New Student Orientation for the class of 2016 begins Monday. There will be pre-law info sessions every Monday and Thursday of orientation, at 2:15, in 224 Herter. If you can’t make one of the sessions, here are a few basic tips and points of information for entering freshmen:
- Pre-Law is not a major! There are no magic classes to take or fields to major in to help you get into or succeed in law school. Study what you love—you’ll get more out of it (and get better grades).
- Pre-Law is an advising office. Whenever you have questions about legal careers, law school or law-related activities, don’t hesitate to contact me. (And check out the website!)
- Don’t worry about law school, worry about college. This is a big transition you’re facing, and it deserves your full attention. There is little you can do freshman year to either help or hinder your eventual law school admission chances.
- Explore law-related academics and activities. Not because they’ll help you get into law school (they won’t), but because you’re interested in law. For a listing of some of the law-related opportunities available to you first year, click here (PDF).
- Get to know your professors. Don’t be intimidated by them—go to office hours, ask smart questions about their area(s) of expertise, let them get to know you. It’s never too soon to start giving them something to write about in your eventual letters of recommendation.
- Like the Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. It’s the best way to keep up to date on all things law-related—on-campus, in the local community, and all over.
Welcome to UMass Amherst!