Are you overwhelmed by what law school supplies you’ll need for law school? Are you a law student trying to save money because you have a tight budget? Did you slack off your senior year of undergraduate and forget what it was like to be a responsible student? Or maybe, you’ve been out of school for a few years and are leaving the workplace to come back?
Law Students Have Enough To Worry About Without Thinking About School Supplies.
As an incoming law student, there is so much on your mind as you head to your first year. Luckily, this guide will ease some of the worry, at least as it relates to buying school supplies. Use this guide as a reference for what you will need at minimum. Once you get to school, you may remember that you also like colored sticky notes to coordinate your classes or a particular type of legal pads. These are minor additions you can add.
Law School Essentials Money Saving Guide
We have provided both the lowest price option that you can get and our recommended “best bang for your buck” for each item of the necessary supplies in your law school toolbox. This way you can pick and choose how you want to save money.
Sample Law School Supplies Budget
| Supplies | Low Price | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop | $375 | $1169 |
| Textbooks | $0 | $400 |
| Bag | $0 | $31.99 |
| Water Bottle | $0 | $23 |
| Notebook | $0 | $32.98 |
| Writing Utensil | $0 | $7.04 |
| Total | $375 | $1,664 |
As you can see, you can attend school on a wide range of budgets. Your most expensive item of your law school toolbox is almost always going to be your laptop or textbooks. So, if you can save money on those, it will go a long way towards helping your budget.
The above law schools supply costs assume you started with nothing. If you already have an adequate laptop, perhaps from undergraduate, then your first semester supply costs will be extremely low.
And remember, some of the supplies will last you the duration of your legal studies. For example, a new backpack and the pens won’t have to be purchased again. And, as you get the hang of things you’ll become much better at budgeting. You may realize that one professor asks you to buy the book but it’s hardly ever used and you can find the cases for free on Westlaw or LexisNexis.
What Laptop should I buy?
First thing, you need a laptop. This is because many law school classes include online components. More importantly, you’ll score better on exams with a laptop. However, you may want to also consider a 2 in 1 laptop that comes with a stylus so you can switch between laptop mode and tablet mode. Also, be sure you have a flash drive if you intend to print at the library.
Lowest Price Laptop
The Acer Aspire is the most affordable laptop for a brand new device. Approximately $375 is a great price if you are on a budget. You may be able to find a less expensive model if you are willing to go with a refurbished laptop. However, the quantity and quality of those laptops vary so we did not include it as an option even though it may save you even more money.
Best Deal Laptop
The Apple MacBook Air is the best deal because of the durability and storage capacity. A new Apple laptop can easily last you seven to ten years if you take good care of it. Like quality clothing and furniture, the MacBook Air will be worth the price in the long-run.
Where should I buy law school textbooks?
Law school textbooks are the bedrock of your early legal knowledge. They are heavy enough to wear out your arms and expensive enough to cost you a leg. Luckily, there is no need to purchase every single textbook brand new. Read our textbook guide that explains the different options for acquiring textbooks.
| Option | Method | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Low Price | Law School Library | Free |
| Best Deal | Amazon Rentals | $400-$500* |
Lowest Price on Textbooks
The low price is free because most law school libraries are required to carry all the necessary books. As discussed in our textbook guide, this option is difficult because you have to figure out when other students won’t be using the textbooks and time your studying accordingly. We do not recommend the library option for your first year, but if you really need to save money, it can be done.
Best Deal for Textbooks
The best deal for acquiring textbooks is to use Amazon Rentals. Generally, Amazon rentals has the best prices because they are one of the largest book companies in the world and everyone uses them. Amazon textbook rentals makes return shipping simple by letting you know when your textbook is due and sending you the return label. All you have to do is take the textbook and shipping label to a UPS store. The price you pay will depend on your particular textbook list for the semester. But, we estimate that you’ll pay about 1/3 or less of the total cost of buying every law textbook new. This is a major way to save money.
You may read about buying and then reselling textbooks for almost the same amount. We assure you that this will not beat renting long term. Why? You can only resell your law school textbooks for near full price back to Amazon ~IF~ Amazon needs more supply of the textbook. Once Amazon reaches their quota, your textbook value drops significantly (like 70% of the value). So, you think you’ll be smart and try the “buy and resell” method, but as soon as you have your constitutional law exam scheduled as the last exam of the semester, you’ll be stuck holding a $1,400 textbook that you can’t even sell for $400 by the time you want to resell.
Should I get a bag or backpack?
You’ll see many different bag styles in school. Additionally, you’ll notice backpacks and large handbags or tote bags (purses and messenger bags) are common. Occasionally, you’ll see the classmate that only carries a pen and notebook.
The main thing is whatever you’re comfortable with that can haul your notes, laptop or tablet, and a textbook or two will do the trick.
| Option | Product | Photo | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Price | Carrying |  | Free |
| Best Deal | Matein Travel Laptop Backpack |  | $32 |
Lowest Price – No Backpack or Bag
The low price option is again free. You can certainly make it through law school by only carrying things around. If you don’t live close to school, you can get a locker at the school to hold textbooks when you aren’t using them. Carrying only your law school textbook for class, your laptop or tablet, and a notebook is very doable. The only downside will be on rainy days. Also, if you go with this strategy we highly recommend a laptop cover!
Best Deal – Backpack
The best deal on a bag is an inexpensive option that will last you three years and more. The Matein travel laptop backpack includes a sleeve to hold your laptop and tablet so it will be cushioned from your textbooks and other supplies. This backpack can hold 2 legal textbooks and a notepad for each in addition to your laptop. The waterproof feature is nice as well because your supplies will be safe as you run from your car or apartment to class.
Do I need a water bottle?
Yes! Your thirst for knowledge in law school will only be matched by your literal thirst after sitting through an hour and a half lecture on constitutional law without that ability to take a drink of water. That is why you need a water bottle. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. You just need to ensure that you can stay properly hydrated while you’re in class and at the law school library.
| Option | Product | Photo | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Price | Bubbler |  | Free |
| Best Deal | Simple Modern Tumbler |  | $23 |
Low Price – Water Fountain
The low price option is free. But, you’ll have to take a bunch of big gulps before or after class. You can definitely spend nothing on water bottles and still stay hydrated in law school. However, it’s much easier to remember to drink up when you have a container of liquid that comes and goes with you. You may forego the bottle route, but do not forget to stay hydrated. Hydration in law school is important for memory, brain functioning, and overall well being of all law students.
Best Deal – Water Bottle
The Simple Modern Tumbler is the best deal because it is a reasonably priced option that looks cool. We love it because you don’t look like you are setting off for a hike through the Appalachian trail but it still has the insulated stainless steel that keeps cool drinks cool and hot beverages hot. This is perfect for tea, water, coffee, or whatever drink of choice.
Notebooks
We highly recommend notebooks for hand written notes because the act of writing something down will help you remember it better. Additionally, it will force you to synthesize what you are hearing since you can’t possibly write down word for word everything the professor says. However, note-taking is a matter of personal preference and whatever works for you to learn the best will likely be the best option.
| Option | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Low Price | Laptop/Tablet | Free* |
| Best Deal | Top Flight 3 Subject Wide | $33 |
Lowest Cost – Use your laptop
The low price option is to not use a notebook and simply take your law school class notes by typing on your laptop or tablet. Many of your classmates will use this strategy. If you already have a laptop or tablet then it is a great way to avoid spending money on notepads. Be wary of typing everything down word for word though. You will find that is not an efficient use of your class time.
Best Deal – Notebook
For the best deal we love the Top Flight 3 Subject Wide Notebooks. Since they are three subject, that means each notebook has three divided sections. The section include loose leaf paper that can be pulled out. You can keep a separate notebook for separate days of your law school class schedule. For example, your Tuesday/Thursday schedule class schedule may be con law and property and Monday/Wednesday is legal writing, criminal law, and contracts. You can have two separate notebooks for each day that you know will have all your notes for that particular day.
Writing Utensils
You can try to get away without using a writing utensil in law school if you have a tablet and a tablet pen that goes with it. Occasionally, you’ll need to sign things in class like an attendance sheet and you can briefly borrow from a classmate.
However, it is probably best to have some pens for law school in case you need to take hand written notes. Pick something comfortable because you’ll likely use it every day.
| Option | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Low Price | SWAG pens | Free |
| Best Deal | Bic Cristal | $3.52 per pack |
Lowest Cost – Free Pens
The low price option is the S.W.A.G. pens. What is a S.W.A.G. pen, you ask? SWAG stands for (S)tuff (W)e (A)ll (G)et. Law students will be showered with free stuff when they get to law school. All sorts of representatives come speak with your law school class. You’ll receive coffee mugs, thermos, water bottles, pens, erasers, and more from LexisNexis, WestLaw, Bloomberg etc.
Just use these pens you get as your free pens. When you run out, go visit the bar prep table at your law school because they will have free pens to hand out as well. When you get tired of that, head on down to your law school admissions office. We promise they will have some free pens for you.
Best Deal on Pens
The best deal for a pen is the Bic Cristal ball point pen. We recommend you get a set of black and a set of blue at minimum. This way you can color code your at home notes (black) vs. your in class notes (blue). This will make your studying and organization go much smoother because you can visually recognize what came from a lecture vs. reading. One pack of 12 should last you your entire law school career. So, for less than $7, your pens will be covered for all three years.
One final note about writing utensils – we highly recommend you have a highlighter for taking notes as well. However, it has been our experience that if there is one item that you are most gifted in unnecessary amounts, it is the highlighter. So, be sure to hold on to a couple of the dozens of highlighters you receive from representatives during your first semester.
Law School Supplies Budget Bottom Line
The bottom line is that law school supplies can become extremely expensive if you don’t know what is necessary or not. This guide gives you the bare necessities for your law school toolbox. Obviously, there will be other items that personally make your law school experience better – like a coffee thermos. (hint: ask for the more expensive items as gifts) But, for most law schools the supplies above are the foundational items that you’ll want to have secured on day one when you head to your first class.
For a complete breakdown of the criteria the LSS Team uses to rate products in the law school toolbox, check out our ratings guide.