Career Services › Students › Additional Resources › Pre-Law
From the first day of college, you must start strong and stay strong academically. Remember, you have only SIX semesters to establish your academic credentials before applying to law school in the Fall of your SENIOR year.
Note: For assistance with your personal timeline, schedule an appt. with Pre-Law Advisor
● Focus on your grades so that you'll have a competitive GPA (always do as well as you can, even if you decide to attend a community college for summer courses).
● Get involved in some extracurricular activities. Join a group on campus that interests you, take a part-time job, and/or volunteer. If you become involved in a group as a freshman or sophomore, the chances for you to hold a leadership position as a junior or senior will greatly improve.
● Research the legal field as much as you can. Read books about the law, talk with current law students and lawyers, sit in a law class. Make sure that three years of law school will be worth your time, energy, and money.
● Secure an internship as it is a great a way to expand your resume and learn more about career fields. (NOTE: An internship at a law firm is NOT a requirement.)
● Get to know your professors and employers. Eventually, you will need to ask those that know you well for a letter of recommendation.
● Take an LSAT practice test. Use this as a guide to select courses that will help overcome deficiencies on the “real” LSAT.
● January through May - Prepare for June LSAT
● June -LSAT offered
● June through August - Prepare for September/October LSAT and/or work on applications, contact/meet with letter of recommendation writers, and work on personal statement
● September – Work on applications, contact/meet with letter of recommendation writers, and work on personal statement
● September/October - LSAT offered
● November 1st - Early decision application deadline for law schools and financial aid (scholarships, etc.)
● December - LSAT offered
● End of Fall Semester - Send updated transcript to law schools to which you are applying
● January-April - Responses from law schools arrive
● February - LSAT offered
● February 1st - April 1st - Regular application deadline (Varies by school)
● End of Spring Semester – Send final transcript to law school certifying graduation
Source: Judy McMaster, Pre-Law Services, Southern Methodist University, 2004. Updated: 06/08