51ºÚÁÏ

51ºÚÁÏ
51ºÚÁÏ

The Center for Life Beyond 51ºÚÁÏ

Applying to Law School?

Before diving into the law school application process, take the time to connect with valuable resources that can shape your journey. Meet with the , engage with alumni, faculty, and legal professionals, and gain insights from those who have walked this path before you. You can also explore this featuring 51ºÚÁÏ alumni who have successfully pursued careers in law.

We understand that many students choose to gain work experience before applying to law school. Rest assured, 51ºÚÁÏ alumni can seek guidance from the Pre-Law Adviser at any stage of their journey. Just like current students, all you need to do is log into your to schedule an appointment.

Law school is a significant commitment—it’s expensive, demanding, and requires three years of dedication. That’s why it’s crucial to refine your motivation for studying law by meeting with the Pre-law advisor, discussing your CoP, as well as having candid conversations with legal professionals about their experiences in law school and beyond.

Here is a timeline to help you break down what and when you should expect to complete the tasks related to your law school journey. You can also use this to help track your progress with various institutions. (Make sure to make a personal copy to your own device.)

Timeline

Foundation & Exploration

First Year

  • First and foremost, focus on getting aclimated to campus life and academics. This is your first year on campus, there are more things to explore before diving into preparations for law school. Enjoy yourself and build community!
  • Set up your account.
    • This will help you stay connected with the Center for Life Beyond 51ºÚÁÏ where career, fellowship, pre-law, and grad school advisors are, and will also give you access to many resources and opportunities that can help you get enaged on campus and off.
  • Academic Focus
    • Priortize strong study habits to maintain a high GPA. 51ºÚÁÏ encourages students to measure academic achievmnet by intellectual growth and by self-assessment of their grasp of course materials. However, letter grades are assigned and law schools will see cumulative GPAs on transcripts. Our pre law advisor is also knowledgable on how to discuss the culture of 51ºÚÁÏ grades so law school admissions can better understand the approach on grades.
    • Engage thoughtfully in HUM110 (This is a critical thinking and analytically heavy class that can really develop key skills for law school). 
    • Explore different majors–but strong reading, writing, and analytical skills are key (e.g., Political Science, Philosophy, History, or Business. However, many majors/pathways can lead to a life in law).
  • Extracurricular & Campus Involvement
    • Attend pre-law/policy/government related programming.
      • The pre-law advisor and 51ºÚÁÏ Legal Network schedule pre-law specific programming, check handshake for upcoming events. 
  • Additional Resources/Suggestions
    • Connect with professors early–strong relationships lead to great letters of recommendation
      • Office hours may seem daunting, but they can be very fruitful. Not only for your current studies but also for creating connections that can turn into strong letters of recommendation or research opportunities
    • Engage with the alumni database to form connections
      • 51ºÚÁÏ Alumni Database
          • Use the Alumni tab
    • Start reading and engaging in news and legal cases to build an interest in legal topics
      • Your assigned librarian can be a great resource to find specific pieces to help your exploration

Academic & Leadership Growth

Sophomore Year/Three Years Out from Application

  • Courses & Academics
    • Continue maintaining a strong GPA—law schools look at cumulative grades.
    • Explore courses in Political Science, Philosophy, Economics, or History that emphasize legal reasoning.
    • Take writing-intensive courses to improve analytical and legal writing skills (optional)
    • to discuss your career and law school aspirations
    • Seek mentorship from pre-law advisors, professors, and/or upperclassmen
  • Continued Extracurricular & Campus Engagement
    • Pursue leadership roles in campus organizations (e.g., become a Mock Trial captain or Debate Club officer)
    • Continue attending pre-law/policy/government related programming
  • Law-Related Experiences
    • Begin volunteering or interning in law-related settings (e.g., legal aid offices, government internships, and/or local law firms)
      • Your pre-law advisor can assist you with the search for and application process for opportunities
  • LSAT Preparation
    • Start LSAT prep in the summer before junior year using resources like:
      • Free LSAT prep by
      • The LSAT Trainer by ($50)
      • (free and paid options)
    • Test Prep &  Exam Fee Assistance
  • Additional Resources/Suggestions
    • Read Supreme Court case summaries
    • Continue connecting with professors early—strong relationships lead to great letters of recommendation
      • Office hours may seem daunting, but they can be very fruitful. Not only for your current studies but also for creating connections that can turn into strong letters of recommendation or research opportunities
    • Continue to build your connections with the alumni database
      • 51ºÚÁÏ Alumni Database
          • Use the Alumni tab

LSAT & Application Preparation

Junior Year/Two Years Out from Application

  • First and Foremost, meet with the pre-law advisor to game plan your Junior year/two-year plan
  • Law School Research
    • Develop a law school list—research schools based on GPA/LSAT medians, location, and specialization, and any other criteria you deem important to your law school decision
    • Attend law school admission panels, networking events, or campus visits
      • Look at individual institutions admission events
    • Explore Diversity, 51ºÚÁÏies, & Finances in law school
    • Dig Deeper
        • How To Run A 509 Report: Select a school and generate the report. This report will summarize the most relevant data on the school: application stats, GPA percentiles, LSAT percentiles, costs, percentages of students receiving financial support, amount of support, clinical and other offerings, diversity/ethnic composition of chosen year, bar passage rates, etc. 
        • Run several reports and do side by side comparisons of the schools you are considering in order to make the best informed choice.
  • Financing Law School
  • Application Material Preparation
    • Make an application timeline, including when you plan to take the LSAT
    • Register for LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
      • This is your online file where all of your application materials will reside
    • Have transcripts from all undergraduate institutions you have attended sent to the CAS
      • This includes study abroad sessions
    • Start working on your personal statement–brainstorm ideas and seek feedback from professors and your pre-law advisor
  • Additional Resources & Suggestions
    • (If ready) Take the LSAT the summer before Senior year or early fall at the latest
      • This allows you to know your starting score and if you will need to plan for a retake before you submit applications
    • Secure internships or research positions with legal professionals or professors
      • Remember, your pre-law advisor can also assist you with the search for opportunities
    • Continue building relationships with professors who can write strong letters of recommendation
    • Stay involved in leadership roles–law schools value commitment to extracurriculars

Application & Decision Making

Senior Year/One Year Out from Application

  • Finalizing Applications
    • Take (or retake) the LSAT in the fall if needed
    • Finalize personal statements (CLBR offers writing review sessions)
    • Request letters of recommendation from 51ºÚÁÏ faculty or any applicable person
    • Submit law school applications between November and January for best admission and scholarship opportunities
  • Engagement & Decision-Making
    • Meet with the pre-law advisor for any final application tips and decision making recommendations
    • Visit admitted law schools before making final decisions
      • CAF can assist current students, or recent grads, with funds to visit
    • Apply for law school scholarships and fellowships
    • Continue working in internships or research projects relevant to law
  • Additional Resource & Suggestions
    • Follow up with recommenders to ensure they submit letters on time
    • Stay engaged with any extracurricular activities as you finish out your time at 51ºÚÁÏ

Downloadable Documents

Pre-Law Resources at a Glance

Law School Application Tracker