Pre-Law Advising

Law School Preparation and Application Timeline

PREPARE FOR LAW SCHOOL

£   Select a major that interests you. Law schools do not require or prefer a particular major.

£   Focus on academics. Your GPA is one of the most important factors for admission to law school.

£   Select a challenging course load with a focus on the following skills recommended by the American Bar Association (Go to americanbar.org for more info)

• Analytic/Problem-Solving

  • Critical Reading

  • Writing and Editing

  • Oral Communication/Listening Abilities                                  

  • General Research 

  • Task Organization/Management Skills

  • Public Service and Promotion of Justice

  Meet with your academic adviser within your major for help with course selection.

£  Learn about law school 

• Review the Law School Admission Council’s website at www.lsac.org

  • Schedule a classroom visit at a law school

  • Subscribe to the Pre-Law Advising listserv 

  • Attend Pre-Law Advising events and panel discussions regarding law school

  • Talk with current law students

  • Consider a summer exploratory program hosted by a law school

  • Select a law-related course  

  • Educate yourself regarding the cost of law school and sources of financial aid

£  Explore the practice of law

• Conduct informational interviews with practicing attorneys

  • Shadow an attorney for a day

  • Consider a mentorship program

  • Secure a legal internship

  • Observe a court session

  • Attend Pre-Law Advising panels focused on legal practice issues

£  Select co-curricular activities that focus on public service and seek leadership positions. Ensure that your grades are not negatively impacted by over-involvement in co-curricular activities.

£  Attend a Pre-Law Orientation Session during your first or second year.
 

THIRD YEAR   (If you plan to attend law school immediately following graduation from Penn State.)

Fall Semester

£  Continue to focus on academics. 

£  Attend Graduate and Professional School Week (law school fair). Gather information from schools.

£  Develop strong relationships with your professors to support future letters of recommendation.

£  Meet with your pre-law adviser.

£  Take a free, timed practice LSAT within LawHub.* This will determine your baseline score.

£  Register for an online account at lsac.org.

Spring Semester

£  Decide when you will sit for the LSAT and register via LSAC.* 

£  Attend a personal statement workshop.  This will prepare you to start drafting in summer.

£  Adequately prepare for the LSAT.  All scores are reported to law schools.

£  Contact professors for letters of recommendation. Obtain a minimum of two letters of recommendation from professors. You can ask an employer or internship supervisor for an additional letter as well.

Summer

£  Take the LSAT in June.* Only take it if you are prepared and satisfied with practice exam scores.

£  Research law schools. Develop a tentative list. Use Law School Transparency within LawHUB in LSAC.

£  Brainstorm ideas for your personal statement. Law schools want to know more about who you are.

FOURTH YEAR

Fall Semester

£  Register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) at lsac.org.

£  Take the LSAT in early fall*, if necessary.

£  Attend Graduate and Professional School Week (law school fair). Make a good impression!

£  Finalize your written statements. Consider attending a personal statement workshop.

£  Complete your list of schools.  Review their applications in LSAC.  Most applications open Sept. 1^st.

£  Request copies of your transcripts and ask that your schools send them directly to LSAC. Use LionPATH to request your Penn State transcripts and have them sent to LSAC via Parchment.

£  Apply to law schools by the end of October.  Most schools make decisions on a rolling basis so the earlier you apply with the strongest application possible, the better your chance of admission and scholarships.

Spring Semester

£  Send updated transcripts with fall grades to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS).

£  Fill out FAFSA by the end of February at fafsa.ed.gov.

£  Pay seat deposit. April 1^st is the earliest that a school usually requires a deposit, except for early decision.
*Many schools accept the GRE but the LSAT is still the recommended test for most students.