Pre-Law Timeline and Checklist
First and Second Years
___ Meet with Dr. Kristen Coopie, Pre-Law advisor and Director of the Pre-Law Center. She can help you plan courses, and identify resources concerning legal education and the legal profession.
___ Consider the 3-3 Early Admissions Program with Duquesne Law School.
___ Seek internships, shadowing opportunities, or jobs that expose you to lawyers at work. Find out as much as possible about the life of lawyers to decide whether to become a lawyer.
___ Get to know at least one professor well each semester. They are all potential letter writers!
___ Seek leadership positions in organizations with which you are involved.
___ Find opportunities during summers that will set you apart from your classmates and help you learn more about law as a career.
Third Year
___ Practice for the LSAT. Not only is your score an important factor for admission, but it also is a significant factor for any financial aid package a school may offer you.
Fall Semester
___ Start researching law schools online. The preLaw Magazine by the National Jurist and Max Pre-Law by Access Lex are a few of many great resources available.
___ Attend law school fairs and information sessions.
Winter Break and Spring Break
___ Visit law schools.
Spring Semester
___ Take LSAT practice tests.
June
___ Take LSAT.
___ Start working on a personal statement.
___ Bring personal statement to Pre-Law advisor, professors or the University Writing Center for help.
July/August
___ Receive LSAT score.
___ Locate web-based applications on LSAC or law schools' web sites.
___ Register for the LSAC Credential Assembly Service.
___ Consider registering for the option LSAC Candidate Referral Service, which gives you the opportunity to be contacted by law schools you may not have considered.
___ Complete second draft of personal statement and seek feedback.
Fourth Year
September
___ Complete application materials, the earlier the better, especially for financial aid.
___ Don't hesitate to ask specific schools for application fee waivers if you are planning on applying.
___ Ask professors or supervisors to write letters of recommendation. It is often helpful to provide them with a list of schools you are applying to, as well as a copy of your resume and transcript (it can be unofficial).
___ Request transcripts from every college you ever attended and send to LSAC.
October
___ Take the LSAT if you did not take it in June, or if you are taking it a second time. It is better to take it in October than in December!
___ Complete last draft of personal statement.
___ Submit application materials as early as possible.
___ Thank professors for writing letters!
November/December
___ Check to be sure applications are complete.
January
___ File financial aid applications.
___ Look into funding options: grants, scholarships, fellowships, and other opportunities.