Sitting between Dallas and Austin, Waco has been host to some memorable recent history. It happens to be the birthplace of comedian Steve Martin and the Dr Pepper soft drink. On a heavier note, Waco was the site of the famous siege of the Branch Davidian compound, and still suffers from an inordinately high crime rate. At 43 crimes per one thousand residents, citizens experience a one in 23 chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime each year. With numbers like these, it's crucial for the city to be supported by its dedicated workforce of talented lawyers.
Lawyers in Waco earn an average base salary of $84,208, a considerable sum no doubt. That amount corresponds directly to the job requirements, since lawyers have one of the toughest jobs in the economy. It takes a library of knowledge to be certified as a law practitioner, and even that isn't enough to guarantee success in the long-term. Each case that a lawyer encounters brings a new set of abstractions to the table — in order to perform their tasks properly, a lawyer must maintain an unwavering sense of focus, since even the smallest lapse in judgment can form a chain of damaging consequences. In addition to an ironclad work ethic, lawyers must also maintain a comprehensive understanding of the law, building on the foundation of knowledge set during their time in law school.
With top-notch institutions like University of Texas-Austin School of Law and Southern Methodist University — Dedman School of Law located nearby, there are plenty of options for future law students to consider. Becoming a lawyer is a noble endeavor, and as all future law students know, the road is paved with academic hurdles. The LSAT serves as a significant test of students' pre-law knowledge, and law school admissions departments pay acute attention to students' scores when vetting applicants.
If you have an exam date coming up, an LSAT prep course is definitely worth considering. Whether taken online or in a classroom venue, a reputable LSAT prep program can be an extremely valuable resource that can work wonders in maximizing your chance of scoring in a high percentile. There are many entities in the learning industry offering prep services, and finding the right program amid the sea of options can be a task in itself. To help optimize the selection process, we've put together this list of the best online and in-person LSAT prep courses in Waco. With over 10 years of experience in the learning sector, we know what comprises a good LSAT prep course and only recommend those 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 have identical studying preferences, and it's important to keep yours in mind when choosing an LSAT prep course format. If you're more of an independent learner, you'll likely find everything you need in a reputable online course; likewise, if you retain information more easily in a social setting, you might be better served by taking a classroom prep course. There are a few inherent benefits to the in-person format — for one, you'll be in direct proximity to your teacher, so you'll be able to receive instant feedback by simply raising a hand in class. You'll also be prepping alongside fellow future law students, which allows you to form a study group leading up to the big exam.
Unfortunately, the traditional course format can't be separated from its major downsides. This option requires you to commute to the classroom venue on a regular basis, which simply isn't feasible for students balancing hefty work and personal obligations aside from their course load. In-person prep courses are also priced significantly higher than the online alternative, which forms a major barrier to entry.
On the other hand, online LSAT prep courses offer a ton of value without demanding as much of a time and financial commitment from students. This format has evolved considerably over the years — today, a good LSAT prep course provides as much educational value as can be found in any classroom venue while allowing students to access all key materials and resources on demand. Essentially, you'll be able to design your own study plan around your lifestyle, which is invaluable for students without much spare time on their hands.
While this is certainly the more independent learning option, you'll still be fully supported throughout the program thanks to their optimized support networks. Because online 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, this option is priced with the average student's budget in mind, so you'll be able to crush the LSAT without breaking the bank.
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 Waco
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
TestMasters Online LSAT Prep Course
https://www.testmasters.net/online-lsat-course
The TestMasters Online LSAT Prep Course gives you a chance to watch live training courses for up to 100 days before your LSAT is administered. Available for a moderate price, this course is taught by Robin Singh who holds the record for the most perfect LSAT scores. TestMasters uses a large selection of real questions from previous LSAT exams in its curriculum. Rather than creating on-demand video lessons exclusively for the online course, the TestMasters Prep Course features recorded videos from previous live classes. While the information is good, this lack of interactivity makes you feel more like a fly on the wall of a prep course rather than an active participant.
Pros:
- 160+ hours of recorded classroom training
- Uses real LSAT questions
Cons:
- More expensive than most LSAT prep courses
- Taught by an instructor who was a “natural” at the LSAT, so it can be hard to relate for those of us who need extra help
Kaplan Live Online LSAT Training
https://www.kaptest.com/lsat/courses/lsat-prep-live-online
Delivered over the course of eight live classes, the Kaplan Live Online LSAT Training also includes two live, proctored LSAT practice exams. While the Kaplan instructors have good reviews, this 32-hour course is more expensive than many alternatives offering 100+ hours of video training. Kaplan also allows students to purchase three additional hours of one-on-one training by upgrading to the Live Online PLUS plan. One drawback to the format of the Kaplan Live LSAT training is that it’s not very flexible: you must attend classes during specific times, or attend a make-up session later.
Pros:
- Access to 80+ real LSAT tests
- Includes LSAT lesson books
Cons:
- One of the most expensive online LSAT courses
- Must attend live classes during scheduled times
- Only 32 hours of video training included
The Best In-Person LSAT Prep Courses in Waco
Kaplan, Inc.
Address: Comfort Suites, 2700 La Salle Ave, Waco, TX 76706
Phone: 1-800-527-8378
Link: https://www.kaptest.com/study/locations/lsat/waco/tx/
Why they are a good choice
A leader in the learning sector, Kaplan has built a solid reputation for helping students get into some of the best law schools in the country. Their LSAT prep course comprises seven 4-hour sessions of live instruction in addition to 180+ hours of lessons accessible through their industry-exclusive LSAT Channel. Students also gain access to over 80 real past LSATs, which is sure to help establish a sense of familiarity for the big exam. This is the only in-person LSAT prep course in Waco itself—if you're looking for another provider, you'll have to make the trip to Austin.
Manhattan Review
Address: Austin Teaching Center at the Hilton, 500 E 4th Street, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: 1-800-246-4600
Link: https://www.manhattanreview.com/austin-lsat-prep-courses/
Why they are a good choice
Manhattan Review helps you maximize your chances of success by pairing you with a knowledgeable instructor who will guide you through each section of the test, paying extra attention to your weaknesses. Students who have graduated from their in-person LSAT prep courses have gone on to graduate from the country's best law schools and now find themselves at its top firms. The nearest Manhattan Review course is held at Hilton's Austin Teaching Center, about one and a half hours south of Waco.
Manhattan Elite Prep
Address: Embassy Suites Austin, 300 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704
Phone: 1-888-215-6269
Link: https://www.manhattaneliteprep.com/lsat-austin-prep-course-class/
Why they are a good choice
For more than a decade, Manhattan Elite Prep has helped thousands of students reach the highest percentiles on their LSATs. Their course includes 28 hours of classroom sessions, 50 hours of on-demand lectures, 24/7 support, and a huge library of self-directed study resources. Though not located in Waco, some will find the drive to the Embassy Suites Austin worthwhile.
The Best Law Schools Near Waco
|
LAW SCHOOL |
LOCATION | WEBSITE |
ADMISSIONS EMAIL |
| 1. Baylor Law School | Waco, TX | baylor.edu/law | Jenny_Branson@baylor.edu |
| 2. Southern Methodist University — Dedman School of Law | Dallas, TX | smu.edu/Law | lawadmit@smu.edu |
| 3. University of Texas-Austin School of Law | Austin, TX | law.utexas.edu | admissions@law.utexas.edu |
| 4. University of Houston Law Center | Houston, TX | law.uh.edu | lawadmissions@uh.edu |
Trying to go to the best law school near Waco? See the best law schools in Texas.
