Welcome! The Pre-Law Program at Seattle University seeks to help current SU students and alumni prepare for law school and legal careers through academic advising and programming.
Dr. Kate Elias
Casey 110
206-296-2840
eliask@seattleu.edu
Dr. Elias can help you:
The materials contained on this website are designed to supplement individual advising. Students and alumni are encouraged to use this website as a place to do research and consult with Dr. Elias in order to develop a successful strategy for gaining admission into law school.
Dr. Elias shares relevant information about the law school application process, the LSAT, exam prep, law school visits, and more through the Pre-Law Advising list serv. If you are interested in being added to the email list, click here.
LSAT exams remain remote and live proctored through July 2022. You can learn more about the LSAT online.
Will law schools take into account how the pandemic has impacted test prep and might impact test experiences going forward?
I am certain they will. Remember that the admissions process is never just a numbers game, even as the LSAT and GPA weigh heavily in decision-making. Admissions committees really do engage in holistic reviews of applications, taking into account all the many factors that have gone into shaping applicants and their experiences, perspectives, and so on. Without question, the pandemic and the challenges it is presenting to all of us will play a role in the admissions process from here on out..
The internships I had planned over the past year were cancelled—how will this affect my application?
First, remember that law-related internships are not the make or break of a law school application. In fact, admissions committees are not generally too concerned with whether you’ve completed such an internship or job—rather, they’re interested in learning more about whatever you’ve done, and what you’ve gotten out of it. So if the internships you had planned over the past year have been cancelled, don’t worry about it having an impact on your application. Instead, pursue whatever opportunities are still available to you and are meaningful to you. That might mean finding an ad hoc job to replace some of your lost income, or volunteering to help folks more seriously impacted by the epidemic, or caring for family members. Whatever it is, it will add to the overall portrait you’ll be able to present to the admissions committees.
But law-related internship or job opportunities are important for helping you decide whether a legal career is right for you. If an internship was going to be the thing that helped you decide whether to apply, you might want to consider pushing back your application. There are no downsides whatsoever to working for some period of time between college and law school, and for those of you who really aren’t sure yet whether this is the right path, a post-grad law-related job could help you decide. You could also pursue an academic year internship in a local law office or legal organization.
