Student in a law class

Pre-Law Advising for Law School

Workshops

We offer a quarterly series of workshops that address the application process. Workshops take place in person and over Zoom, and no RSVP is required.

Fall 2024 Workshop Schedule

Webinars

We occasionally offer webinars facilitated by the School of Law (winter and spring quarters) or the Law School Advisory Council (LSAC). Registration is required. We have recordings of past webinars; please email us at pregradadvising@ucdavis.edu to gain access.

Alumni Support

Alumni are welcome to use all our services indefinitely! If you take a gap year or several, you can return for support as you explore and apply to law school after graduation. To schedule an appointment as an alumni,  please email pregradadvising@ucdavis.edu. Please indicate whether you want a phone or Zoom appointment, 3 days/times that work for you, and include your student ID number and a phone number if you want a phone appointment.

Advising Appointments

Whether you have just started exploring your options, want feedback on your personal statement, or are currently applying to law school, we welcome your questions. Appointments are 30 minutes.

 

Schedule an Appointment

Pre-Law Advisors

  • Chelsi Florence, Pre-Law Advising Coordinator
  • Jason Arzhintar, 2L - UC Davis School of Law
  • Harman Gakhal, 2L - UC Davis School of Law

Drop-in Advising

Drop in for 15 minutes to get additional support from the pre-law coordinator.

FAQs

Explore

  • What is law school?
  • Law school is a 3-year professional degree program (Juris Doctor, J.D.) designed to teach you different facets of the law and prepare you to become a lawyer. You need a four-year undergraduate degree to pursue a J.D.
  • Is law school for me?
  • To determine whether you want to go to law school you first need to determine if you want to be lawyer. Ask yourself what makes you want to be a lawyer and if you’re unsure, try interning for a law firm or even asking a connection who is a lawyer what their job is like or what law school was like. Read more about the profession in the Occupation Outlook Handbook, (a publication of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics) and consider making an appointment with a pre-law advisor.
  • What is a pre-law major?
  • There is no pre-law major and law school does not require a specific major while getting your undergraduate degree. You can major in any field that is interesting to you and that you believe you can excel in. However, common majors can include political science, English, history, psychology, philosophy, linguistics, or economics.
  • How do I research and choose a law school to apply to?
  • Lsac.org is the general website where you can find information on the different law schools. You can also look at average GPA’s and LSAT scores for those schools when looking at your percentage chance for acceptance. Factors to consider are the program's location, specialization options, financial support, and what academic and professional opportunities the program offers outside of the classroom.

Prepare

 
  • What kinds of courses should I take?
  • There are no required courses to take before law school; however, there are different law-related courses offered at UC Davis that can help you explore your interest in law, and possible specializations you might want to pursue. 
  • What skills should I develop?
  • Reading and reading comprehension are two skills that help in law school, and developing your writing skills is also important. Logical and critical reasoning also help with the LSAT as well as with law school.
  • Which extracurriculars should I pursue?
  • Extracurricular activities are important, but not to the detriment of your GPA. Extracurriculars such as internships and jobs as well as significant roles in clubs and organizations add to the uniqueness of your application.
  • Which exam(s) should I prepare for?
  • Before law school you must take the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test). The LSAT is a test with logical reasoning, logic games, and reading comprehension. To prepare for the exam, there are a variety of courses and/or books that will help you study. LSAC provides resources on its website, including free practice tests. Khan Academy is another free resource that helps students prepare for the LSAT. 

Apply

  • What does the application timeline look like?
  • Most law schools operate on rolling admissions meaning they accept applications from September/October until March/April, but the earlier you apply the better. It is recommended that you submit your applications before Thanksgiving. The LSAT is available to take during many different months and can be registered for here: lsac.org.
  • What does the application require?
  • The application requires an online application (with associated fee), LSAT scores, transcripts from your undergraduate degree, 2-3 recommendation letters (academic letters preferred), a personal statement essay, and a completed FAFSA. Many law schools use the Credential Assembly Service (through LSAC) to receive applications, so you need to start an account with them. LSAC will send an application report to your desired schools, consisting of LSAT scores, transcripts, letters of rec, and your personal statement.
  • What is a personal statement?
  • The personal statement is an important piece of your application and allows you to present yourself beyond the quantitative pieces like GPA and LSAT score. It is your opportunity to tell the law school about yourself (personal and academic background and experiences, extracurriculars, personal attributes, etc.), why you want to go to law school, and how you stand out from other candidates. You should make sure to follow instructions carefully (for content, length, etc.), and should limit the discussion to college-level experiences using concise, clear language. Start your statement early and plan to draft and redraft. It also serves as a writing sample!
  • How do I get letters of recommendation?
  • To get a letter of recommendation you can ask a professor, T.A., employer, internship supervisor, or even a coach. However, it is recommended that at least one of your letters be from a professor. lsac.org will hold and distribute your letters of recommendation.
  • What should I think about when accepting an offer?
  • When accepting an offer, you should think about factors such as the location and quality of the school, scholarship/financial aid assistance, and any other factors relevant to your personal and academic interests.
  • How will I finance my degree?
  • Law school is expensive, but there are many ways to help you finance your degree. There are scholarships and financial aid opportunities available as well as student loans.
  • What does success in law school look like?
  • Success in law school requires constant hard work and dedication. It is a competitive atmosphere that requires determination and a strong work ethic to succeed. It requires countless hours of reading and interpreting cases and applying the knowledge you gain to different scenarios.