How write-on competitions typically work
Most schools admit to law review and secondary journals through a timed write-on competition held during a short window after 1L spring grades are released. The competition tests your ability to analyze a legal problem, follow a strict citation format (commonly the Bluebook), and edit someone else's writing under real time pressure. That's not your existing grades, though some schools also weight grades or a combination of both (a 'grade-on' component).
It's a distinct skill. Practicing Bluebook citation and close editing before the competition window, not only substantive legal analysis, meaningfully improves your outcome.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Write-on | A timed competition after 1L spring grades; tests problem analysis, Bluebook citation and editing under time pressure |
| Membership | Cite-checking and editing other authors' articles, plus your own note or comment over one to two years |
| Credit | Co-curricular credit cannot count toward the 64 classroom hours (Interpretation 311-1) but can count toward the 83-hour total |
What membership actually involves
Journal members typically cite-check other authors' articles for accuracy, edit submissions for citation form and clarity, and write their own note or comment. That's a substantial piece of original legal scholarship, written over the following one to two years. The time commitment is real and ongoing, not a one-time credential.
Flagship journals carry the most weight. Law review, as most schools' flagship journal, tends to carry the most weight with employers and especially with judges hiring law clerks. Secondary journals in a specific subject area can still be a strong fit for a student with a clear practice-area interest that flagship law review doesn't serve as directly.
What LSAC and the ABA say about journals
LSAC says a unique feature of American law schools is that law students manage and edit most of the legal profession's principal scholarly journals. It says membership on the editorial staffs is considered a mark of academic distinction. Selection is ordinarily based on outstanding academic performance and writing ability. Schools commonly weigh grades, a writing competition or both. Selection methods vary by school.
ABA Standard 305 lets a school grant JD credit for study that does not involve regularly scheduled class sessions, and it names moot court and law review as examples. The credit must be commensurate with the time and effort required. A faculty member must evaluate each student's achievement. Confirm how your school awards journal credit. Ask the journal office.
How journal credit is counted
Interpretation 311-1 says credit for co-curricular activities such as law review, moot court and trial competition may not be counted toward the 64 credit hours of classroom or direct faculty instruction that Standard 311 requires. Those credits can still count toward the 83-hour total when the school grants them. Check the credit rules before you plan your schedule. Journal credit is separate from classroom hours.
That means a heavy journal load does not reduce the classroom hours you still need. It also means journal work competes with courses for your time, not for your required class credits. Plan your credits.
Common questions
How are students selected for law review?+
LSAC says selection is ordinarily based on outstanding academic performance and writing ability, and schools commonly use grades, a writing competition or both.
Is law review membership considered valuable?+
LSAC says membership on the editorial staffs of law journals is considered a mark of academic distinction.
Who runs law reviews at American law schools?+
Law students. LSAC calls it a unique feature of American law schools that students manage and edit most of the legal profession's principal scholarly journals.
Can I earn credit for law review?+
Sometimes. ABA Standard 305 lets schools grant credit for law review and moot court, commensurate with the time and effort required and evaluated by a faculty member.
Does law review credit count toward the classroom-hours requirement?+
No. Interpretation 311-1 says co-curricular credit for law review, moot court or trial competition may not be counted toward the 64 classroom or direct-instruction hours.
What does a write-on competition test?+
Analysis of a legal problem, following a strict citation format such as the Bluebook, and editing someone else's writing under time pressure, for most schools.
What does journal membership involve after selection?+
Cite-checking other authors' articles, editing submissions and writing your own note or comment over the following one to two years, at most schools.
Do all schools admit to journals the same way?+
No. Some weight grades, some use a write-on and some combine both, so ask the school's journal office what it uses.
What to do next
- 1
Practice Bluebook citation and close editing before the write-on window, not just substantive analysis.
- 2
Research your target school's specific write-on format and timeline in advance.
- 3
Consider a subject-specific secondary journal if it matches your intended practice area.
- 4
Budget the ongoing time commitment honestly against your other 2L and 3L obligations.