Pre Law Info for Juniors and Seniors
Junior Year
- This is an important year for anyone planning on attending law school. Since most students send their law school applications off in the fall of their senior year, your junior year grades will be the last ones recorded on your transcript.
- You will need letters of recommendation for your law school applications— it is imperative that at least one of these letters come from a faculty member (not a TA, not a PhD student). If no one comes to mind, start talking to your professors today! Send emails, visit office hours— develop a relationship that will allow them to write a thoughtful letter that clearly indicates how well they know you.
- LSAT time!! The LSAT is offered in February, June, October and December. If you are planning on starting law school in the fall, the best times to take the LSAT are June and October in the year previous. Be sure that whenever you decide to take the test, you are able to prepare adequately. If you retake the LSAT, schools will average your scores—so make every effort to do well the first time around! You can find more information on the LSAT here.
Senior Year— Time to Apply!
If possible, it is best to apply to 6 to 8 different law schools, fairly evenly spread through three categories:
- Sure thing (average LSAT is 2-3 points below your score, and average GPA is 0.2 below your GPA)
- Very Likely (average LSAT is your score, and average GPA is your GPA)
- Long Shot (average LSAT is 2-3 points above your score, and average GPA is 0.2 above your GPA)
Applications
Personal Statements
The personal statement is often the most dreaded part of the application process. What am I supposed to write about myself for that long? Some basic tips and guidelines can help you write a personal statement that is memorable, creative, and most importantly, reflective of who you are.
- The purpose of a personal statement is to introduce yourself, explain why you want to go to graduate school, and why you feel this is the right school for you.
- Tell the admissions committee who you are as if you were speaking
- Select a theme or central idea, and STICK TO IT!
- Use specific examples to back up your statements. For example, saying, “I am a team player” will not be worth much if you do not give an example of a time when you were a team player.
- Pay attention to what the school has asked you to cover in your statement – writing one blanket statement and sending it to every school won’t work! Make it obvious to the school that you take this process seriously.
- Be yourself, and be honest!
- Include a résumé, so that your statement can be left to show communication skills and creativity – give information about you that is not included in any other part of the application.
- Give your statement to others to proofread.
- Don’t wait until the last minute!
Letters of Recommendation
- At least one letter should come from someone able to assess your academic performance, e.g. your professors! This means that you need to cultivate relationships with faculty, attend office hours even if you don’t have questions, and get involved outside the classroom.
- A good letter will cover your writing abilities, analytical skills, and intellectual development, both individually and in comparison to your peers.
- It may be helpful for you to provide a résumé, personal statement and even a transcript to the person writing a letter for you. This ensures that they have the information necessary to put together a thoughtful and informative letter.
- Be sure to have faculty and professionals who know you well write these letters for you – generic statements are fairly obvious to admissions committees.
Take time when putting together your application materials. Personal statements, résumés, and letters of recommendation can be the deciding factors in your admission to a program!
Transcripts
Official transcripts must be ordered through the Registrar’s Office—you can do this in person at 150 Administration Building, or online.
Best of Luck!!
