Once a major center for American textile manufacturing, Columbus, Georgia is also known for being the site of the last battle of the Civil War. Today, there are many things for visitors to see in the city, like the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, Columbus Botanical Garden and the breathtaking Columbus Riverwalk. As an unfortunate downside, Columbus' crime rate is inordinately high compared to other communities in the nation. With a crime rate of 44 per one thousand residents, people living in Columbus face a one in 23 chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime each year. This makes it critical for the city to be supported by its dedicated workforce of lawyers.
Lawyers in Columbus earn an average base salary of $81,055, an impressive number no doubt. Most people would clamor to receive that kind of income, but only a select few are prepared to perform the hard work that comes with being a lawyer. As tough as their academic journeys are, the real challenges for lawyers only begin after law school graduation. In order to build a successful career, a lawyer must maintain an unwavering work ethic, since even the smallest lapse in judgment can form a devastating chain of consequences. Aside from an adaptable wit, a lawyer must also possess a thorough knowledge of the law garnered through years of tough academia.
With top-notch institutions in the area like the University of Georgia Law School and Georgia State University Law School, there are plenty of options for prospective law students to consider. Studying to become a lawyer is notoriously difficult, but there are several rewards to follow once the position is attained. Future law students are made to face several challenges along the way, and the LSAT serves as a major checkpoint. This monumental exam looms overhead of all prospective law students, and a successful performance requires weeks or even months of studying in advance.
Since the LSAT is such an important consideration in law school admissions departments, many students opt to enroll in LSAT prep courses in order to maximize their chances of scoring in a high percentile. A reputable LSAT program can be the determining factor in your acceptance into — or rejection from — the law school of your dreams, but finding the right option amid a sea of providers 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 Columbus. With over ten years of experience in the learning sector, we know what comprises a good 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
It's important to determine your preferred learning style before committing to an LSAT prep course. Some students retain information more easily in a social setting, while others are better suited to studying independently. With an in-person LSAT prep course, you'll have the benefit of being in the same room as your instructor. This allows you to receive instant feedback by simply raising your hand in class, which is certainly useful. Additionally, you'll be connected to other prospective law students, giving you the option to form study groups if that suits your learning style.
Nevertheless, the in-person format comes with some considerable downsides. For one, it requires you to displace yourself to the classroom on a daily basis, which is sure to get in the way of your obligations outside of schoolwork. On top of that, in-person LSAT prep courses are much more expensive than the online alternative, which essentially disqualifies students on tight budgets from attending.
Conversely, online LSAT prep courses are rapidly becoming the more popular option. By enrolling in a reputable online prep program, you'll have access to all important materials and resources on-demand, which allows you to study whenever and wherever you choose to. If you're an independent learner with a busy schedule, you'll definitely appreciate the convenience that comes with studying online.
Although you'll be left to your own devices for the lectures, you'll still be supported by the vast network of LSAT instructors built into the modern online course. This will allow you to receive in-depth answers to all your important prep questions in a timely manner. Online courses also emulate the new digital administration of the LSAT, so you'll know what to expect when exam day rolls around. All of these benefits are offered at a wholly affordable rate, especially when compared to the expensive in-person alternative.
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 Columbus
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
Velocity LSAT Prep
Founded by two friends who met in college, Velocity LSAT Prep promises to help students “kick the LSAT in the face.” Behind the irreverent style is plenty of substance with in-depth explanations of over 9,000 authentic LSAT questions from previous tests. There is also a series of videos available that explain a wide variety of theoretical concepts that will appear on the test. Each membership lasts eight months. There’s a lot of quality material in Velocity’s LSAT online prep course, but the pricing is somewhat confusing. This is in part because the practice questions must be purchased separately, so costs can get out of hand pretty quickly.
Pros:
- Explanations for thousands of authentic LSAT questions
Cons:
- Only accessible for 8 months
- You must purchase the practice questions separately
Alpha Score LSAT Prep
One of the few options for basic, affordable LSAT prep, Alpha Score offers a good selection of study materials for a reasonable price. There are over 50 hours of video lessons from instructors, each with at least 5 years of experience teaching LSAT prep courses. There is no live content, but you are able to ask questions to your instructor via messaging on the member’s area of the website. Membership to the Alpha Score LSAT prep course lasts for 12 months before you need to renew to keep access.
Pros:
- 50+ online lessons and tutorials
- Reasonably priced
- Long-lasting access
Cons:
- Only 10 official LSAT-licensed practice tests included
- No live instruction is available
The Best In-Person LSAT Prep Courses in Columbus
TestMasters
Address: Holiday Inn Express & Suites University Area, 2013 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36830
Phone: 1-800-696-5728
Link: https://www.testmasters.net/Lsat-Prep-Courses/georgia-columbus
Test Masters is another worthy provider, offering students a curriculum designed by Robin Singh, world-record holder for perfect LSAT scores. By studying with Test Masters in Auburn, just a few minutes west of Columbus, you'll receive 60 hours of in-class instruction plus an additional 100 hours of online lessons. Their program includes 20 full-length practice exams administered in the new digital format. With access to over 9,500 official LSAT questions, you're sure to be well-prepared for the challenges presented in the LSAT.
Auburn University LSAT Prep Course
Address: 301 O.D. Smith Hall, Auburn, AL 36849
Phone: (334) 844-5100
Link: https://www.testmasters.net/Lsat-Prep-Courses/alabama-montgomery
Auburn University professors lead this in-person prep course that includes 30 hours of instruction across ten days. The curriculum focuses on theoretical concepts and test-taking strategies, and as a bonus it was designed by people who wrote actual LSAT questions. It's also quite affordable for an in-person LSAT prep course, especially when you consider the self-directed resources that your tuition entitles you to. Like the TestMasters course, this class is offered in Auburn, Alabama, just across the state border from Columbus.
Manhattan Elite Prep
Address: Hilton Atlanta, 255 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 1-646-873-6656
Link: https://www.manhattaneliteprep.com/lsat-atlanta-prep-course-class/
Aside from the two in-person prep courses in Auburn, the closest option to Columbus is located in Atlanta. Manhattan Elite Prep also offers a proven LSAT prep curriculum supported by a network of over 500 elite Ivy League teachers. Their in-person course comprises 28 hours of live instruction given once per week over an 8 week period, in addition to over 50 hours of online live class recordings. Students receive unlimited support via email, chat and phone seven days a week, so your questions will never be left unanswered.
The Best Law Schools Near Columbus
Law School | LOCATION | WEBSITE | Admissions Email |
1. Emory University School of Law | Atlanta, GA | law.emory.edu | lawcommunications@emory.edu |
2. University of Georgia Law School | Athens, GA | www.law.uga.edu | ugajd@uga.edu |
3. Georgia State University Law School | Atlanta, GA | law.gsu.edu | lawadmissions@gsu.edu |
Trying to go to the best law school near Columbus? See the best law schools in Georgia.