Get to know the pre-law advisor, Dr. Karen Swenson (2321 Coleman Hall).
Begin the process of selecting a major.
Inquire about Moot Court, the Pre-Law Society, and legal internships.
Your GPA is cumulative - do your best from the beginning of your freshman year.
Sophomore Year
Choose courses that offer skills in critical reading, analytical and logical reasoning, and technical writing. Take at least one public law class.
Begin to establish a relationship with professors who will write your letters of recommendation.
Junior Year
Study for the LSAT, and take sample tests.
Think about taking an LSAT prep course, especially if you are not a self-motivated studier or your scores on sample tests are not good.
Register for the LSAT and plan on taking the LSAT in June of your junior year or September/October of your senior year.
Senior Year
Consider if law school is really best for you: discuss your career options with the pre-law advisor and your major advisor; take a pre-law internship to have contact with lawyers and legal work; read books about law school and the legal profession.
Begin choosing law schools to which you may apply (use the ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools).
Visit law schools that interest you.
Take LSAT by September/October, no later than December.
Register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) at least 6 weeks prior to sending your applications off to law schools.
Narrow down which law schools to apply to (students typically apply to 5 or 6, but the more you apply to, the greater your options will be).
Obtain applications from prospective law schools.
Write your personal statements and obtain letters of recommendation.
Apply to law school (the earlier the better - November is the beginning of many law schools' early review processes).
Check out financial aid opportunities.
Wait for acceptance letters.
If you did not visit before applying, visit now to assist in making the final selection.
For More Information
Obtain a copy of LSAT & LSDAS Registration and Information Book.
