Academic Preparation
What you'll need
- a Bachelor’s degree
- any major is appropriate, so study something you love!
- a rigorous and diverse undergraduate program is recommended
- select elective and major courses which motivate you, challenge you, and require you
to use research and writing skills
- the most common classes are outlined below
- consider
- adding a double major
- adding a minor or secondary emphasis
- enrolling in the Honors College
- participating in an internship, study abroad program, or a research project in your major
Extracurricular Preparation
When you apply to law school, you will be competing with many applicants who have demonstrated the academic ability to succeed in the rigorous curriculum of law school.
What you'll need
Experiences that develop and demonstrate skills in
- communication
- leadership
- community service
- research
- familiarity with the profession
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities allow you to supplement a strong academic record. Law school admissions committees like to see evidence of initiative, creativity, leadership and collaboration, and organizational skills. However, such activities will not substitute for poor grades, so don’t sacrifice study time for activities.
You are not limited to the activities listed below. Follow your interests and passions even if they are not directly related to law.
- Make sure you keep contact information for supervisors and mentors in case you need a recommendation letter. Try to keep an open relationship with them after you discontinue activities.
- Writing reflections on each activity in a journal will be helpful when you write your personal statement.
For more details see Preparing for Law School written by the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
Leadership, Relationship-building, and Collaboration
Lawyers are leaders in their communities. However, their work also requires collaborating with others, so interpersonal skills are essential for attracting and working productively with clients, co-counsel, opposing attorneys, expert witnesses, and many others. Examples includes offices held in student or community organizations, committee work, leadership in church activities, coordinating a project, managing, training, or supervising at work, tutoring, teaching experience of any kind, coaching, peer counseling or mentoring, etc.
Community Service
Each member of the legal profession should be dedicated to the objectives of serving others honestly, competently, and responsibly, and to improving fairness and quality of justice in the legal system. You should seek some significant experience in which you devote substantial effort toward assisting others. Participation in public service projects or similar efforts at achieving objectives established for common purposes can be particularly helpful. This should be ongoing throughout your college years.
Library Research
You do not need to be familiar with research sources and techniques specific to the law before entering law school. However, it is to your advantage to have had the experience working on a research project that requires significant library research and the analysis of large amounts of information obtained from that research. Research experience can be from many different areas – it does not have to be law related.
Assess Your Career Decision
While legal experience is not required for admission to law school, there are many good reasons to explore the legal profession beforehand. You will gain a more realistic view of the actual practice of law and the realities of the legal employment market. You may identify potential practice areas that suit your personality, interests, and values. You will develop relationships with practicing lawyers.
Visit law schools and sit in on a class (most law school admissions offices will set this up for you.) Talk with law students, attorneys, and judges. Visit courtrooms and observe trials. Read articles and books on the study of law and the legal profession. Seek internships in law-related settings. Consider law- related employment between college and law school. Making informed decisions will lead to an informed decision about law school and a successful career.
Hobbies
Law schools are interested in well-rounded students who know how to balance work with recreation. Recreation activities, including hobbies, athletics, and other pastimes, will help you relieve stress and return refreshed to your studies in both undergraduate and in law school.
PreLaw Coursework
While there are no specific course requirements, law schools are looking for applicants with a rigorous, well-rounded education, and there are important skills and knowledge that you should acquire prior to law school. These will provide a solid foundation for your legal education. There are also some policies regarding grades that are important to understand.
For more details see Preparing for Law School written by the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
Analytical and Problem Solving skills
Seek courses and other experiences that engage you in critical thinking about important issues, challenge your beliefs, and improve your tolerance for uncertainty and criticism, and those that teach you to think analytically within a logical framework. Courses in philosophy, logic, ethics, math, the sciences, and computer science can help you develop these skills.
Critical Reading Skills
As a law student and lawyer, much of what you will do involves careful reading and comprehension of judicial opinions, statutes, documents, and other dense written materials. Opportunities to develop critical reading skills can be found in a wide range of experiences, including the close reading of complex material in literature, political or economic theory, philosophy, or history.
Writing and Editing Skills
Language is the most important tool of a lawyer. Fundamental writing skills—the ability to express yourself clearly and concisely in writing—must be acquired and refined before you enter law school. Seek as many experiences as possible that will require rigorous and analytical writing, including preparing original pieces of substantial length and revising written work in response to constructive criticism.
Oral Communication and Listening Skills
The ability to speak clearly and persuasively is important for success in law school and the practice of law. You must also have excellent listening skills if you are to understand your clients and others with whom you will interact daily. Develop these skills through activities such as engaging in debate, making formal presentations in class, or speaking before groups in school, the community, or the workplace.
Organization and Management Skills
To study and practice law, you will need to organize large amounts of information, identify objectives, and create a structure for applying that information in an efficient way in order to achieve desired results. You can develop this skill through undertaking school projects that require substantial research and writing, or through the preparation of major reports for an employer, a school, or a civic organization.
There are certain basic areas of knowledge that will be helpful to you during your legal education and your development as a competent lawyer. Types of knowledge that will maximize your ability to benefit from a legal education include a broad understanding of the following:
- History, including the various factors (social, political, economic, and cultural) that have influenced the development of our society in the United States.
- Political thought and of the contemporary American political system
- Economics (particularly micro-economics and an understanding of the interaction between Economic theory and public policy)
- Basic mathematical and financial skills, such as algebra, statistics, and an ability to analyze financial data
- Human behavior and social interaction
- Diverse cultures within and beyond the United States, International institutions and issues, world events, and the increasing interdependence of the nations and communities
- Online Courses--Online sections of semester based university classes, or online/in person hybrid sections of semester based classes will usually be accepted. Online courses which are not university semester based (independent study with flexible start and completion) will generally not be accepted.
- Withdrawals--W’s should be used only for emergencies, although W’s will not affect your GPA, and are better than low grades. One or two is not a concern, but more than that could require an explanation.
- GPA—While GPA requirements vary from school to school, a competitive GPA for a wide range of schools is generally in the 3.5 or higher range. GPAs lower than this can limit the number of schools to which you can apply.
- Repeated Courses—All grades from ALL attempts at a class are counted in your GPA when you apply for law school. (This is different from the U of U’s policy to only count the most recent attempt.)
- CR/NC grades: A CR grade will not be included your GPA when applying to law school (the same as the U of U policy). However, unlike at the U of U, an NC grade will be converted into a failing grade (an E) by This includes exercise and activity classes, so it is important to participate and avoid receiving NC grades.
Law schools vary on their view of classes taken at Community Colleges. Some look on them with some disfavor, other schools readily accept them. Students should be aware of this when planning their education.
There are a number of very good reasons for students to begin their college education at a Community College, but you should transfer up to a university as soon as is practical. Certainly you should not take more than 2 years of a 4 year degree there.
Prepare for Letters of Recommendation
Types of Letters Needed
Requirements
Requirements for letters vary between schools, most law schools require 1-3 letters of recommendation.
Begin early to establish a network of professors and supervisors (for volunteer or paid work) who are familiar with your work. It is important to choose recommenders who know you well.
Academic Letters
At least one letter, and maybe two, should be from faculty members who have taught you in a class and are able to make specific observations about your personal and academic achievements and your potential for graduate study.
Mentoring Letters
Additional letters may include a mentor, an internship or project supervisor, or an employer.
Someone who can speak to your commitment to service, leadership ability, growth as an individual, interpersonal and/or teamwork skills.
Get to Know your Professors
Most professors sincerely want to get to know their students. Besides impressive letters of recommendation, getting to know your professors can have other advantages including higher grades, individualized instruction and independent study, and a more personal interactive learning experience.
During the Semester
Tell professors at the beginning of the semester that you would like them to keep an eye on your performance in class. It will give them a longer observational window.
Visit their offices regularly.
Remember to practice moderation! Do not prevail upon professors so often that you become a pest. Make sure you space your visits out with a couple weeks in between.
End of Semester
At the end of the semester, if you do well, ask them if they would be willing to write you an excellent letter of recommendation when you are ready to apply.
How to Establish a Relationship
A key to a good letter is the establishment of a relationship between student and professor based on shared academic interests.
- Ask thoughtful questions
- Delve deeper into concepts presented in lectures
- Share your academic and career goals
- Ask for recommendations for additional reading
- Inquire about their areas of interest and research
Ask about Opportunities
After you have gotten to know professors, ask about further opportunities, e.g., teaching assistantships, individual research projects, etc.
Additional Strategies
- Attend short programs by the professor
- Work as a research or teaching assistant for the professor
- Keep in touch with the professor after the class is over
- Take more than one class from the professor
Resources
Student Groups
Prelaw Student Society (PLSS) uofu.plss@gmail.com
Campus Connect find more than 200 student organizations at the U
Statistics
Helpful Websites
Local Law Schools
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law For information on visiting campus and sitting in on a law school class, select Admissions, then Visit.
- Law School Application Workshops: Held at the U of U S.J. Quinney College of Law every Fall and Spring Semester.
- Financial Aid Workshops: Held at the U of U S.J. Quinney College of Law every Fall Semester.
BYU, J. Reuben Clark Law School Contact the admissions office about visiting campus, and sitting in on a class.