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Pre-Law

 

LSAT Practice Test/Study Tips

Preparing for Law School

Advising for pre-law students is provided by faculty in the political science department. Although no specific major is usually required for admission to law school, pre-law students can benefit greatly from the experience and analytical skills gained from the study of political science.

Law School Preparation

What Courses Should I Take to Prepare for Law School?
Students often think there is one certain set curriculum that they should take to prepare for law school. The set "pre-law curriculum" concept is a myth. There is no one area of study or set of courses you should take before attending law school.

You can prepare educationally for law school in a variety of ways. The key to acquiring a sound pre-law education is to take courses that develop skills and abilities related to reading, writing, and reasoning. Courses should emphasize comprehension and expression, critical understanding of institutions and ideas, and development of thinking and reasoning--both critically and analytically. The Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools, a publication of the Law School Admission Council, states the following concerning pre-law education:

Students interested in legal study should get the most from their undergraduate education. A college education should stand on its own merits as preparation for a lifetime of active involvement in a diverse and changing society...Law schools prefer students who can think, read and write well, and who have some understanding of what shapes human experience. Because a lawyer's work involves most aspects of our complex society, a broad liberal arts curriculum is the preferred preparation for law school (emphasis added).

Accordingly, when selecting your IPFW courses you might want to consider; English and literature courses, philosophy courses, political science courses, as well as sociology, anthropology, and psychology courses. This is by NO MEANS a comprehensive listing. You may want to consult with me for further information regarding your undergraduate course of study.

What Are The Current Enrollment Trends For Law School?
In its 1996 edition of America's Best Graduate Schools, U.S. News and World Report documented a downturn in applicant volume and enrollment in law schools. Applications for the most recent academic year fell by 7 percent. This downward trend in law school applications began in 1992 and is expected to continue for several years.

As a result of this downward trend, there have been significant changes taking place in law school recruitment. Recruitment efforts on the part of law schools will probably intensify--there is already evidence this is happening. Law schools, to a much greater degree than ever before, are using glossy direct mail marketing techniques to solicit prospective students. Moreover, the Law School Admission Council is sponsoring seven recruitment forums in major cities.

The downturn in enrollment thus appears to benefit prospective students. First, the law school forums provide students with great opportunities to talk with law school representatives from around the country and to "size up" various law schools.The law school forum held in closest proximity to IPFW is conducted in Chicago in October each year. For the exact date and time of the forum, consult the LSAT/LSDAS registration packet. Please consider attending this forum--IPFW students who have attended in the past were very pleased. Second, students who score in the 152-154 range on the LSAT or whose GPA is in the 3.1-3.3 range (out of 4.0), may find they are viable candidates for admission to more law schools than in previous years.

The downward trend in applications and enrollment, however, is not entirely favorable to prospective students. Beware! Almost one-half of the law schools, in response to this trend, have reduced the size of their incoming classes.