Considering Pre-Law

• Pre-Law Advising
• Exploration of the Law Field
• When is the Right Time to go to Law School?
• Preparing for Law School/ Major Choice
• Timeline for Pre-Law Students

Pre-Law Advising

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.  To help you with this process, 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.

Exploration of the law field

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. Informational interviewing, job shadowing, interning and engaging in on-campus activities are all great ways to explore legal careers and gain relevant skills.

Explore these links to learn more:

• Books at Career Services
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• The National Association for Legal Career Professionals
• ABA Career Counsel
• Informational Interviews with Alumni in the Legal Field
• LSAC

Opportunities to explore at UVM:

• Mock Trial Team
• Peer Judicial Board
• Student Conduct Associate/ Academic Integrity Council
• Student Legal Services
• Lawrence Debate Union

When is the right time to go to law school?

The “right time” will vary from person to person. Law schools are interested in people who take time off to gain related experience as well as students who choose to continue immediately after their undergraduate work. Taking time to gain relevant experience may enhance your application and make you more marketable to law schools and to employers after law school. Lawyers with specialized skills and expertise are competitive candidates for positions in both the public and private sectors.

Preparing for law school/major choice

What is the best way to prepare for law school?
The best preparation for law school is a challenging undergraduate program. 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." Follow your true interests and get excellent grades. Remember to get to know your professors so that they can provide you with strong letters of reference later.

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. However, there are recommended skills and knowledge areas that you should strive to acquire before attending law school. See the Apply to Law School section for more information.

Timeline for Pre-Law Students

Step One

• Start learning about legal careers
• Begin to identify your possible choice of major
• Study hard and get excellent grades!
• Sign-up for the Pre-Law listserv
• Be a responsible and respectful member of the community. You will be asked to disclose any disciplinary or legal actions in your application

Step Two

• Understand the core skills and abilities that law schools are seeking
• Pursue classes & experiences that build the above qualities
• Start developing positive relationships with professors (References!)
• Attend pre-law related events
• Explore the field of law through informational interviews or internships

Step Three

• Continue the above
• Learn about the current legal job market & identify areas of interest.
• Planning on attending law school immediately after UVM? Begin planning your application timeline.
• Planning on taking time before law school? Consider how you will gain experience and skills to enhance your law school application and make you a stronger candidate for jobs following law school.

Last modified February 13 2013 10:23 AM