Top Schools Offering Pre-Law Programs: Your Path to Law School

All About Pre-Law Programs

A pre-law program is a general or liberal arts educational pathway designed for those who plan on attending law school. It focuses on coursework that not only offers strategies for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), but also introduces students to the fundamentals of legal studies. A pre-law program does not require students to pursue a career in law after graduation. While many pre-law students use the degree as a means of preparing for law school, the majority of graduates enter into other fields. The transferable skills that come with the interdisciplinary approach make pre-law programs desirable choices for career paths outside of law. Typically, general education is required, including formal coursework in writing and math. Common core courses include classes in research, reasoning and data analysis along with statistics and public speaking. Students complete work in American government and its institutions . They study the history and development of United States law, its constitutional requirements and limits and the legal functions of key executive and judicial institutions. In addition to core courses, pre-law students develop a concentration. Concentrations typically include specialties in sociology, political science or history. Students pursuing concentrations develop advanced knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen legal field. They complete several courses in the concentration to earn a certificate. Law programs help students develop strong writing and analytical reasoning skills. They learn how to analyze government processes and concepts and are exposed to current legal debates and public policy issues. Students develop a broad understanding of ethics and civics that enables them to comprehend the values and responsibilities of citizens and governmental practices. They develop practical skills through internships and innovative learning such as moot courts and other simulated experiences.

What to Look for in a Pre-Law College

When considering a school for pre-law, it is important to look at a number of different factors. To begin with, you should look at faculty. Are faculty members experienced lawyers themselves? If so, that is a sign that the program will have that added boost of quality and prestige. You might also want to consider whether faculty are actively connected to the local bar; do they have active roles in legal organizations? Are they currently practicing law? These are sure signs of a program that is looking to provide students with skills that can directly translate from their courses to a courtroom setting.
In addition to faculty, you may want to consider programs related to pre-law that the college offers outside the classroom. Internships and externships can provide invaluable experience for those looking to eventually attend law school. Do classes include practical training in the immediate area? Are there organizations on campus that closely work with the legal program, and how strong are those organizations? Also think about what services are available for pre-law students. Do colleges have specific programs dedicated to helping students who want to go to law school? Are there workshops on preparation for the LSAT? Where are graduates of the college currently attending law school?
It is also important to keep in mind rankings when looking at colleges. Organizations like U.S. News & World Report regularly rank colleges and universities around the country based on a number of different factors, including academic reputation, retention and graduation rates, and faculty resources. You should use these rankings as a means of comparison with other institutions you may be considering.

Best Colleges for Their Pre-Law Programs

Not all colleges are created equal — this statement can certainly be said of pre-law programs. Some colleges offer more immersion in law than others, from access to better internships, networking opportunities, and thorough curriculums that prepare students for the LSAT and law school.
Below, you will find a sampling of some of the leading colleges and universities for pre-law programs. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it does highlight a few of top pre-law schools. In research, we also discovered that these schools tend to have well-known and notable alumni.
Cornell University
Notable alumni for Cornell University include U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Steven Breyer, and President Franklin Pierce, among others. Cornell offers several law-related undergraduate majors, such as government, applied economics and management, industrial and labor relations, and sociology. It also has programs offered through the university-wide Cornell in Washington pre-law program and Cornell in D.C. interns. Participating students in various majors have interned at the Office of the U.S. Attorney, Department of Justice, and U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Cornell Law School also provides students with a solid foundation for entering law school.
Harvard University
Situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is best known as one of the eight Ivy League colleges and the oldest institution of higher education in the U.S., founded in 1636. It offers students interested in law various academic collisions and co-curricular activities through the Government, History, Sociology, and History of Science, Technology and Society concentrations. Students can also customize an academic plan of study that can best meet their individual goals. In addition to concentration options, students have the opportunity to become involved in the Harvard Law Review and a number of law-related extracurricular activities.
University of Chicago
Founded in 1890, University of Chicago was initially founded with the intention of being an Ivy-League-style university. Chicago offers students pre-law opportunities through its administration of the Pre-Law Program, which offers students the opportunity to attend seminars and lunch events in order to explore the legal profession and law school in more depth. The program also provides a competitive summer internship stipend for one student annually. Notable alumni are President Franklin D. Roosevelt, former U.S. attorney general, and Janet Reno.
University of Pennsylvania
Another Ivy League pre-law school, located in Philadelphia. The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) Department of Political Science’s cross-disciplinary program is known for its cross-disciplinary approach. Penn also offers students opportunities to explore and develop their interest in law through internships and extracurricular activities. The focus is on making the student’s experience enjoyable. Penn has had a number of notable alumni who have gone on to become U.S. Supreme Court justices who were former editors of the Penn Law Review publication. Penn has partnerships with 20 law schools that allow students to meet potential law school faculties and students in advance.
University of Virginia
One of three founding members of the now 13-member Association of American Universities (AAU), University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville. The university is well known for its world-renowned faculty, with much of its focus on interdisciplinary study and research. UVA’s undergraduate course offerings are designed to help students hone the critical thinking skills needed to excel in law school, while its location in a college town surrounded by other universities helps to provide a supportive and fun environment. Notable alumni include 22 U.S. presidents, 12 other U.S. senators, and 11 other U.S. Supreme Court judges.

The Advantages of Attending a Pre-Law Program

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of enrolling in a pre-law program is that it increases your chances of getting accepted into law school. The chances of being accepted to law school are based on multiple factors. Grades are the most significant, followed by LSAT scores, recommendations, and your extracurricular activities. Pre-law programs can be helpful in all these areas.
Grades:
Programs such as pre-law courses, law internships, and legal work studies generally have higher academic standards than other areas of study, making high grades in these programs more impressive.
LSAT:
More pre-law programs offer LSAT preparation classes, many taught by law school professors. In contrast to taking a LSAT preparation course on your own, which can be fun but also intimidating for someone who has never seen nor heard what legal jargon sounds like before, a class allows you to gradually get used to some of the difficult terms and phrases you must learn for the LSAT . It also makes preparation for the exam altogether less dry and more interesting.
Recommendations:
If you really want to impress law schools with a personal recommendation, having someone who has taught you in a pre-law course write one for you is the best kind to get. This is particularly true if the teacher is a practicing lawyer or if the course is taught by one of the law school professors you know you want to attend.
Extracurricular Activities:
Many programs offer job placement services that can help you find a job related to your interest in law. Not only will these jobs increase the possibilities of strong recommendations from well-known lawyers or law school professors, they will show your involvement in your major, as well as help you learn the basics about what performing a job in the field would be like after graduation.

Pre-Law School Success Stories

Across the country, countless pre-law program participants have gone on to become successful lawyers and esteemed professionals in their fields. Their journeys from the dawn of their legal education to the courtroom and beyond demonstrate that these programs can be stepping stones to rewarding careers in the legal industry. Their stories can be a source of inspiration for aspiring lawyers, underscoring the importance of pre-law programs in opening the doors to law schools around the country.
Justin Williams enrolled in the pre-law program at Yale before successfully seeking acceptance into Harvard Law School. Upon his acceptance into law school, he was awarded the prestigious Dean’s Academic Scholarship. He graduated from Harvard in 2011 and went on to work in the Boston office of the Department of Justice. Afterward, he returned to Washington D.C., where he worked on impactful federal initiatives, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) program. DACA provides temporary relief to undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. when they were minors, while DAPA provides the same form of relief to undocumented immigrants in the U.S. with children who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. His experience at the Department of Justice cemented his law degree’s importance to his career advocacy for marginalized groups and individuals in the U.S.
Heather Urban enrolled in the pre-law program at Villanova, earning her way into Villanova University School of Law, where she graduated in 2012 with her JD. She started her career as an associate at Reed Smith LLP before transitioning in 2013 to her current position as Senior Deputy Attorney General of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Philadelphia Division. Her daily duties include representing the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General in a wide range of civil suits, enforcing consumer protection and antitrust laws and oversight of municipalities and other state agencies.
According to Heather, enrolling in the pre-law program was the best decision she ever made. At the time of her acceptance into law school, she was a single parent, but she felt confident that she would be able to make it through law school because of the training she received in the pre-law program. Becoming a lawyer was a lifelong goal of hers; her experience only solidified it.

Challenges of Pre-Law School

The path to law school is not a straight line, and pre-law students may find issues along the way that could impact their admission to their desired law program, or to law school at all. Challenges may arise relating to course selection, GPA, tests, and interactions with peers and professors.
Course Selection: While a sound pre-law program should include general coursework in the humanities and social sciences, students should consider electives that will help them both complete law school applications as well as provide support for the school’s classes. For instance, electives in psychology, sociology, philosophy, political science, and economics will go a long way in challenging pre-law students to think critically while also rounding out their transcripts.
GPA: As with any other academic program, GPA is a major factor in determining whether a student is admitted to law school. Paying attention to academic rigor and building a solid relationship with professors can help you achieve a competitive GPA.
LSAT: Like the SAT and ACT for high school students , the LSAT is a common law school entrance exam. It is generally the only standardized test used by ABA (American Bar Association) accredited law schools in the United States. As such, pre-law students should include time for LSAT preparation as part of their coursework, and students should also take the exam before the last semester in order to use test results for law school applications. Examples of LSAT preparation may include prep courses and study groups, LSAT workbooks and websites, and counseling services that specifically target LSAT study and preparation.
Interactions with Professors: During the pre-law experience, students may have limited access to professors. As professors are often the ones writing letters of recommendation for law school applicants, it is key to book time during office hours and make a strong case for wanting to attend law school.