What are your motivations for attending law school?
How much time—and research—did you invest before deciding to pursue a law degree?
What are your career plans after you graduate from law school? For data and information about legal employment within the U.S. check out the National Association for Law Placement
Need assistance with this tip? Feel free to schedule an appointment on Handshake with the Division of Career Pathways’ pre-law advisor
Review the Applying to Law School Quick Tip, which provides a general timeline of when to complete application related tasks and an application checklist
Division of Career Pathways workshops like Applying to Law School, Resume Basics, and How to Get an Internship are offered throughout the academic year. Log in to Handshake to register for upcoming workshops
The Division of Career Pathways Law School Fair occurs annually during the fall quarter and connects UCI students with law school admissions representatives from around the U.S.
Register through LSAC’s website for a Law School Forum, a free event that allows attendees to speak with representatives from U.S. and Canadian law schools
In order to conduct informational interviews, tap into your personal network (ask relatives, friends, roommates, etc.) to see if you can get connected with any lawyers; have conversations about what their job and law school is really like
Utilize LinkedIn (a professional networking site) to try and connect with current legal professionals to interview, including UCI alumni
Also check out professional legal blogs like Blueprint and Law Dragon Campus which both post regularly about tackling the LSAT exam, tips regarding the admissions process, trends within the legal field, as well as the latest news about law schools around the country
Getting an internship or job within a legal setting will expose you to the field. What kinds of work do you observe the lawyers within that organization performing? What skills are essential?
Find opportunities through Handshake, the Division of Career Pathways’ internship/job search platform
Consider applying to other Division of Career Pathways affiliated programs to gain internship experience – UCDC and the Job Shadow Program may offer legal-related opportunities
Pre-Law Outreach Program is offered by UCI’s School of Law and is geared towards prospective law students who hail from disadvantaged backgrounds; selected participants receive assistance with navigating the law school application process
During an appointment you can get assistance with learning about the overall application process and timeline, in addition to what materials are required for a complete application
Discuss whether or not earning a law degree aligns with your future career goals
Receive brainstorming tips regarding the personal statement
No particular major is required in order to apply to law school. Rather, maintain a strong GPA and select a major, or elective courses, that help you develop your critical thinking and reading, writing, editing and research skills. Refer to ABA’s pre-law section for additional advice
Go to office hours and get to know faculty members while you’re at UCI because law school applications require letters of recommendation from faculty that can speak to your academic strengths
Your professors may also be able to provide feedback about your personal statement
