What is the Pre-Law Program?

Pre-law is a program of advising and guidance that seeks to help students prepare for law school and legal careers. There is no pre-law major or degree, and therefore there are no formal degree requirements for pre-law students over and above those of their particular academic programs and majors. Law schools are not looking for students who have completed a narrow or specialized pre-law curriculum. Instead, they are looking for students who can read well, express their ideas clearly in both written and verbal forms, think critically and logically, and have some understanding of the history, theory, and structure of the political system of the United States.

Students are encouraged to pursue a course of study that is challenging, rigorous, and diversified. They are also encouraged to pursue their own intellectual interests within a major of their choosing. Within this general framework of pre-law education, the pre-law advisor seeks to help students prepare for law school and legal careers by providing advice on courses to complement the coursework in their majors, helping them to take advantage of pre-law resources on campus, and providing advice and information about legal education and the law school admission process.

The materials contained on this Web site are just one part of the pre-law program. The information is a supplement to the primary component of face-to-face interaction and one-on-one advising. Use this site to do research, but always consult with the pre-law advisor and work with the advisor to develop a successful strategy of getting admitted in to law school.