Pre-Law at USC - Frequently Asked Questions for Pre-Law Students

Aug 30, 2026

Uploaded by Skyler

Pre-law at the University of South Carolina is addressed through an FAQ covering core admissions expectations and student planning. The guide explains that USC does not offer a pre-law major, and that students should work with advisors while building writing, analytical reasoning, and a strong academic record. It outlines that law school admission relies primarily on cumulative GPA and LSAT scores, while also considering recommendations, personal statements, resumes, course rigor, and extracurricular involvement. It further clarifies LSAT structure, question types, preparation approach, and scoring ranges.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Pre-Law at USC - Frequently Asked Questions for Pre-Law Students

Pre-law major and required coursework

Choosing a major and admissions factors

LSAT overview, preparation, and scoring

Pre-Law at USC? Frequently Asked Questions for Pre-Law Students From the Office of Pre-Professional Advising (OPPA) University of South Carolina Is pre-law a major? Are there required courses for law school? There is no pre-law major at USC (and, honestly, very few anywhere in the country) . When a student says they are “pre-law,” they are declaring an intention to attend law school. It is helpful to let your academic advisor know you are considering applying to law school. Law schools do not require pre-requisites to apply to law school, but there are courses that may help with the logical and reasoning section ofthe LSAT and develop skills necessary for law school and the legal profession. Are there specific courses I should take? No. There are no specific classes you need to take for law school admission. Students should choose a variety of courses that challenge them to write and think clearly, and expand their knowledge of different cultures, social and religious philosophies. Strong writing and analytical skills are necessary while you are in law school, so developing these areas while you are an undergraduate will help you while you are in law school. What major should I choose? Law school admissions committees do not have “preferred” majors. Students may choose any of a variety of majors at USC to obtain the communication, writing, and analytical skills necessary for law school. It is most important for students to select a major in which they are truly interested and, consequently, have the opportunity to attain academic success. USC has had students from more than 25 different majors accepted to law schools. Will a double major increase my chances of getting into law school? No. A double major is fine ifa student wants to complete one, but in and of itself, it will not increase your likelihood of admission to law school. What factors are considered in admission to law school? The two primary factors are: ▪ a student’s cumulative grade point average (from ALL colleges/universities) and ▪ a student’s score on the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) Other factors that law schools will consider include Letters of Recommendation, your Personal Statement, your Resume, the rigor of your academic coursework, and your extracurricular activities. Thus, it is important to maintain a strong academic record and establish professional relationships with your professors and instructors early in your undergraduate studies. Are foreign languages required for admission to law school? No. However, learning a foreign language can sharpen analytical skills and increase understanding of the English language, which are both important skills for law school. What types of questions are on the LSAT? The LSAT is comprised of five 35 minute multiple-choice sections, and one 35 minute Writing Sample, which is not scored, but is sent to the law schools to which an applicant submits an application. The question types are: ▪ Reading Comprehension ▪ Analytical Reasoning ▪ Logical Reasoning For further information about the LSAT, please visit the Law School Admission Council website at [http://lsac.org](http://lsac.org) How do I prepare for the LSAT? How is it scored? The LSAT is not a test for which you can cram. It tests aptitudes as opposed to specific knowledge. Preparing for it should be a process of familiarizing yourself with the format of the test, the types of questions that will be asked, and the pace of the exam. This is a process that often spans several months. A variety of study guides, preparation materials and courses are available to help you get ready for the LSAT. In particular, the Law School Admission Council publishes complete, authentic, recently administered LSAT exams that are available for purchased in book form. They also make a previous test available for free (PDF). Visit the Office of Pre-Professional Advisiong fora sampling of materials and more information on commercia

FAQs

Is pre-law a major at USC, and are there required courses for law school?

USC does not have a pre-law major, and law schools do not require specific pre-requisite courses for admission. Students can take courses that build logical reasoning and skills helpful for law school.

What factors are considered in law school admissions?

The two primary factors are cumulative GPA (from all colleges/universities) and the LSAT score. Other factors include letters of recommendation, personal statements, resumes, the rigor of coursework, and extracurricular activities.

How is the LSAT structured and scored, and how should students prepare for it?

The LSAT includes five 35-minute multiple-choice sections and one unscored 35-minute writing sample sent to law schools. Preparation should focus on format, question types, and pacing rather than cramming, and the scored sections determine a score range of 120 to 180 with no penalty for incorrect answers.

Aug 30, 2026

Uploaded by Skyler