Pre-Law

Note: Because no particular course of study is required to go to law school, undergraduate students choose a major of interest and work with their academic advisor to complete degree requirements.

Information about pre-law study at Virginia Tech is available at http://www.prelaw.psci.faroor.com. This website includes general information about a variety of topics including how to decide whether to pursue a career in law, how to prepare for law school, requirements for admission, and how and when to apply. We strongly encourage you to review the information and general advice available at this website.

Preparing for Law School

Law schools in the United States require a bachelor’s degree by the starting date of law study. There is no required major, course, or course of study to apply or go to law school.

Students interested in attending law school should take advantage of this freedom and choose their majors and courses based on their own personal and academic interests and abilities. Many students who plan to become lawyers study political science, criminology, English, history, or philosophy. Others major in architecture, biology, business, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, or other subjects. Virginia Tech students from a broad range of majors apply to law schools and are accepted at rates exceeding national averages.

The study and practice of law depend on careful analysis of written texts and one effective written and oral communication. Law schools also value critical thinking and analytic reasoning. Students should take courses that emphasize these skills.

Many types of careers are available to those with law degrees. Some lawyers work for law firms, governmental institutions including as prosecutors, public defenders, judges, clerks, legislators, military attorneys, and executive or administrative staff. Other lawyers work for businesses, non-profit organizations, universities, or other entities. Lawyers practicing in the area of intellectual property typically have degrees in engineering, chemistry, or another area of science.

Applying To Law School

Admission to law school is competitive, based primarily on a student’s grades and scores on standardized tests. Some accredited law schools in the United States require applicants to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Other schools allow applicants to take the LSAT or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). [WDM3] Information about the LSAT, including test dates, how to register, and registration deadlines, is available at www.LSAC.org. Comparable information about the GRE is available at www.ets.org/gre.

Students who plan to go directly to law school should generally plan to take the LSAT or GRE in the summer between their junior and senior years or the first time it is offered in the fall of their senior year. We highly recommend that you do several practice tests before you take the official LSAT or GRE.

Law school admissions committees also consider experiences, including internships, jobs, and other activities, when deciding which applicants to admit. It is important for your personal statement and resume to be well written. When applying, it is critical to select an appropriate range of law schools. It is also a good idea to begin planning early for law school.