UMass Amherst Pre-Law Advising Office

Thinking about law school

• What legal careers are available?

  Legal fields and practice areas
  Transactional practice vs. litigation
  Private practice vs. public service/public interest
  Firm size: From solo to BigLaw
  Regional vs. national firms
  Politics
  Academia
  Legal careers not requiring a law degree
  

• How can I find out more about particular fields/practice settings?

  Internships
  Resources for researching legal careers
  

• Is law school a good investment?

• How do I prepare for law school?

  Choosing a Major
  Choosing Courses
  Developing strong writing skills
  Grades
  Computer Literacy
  Extracurricular activities and work
  Taking time off before law school
  

• How can the pre-law office help?

Applying to law school

• Overview

  Application Check List
  Application Time Line
  

• Application components

  • Credential Assembly Service (CAS)

  • LSAT (Law School Admission Test)

    When should I take the LSAT?
    How should I prepare for the LSAT?
    Just how important is the LSAT?
    How many times should you take the LSAT?
    Accommodations for people with disabilities
    Fee waivers
    

  • Transcripts and grades

    Grades
    

  • Statements, essays, resumes and addenda

    Personal Statements
    Resumes
    Optional essays
    Addenda
    

  • Letters of Recommendation and Evaluations

    Tips for Recommenders
    

  • Disciplinary and criminal records

    Dean’s Certification or Letter
    Criminal records
    University Discipline
    

  • Financial Aid

• Where to apply

  Criteria for choosing a law school
  Resarching law schools
  Rankings
  

• Law school decisionmaking

• Deciding where to attend

• Financing Law School

• Applying after taking time off

• How can the pre-law office help?

Lawyer-alumni network

Managing stress