Law school typically takes three academic years to complete. Most law schools require you to start in the fall semester, as the first year of law school often follows a common sequence of courses without much, if any, room for electives. Some law schools offer accelerated programs that include summer courses and allow you to finish in fewer than three years. You might also have the option to complete your law degree (Juris Doctor or JD) in conjunction with another graduate degree such as an MBA, though this will likely require at least one additional year of school.

There is currently no law school in Alaska. UAA students wishing to attend law must be open to leaving the state for their course of study. However, an increasing number of law schools offer remote options allowing students to conduct much of their studies remotely, often with a requirement of travelling to campus a couple times a semester. And, many Alaska students return home during school breaks to work for local law firms, and in that manner acquire information about the practice of law in Alaska.

In short, law school is expensive. Costs vary greatly among schools. Tuition may range from $10,000 to over $30,000 per semester. This does not include additional expenses you will incur. Cost of living will vary from city to city, but you will need to factor in housing, food, books, and transportation to and from Alaska.

You should consider law school a full time job. You will likely not be able to work much during law school, particularly in your first year as you adjust to the schedule and rigors of law school. Many law school students do work in the summer for law firms to earn money, though taking an unpaid internship for experience is also an option.

There is no formally recognized system of law school rankings. All accredited law schools will provide you the opportunity for a solid legal education. Qualities of a law school that appeal to one applicant may not be as important to other applicants. Many law schools promote specializations in various areas of law and may offer specialized legal clinics to provide advanced law students an opportunity to engaged in the supervised practice of law. Location is also important, as prospective legal employers (law firms, government agencies, etc.) tend to recruit from nearby law schools.

That said, higher ranked law schools may offer opportunities for more prestigious clerkships and job opportunities than would be available at schools not as high in the rankings. A good rule of thumb as you consider the merits of various schools is to review carefully the schools' most recent bar passage rates and employment rate. The ABA-LSAC Official Guide to Law Schools Online Searchable Edition allows you to research this data in a single search.

A criminal conviction will not prevent you from attending law school, but it may adversely affect your ability to become a member of the bar in the state in which you ultimately hope to practice. Most states have character requirements that must be met before potential lawyers may sit for a state bar exam. For example, in Alaska the Bar Rules require that every applicant to take the Bar examination be an individual “whose conduct justifies the trust of clients, adversaries, courts and others with respect to the professional duties owed to them."

Conduct manifesting a significant deficiency in the honesty, trustworthiness, diligence or reliability of an applicant is a basis for denial of admission.” A criminal conviction, with the exception of a minor traffic violation, will be “treated as cause for further inquiry before the bar examining authority decides whether the applicant possesses the character and fitness to practice law.” See Alaska Bar Rule 2.1(d). In evaluating eligibility, the Bar will consider factors such as the recency and seriousness of the conduct underlying the conviction.