Exploring law school

Law school is very different than Linfield University. Although many of the skills you learn at Linfield will be applicable – critical thinking, writing skills, and oral communication – law school is a very different academic environment. For example, in law school your studies will be much more focused, and all your classes will be law-related. There will be limited elective courses. 

Many law schools also utilize the Socratic Method, in which students are required to comprehend and synthesize information about legal cases that will be tested in classroom scenarios. This case method tests a student’s ability to think quickly and communicate effectively. Finally, Linfield students will notice that the grading system in law school is very different than that utilized here. Most grades in law school are based almost exclusively on one final exam and students do not receive much assessment or feedback throughout the term. 

Law schools do not share a common curriculum, although many expose their students to a similar curriculum in the first year of schooling. Students can expect to take courses in civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and procedure, property, torts, and legal writing and research.