Pre-Law Information For Freshmen & Sophomores

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Information For Freshmen & Sophomores

1. What are the requirements for admission to law school?

2. What do law schools ask of an applicant beyond the fact that he/she has a degree?

3. Which courses should I take to develop these basic skills?

4. As a Pre-Law student, what criteria should I use in selecting a major?

5. How important are extracurricular activities?

6. Where can I get more information and advice about prelaw studies and law schools?

We use the expression "pre-law" as a convenient way to describe all training, studies, and experience which precede formal law study. It should not be understood as underemphasizing the importance of undergraduate work, nor as implying that such work is a mere preparation for the study of law. The success and effectiveness of your legal training depend so greatly upon the breadth and depth of your cultural background and experience that they must not be underemphasized. The university student who plans to enter law school would be wise, therefore, to take traditional and demanding academic courses.

1. What are the requirements for admission to law school?

A bachelor's degree without any qualification as to courses or major. No particular courses are specified nor is there a preferred major designated.

2. What do law schools ask of an applicant beyond the fact that he/she has a degree?

First, a high grade point average (GPA) and a strong score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Beyond that they look for a program of studies that was designed to develop basic skills and insights in:

comprehension and expression in words
the ability to think deductively, inductively, and by analogy
creative power in thinking

3. Which courses should I take to develop these basic skills?

No specific courses are required; however, anyone entering the legal profession should have the ability to easily communicate both verbally and in writing. English courses or courses requiring these papers are, therefore, recommended. Furthermore, basic accounting courses are useful as well as the Business Law Course offered at CMU. Legal courses in history, political science, or anthropology can provide a historical overview to law which is usually not given in law school.

4. As a Pre-Law student, what criteria should I use in selecting a major?

The best guide is your own interest and inclination. Major in a field that interests you and that you will enjoy. Often an alternative career is an important factor in the selection. You will make better grades in subjects you like. That is important. Also, if you get no fun or inspiration from your studies, you are probably in the wrong field.

5. How important are extracurricular activities?

This varies from law school to law school but they are not a major consideration in admission to most law schools. However, reasonable participation in campus activities can help you develop valuable communication, social, and logical skills.

6. Where can I get more information and advice about prelaw studies and law schools?

The place to go is the office of the Pre-Law Advisor which is located in the Academic Advisory Center in Baker Hall. Reference books and pamphlets are there with information about the legal profession and law schools.