Pre-Law

Being “pre-law” means you are on the track to apply for law school. As a pre-law student, you have the desire to work in law and are learning what the ability to work in the legal field entails. You are taking suggested courses in disciplines that are recommended for strengthening the important skill areas for success in law school. Successful candidates for law school can show competitive metrics, meaningful experiences, and strong personal attributes by acquiring skills, values, knowledge and experience from life, educational, and extracurricular experiences.

As a pre-law student, you should be working with the Pre-Professional Advising Center by attending workshops and advising sessions.

Preparation & Application Timeline 

What you accomplish early on will be an asset to you when the time comes to apply to law school. It is important to achieve strong and consistent grades early on; avoid C's (and lower) and W's. Learn how to study and learn effectively and be honest when evaluating your academic strengths and areas that need improvement. Being a well-educated person will help you be a successful lawyer.

The study and practice of law touches almost every aspect of society. Read outside of the classroom to enhance your general knowledge. It is also important to explore what law school and a law career are all about to be sure this is truly a good fit for you. Finally, without overextending yourself, actively engage in extracurricular activities that interest you. Extracurricular activities include employment, student organizations, community service, internship or co-op, and hobbies

  • Attend a Pre-Law Introduction Workshop.
  • Meet with your PPAC Pre-Law Advisor each semester.
  • Read the PPAC Pre-Law weekly e-newsletter.
  • Focus on your grades & commit to your coursework - improve reading speed and comprehension by reading beyond your course requirements.
  • Explore suggested courses, minors, and certificates to sharpen skill sets recommended for success in law school and the legal profession.
  • Join a student organization that interests you (Pre-Law Club, Women in Law, Phi Alpha Delta, Mock Trial, College Democrats/Republicans, Student Government, etc.).
  • Important: Explore the profession to find out if it is right for you! Empower yourself by considering several career options
  • Meet with your PPAC Pre-Law Advisor.
  • Continue with the above pursuits.
  • Seek professional exposure (volunteer in a legal-based organization, law firm, campaign, social justice endeavor, etc.).
  • Consider leadership roles within your extracurricular activities.
  • Conduct informational interviews or job shadowing with current attorneys (on-campus, in your hometown, etc.).
  • Utilize Law Hub for free and begin LSAT preparation.
  • Establish relationships with faculty and professionals who will potentially write strong, positive law school letters of recommendation
  • Review the LSAT and application timeline and begin your application year planning.
  • Meet with your PPAC Pre-Law Advisor to assess your readiness to apply to law school.
  • Continue with the above pursuits.
  • Attend the UC Law School Fair in October 
  • Register for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service.
  • Reach out to letter writers, including faculty and professionals.
  • Research law schools and attend an LSAC Forum, if possible.
  • Attend PPAC's combined Law Application + Personal Statement workshop.
  • Begin working on your personal statement
  • Register early for the upcoming June LSAT
  • Study for LSAT throughout the spring semester - take full-length practice tests as part of your preparation.
  • Attend PPAC's combined Law Application + Personal Statement workshop if you did not attend during the fall semester.
  • Finalize personal statement and meet with your PPAC advisor for a review. 
  • Confirm letter of recommendation writers. 
  • Take the preferred LSAT administration in June
  • Meet with your PPAC Pre-Law Advisor.
  • Continue with above pursuits.
  • Evaluate your June LSAT score and consider if retaking in August or later is necessary.
  • Complete LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) to have law school reports produced. 
  • Begin submitting individual law school applications between September 1 and November 1. December 1 should be the latest you apply. 
  • Attend the UC Law School Fair
  • Visit law schools if possible (i.e., individual visit, open house program).
  • Research financial aid and scholarships; complete FAFSA application early. 
  • Once admitted, law schools typically require a seat deposit to be made in April.

Admission to Law School

Pre-Law students should have strong Experience, Attributes, and Metrics. Law schools will consider any factors that bear on your potential as a law student. Demonstrating strong grades, academic skills, and LSAT scores are of primary importance as admission is competitive. In addition, admissions panels consider course load, employment, leadership roles, maturity, and responsibility.

It is very important that you examine your reasons for wanting to enter the field of law and educate yourself about law school and the legal profession as law schools want to be sure that you know why it is a good fit for you. The Law School Admission Council and the American Bar Association are two great resources for career exploration.

Law schools are looking for students who have been successful in balancing academics and extracurricular activities. Do not load your schedule so heavily with coursework that you have no time for real life. Conversely, do not allow your grades to suffer because you are overextending yourself in some other area. Your personal statement is extremely important, as are letters of recommendation.

There is no "best" major for admission to law school. Some common majors include, but are not limited to:

  • Political Science
  • Law and Society
  • History
  • Environmental Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Criminal Justice

Additionally, many pre-law students explore certificates, including:

  • African Studies
  • Business Law and Ethics
  • Foundations of Cybersecurity
  • Historic Preservation
  • International Human Rights
  • Journalism
  • Legal Studies
  • Paralegal Studies
  • Professional Writing
  • Security Studies

and minors, such as:

  • Any foreign language
  • Criminal Justice
  • Economics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Analysis and Policy
  • Forensic Populations
  • Paralegal Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies

While there are no formal pre-requisite courses for law school, the skill areas for success in law school and a legal career identified by the American Bar Association include problem-solving; critical reading and writing; oral communication and listening; relationship-building; research; background knowledge; organization and management; exposure to the law; and public service and promotion of justice. The following courses can help you build on these skills to be successful in law school and beyond.

Africana Studies

  • AFST 3025 African American Social and Political Thought
  • AFST 3034 Black Male Issues
  • AFST 3035 Black Health Care
  • AFST 3086 Black Politics

Business Law 

  • BLAW 2080 Legal Environment of Business
  • BLAW 2085 Employment Law
  • BLAW 2090 Consumer Law
  • BLAW 4045 Global Legal Environment
  • BLAW 4065 Legal Aspects of Marketing (2025-26)
  • BLAW 5060 Business Law

Classics

  • CLAS 1001 Greek Civilization
  • CLAS 1002 Roman Civilization

Communication

  • COMM 1071 Introduction to Effective Speaking
  • COMM 1076 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
  • COMM 2002 Advanced Public Speaking
  • COMM 2004 Communicating about Health, Environment, and Science
  • COMM 2012 Persuasion and Civic Engagement
  • COMM 2049 Communication and Social Justice
  • COMM 2081 Business Communication
  • COMM 3002 Argument and Contemporary Issues
  • COMM 3048 Nonverbal Communication
  • COMM 3049 Intercultural Communication

Criminal Justice 

  • CJ 1001 Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • CJ 1005 Introduction to Courts
  • CJ 2024 Juvenile Justice System
  • CJ 2042 Legal Issues in Corrections
  • CJ 3025 Criminal Law
  • CJ 3050 Criminal Investigation
  • CJ 4020 Criminal Procedure

Economics 

  • ECON 1001 Introduction to Microeconomics
  • ECON 1002 Introduction to Macroeconomics
  • ECON 3076 Economic Applications of Blockchain
  • ECON 3085 Environmental Economics
  • ECON 4018 Game Theory and Strategic Thinking
  • ECON 4025 Behavioral Economics
  • ECON 4060 Labor Economics
  • ECON 4070 Industrial Organization

English 

  • ENGL 2007-2008 American Literature Survey
  • ENGL 2021-2022 World Literature
  • ENGL 2047 Introduction to Linguistics
  • ENGL 2073 Rhetoric and Public Engagement
  • ENGL 3000 Introduction to Literature & Cultural Studies
  • ENGL 3059 Intro to Rhetoric & Professional Writing
  • ENGL 3060 Language and Knowledge in Public Discourse
  • ENGL 4089 Advanced Composition

Environmental Studies

  • EVST 6001 Global Environmental Law and Policy
  • EVST 6002 Global Biodiversity: Law and Policy

History

  • HIST 1001-1002 United States History (DC, HP)
  • HIST 1003-1004 World History (DC, HP)
  • HIST 1005-1006 European History (DC, HP)
  • HIST 2042 and 1008 Middle Eastern History (DC, HP)
  • HIST 2065 and 1010 Latin American History (DC, HP)
  • HIST 2031-2032 History of U.S. Foreign Relations (HP)
  • HIST 2090 Pirates, Brigands, and Tyrants
  • HIST 3011 Revolutionary America
  • HIST 3019 History of American Invention (TI)
  • HIST 3022-3023 Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Relations
  • HIST 3027 American Economy & Society
  • HIST 3040 History of the Civil Rights Movement
  • HIST 3079 Stock Exchanges and Global Capitalism
  • HIST 3087 Immigration Across the Disciplines
  • HIST 3102 Great Trials in History
  • HIST 4002 From Natural Law to Human Rights
  • HIST 4026 The American State
  • HIST 4027 U.S.-Asia Foreign Relations
  • HIST 6021 International Institutions & Law

Journalism

  • JOUR 2010 Reporting and Writing
  • JOUR 2020 Media, Law & Ethics
  • JOUR 3000 Journalism Research
  • JOUR 3005 Feature Writing & In-Depth Reporting
  • JOUR 3035 Political Reporting
  • JOUR 4005 Race and Reporting
  • JOUR 4010 Public Affairs Reporting
  • JOUR 4050 Investigative Journalism

Law (Taught by College of Law) 

  • LAW 2001 Introduction to Law and the Legal Profession
  • Law 2002 Blind Injustice (Honors)
  • LAW 2003 American Constitutional Landmarks
  • LAW 2005 Race and Law
  • LAW 2006 Government Regulation
  • LAW 2008 Health Law & Policy
  • LAW 2010 Public Health Law & Policy
  • LAW 2012 Created Equal? Race, Law, Citizenship & the Long Civil Rights Movement
  • LAW 2014: Law & Regulation of Blockchain Technology
  • LAW 2015: Field Study: Columbia & the Law

Management

  • MGMT 4016 Negotiations

Multidisciplinary

  • MLTI 3050 Mock Trial Internship

Organizational Leadership

  • ORGL 2070 Organizational Leadership and the Law

Paralegal Studies

  • PARA 1011-1012 Legal Research & Writing I and II
  • PARA 2021 Civil Litigation I and II
  • PARA 2023 Real Estate Law
  • PARA 2025 Estate Planning & Probate
  • PARA 2028 Bankruptcy Law
  • PARA 2029 Employment Law
  • PARA 3002 Environmental Law
  • PARA 3003 Federal Income Tax Law
  • PARA 4001 Sports and Entertainment Law
  • PARA 4002 Intellectual Property

Philosophy 

  • PHIL 1000 Introduction to Philosophy
  • PHIL 1002 Introduction to Mind & Will
  • PHIL 1003 Introduction to Ethics
  • PHIL 1009 Philosophy of the City
  • PHIL 1011 Introduction to Logic
  • PHIL 1015 Introduction to Ethics Bowl
  • PHIL 1025 Contemporary Moral Issues
  • PHIL 1051 AI & the Human Condition
  • PHIL 1052 Ethics of AI
  • PHIL 1089 Sex and Death
  • PHIL 2029 Medical Ethics
  • PHIL 3005 Philosophy of Law
  • PHIL 3015 Ethics Bowl
  • PHIL 3019 Crime and Punishment
  • PHIL 3020 Normative Ethics
  • PHIL 3021 Social and Political Philosophy
  • PHIL 3022 Philosophy of Race
  • PHIL 3026 Ethics and Family
  • PHIL 3027 Environmental Ethics
  • PHIL 3028 Bioethics

Political Science 

  • POL 1010 Introduction to American Politics
  • POL 1040 Introduction to Political Theory
  • POL 1060 Introduction to Comparative Politics
  • POL 1080 Introduction to International Relations
  • POL 1090 Introduction to Legal Studies: Law and Society
  • POL 2010 Public Opinion and American Politics
  • POL 2011 Elections in America
  • POL 2012 Political Parties in America
  • POL 2013 Democratic Citizenship
  • POL 2015 Women and Politics
  • POL 2017 Government & Politics of Ohio
  • POL 2019 The American Presidency
  • POL 2020 The American Congress
  • POL 2021 American Courts and Judicial Process
  • POL 2022 Politics of Law & Religion in the US
  • POL 2026 Introduction to Public Administration
  • POL 2030 Introduction to Public Policy
  • POL 2031 Environmental Politics and Policy
  • POL 2083 US National Security
  • POL 2085 Terrorism and Insurgency
  • POL 2088 International Law and Organization
  • POL 2089 International Human Rights
  • POL 2097 International Institutions
  • POL 3022 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights + Liberties
  • POL 3026 Islamic Law and Politics
  • POL 3089 Ethics, Violence and War

Sociology 

  • SOC 1002 Introduction to Social Inequality
  • SOC 2043 Contemporary Social Problems
  • SOC 3041 Sociology of Education

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies 

  • WGS 1050 Work and Family Conflict
  • WGS 2000 Women in American History
  • WGS 3050 Women, Gender, and the Law
  • WGS 3054 Asian Women and Representation
  • WGS 3059 Black Feminism

While there are no formal pre-requisite courses for law school, these "Recommended Courses for Pre-Law Students" can help you build on skills to be successful in law school and beyond.

Law School Admissions Test (LSAT): This test is a standardized exam designed to evaluate abilities necessary to study law. It is not a measure of knowledge, rather, its purpose is to measure your ability to think analytically and critically. Reading comprehension and writing skills are also tested.

Average median GPA of admits: 3.6 (U.S. News & World Report, 2023).

Most law schools require two faculty letters of recommendation and usually accept no more than three. The most valuable letters come from evaluators who know you well. Get to know some of your professors. Take some classes that require participation, research papers, and essay exams. Those faculty members will be better equipped to write a meaningful evaluation of your academic abilities. Personal recommendations are never acceptable. Recommendations from work or internship supervisors are also appropriate.

National median: 41% (U.S. News & World Report, 2023)

If you wish to begin law school in the fall immediately following your undergraduate graduation, register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) by the summer before your senior year and apply during the early months of your senior year, which is one year before you would enter. Law schools usually begin accepting applications on or around September 1, and schools vary in terms of application deadlines. Regardless of the deadline, we encourage you to have your applications submitted no later than Thanksgiving. You should apply no later than December 1.

The LSAC-CAS is a clearinghouse of your information (transcripts, LSAT score and letters of recommendation) that law schools will have access to once they have received your application. You will also complete and submit individual law school applications. The Pre-Professional Advising Center staff can assist you throughout the application process, including by offering our Law School Application + Personal Statement Workshop.

The Law School Admission Council provides comprehensive information regarding financial aid. AccessLex Institute is a great organization with great tools and financial resources and information for pre-law and law students.  

Financial aid starts as early as fee-waivers toward law school applications, for those who meet the criteria. Most law schools also offer scholarships, mostly merit-based and some on need. Many students also take student loans to help fund their legal education. 

The Double Bearcat Direct Admission Program allows a limited number of highly qualified UC undergraduate students to enroll in UC Law without taking the LSAT. Only UC undergraduate students who have earned the 85th percentile or above on the ACT or SAT and achieved a 3.6 GPA or higher after at least six semesters are eligible. Students who have taken the LSAT are not eligible. Meeting these criteria does not guarantee admission. Aside from the LSAT requirement, all other admission requirements must be met. 

The 3+3 Law School Program provides eligible undergraduate students in certain approved majors within UC's College of Arts & Sciences the opportunity to apply to earn both a bachelor's degree and law degree in just six years. High-performing students must meet with their A&S advisor who can verify and customize a path that allows the student to complete major requirements and A&S core before beginning law school, if applicable.

How to Get Started 

Preparing for admission to law school requires careful long-term planning and accurate information. The PPAC specializes in providing students with necessary information and helping them develop good planning skills. Our staff can provide you with help through each step of the way, including course selection, career exploration, time management tips, information on individual schools, admissions test preparation advice, managing letters of recommendation, and ways to get experience in professional settings.

To get started or learn more, register for a Pre-Law Introduction Workshop.