Pre-Law Advising

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 the ABA for more info):
  • Analytic / Problem-Solving Skills
  • Critical Reading
  • Writing Skills
  • Oral Communication / Listening Abilities               
  • General Research Skills
  • 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, including the College of the Liberal Arts' Alumni Mentor 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 promotion of justice. 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.

Junior 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 timed practice LSAT exam.  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. Try to take it just once since all scores are reported to law schools.
• Begin researching law schools. Develop a tentative list.

Summer

• Take the LSAT in June or July*. Only take it if you are prepared and satisfied with practice exam scores.
• Continue researching law schools and narrow your list.
• Begin to draft your personal statement.

Senior Year

Fall Semester

• Register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) at lsac.org
• Take the LSAT in the fall (dates vary but often September, October, or November)*, if necessary.
• Attend Graduate and Professional School Week (law school fair). Make a good impression!
• 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.
• Finalize your personal statement. 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.
• Apply to law schools. Many schools have rolling admission, so plan to apply by Thanksgiving but no later than January 1.

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 can require a deposit, except for early decision.

*LSAT dates are changing in 2018-2019. In addition, a limited number of schools now accept the GRE .