law students take the following courses: Criminal Law and Procedure, Torts, Contracts, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law and Property. These are the substantive classes in which you will learn the law. You are also likely to have some sort of legal writing or legal research class.
Is 1L the hardest year of law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
How stressful is 1L?
Your first year of law school can be stressful and overwhelming. This is something that many students go through as they transition into the law school routine and adjust themselves to the rigorous studying that comes along with it. Below, we have listed some tips that may help you better succeed during your 1L year.
What is 1L in law school like?
The first year – called 1L – is critical to your career. Most first-year classes are large, intimidating lectures. Grades are typically based on final exams graded blindly using a fixed curve, with percentage quotas for each grade.
What is the hardest class in law school?
- Constitutional Law.
- Civil Procedure.
- Contracts.
- Federal Courts.
- Federal Income Tax.
- Administrative Law.
- Partnership Tax.
LAW SCHOOL ADVICE | 1L survival guide part 1
What is the most important 1L class?
Federal Civil Procedure
Civil procedure is an immensely practical class that most 1L students will eventually utilize upon graduation. Civil procedure classes discuss the rules attorneys follow when filing a lawsuit in federal court.
How many students fail law school?
How race and ethnicity play a role in law school attrition. The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions. This article delves into the types of attrition, the schools with the highest rates, and the impact of these rates on student choices and institutional policies.
How old is the average 1L?
In the US, typically around age 24-26. Undergraduate degrees are usually done in 4 years and law school is typically 3 years. So, it depends how old the student is when they start their undergraduate program and if they go straight to law school afterward.
Is 3.7 too low for law school?
Most law schools require a minimum GPA of 3.5 for admission. However, top law schools typically require a GPA of 3.7 or higher to be considered a competitive applicant.
How many hours a day do law students study?
All in all, however, law students typically spend around 30 – 40 hours per week studying. That may sound like a lot, but a good rule of thumb is that you should be studying at least two hours for every one hour of class time per week.
How many people get A's in law school?
For each first-year course and all JD courses with 50 or more students, the faculty suggests that 12%–17% of the grades be A, 20%–30% of the grades be A− and/or B+, 20%–30% of the grades be B, 20%–30% of the grades be B− and/or C+, and 10%–15% of the grades be C or below.
What do law students do after 1L?
2L Summer. The search for a 2L summer internship can begin extremely early, starting in the summer after 1L year. Many students will hope to secure internships after their second year that will lead to post-graduation offers, particularly at big (and sometimes medium) law firms.
What grade is the most stressful?
And while high school is full of new experiences, many of which can cause students stress, junior year has a reputation as the most stressful of the four years of high school.
What age do most finish law school?
What Is The Average Age Of Law Students? The average age of law students is 25 or younger. Only 20% of law students are 30 or older. While only a small percentage of law students are above the age of 40, there have been several successful older graduates.
What is the hardest law school in USA?
1. Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. Only around 1 in 15 of their highly qualified applicants makes it through.
Is property the hardest 1L class?
Property really isn't that bad. If you decide to take classes more geared toward intellectual property in your future years, those can get quite tricky. But 1L property tends to be a lot of common, blackletter law. Do your reading, pay attention in class, study, and you'll be more than okay.
How rare is a 176 LSAT?
Less than 1% of test takers score a 176. It's a very hard thing to do. Don't let this sub skew your perception of what's realistic.
What LSAT score do I need for Harvard?
So let's take a look at what it actually takes to have a chance of being admitted to the most prestigious and preeminent law school in the world. As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School.
What are softs for law school?
Softs refer to everything in your application that isn't "hard" data.
Why are 1L grades so important?
Your 1L grades are often the first thing employers see on your resume when considering whether to offer you an interview. While your grades don't define your entire worth as a candidate, they are often used as a proxy for your ability to understand and analyze legal issues—key skills in the practice of law.
Is 40 too late to become a lawyer?
It's never too late in life to apply to law school. Although most applicants are under 25, about 1 in 5 are 30 or older and a much smaller proportion are over 40.
What is the lowest GPA to get into Harvard Law School?
A high GPA is 3.99 and the median is 3.92. There's no lowest GPA but you probably won't get into Harvard with a 2.5 GPA. Your GPA still needs to be somewhat competitive with the median GPA. That said, you can get into Harvard Law School even if your GPA is 3.82 or lower.
What is the hardest year in law school?
1L Year (First Year)
1L is the hardest academic year. The professors of the core classes- criminal law, contracts, civil procedure, and the dreaded property- are trained to wear you down, scare students into working hard, and embarrass them publicly in front of their peers if they are not adequately prepared for class.
What is the average debt after law school?
The average law school graduate owes $130,000 in student loan debt. 71% of law school students graduate in debt. $119,292 is the average amount students borrow just to attend law school.
Do law schools reject quickly?
In rare cases, some applicants may receive an answer within a few weeks, but the process typically takes 2–4 months. If your application is placed on hold or if you are placed on a wait list then it may take several additional months to receive a final decision.