If you are considering pre-law, make an appointment to meet with Nicolas Frank to help you determine an appropriate track, and what advisors may be appropriate for your career plans.
Freshman Year
- As a first year student, your most important task is to make a successful adjustment to the rigors of college and begin building a record of academic achievement.
- Register with a pre-law advisor, so that your name is on Pre-Law Student list and so that you will receive regular mailings of information.
- Meet with one of the members of the Pre-Law Advising Committee to discuss your interests and to learn about pre-law at the University of Lynchburg.
- Get to know at least one faculty member well, other than advisor. This faculty member can serve as a resource, offer opportunities for discussion of topics relevant to law and society, and later on, provide recommendations.
- Explore and commit to a major.
- Begin progressive work/service experience (coordinated through SERVE office) related to law interests.
- Commit to at least one college-sponsored activity or organization. Law schools are interested in well-rounded applicants.
- Broaden perspective by attending college-sponsored cultural events.
- Attend Pre-Law Forum.
Sophomore Year
- Finalize a detailed academic plan for graduation; select courses that provide research, reading/writing, analytical reasoning and quantitative reasoning.
- Continue to build on your record of academic achievement.
- Begin to research different law schools, information housed in the Career Development office.
- Become actively involved in major-specific clubs and organizations.
- Continue progressive work/service experience (coordinated through SERVE office) related to law interests.
- Sign up with Kaplan to receive information about the LSAT.
- Begin LSAT study regimen in the summer following your sophomore year.
- Plan/apply for study abroad/internships to be completed during the summer after sophomore year or any time thereafter.
- Begin to research different careers that you can pursue with a law degree.
- Attend Pre-Law Forum.
- Make arrangements to shadow (observe) a practicing lawyer, for example a University of Lynchburg alumnus/a, or lawyer in local/home community.
- Meet with Pre-Law advisor.
Junior Year
- In the spring semester, complete application for graduation.
- Meet with Pre-Law Advisor to discuss achievements and admission standards for law schools.
- Continue to build on your record of academic achievement.
- Continue to research different law schools, information housed in the Career Development office.
- Seek election or appointment to leadership role in honor/leadership societies or organizations.
- Complete at least one internship or internship-like work experience, related to pre-law interests and goals.
- Complete study abroad program.
- Continue LSAT study regimen.
- Pick up LSAT/LSDAS registration packet; take LSAT in June.
- Continue to research different careers that you can pursue with a law degree.
- Attend Pre-Law Forum.
- Prepare resume; obtain two recommendations from faculty/staff/employer.
- Continue to meet with advisor.
Summer following Junior Year
- Consider completing an internship to broaden career experience.
- Request law school applications and catalogs.
- Read the LSAT/LSDAS checklist in the LSAT and LSDAS information book.
- Compose a schedule of law school application deadlines.
- Visit different law schools; make an appointment ahead of your trip
- Receive your scores from the June LSAT; obtain advice from Pre-Law Advisor to determine if you should take the test again.
- Register for the LSDAS service.
- Attend regional law school fairs.
Senior Year
- Check degree audit to make sure that you will complete all requirements for graduation on time.
- Make an appointment with the Pre-Law advisor to get helpful advice about the application process.
- Consider completing an internship to broaden career experience.
- Continue leadership roles in honor/leadership societies or organizations.
- Review and revise your resume to reflect interest in specific law career, if known.
- Write your personal statement and take it by the Writing Center for a critique.
- In September, have an official copy of your transcript sent to LSDAS from each of the colleges you attended.
- In September, make arrangements for your faculty recommendations to be mailed to LSDAS.
- Take the September LSAT if you did not take it in June.
- Attend regional law school fairs; dress professionally and bring along several copies of your resume.
- Complete your application files at law schools by mid-November.
- Fill out financial aid applications as soon as possible after January 1.
- Follow up and make certain that each law school to which you are applying has a complete file for you.
- Visit law schools to which you were accepted to help in making your final decision.
- Send LSDAS a final transcript after you have graduated.
- Let your pre-law advisor/Advising Center know of your final plans.
