Ashley Dickinson (Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in the field of Journalism) graduated from the Harvard Extension School in 2024. She is currently pursuing a JD at New England Law while continuing to work as a Business Immigration Analyst.
This blog post was written in March 2026.
For a long time, I assumed law school simply wasn’t an option for me.
I had always thought I’d make a good lawyer, but the logistics felt impossible. I was working full-time, and the idea of leaving my job to attend law school during the day wasn’t feasible. Eventually, I set the idea aside and focused on building my education and career in other ways.
That perspective began to change during my time at the Harvard Extension School (HES). While taking a class on the Constitution and the media, I learned that many law schools offer evening programs designed for students to continue working full-time while earning their degrees. Until that point, I had assumed law school required stepping away from work entirely. Discovering that alternative path was a turning point for me. For the first time, law school felt like a realistic possibility.
Through my HES coursework, I began to focus on skills that are central to legal study. My journalism concentration allowed me to demonstrate my critical research and writing skills, and I used my electives to focus on legal writing and an international relations certificate.
When I began preparing for law school applications, I quickly realized how overwhelming the process can feel at first. Between LSAT preparation, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and researching schools, it’s easy to feel unsure where to start.
Looking back, there are several lessons from my own application process that I wish I had understood earlier. For students considering law school, here are five tips that may help you navigate the process.
1. Start Earlier Than You Think
Preparing for law school applications takes more time than many applicants expect. Between studying for the LSAT, writing your personal statement, requesting letters of recommendation, and researching schools, the process can easily take a year or more. Most law schools admit students on a rolling basis, so applying early can improve your chances of being accepted to your top choices.
In my case, I initially budgeted only one summer to study for and take the LSAT. While that timeline worked for sitting for the exam once, it didn’t leave enough room to retake the test and improve my score if I had wanted to. If your target schools have higher LSAT score ranges, it can be helpful to build enough time into your schedule to retake the exam if necessary. Planning ahead can give you more flexibility and reduce pressure as application deadlines approach.
2. Develop Strong Analytical Writing Skills
Much of law school revolves around reading complex material and writing clear, persuasive arguments. Courses that emphasize research, critical analysis, and structured writing can be valuable preparation. Strengthening these skills before applying will help you feel more confident both during the application process and once you begin law school.
For me, my journalism degree from Harvard Extension School was especially helpful in building these skills. Journalism requires you to research thoroughly, evaluate sources, and communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely, skills that translate directly to legal writing and analysis. Writing regularly for my coursework helped me become more comfortable constructing arguments and supporting them with evidence, which made the law school application process feel much more manageable.
3. Consider Taking the LSAT in Person
The LSAT is offered both remotely and at in-person testing centers. I thought the remote option would be more convenient. I was so wrong. The testing environment requirements for at-home exams are extremely strict. You must have a very controlled space that meets specific guidelines, and proctors may require additional room scans and other checks to ensure the testing environment is secure. For some applicants, meeting these requirements can actually mean traveling to find an appropriate location anyway. In my experience, navigating these requirements before the test even began added unnecessary stress. If you have the option, taking the exam in a controlled testing center can provide fewer distractions and eliminate the possibility of technical issues.
4. Identify What Matters Most to You
Law schools differ significantly in terms of location, program structure, academic strengths, and experiential opportunities. Before applying, take time to reflect on what factors matter most to you. If you have a sense of what you want to do with your law degree, it can be helpful to work backwards from there.
One approach that helped me was identifying people with careers I wanted to emulate. I looked at where they went to law school and what kinds of experiences they pursued during and immediately after their studies. That helped me better understand what factors might matter most for my own path.
For some students, specific areas of legal study, clinical opportunities, or geographic location may be essential. Others may prioritize affordability or programs that offer evening or part-time options. Clarifying your priorities early can help you build a thoughtful list of schools that align with your goals.
5. Remember That There Is No Single Path to Law School
It’s easy to assume that law school is primarily designed for students who go straight from undergraduate study into a full-time program. But my time in law school has introduced me to other students who arrived here after spending years working in other fields, pursuing different academic interests, or balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
Before I began researching law school more seriously, I assumed that because I was already working full-time, the opportunity had passed me by. But learning more about evening and part-time programs made me realize that legal education can be structured in ways that accommodate different life circumstances. Many schools intentionally design programs for students who continue working while pursuing their degrees.
If law school is something you’re interested in, don’t assume that timing alone should stop you. There are many different paths to getting there, and with the right planning, it’s often more feasible than it initially seems.
