The strawberry capital of the Houston–Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area, Pasadena is a marvel for both its citizens and for tourists, who love experiencing its sandy beaches, prominent nightlife and host of historical exhibitions. Unfortunately, Pasadena's crime rate exceeds the national average, so it isn't among the safest communities in the country. At 28 crimes per one thousand residents, citizens experience a 1 in 36 chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime. With numbers like these, it's crucial for the city to be supported by its dedicated sector of passionate lawyers.
Lawyers in Pasadena earn an average base salary of $117,260, which is 9% above the national average. Of course, that number makes sense when you consider the requirements that come with being a lawyer. In order to perform their tasks successfully, a lawyer must possess an adaptable wit and razor sharp focus, since even the smallest mistake in any given case can create a chain of damaging consequences. Aside from an unwavering work ethic, a successful lawyer must also come equipped to every shift possessing an encyclopedic knowledge of the law obtained through years of hard study.
With top-notch institutions like University of Texas-Austin School of Law and Southern Methodist University — Dedman School of Law, there are plenty of great schools in the area for future law students to consider. Before being eligible to attend law school, students must first sit through the LSAT. If you're on the path to becoming a lawyer, then you probably have this monumental exam in your sights.
A student's LSAT score is one of the main considerations in law school admissions departments, and a successful performance requires weeks of unhindered study. Many students opt to enroll in an LSAT prep course to help maximize their chances of scoring in a high percentile on the exam. Whether taken online or in a classroom setting, a good prep course can be an extremely valuable resource. However, finding the right provider amid the number of options can be a task in itself. To help with the selection process, we've compiled this list of the best online and in-person LSAT prep courses in Pasadena. With over 10 years of experience in the learning sector, we know what comprises a good LSAT prep course and only recommend courses that contain the following:
- Real LSAT questions and tests (Prep Tests) from previous years
- Detailed video explanations of every question type and concept
- Flexible pricing to accommodate any budget
- Some sort of support system and materials to use during and after the class
Online vs In-Person LSAT Classes
No two students share the same studying preferences, and it's important to keep yours in mind when choosing a prep course format. Online courses are rapidly becoming the more viable option for the average future law student, though the in-person format does come with a few inherent benefits. For one, this option places you in direct contact with your instructor, allowing you to receive instant feedback by simply raising a hand in class. Also, in-person courses connect you with other future law students, so you can make connections and form a study group leading up to the big exam. Nevertheless, this option can't be separated from its inherent inconveniences. In-person courses require you to go to the classroom venue on a regular basis, which isn't feasible for students juggling several obligations outside of their course. This format also costs significantly more than the online alternative, so only those willing to make a big financial commitment will be able to do it.
As a result of the drawbacks of in-person courses, it means that online courses are the overall best pick for the average student. By taking a proven online LSAT prep curriculum, you'll be provided with the same value of education as can be found in any classroom venue, and you'll be able to access all materials and resources on demand. This allows you to essentially design a study plan leading up to the LSAT that's built around your lifestyle. Online courses leave you to your own devices, without leaving you alone. Thanks to the comprehensive support networks built into the modern online course, you can send your queries through the system and receive in-depth feedback by an experienced LSAT instructor in a timely manner. Because online LSAT prep courses mirror the digital administration of the new LSAT, you'll be granted a key sense of familiarity that will serve you well in the exam room. Finally, the relatively low cost of online prep courses ensures that all prospective law students are eligible to attend regardless of their budgets.
If you'd like to read some additional input on the advantages of online learning, check out this article on the case against in-class LSAT prep courses.
Pros of an Online Course |
Pros of an In-Person Course |
Total freedom to schedule your LSAT prep at your own pace | Instructors provide on-hand guidance to help keep you on the right path |
Test materials and other valuable resources are available at any time | Opportunity to meet and interact with fellow prospective law students |
Much less expensive than in-person courses | Classroom environment conducive to learning |
Personalized study plan to help you tackle problem areas | |
Simulates real LSAT which is taken digitally on a tablet |
The Best Online LSAT Prep Courses in Pasadena
LSATMax LSAT Prep Course
Your secret weapon for getting accepted to the law school of your choice, the LSATMax online LSAT prep course from TestMax, is guaranteed to raise your scores. For a reasonable one-time fee, you’ll get instant access to a huge arsenal of tools to help you prepare for the exam on your own time. With countless five-star reviews across TrustPilot, Google Play, and the Apple App Store, LSATMax is clearly the best online LSAT course available.
What makes LSATMax the best online prep course for any pre-law student looking to max out their LSAT scores? First, because it’s available on both web and mobile, you will be able to access your course materials at any time. Next, unlike many online courses that use practice questions written by so-called experts, LSATMax only uses actual questions that have appeared on the LSAT. Your membership gives you access to up to 9,000 questions.
There are three LSATMax course packages available. All three contain the full LSATMax course catalog with over 100 hours of video from instructors who have all scored in the 99th percentile on the LSAT themselves. You’ll also have opportunities to get personalized help from our instructors via real-time chat, message boards and scheduled office hours Q&A sessions. All students can also access their sample questions using LSATMax’s digital LSAT simulator for an authentic experience that replicates and gets you ready for the real LSAT.
Course Packages Available:
All LSATMax packages contain the full course catalog and a subscription to LSAT Prep Plus which gets you access to every LSAT practice exam available from the LSAC. You can choose between 3 flexible packages that give you access for the length of time you need to study for the LSAT.- LSATMax 60: This package gives you 60-day access to the full LSATMax course. It is great for students who have a shorter amount of time to study before their exam or who only need to raise their score a few points.
- LSATMax 180: This 180 day access package is designed to fit the needs of most students by giving access to the course for longer than the average time spent studying for the exam.
- LSATMax 365: This package is the best value for those who have a longer time frame to study for the exam or need to raise their score as much as possible.
No matter which package you choose, TestMax offers 0% financing for up to a full year through Affirm. Remember, the earlier you begin preparing for the LSAT, the higher your scores will be.
Pros:
- Get instant access to flexible packages and pricing
- Guaranteed to boost your LSAT score or your money back
- Interactive instruction with real LSAT experts
- Digital LSAT simulator for 100% realistic test experience
Fox LSAT Demon
Before opening up his LSAT test prep service, Nathan Fox scored 179 on his LSAT, a near-perfect score that placed him in the 99.9th percentile of all test-takers. He’s also personally written six books about preparing for the LSAT. Primarily focused on live LSAT prep courses, Fox LSAT has released their online-centered program called the LSAT Demon. Using A.I., the LSAT Demon program tailors the example problems and explanations to each user based on their strengths and weaknesses. While it is an interesting tool, the program suffers from a lack of video instruction and a fairly high monthly fee.
Pros:
- I. tutor helps reveal your weakest area
- Private tutoring available for an additional fee
Cons:
- Monthly fee for access
- No video instruction, online exercises only
The Princeton Review LSAT Prep 165+
https://www.princetonreview.com/grad/lsat-honors-course
The only online LSAT Prep course that claims to guarantee a specific score, the Princeton Review has a course called 165+ that promises a score of 165 or higher on your next LSAT test attempt after completing the course. This may seem hard to believe at first, and upon looking into it further, you will find that it only applies to students who have scored higher than 158 on a previous official LSAT test or on the first required practice test. While this can still be useful to improve your scores the second time around, it’s nowhere near as impressive as it sounds.
Pros:
- Over 80 hours of video instruction by LSAT experts
- Online drills with explanations
Cons:
- Misleading score guarantee
- Very expensive
The Best In-Person LSAT Prep Courses in Pasadena
Manhattan Elite Prep
Address: University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX 77004
Phone: 1-646-873-6656
Link: https://www.manhattaneliteprep.com/lsat-houston-prep-course-class/
Why they are a good choice
Manhattan Elite Prep has a proven track record in helping students get into some of the best law schools in the country. With a network of over 500 elite Ivy League teachers, it's safe to say that the company knows what they're doing when it comes to LSAT prep. Their in-person course includes 28 hours of live instruction in addition to over 50 hours of online live class recordings. Students also receive unlimited support via email, chat and phone.
Manhattan Review
Address: Houston Teaching Center at the Hyatt, 1200 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 1-800-246-4600
Link: https://www.manhattanreview.com/houston-lsat-prep-courses/
Why they are a good choice
Another prominent name in the learning sector, Manhattan Review's in-person LSAT prep course can be taken in a group or individual tutoring format. Each of their instructors have scored in the top 1% on an official LSAT, which puts students in extremely capable hands. Visit their webpage for more details on courses and pricing.
The Best Law Schools Near Pasadena
LAW SCHOOL |
LOCATION | WEBSITE |
ADMISSIONS EMAIL |
1. Texas Southern University — Thurgood Marshall School of Law | Houston, TX | tsulaw.edu | Kenyon.Moore@tmslaw.tsu.edu |
2. University of Texas-Austin School of Law | Austin, TX | law.utexas.edu | admissions@law.utexas.edu |
3. Southern Methodist University — Dedman School of Law | Dallas, TX | smu.edu/Law | lawadmit@smu.edu |
Trying to go to the best law school near Pasadena? See the best law schools in Texas.