91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳

Pre-Law Guide

Although there is no specific major needed, many students who are interested in going to law school after college decide to major or minor in political science or international relations. These majors can help you:

• Develop your analytical and writing skills
• Provide substantive exposure to constitutional law or specialized areas of law, like environmental or health care law
• Help you develop a broader, foundational understanding of the role of law and government in society
• Provide exciting opportunities for experiential learning, from the public defender’s office or district attorney’s office to experience abroad or in Washington, D.C.

The number of students applying to law school has increased in recent years, making it even more important than ever to understand some of the key factors in law school admissions:

• Grades
• LSAT score
• Recommendations
• Application essay(s)

A good strategy to help strengthen your law school applications and to help prepare you for the rigors of law school is to follow these logical steps through college:

• Hone your writing, analytical and argumentation skills by taking classes that strengthen these skills, such as seminars and other classes in political science which require analysis of complex readings, intensive discussion of texts in class discussion, and in-depth written analysis.
• Gain valuable exposure to the practice of law through experiential learning in internships, summer jobs, community-engaged learning courses, independent study, and study abroad, such as:
  • Washington Semester Program
  • European Political Internships
  • Public Defender and District Attorney Internships
  •  
• Get to know your professors. Going to office hours, participating in class discussion, and working as a teaching assistant or research assistant can be excellent ways to get to know your professors and to help them get to know you better.
• Explore the 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳’s resources and guide for students interested in applying to law school:
• Get involved in extracurricular activities that help you gain valuable experience and build a network of students who share your interest in law, such as:

Interested in learning more? Contact the .