I’m Pre-Law: Now What? Catherine Preston, Associate Director College of Arts & Sciences Advising Services Coordinator, Pre Law Advising

Core Skills and Values  The American Bar Association suggests that you can acquire these important skills and values and significant bodies of knowledge prior to law school and that they will provide a sound foundation for legal education: – Analytic and problem solving skills – Critical reading – Writing skills – Oral communication and listening abilities – Research skills – Task organization and management skills – Public service and promotion of justice

Is Law School the Right Choice?  Self-Evaluation: – Why do you want to go to law school? – What do you want to do with your law degree? – Do you know what lawyers do every day? – Is law school the right investment in an advanced degree?

Preparing as an Undergraduate for Successful Application to Law School  Choice of Major – Academic Rigor – GPA – Honors Programs – Minor – Electives  Leadership development activities – Phi Alpha Delta, National Black Law Students AssociationPhi Alpha DeltaNational Black Law Students Association

Continued…  Faculty recommendations  Pre-law advising

Researching law schools  Typical Information Sources – Neutral/Factual/Comparative/Consumer Information ABA/LSAC Guide to Law Schools e_Default.aspx e_Default.aspx Discover Law CLEO

Continue… – UTK pre-law website: – PAD or NBLSA – Anecdotal/Opinions Chat rooms, web sites Family, Friends, Faculty, Alumni Ratings and rankings – Law School Information Sources Web sites, print materials, forums Contacts with faculty, staff, students

What is the LSAC?  LSAC Credential Assembly Service – – Register for CAS and pay fees – Take the LSAT or use valid score – Request all academic transcripts sent to LSAC – Line up Evaluators or Recommenders recommendation/ recommendation/

What is the LSAT?  school-admissions-test-lsat/ school-admissions-test-lsat/  Timing  Preparation  Implications for admission

Factors in the Admissions Process  Holistic file review – each school may differ  Commons factors – Academics - LSAT and UGPA, advanced degrees – Personal statement, writing sample, essay – Letters of recommendation – Work experience/military – Service/activities/leadership (Phi Alpha Delta, National Black Law Student Association) – Diversity

Your undergraduate GPA and your LSAT score make up the CAKE The icing and decorations make up everything else

Cost of a Legal Education  FAFSA and SAR  Scholarships  Loans  Financial Aid Resources – LSAC.org: determining-eligibility.asp determining-eligibility.asp – cleoscholars.com: on=Page.viewPage&pageId=526&parentID=524 &nodeID=2 on=Page.viewPage&pageId=526&parentID=524 &nodeID=2

 All majors, Catherine Preston, appointments ,  Political Science major, Liam Hysjulien, appointments through GradesFirst,  Follow us on