UM senior Alex Martinez. Photo courtesy of Martinez. By Ashlee Hall, Lifestyles editor
University of Montevallo senior political science and sociology double major Alex Martinez made a perfect score on the Law School Admission Test.
The LSAT is a rigorous exam that determines your entry into law school, that students often spend months or years preparing for. The test scores range from 120 to 180.
When Martinez first came to UM, he decided to take a leap of faith by majoring in political science after discovering his passion for politics and government. Law school is a popular path for students majoring in political science, so Martinez decided to look into it.
After taking introductory law school classes and learning more about LSAT prep during his time in the Summer Scholars Program at the University of Alabama, Martinez decided that law school for him.
“Law school is difficult but it’s something I knew I would enjoy,” said Martinez.
With the experience Martinez gained from this program, he was able to begin preparing for the LSAT during his junior year. After 6 months of studying, Martinez took his first exam in June 2023. Martinez took the exam two more times before making a 180. The 9 months he spent preparing for this exam finally paid off.
During those 9 months, Martinez would spend hours a day taking classes, practice tests and studying his own material.
“The most critical part was figuring out what I need to study and how to study it,” said Martinez.
Adapting the most effective ways of studying, taking countless practice tests and the support from his family and professors made the perfect score possible.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it if I didn’t have my family supporting me through it,” said Martinez.
The work doesn’t stop after a perfect LSAT score, though. Crafting a good application and marketing yourself to schools is the next step on the path to law school. In addition to your test scores, law school applications often include essays, letters of recommendation and interviews.
“The LSAT isn’t where it ends. You have to put work into your applications,” said Martinez.
In total, Martinez applied to 16 law schools, including 13 of the top schools in the country. So far, he has received a full ride to three. With the University of Pennsylvania as his top choice, the decision on where to attend is pending his acceptance decisions and scholarship offers from other schools.
“There are no bad decisions, these are dream outcomes,” said Martinez.
Although the LSAT and your application can be deciding factors, your extracurriculars and experiences outside of the classroom are vital in your preparation for law school. Martinez has been intentional with his time at UM by gaining experiences to equip him for the next step.
Martinez has participated in Model United Nations, which is an opportunity for students to simulate United Nations committees so they can practice diplomacy, learn about international relations and investigate current world issues.
He has also served as the Arts and Sciences Senator and Director of External Affairs for UM’s Student Government Association. In this role, Martinez represented the College of Arts and Sciences and had a hand in planning and participating in Higher Ed Day.
When he is not taking classes, Martinez has spent his time in internships—one of them being with the Alabama State Senate. During his time in this role he was able to work alongside the Education Budget Committee, General Budget Committee and Education Policy Committee.
To Martinez, the hardest part of the law school application process is waiting on acceptance decisions, but he is looking forward to meeting other students who are working towards the same goal and handling the challenges that come along with law school.
For those interested in applying to law school, Martinze suggests setting aside time to learn how to study for the test and gaining internship experiences that will help prepare you for law school.
Before beginning law school in the fall, Martinez hopes to hold another internship and spend time with his family and friends.
There are many different avenues that law school provides. After working in litigation for a few years after law school, Martinez hopes to return home to the South, so that he can make a difference in his community by working as a civil rights attorney.
Ashlee Hall is the lifestyles editor for The Alabamian. She is majoring in mass communication with a concentration in multimedia journalism with minors in public relations, social media administration and food and nutrition sciences. In her free time, she enjoys reading “Southern Living Magazine,” curling her hair and making niche Spotify playlists.
