If you’re going straight through from your undergraduate degree to law school, you’re in good company. Depending on the school and the year, you can expect at least a quarter of your incoming law school classmates to be in the same boat. And while you might have had less time out there in “the real world” to showcase on your application, applying as a “kindergarten through JD” candidate does give you a great opportunity to take the most advantage of your existing school network. So as you prepare for submission, keep the following tips in mind.
Build Your Law School Network Early
If you’re still in college and getting ready to apply to law school, you’ve likely got the benefit of a fair few campus resources to help you with the process. For starters, definitely check out your school’s career center and see if they have a designated pre-law advisor for you to work with. You can also join a pre-law club or program to connect with other students in the same boat as you. These organizations often feature networking events that will connect you with attorneys, judges, current law students, and yes—even admissions representatives. It’s a great way to get a sense of where your future career might take you. You will never be in a better position to make such a wide range of connections.
Maintain Your GPA
Now, let us put on our admissions dad hat for a second: keep those grades up, Sonny! You’ve got the valuable chance to cement yourself a strong UGPA, which will make you a more competitive candidate when it’s time to start sending out those apps. Take law-related courses if possible, and consider looking for law-related internships or employment opportunities to bulk up your résumé. But grades up, above all else. Many later-in-life applicants would do anything to be able to increase their undergraduate GPA, so make this your priority.
Connect with Law Schools Early
While by no means necessary, you may want to use this time to make campus visits, particularly while law schools are in session and may offer student-run tours, opportunities to sit in on classes, and even time to speak with admissions officers (but don’t overdo communication with AOs at this point and end up being viewed as annoying!). Many top schools don’t track interest, but it will help you put together your school list and give you personalized material for your Why X statements. Also, for schools that do track interest—perhaps schools on your safety list where your stats are above their medians—your demonstrated interest might help you receive scholarship money.
You also may want to attend law school forums and fairs. If you’re unable to travel, attending virtual events, such as online info sessions the year before you plan to apply, will allow you to learn more about the school and what AOs are looking for in an applicant.
Remember Your Alumni Networks
And finally, consider taking advantage of your alumni networks. A little shared school spirit goes a long way in getting in touch with current students or grads at the law schools you’re interested in. Having conversations with people who share your alma mater, whether you meet them via LinkedIn or through the career center or at the football game tailgate, won’t necessarily help you get admitted by itself, but will give you a chance to build strong connections and learn more about what makes different law programs unique. This potentially will be valuable when writing your Why X statements, interviewing, and making a final decision about where to attend law school, and eventually may even help you land your first legal job.
That’s it for now! Next week, we’ll consider a question that’s on many undergraduate minds: Should I take a gap year?