Four-year action guide for FAU Pre-Law undergraduates - prepare for law school applications - year-by-year

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Aditya

A year-by-year action plan for FAU pre-law undergraduates focused on deciding whether law school is the right path and systematically preparing for law school applications. The guide recommends career exploration, engaging with pre-law initiatives and advisors, speaking with lawyers, strengthening English and writing skills, and earning top grades. It outlines sophomore through senior milestones including course electives, court observation, LSAT preparation through LSAC and FAU resources, CAS registration, personal statement drafting, transcripts, recommendations, deadlines, and financial aid applications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Freshman year

Sophomore year

Junior year

Senior year

Four-year action guide for FAU Pre-Law undergraduates: Is law school right for me? How do I prepare for law school applications? | Freshman year | • Visit the Career Center to discuss your general ideas about legal careers. Explore tools designed to identify your interests and [strengths.](strengths. www.fau.edu/career)[ ](strengths. www.fau.edu/career)[www.fau.edu/career](strengths. www.fau.edu/career)
• Visit UAS and inquire about the PLUS (Pre-Law University Services) initiative. Visit the PLUS website to learn about FAU pre-law resources: [www.fau.edu/prelaw](www.fau.edu/prelaw) Meet with the pre-law advisor to discuss your interests and strengths, and to discuss class choices moving forward.
• Talk to lawyers: family, friends, neighbors, campus professionals. Ask them about their work, including what they like and do not like.
• Pay careful attention to your English classes. Do you enjoy reading and writing? Do you enjoy critically analyzing written materials?
• Consider joining the FAU chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, and/or the Undergraduate Law Journal. Attend their events and workshops, even if you do not become a member.
• Focus on your classes and on earning the highest grades possible! For the purpose of being accepted into law school, high grades are generally far more important than a resume full of activities. | | --- | --- | | Sophomore year | • Continue to focus upon your grades.
• Continue the exploratory activities above. Based on what you have learned so far, are you generally more interested in transactions or litigation? Criminal or civil law? Public or private sector?
• Consider taking electives that are relevant to legal practice, such as public speaking, communications, technical writing, government, and American history.
• Attend court hearings to see if you enjoy the topics and the nature of work that some lawyers do. Did you know that many hearings are open to the public?
• Continue to speak with and, if possible, shadow attorneys in their work.
• Talk to your professors. Remember that they (as well as your employers and co-workers, if any) are potential sources of future recommendations for law school applications.
• Research internship, mentorship, and shadowing opportunities.
• Continue to be involved with PLUS partners and to attend events. | | Junior year | • Continue to focus on your grades.
• Continue the exploratory activities above.
• Meet with a pre law advisor to discuss your timeline and goals.
• Visit Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) web site to research law schools
[www.lsac.org](www.lsac.org)
• Start to identify law schools that you are interested in.
• Research your target law schools. Learn their application deadlines and other details about their application processes.
• On the LSAC web site, determine future LSAT administration dates.
• Take a mock LSAT exam, and consider taking a prep course. The FAU test prep center
has an LSAT prep course that is more affordable than popular commercial programs:
[www.fau.edu/testprep](www.fau.edu/testprep) | | | • Register with the CAS (Credential Assembly Service, formerly LSDAS) and for the LSAT exam.
• Prepare a draft of your personal statement after the LSAT. Your personal statement should be slightly different for each law school you apply to, and tailored to each.
• Research scholarships and financial aid opportunities in your target law schools, and start to apply to apply (depending on due dates) .
• For your convenience, make sure your resume is fully updated by the beginning of your senior year. Have a Career Center advisor or a pre-law advisor review your resume. | | --- | --- | | Senior year | • Do not neglect your grades in your senior year! Continue to focus on increasing your GPA as much as possible.
• Continue the exploratory activities above. Research law schools, request information from them, and consider visiting some.
• Take note of your

FAQs

How should freshman-year students start preparing for law school applications?

Visit the Career Center and explore pre-law resources, meet with a pre-law advisor, talk to lawyers, and focus on English classes and strong writing skills. Join relevant pre-law organizations and prioritize the highest possible grades.

What steps are recommended during the junior year for law school preparation?

Continue focusing on grades and exploration, meet with a pre-law advisor, research law schools through LSAC, identify target schools and their deadlines, and plan LSAT test administration dates. Take a mock LSAT exam and consider an LSAT prep course.

What actions are required in the senior year to complete applications?

Increase GPA, research and track each target school’s application and seat deposit deadlines, and finalize requirements like writing samples or interviews. Continue working on the personal statement with advisor review, complete CAS and LSAT preparation, order and send transcripts to CAS, request recommendation letters with your resume provided, and apply for financial aid and scholarships.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Aditya