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There is no single course of study
required for admission into law school. Very
often, students intent on a legal career
will major in history, political science,
public policy or economics as
undergraduates. Law schools, however, accept
applications from virtually all majors and
every discipline. Indeed, a broad and varied
undergraduate education is often viewed as
the best pathway to the legal profession.
Many colleges and universities offer pre-law programs
that are designed to maximize exposure to the law. Students
in many of these institutions must closely follow their
school's required pre-law curriculum in selecting classes.
While such a structured course of study has some advantages,
majoring in pre-law or legal studies is not necessary for
admission into law school. In fact, some admissions officers
will tell you that law schools are increasingly looking for
students with broader educational backgrounds. Moreover, law
schools are interested in promoting student diversity. As
such, many institutions actively recruit nontraditional
students and individuals who have applied experience in a
wide variety of fields.
Rather than narrowly focusing on students who have
completed a particular undergraduate degree, law schools
will be interested in any candidate who demonstrates:
-a solid academic record (and a LSAT score)
-professional commitment
-maturity and intellectual ability
-experience and purpose
-strong skills in analyzing, advocating, counseling,
writing, speaking and negotiation.
For these reasons, law school does not have a required
pre-law curriculum. Instead, law school offers an
individualized course of study that emphasizes competencies
and skills. At law school, you may major/minor in any
subject you wish and should choose your degree based on your
own particular abilities and interests. Rather than forcing
you to take a specific sequences of courses, our pre-law
program includes classes that are recommended for fostering
the necessary abilities you will need in law school. For
students who desire knowledge-based preparation, the College
offers a variety of classes dedicated to legal topics, such
as Constitutional Law, Criminal Justice and Business Law. In
addition, law school has advising and support for those who
are interested in a legal career. Pre-law Advising is housed
in the Department of History & Government and prospective
law students, regardless of major and year, are encouraged
to contact the Pre-Law Advisor for information and
assistance. Whether you are a freshmen or a senior, once you
have made the decision to pursue law degree, we recommend
that you consult the College's pre-law literature for
suggested classes and competencies. The best background
preparation for law school is to develop the skills that you
will need to succeed both in law school and as a practicing
attorney. Your ultimate goal as an undergraduate is to build
a solid educational foundation, building and engaging
critical thinking skills as you complete your chosen degree.
Once you reach the stage of submitting your applications,
the best preparation will have been to cultivate a general
understanding of the process and an appreciation of the
level of research and commitment that are necessary to the
task. As with all important decision in life, you should
consult a variety of sources and give careful consideration
before adopting any specific advice.
Law School
Admission Test (LSAT)
Recommendation Letters
Personal Statement/Essay
More on law school admissions:
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