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Considering Pre-Law

Pre-law advising

Pre-law advising at UVM is provided by the pre-law advisor at Career Services and several faculty members within the College of Arts & Sciences. Earning a law degree requires a significant investment in time, energy & money. This commitment is best met if you spend some time learning about yourself, the law school experience and the practice of law. We encourage you to meet with one of the pre-law advisors listed in the right column.

Choice of major

Does UVM have a pre-law major? The University of Vermont, along with most colleges and universities in the United States, does not have a pre-law major. A "major" is a concentration of a number of courses in a particular field, such as biology, English or political science. It is the depth component of the undergraduate curriculum and is intended to provide students with a body of knowledge and method of study appropriate to a specific subject area.

What is the best way to prepare for law school? The best preparation for law school is a challenging undergraduate program. A well-rounded undergraduate curriculum is the recommended background for law school. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) expects a student's "college education should stand on its own merits as preparation for a lifetime of active involvement in a diverse and changing society." So follow your true interests and get excellent grades.

Exploration of the law field

In approaching your decision-making process regarding law school, you'll want to thoughtfully evaluate your reasons for pursuing a law degree, discover what law is all about, assess whether you would like practicing law, develop a realistic picture of what attorneys do, and obtain real-world experience in legal settings.

The following links will provide you with some information and exposure on these important topics:

• Books at Career Services
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• The National Association for Public Interest Law
• ABA Career Counsel
• UVM Career Connection
• LSAC

Suggested timetable for undergraduate students

Year 1

• Learn about campus resources and extracurricular activities you may want to pursue
• Take courses and pursue activities that will enhance your writing, reading comprehension, and analytical skills, as well as your knowledge of political and social institutions
• Schedule an appointment with Career Services' pre-law advisor by calling 656-3450 (or meet with a faculty pre-law advisor)
• Assess your motivation for a career in law

Year 2

• Get to know pre-law related faculty (think: references!)
• Consider gaining pre-law experience from:
  • Internship position
  • Federal work-study position
  • UVM Student Legal Services
  • Debate Union
  • A part-time job
  • Mock Trial
  • Volunteer experience
• Choose your major
• Meet with the Career Service pre-law advisor
• Assess your motivation for a career in law

Year 2 summer

• Continue to gain valuable pre-law experience through a summer job, internship or volunteer experience
• Talk with current professionals and students of law
• Begin to formulate a list of professors or decide which professors will write letters of recommendation for you

Year 3

• Investigate law school information and begin a list of potential schools, using the Career Services pre-law advisor and the LSAC website
• Register with LSAC for the LSAT and LSDAS for the credential file service
• If you are not planning on going into law school immediately after college, open a credential file for your letters of recommendation and other important documents with interfolio.
• Continue to get experience through part time jobs or internships
• Continue your on-campus activities
• Prepare to take the June LSAT

Year 3 summer

• Contact law schools for catalogues, applications, financial aid information, etc.
• Work on essays/personal statements for applications
• Visit law schools that interest you
• Attend a Law School Recruitment Forum

Year 4 (fall semester)

• Ask chosen professors and/or supervisors to write letters of recommendation
• Attend meetings of law school representatives and/or CS events on campus
• Attend a Law School Recruitment Forum if you haven't done so already
• Make final selections of schools
• Complete applications and send them in as early as possible, preferably by the end of October
• Submit financial aid applications as early as possible
• Notify Career Services of your acceptances and final decision

Note: Law schools are interested in students who take some time off after college to gain some law related experience as well as those students who choose to continue immediately into law school after their undergraduate work. Taking time off to gain relevant experience may enhance your application and make you more marketable to law schools.

Pre-law required courses

The minimum requirements for admission to law schools are listed (along with other application information) in the Apply to Law School section of this website.

Last modified September 02 2009 09:24 AM