Pre-Law
Analytical and problem solving skills.
Critical reading ability.
Excellent written and oral communication.
Research skills.
These are the capacities that The Official Guide to U.S. Law School, states are especially helpful to students aspiring to enter law school.
These are exactly the capacities that Randolph College emphasizes in our liberal arts education.
The fact is there are no formal requirements for admission to the study of law. Law school admission deans generally recommend a broadly based liberal arts program that will help the candidate both develop and strengthen such basic skills as analytical reasoning and writing.
Again, these are exactly the kinds of skills that are emphasized at Randolph.
The Freedom to Chose
As a pre-law student at Randolph College, you are free to choose a major in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, or any other program that suits your interests and abilities and about which you are genuinely curious.
Randolph students who have gone on to law school have majored in a variety of fields, including:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Dance
- Economics
- English
- French History
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Religion
Good Choices
The Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools also recommends that pre-law students have or acquire knowledge in a number of areas.
These may include: American history, the American political system, economics, human behavior and social interaction, diverse cultures both in the U.S. and abroad, ethics, and mathematics.
Few students will be able to take courses in all these areas, nor is that necessary.
However, delving into as many of these subjects as possible will serve you well. When law schools evaluate a student’s transcript, they are also looking for challenging courses in any field.
Practice Leadership
Law schools look favorably on any demonstration of leadership skills or community service. Randolph College offers you many opportunities to get involved in student life and to learn to be a leader.
The LSAT
A student’s score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of a law school application, and sufficient preparation for this test cannot be overemphasized. The LSAT is not an information-based test, related to academic course work or to any specific knowledge. Rather, it tests the ability to analyze, reason, and comprehend written materials—all the skills that you will have sharpened at Randolph regardless of your major.
In addition, the Career Development Center can provide a number of resources to prepare you for the LSAT, including:
- The Official LSAT Prepkit, which provides a sample test and workbooks to introduce the three types of questions that the test includes: analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension
- Copies of previous LSAT exams to allow you further practice at taking the LSAT
Internet Resources
Many sources on the Internet provide useful information. In particular, the Law School Admission Council, which administers the LSAT and provides LSDAS services, maintains a site with the latest deadlines and some helpful advice. Additionally, most law schools maintain Web sites. For general application information and advice, consult:
More Information
For more information on preparing for a career in law at Randolph College, please contact the Office of Admissions or Pre-Law Advisor Vincent Vecera, assistant professor of political science, 434-947-8545.
