Applying to law school in your 40s

Alright, let's talk about your journey to law school. Having advised law school applicants, aged 19 to 65, over three decades, I can tell you that your extensive experience can be a significant asset to your applications.

Your undergraduate GPA is one of the two most important pieces alongside your LSAT score, to get you "in the ballpark" for admission. But your own professional and life experience can demonstrate a wealth of transferable skills vital for success in law, such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication, research, teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. It can also provide crucial context for any past academic shortcomings, showing that you've gained maturity and a stronger work ethic. Furthermore, your professional background allows you to bring diverse perspectives, unique knowledge, and valuable skills to the classroom and the legal field.

We’ve just been through an enormously competitive admissions cycle, and so, if at all possible, I’d urge you to double down on your LSAT studies.

I’d also advise you to begin working on several application components prior to the fall admissions season to get a big jump on the process, so that you have the time to position yourself as an applicant with a high-quality application. Several of my admissions consulting clients have already begun brainstorming and even drafting early versions of their personal statement, so that they have the time to think through and create and develop stellar highlight reels and indeed stories of what makes them unique, effective, and special.

I don’t think that I’ve ever seen more satisfied applicants than the 40, 50 and 60+ year-olds who I’ve advised who were accepted to law schools over the past 30+ years. It’s no easy task, but depending on your life experiences, how well you market those experiences in your applications, and, of course, the combination of your highly important LSAT score and a balanced school list, it can be achievable.

-Jesse

Jesse R. Borges, PhD