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Advice for Law School Hopefuls About the GRE

By U.S. News & World Report

More than 100 accredited J.D. programs now accept the Graduate Record Examinations, known as the GRE, in place of the LSAT. Accepting the GRE has broadened law schools’ applicant pool, since the GRE is more frequently administered and more widely used than the LSAT.

For example, a bright candidate applying to graduate programs in public policy or political science can now take a shot at law school as well without having to rigorously prepare for the LSAT.

The majority of law schools have come to accept the GRE over the last decade due to the accumulation of national data showing that GRE General Test scores are as reliable as LSAT scores in predicting candidates’ academic performance in law school. Standardized test scores are a primary factor in law school admissions, along with undergraduate grades, because of their correlation with success in the law school classroom.

Both the LSAT and GRE are demanding standardized tests, but they differ in significant ways, including format, content and availability. Applicants considering using GRE scores to apply to law schools should consider the following advice:

— Plan to take the GRE or LSAT, but not both.

— Choose the right test for your strengths and interests.

— Compare GRE scores to LSAT scores by percentile.

— When in doubt, ask law schools for guidance.

[Read: 7 Key Differences Between the LSAT and GRE]

Plan to Take the GRE or LSAT, But Not Both

Many law school applicants see the GRE as a fallback option if they don’t do well on the LSAT. Unfortunately for them, law schools that receive both GRE and LSAT scores from an applicant focus on the LSAT score.

Beyond the fact that admissions officers are more accustomed to the LSAT, LSAT scores play a larger role in statistics comparing law school competitiveness. Law schools are obligated to report the highest LSAT score they receive from each accepted applicant. This is why law schools gladly accept multiple LSAT scores.

Law schools aim to evaluate each applicant holistically, so they won’t disregard high GRE scores submitted by an applicant with low LSAT scores. However, accepting that applicant affects the school’s median LSAT score, which can affect its rankings and reputation.

To avoid this situation, choose between the GRE and the LSAT before taking an administered test. If you’re undecided, try taking practice tests for each one, which are freely available online.

Choose the Right Test for Your Strengths and Interests.

Since the first law school began accepting the GRE in 2017, alternatives to the LSAT have grown. In 2024, the American Bar Association, the chief accrediting body for U.S. law schools, allowed law schools to seek permission to accept incoming students without a standardized test score.

While no accredited law school has yet decided to forgo standardized test results completely, some law schools have cautiously begun opening the door to LSAT alternatives besides the GRE. The two most prominent are JD-Next, which aims to assess legal skills, and the GMAT, the test preferred by graduate business programs.

[Read: What Is a Good LSAT Score?]

Most law school applicants who apply with the GRE do so because they are also targeting other graduate programs that accept the GRE. But it can also make sense for applicants who prefer the format and content of the test.

In particular, applicants with STEM backgrounds may find that the quantitative reasoning section of the GRE suits their strength. But if, like many lawyers, you shy away from math, then you will likely find the LSAT or JD-Next more appealing.

Compare GRE Scores to LSAT Scores by Percentile

Because law schools have widely accepted and reported applicant LSAT scores for decades, there is abundant data on an applicant’s likelihood of admission to each school based on his or her LSAT score.

Fewer applicants submit GRE scores, so there is little data available correlating GRE scores with law school acceptance. Only law schools who accept three or more applicants based on their GRE scores report the median GRE scores of incoming students.

As a rule of thumb, law schools tend to compare GRE scores to LSAT scores based on percentile. If your GRE score is in the 90th percentile, consider it roughly equivalent to a 90th-percentile LSAT score, generally around 165.

[Read: 7 Things I Wish I Knew When I Applied to Law School]

Law schools don’t all look at GRE scores in the same way. The GRE has three different scored sections: analytical writing, verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning. Some law schools may consider some of these sections more important than others, while other schools may focus on the overall score.

In contrast, law schools look only at overall scores on the LSAT.

When in Doubt, Ask Law Schools for Guidance

ETS, the organization that designs and administers the GRE, keeps a current list online of law schools that accept the GRE.

Law schools may change their policies on accepting the GRE from year to year, so if you’re planning to apply with a GRE score, consider contacting the admissions office of your target schools to confirm they accept the GRE and ask how they weight GRE scores.

Even if the details are still being worked out, law school admissions is generally trending towards wider acceptance of LSAT alternatives like the GRE. Ultimately, the proliferation of LSAT alternatives is good news for law school applicants.

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Advice for Law School Hopefuls About the GRE originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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