The profession of an attorney of law is truly a challenging one. However, one thing is equally true that the path to become an attorney is not very easy. It demands hard work, dedication and competence of the highest order. Depending on which stream you choose you could also be playing with human lives and many a life depends on the way you handle a particular case. Here are some steps that you can take in your pursuit of becoming an attorney.

1. First of all you have to form a strong base in your subjects at the undergraduate level. Earn a Bachelor’s degree with a major in a subject that involves remembering a lot of facts, like political science or history. You should take electives in particular subjects, which require lots of reading and writing. The subjects that you take may or may not be connected to legal studies.
2. After getting your Bachelor’s degree, the very next step is to find a good law school. For that, you have to study the catalogs of various law schools. You have to understand their admission policies in detail. Make sure the school of your choice is accredited by the American Bar Association. Always be informed about the application deadlines. Send in your applications before the respective deadlines.
3. After you choose a law school and apply to it, you have to take the Law School Admissions Test (L.S.A.T.). After the test, you should make an arrangement with the Law School Data Assembly Service to have your test scores as well as your college grades sent to the law schools of your choice. For this you can visit the Law School Admission Council website. It will provide you with lots of important information.
4. The law school program lasts for three years. In the first half of that period you will be taught about the general areas of law. You will study about the various contractual laws, the property laws, torts as well as the constitutional laws.
5. While studying in a law school, you are also required to obtain a part-time internship or summer clerkships with a lawyer or a law firm. This is very helpful, as this way you get to make contacts. These contacts can help you secure a permanent job in future. Also, while working as an intern you will be paid some money. This can be a financial aid for your law school fee.
6. Make it a point to choose the internship or clerkship in your preferred area of law. This will help you to gain an insight about that particular area. It will further help you with your specialization in the future.
7. Once you receive your J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree you have to prepare for the state’s bar examination. This is a written examination and it extends over two days. Once you clear this exam, you will be a certified attorney of the state.

Becoming an attorney may indeed be difficult but is not impossible and more than anything else you need to have a passion for the subject and the profession.