Utah Valley University’s Pre-Law Counselor is here to help you determine if a career in law is right for you. We provide general advice if you are contemplating law school, provide information about law-related activities, acquaint you with the application process and related resources, and provide general answers about the law school atmosphere. If you decide to apply to law school, we are committed to helping you navigate through the application process. We are available to advise primarily current and former UVU students. Initially, the decision about whether or not to apply to law school—and then actually beginning that process—may seem overwhelming. However, with our support, we believe we can help make that process more manageable for you.
While UVU's Pre-Law counseling program is here to counsel you regarding your interest in attending law school, YOU are responsible for keeping track of the LSAT and application dates, for approaching professors (or others) for recommendations, and for ensuring your applications are complete well in advance for your deadlines.
Loading Directory data....
Your academic record is a very important element of the admissions process; therefore, be sure to major in a subject area that you enjoy and in which you will do well. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline. You are encouraged to pursue an area of study that interests and challenges you, while taking advantage of opportunities to develop your research and writing skills. While at UVU, focus on developing skills that are useful and necessary for law students and lawyers such as: writing, research, editing, oral communication and listening, problem solving and critical reading, organization and task management, and relationship building and collaboration. You can develop many of these skills through your core curriculum courses as well as major/concentration/minor classes.
Some schools accept the GRE but not all. It’s important to check with each school you are interested in. All schools accept the LSAT. If you have already taken the LSAT and then choose to take the GRE, your LSAT score will be used in making the admission decision.
Academic success is important but other factors such as extracurricular activities are also valued and play a role in admission decisions. This is generally a means of looking at the candidate as a whole and obtaining a complete and well-rounded picture of who they are reviewing. Things that law schools looks for include leadership experience, work experience, internships, study abroad programs, research and publications and community service.
Most law schools admit students once a year in the fall. Law schools admit on a rolling basis, meaning they start looking at applications and admitting students to their classes, as applications roll in so it’s important to apply early! However, applying early does not make up for a poorly prepared application. Most law school applications open in September. You can apply to as many US law schools as you choose through your LSAC CAS account. Application requirements may include: LSAT score, Personal Statement, Resume, Letters of Recommendation, Deans Certificate and any additional requirements unique to the particular school.
Most ABA-approved law schools require the use of the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). All ABA-approved law school applications are available electronically through your CAS account. Additionally, CAS includes transcript summarization, creation of your CAS Report (you will need to purchase a CAS report for each law school you are applying) and letter of recommendation processing. After you apply to law schools of your choice, they will contact CAS directly and request a copy of your report.
Curriculum
During the first year, almost every law school offers core curriculum of civil procedure, criminal law, contracts, legal research and writing, legal methods, torts, constitutional law and property. However, you will have the opportunity to take a variety of elective courses during your second and third years of law school. Don’t assume a school has a program to suit your particular interests; individual school websites can tell you more about that.
School Offerings
Consider the size of the school, average class size, demographics of the student body, library and other physical facilities, availability of part-time or evening programs, joint-degree programs, LLM or other special-degree programs, clinical programs, moot court competitions, student law journals, academic support programs, student organizations and career services and employment.
Diversity and Inclusion
You may wish to consider a school with a strong commitment to diversity recruitment, retention and mentoring. A faculty and student body with diverse backgrounds, points of view and experiences enriches the legal education of all students, broadens your point of view and prepares you for the variety of clients you will encounter when you enter the profession.
Financial Impact
The single best source of information about financing a legal education is the financial aid office (or website) of any LSAC-member law school. Tuition at law schools can range from a few thousand dollars to more than $50,000/year. Adding in the cost of housing, food, books, transportation and other personal expenses, the total cost for the degree could exceed $150,000. Most students rely on educational loans and think of this debt as an investment in their future. It is important to have a financial strategy from the outset that includes thinking about your budget while attending law school, repayment options when you graduate, and expected future income. The law school is your best guide as you navigate this process.
