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Pre-Law Preparation
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Advising

A student and an adviser going over an academic plan in an office

How the pre-law program works

Pre-law at Iowa State is a designation that indicates your interest in law school. It is not an academic major. You will choose an academic major (ie, history, finance, political science) that fits your interests.

Our pre-law advisors guide you during your undergraduate years. They’ll help you create plan for preparing a competitive application for law school. They can help guide your coursework, offer advice on extracurriculars, and connect you with many other resources.

Ask a pre-law advisor about preparing for law school and choosing appropriate coursework.

Timeline for pre-law students

  • Meet with your pre-law advisor and maintain contact throughout your academic career.
  • Join Pre-Law Club.
  • Get involved: search for volunteer opportunities.
  • Start a career journal and keep track of volunteer activities, extracurriculars, and contact information.
  • Read, read, read. It’s one of the best ways to prepare for the LSAT.
  • Talk to LAS Career Services about finding internship opportunities.
  • Start job shadowing, and schedule informational interviews.
  • Visit your professors during office hours to learn about their research. As you determine your own area of interest, your role as a research assistant can be a major help when asking for letters of recommendation.

  • Start researching law schools that are of interest. Explore the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) at lsac.org.
  • Keep using your career journal.
  • Make a plan to select appropriate courses to prepare you for law school.
  • Take a good look at yourself. Are you an excellent student? Do you like a hectic, challenging lifestyle? If not, reassess your goals.

  • Begin your law school application. Go to lsac.org to review the application process, request transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended, and have several people proofread your personal statement.
  • Submitting your application before your senior year starts in the fall will avoid stress, and will give you an advantage in the admission process.

  • If possible, schedule an informal interview with an admissions representative at your law school of choice. The LAS Career Services team can help you practice mock interviews.
  • Be patient. Most students receive a letter of acceptance or rejection by mid-March.
  • Enjoy your senior year of college!

Start your career at Iowa State