Pre-Law Studies
Here’s essential information for students interested in pursuing a career in law.
The Office of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships helps students from all Adelphi University majors:
- determine whether law school is the best fit for professional goals
- learn about law school and legal practice
- make informed decisions about whether to apply
- develop strong application materials
- select the best law school to meet goals
Join the pre-law mailing list and open a file.
Recommended Timetable
Pick a major. Maintain a high GPA and develop your writing skills. If your major does not require that you write lengthy and intensive papers, pick some electives that do, especially in your sophomore or junior year. The single most important skill law schools look for is your writing ability.
Develop a relationship with your major adviser, and get to know the Director of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships.
Visit the Center for Career Development for pre-law information and postings of current part-time jobs, summer jobs, or internships related to law.
By the second semester junior year at the latest, you should have written at least one long, critical paper, either in your major or another subject. This will help you to get a recommendation from that professor.
Make sure you take an LSAT prep course.
Take the LSAT in June after your junior year. Make sure to check the “yes” box on the test application to have your scores sent to your pre-law adviser when you register for the LSAT.
Access the ABA–LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools.
If you have not already done so, you must take the LSAT no later than October of your senior year. It is important to check the “yes” box on the test application to send your scores to your pre-law adviser when you register for the LSAT.
In the fall, attend the law school forum sponsored by the Law School Admissions Council.
Even before receiving your LSAT score you should begin to work on your personal statement. After you have received your LSAT score and determined which schools’ interest you, make an appointment with the Director of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships to plan your personal application strategy. Early applications to law school are generally advised.
Take advantage of the convenient resume software, counseling, and interview workshops at the Center for Career Development.
What is the application timeline?
Most law schools operate on a rolling admissions basis. Applications open in early fall (usually late August through early October) and law schools make offers of admission on a rolling basis thereafter. All applications for law school are submitted through Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). Students should apply to law school in the fall (preferably by the end of November) of the year before they want to start law school. Most law schools only accept new students in the fall semester.
This timeline assumes a student plans on attending law school immediately after college. Adjust the timeline as necessary if you plan to take time off between college and law school.
Law School Admissions Materials
The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is a standardized test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for prospective law school candidates.
Law schools want to recruit people who are qualified for reasons beyond grades and scores. The essay or personal statement is your opportunity to tell the committee what sets you apart from others.
An essay on actual experiences and past accomplishments has more value to the committee than speculation about future accomplishments. Any noteworthy personal experience or accomplishment may be an appropriate subject, but be sure to do more than just state it. Describe your experience briefly but concretely, and explain why it had value to you.
You can make an appointment with the Writing Center or the Office of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships to begin work on your personal statement.
Law schools want diverse, interesting classes that represent a variety of backgrounds. A candidate who applies to law school several years after their undergraduate education, and who has succeeded in a nonacademic environment, may be seen by a law school as more motivated than one who continues their education without a break.
The most effective letters of recommendation are written by professors or work supervisors who know you well enough to describe your academic, personal, or professional achievements honestly and objectively. Letters that compare you to your academic peers are often the most useful. Most schools do not consider general, unreservedly praiseworthy letters helpful.