Law School FAQ
If I’m considering law school, should I change my major?
The American Bar Association (ABA) states, “students who are successful in law school, and who become accomplished lawyers or use their legal education successfully in other areas of professional life, come to their legal education from widely differing educational and experiential backgrounds … Thus, the ABA does not recommend any particular group of undergraduate majors, or courses, that should be taken by those wishing to prepare for legal education; developing such a list is neither possible nor desirable.”
No specific undergraduate major is recommended, so choose a major that interests you. Why? A very important criterion for admission to law school is your GPA. If you select a major in an area of low interest, there is a high likelihood that you will be unhappy, and your grades will reflect that dissatisfaction.
What courses should I take?
Don’t concern yourself with taking “pre-law” courses. Law schools prefer to teach you law when you get to their school. There are, however, subject areas that are recommended by law schools from which students should consider taking at least one course sometime during their undergraduate education.
Taking writing- and research-intensive courses will be extremely beneficial. Courses that develop or stimulate analytical thinking (accounting, economics, math, or engineering courses) should also be considered. Think about taking courses that focus on communication skills, such as speech or foreign language classes. Courses in introductory logic or arguments (offered in philosophy, i.e. Introduction to Logic) are also useful, as are many sociology and psychology classes.
Is it possible to get into law school with a low GPA?
Anything is possible, but applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may find it very difficult, especially if their LSAT score is average.
When should I take the LSAT?
During each application cycle for law school there are four LSAT test dates. Following are your options:
June: Optimum test date for submitting applications in early November.
October: Alternate test date, but tight time frame for submitting applications in early November.
December: Third test date within application cycle; more competitive review category as law schools stake about half of the incoming class from early applicants.
February: Final test date within application cycle; can still apply for following Fall entry, but very competitive review category as applicants are competing for the few remaining spaces in the entering class.
Where can I go to find more information about specific schools?
One of the most helpful resources is the ABA/LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools, which is published annually by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and the American Bar Association (ABA). A copy of this book is available in CCS and can be found on the LSAC Web site (http://www.lsac.org.
Are there strategies I can employ when applying to law school?
Strategy #1: Apply to law schools where you eventually would like to practice; it makes for a much easier job search.
Strategy #2: Apply early; have everything in the mail by
November 1.
Strategy #3: Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. Typos on applications are deadly.
Strategy #4: Visit your top schools and meet with admissions staff; reference the visit in your application.
Strategy #5: Attend law school fairs and information sessions; introduce yourself to school representatives to which you are applying.
Where can I get help with my personal statement?
Communication Career Services has books available to help students with personal statements. In addition, you should consider having your personal statement reviewed by the Undergraduate Writing Center located in the Undergraduate Library (UGL), a professor, or by the pre-law advisor in CCS.
Are there summer pre-law programs for undergraduates?
There are eight law schools in the U.S. that offer summer programs and one-day seminars for undergraduates interested in the law. The schools listed below offer Prelaw Undergraduate Summer Program (PLUS) programs; contact each school for details on how their program operates, who is eligible to participate, and the content covered in their program.
UC Davis-KHOP Program
Florida State University College of Law - Summer for Undergraduates Program
Chicago-Kent College of Law - PLUS Program
University of Iowa College of Law -Hubbard Law Program
University of Nebraska College of Law - Prelaw Summer Institute
University of Arkansas Little Rock, William Bowen School of Law
Villanova University School of Law
Santa Clara University School of Law -PLUS Program
