DR. JESSICA ADOLINO, DIRECTORJMU PRE-LAW PROGRAM

ASSOCIATE DEANSCHOOL OF PUBLIC AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

JUNIOR PRE-LAW SESSION

Things to do in Junior year

The law school application process typically begins in the spring of your junior year, or approximately 18 months prior to when you expect to begin law school

Things to do in Junior year

1. Meet with a prelaw advisorhttp://www.jmu.edu/prelaw/

Things to do in Junior year

2. Continue to focus on becoming academically successful and well-rounded Throughout the junior year make every attempt to maintain or

improve your GPA Continue to choose a balanced, diversified, and progressively

more complex course of study, including classes that encourage analytical and logical reasoning, reading comprehension and good writing skills

Use elective courses that emphasize critical thinking, reasoning and communication skills. Be cautious to choose those that are progressively more complex (e.g. 300 and 400 level)

 

Things to do in Junior year

3. What do you need to know about the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)? All students applying to ABA approved law schools

must take the LSAT Tests general skills in reading, analysis, and logic

and your ability to deal with the unfamiliar, to remain stable under pressure, and to tolerate ambiguity

You do not need to have any legal knowledge to do well on the LSAT

Things to do in Junior year

3. What do you need to know about the LSAT? Given four times a year: early June, late September

or early October, early December, and early February by the Law School Admissions Council

5 timed 35-minute multiple choice sections: 2 Logical Reasoning 1 Reading Comprehension 1 Analytical Reasoning 1 Experimental section (NOT be counted towards score) Writing section (not scored )

Detailed information at http://www.lsac.org

Things to do in Junior year

3. What do you need to know about the LSAT?, con’t. Plan to take the test only ONCE Electronic registration and score reporting Fee waivers

Things to do in Junior year

4. When should you take the LSAT? First choice: the June following your junior year

Alternative preference: Sept/Oct of your senior year December results will make application deadlines

Reasons why JUNE is the best choice Fewer distractions Time for a re-test Better prepared to choose schools

Take the test ONLY when you feel fully prepared to do so And DON’T take the test once for “practice”

Things to do in Junior year

5. Prepare well for the LSATSpring of junior year prime preparation time

Become familiar with the LSAT format—structure and scoring Managing the answer sheet

Repeated timed practice using authentic past LSAT’s Deciding when you’ve prepared too much Decide whether to purchase any of the various

preparation materials or take a preparation course http://www.jmu.edu/prelaw/lsat.shtml

Things to do in Junior year

6. Create an LSAC account and register for the LSAC Credential Assembly Service

Transcripts LSDAs Report Letter of recommendation service

Evaluation service Five-year subscription http://www.jmu.edu/prelaw/applying.shtml

Things to do in Junior year

7. Begin thinking about which law schools you want to attend

 

Things to do in Junior year

8. Think about letters of recommendation and talk with faculty who know you well

Things to do in Junior year

Start thinking about your personal statement

Things to do in Junior year

10. Secure a summer job or internship, if possible, in a law-related field. Do an internship with a lawyer or volunteer to work in a law office or community law clinic

Thinking ahead

11. If you have the opportunity, during the summer of your junior year, you might want to visit several of the law schools that are high on your wish list

Thinking ahead

12. When should you apply?

Thinking ahead

Spring 2012 information sessions Writing your personal statement and asking for letters

of recommendation Deciding where to apply