Law School Preparation

Choosing an Academic Major

You should major in anything that you find interesting and are passionate about. Don't choose a major based on what you think law schools may or may not be looking for. There is no particular major that has proven to be the best for preparing students for law school. You will likely get your best grades and excel in subject matter that you find enjoyable.

Planning your Undergraduate Coursework

There are no required classes to get into law school, but you should try to take a variety of challenging classes. While maintaining a competitive GPA is important, a rigorous course load is important too. You should also take classes that will help hone and develop the necessary skills to thrive in law school. These skills include:

Critical analysis
Writing and reading skills
Presentation skills
Logical reasoning

The one course that is recommended for students who are planning to take the LSAT is PHIL 2600 - Introduction to Logic. Taking this course prior to taking the LSAT can be helpful in developing the right mindset for taking the test.

What should I do to prepare during my Freshman and Sophomore years?

Gather information.
Meet with your academic advisor.
Plan your classes.
Attend a pre-law information session.
Build your skill set.
Get involved in extracurricular activities.
Meet with Career Engagement to create and develop your resume.
Achieve high grades.

What should I do to prepare during my Junior and Senior years?

Research law schools
Study and take the LSAT (June/October)
Attend pre-law events
Gather application materials over the summer before senior year
Contact individuals for letters of recommendation
Craft and edit personal statement
Apply to law schools in late fall/early winter of senior year
Achieve high grades

Many students choose to take a gap year(s) between their undergraduate studies and law school. The decision of whether or not to take a gap year is unique to you. There are several reasons why you might choose to take this time away:

Ensure that the legal field is right for you
Time to enhance your resume (i.e.-volunteer opportunities, internships, employment)
More time to study for the LSAT
Save up money for law school

If you are planning on taking a gap year(s) after your undergraduate studies, plan to do the following:

Maintain contact with your professors if you are planning to ask them for a letter of recommendation.
Maintain an updated resume, including what you are doing during your time away from school.
Continue to reflect on why you want to go to law school. This will make your application stronger when you go to apply.
Consider how you might incorporate the experiences that you are having into your personal statement. After taking some time off, you may have something more significant to speak to.