Applying to Law School
There are several paths you can take to pursue a law degree. Through working with students interested in law, our Pre-Law Advising Committee has developed a recommended set of courses and a timeline for students to better organize the application process. Here are the steps you should follow to ensure you meet application deadlines and requirements:
1. Take Suggested Pre-Law Courses
There are a number of courses offered at 十分六合彩 that can be helpful for law school preparation. These classes can help you develop and hone the skills necessary for law school.
Suggested Courses:
Class | Department & Course Number |
---|---|
听American National Government | 听Political Science 111 |
听Mock Trial I and II | 听Political Science 301 & 302 |
听Constitutional Law I and II | 听Political Science听 303 & 304 |
听Legal Environment of Business | 听Business Admin. 330 |
听International Legal and Ethical Environment of Business | 听Business Admin. 337 |
听Communications Law and Ethics | 听Communications 248 |
听Logic and Critical Thinking | 听Philosophy 110 |
听Advanced Ethics: Legal | 听Philosophy 255C |
听Philosophy of Law | 听Philosophy 305 (PS 305) |
听U.S. Criminal Justice System | 听Sociology 217 |
听Juvenile Law and Justice | 听Sociology 352 |
If you鈥檙e interested in a particular area of law, your advisor can help you choose additional courses that best prepare you for your future career.
2. Focus on the LSAT
LSAT stands for Law School Admissions Test. Think of it as the SAT for getting into law school. To do well on the LSAT, you need to prepare for several months in advance and practice on a regular basis. Some students start to study a year or more in advance.
Preparing for the LSAT
There are many different strategies, but most people recommend at least 4 months of preparation time (several hours per day during that time). You can prepare on your own using self-study guides (cost ~ $50) or enroll in prep courses (cost ~ $1500).
Because 十分六合彩 is a member of the American Mock Trial Association, Kaplan (an LSAT preparation organization) offers our students a 10% discount on classroom prep courses when you register online and use the promotion code 鈥淎MTA10鈥.
Additionally, the Pre-Law Director maintains a small LSAT prep library in his office. Pre-Law students are welcome to borrow these materials for a short period of time. The Pre-Law Director also holds practice LSAT exams for Pre-Law students several times a semester free of charge.
Retaking the LSAT
Most students who retake the LSAT, on average, improve their score by about two or three points. However, many students score the same or worse on a second test. Some law schools (but not all) take the average of your LSAT scores if you take more than one test. So, if you score a 150 on your first test, a 152 on your second test, your application may be evaluated as if you received a score of 151. In recent years, more schools are beginning to only consider the highest LSAT score earned. You should carefully research the admission practices for your prospective law schools and consult with the Pre-Law Director before deciding to schedule another LSAT exam.
3. Stay Organized & Find the Right Fit
To stay on track, we鈥檝e developed a timeline to help you research law schools and navigate the application process throughout your time at 十分六合彩.
Suggested Application Timeline
Class Year | Semester | Classes/Activities |
---|---|---|
First-year |
Fall |
Focus on doing well in classes and developing skills necessary for success in law school. Attend Pre-Law sponsored events to learn about law school admissions, financing law school, and law and law-related careers. |
Sophomore |
听 听 |
Focus on doing well in classes and developing skills necessary for success in law school. Attend Pre-Law sponsored events to learn about law school admissions, financing law school, and law and law-related careers. Consider taking practice LSAT (free) |
Junior |
Fall |
Off-campus experience (if taking June LSAT) Take practice LSAT (free) Attend Philadelphia Law School Fair to begin getting information about specific law schools Order information from law schools/view websites |
听 |
Spring |
Off-campus experience (if taking Fall LSAT) (if taking a summer test)($$)
LSAT Prep (if taking a summer test) Order information from law schools/view websites |
听 |
Start of Summer |
LSAT prep (if taking the LSAT in the fall) ($$) Think of personal statement topics and potential letter of recommendation writers |
听 |
Late Summer |
Begin research on possible law schools
Register for the 听($$) Send undergraduate transcripts to LSAC/LSDAS Contact potential letter of recommendation writers
听 Visit prospective law schools |
Senior |
听Fall |
Take practice LSAT (free) Take LSAT Complete research on possible schools to attend Attend Philadelphia Law School Fair to get information on specific law schools Visit prospective law schools Update resume for law school applications Begin writing a personal statement Complete/submit law school applications (mid-November, possibly sooner) |
听 |
Spring |
Attend Pre-Law events Some law schools may require in-person interviews Law school acceptances arrive Visit schools to which you are accepted Complete financial aid forms Decide which law school to attend Graduate! |