Applying to Law School

There are several paths you can take to pursue a law degree. Through working with students interested in law, our Pre-Law Advising Committee has developed a recommended set of courses and a timeline for students to better organize the application process. Here are the steps you should follow to ensure you meet application deadlines and requirements:

1. Take Suggested Pre-Law Courses

There are a number of courses offered at Elizabethtown College that can be helpful for law school preparation. These classes can help you develop and hone the skills necessary for law school.

Suggested Courses:

Class	Department & Course Number
American National Government	Political Science 111
Mock Trial I and II	Political Science 301 & 302
Constitutional Law I and II	Political Science 303 & 304
Legal Environment of Business	Business Admin. 330
International Legal and Ethical Environment of Business	Business Admin. 337
Communications Law and Ethics	Communications 248
Logic and Critical Thinking	Philosophy 110
Advanced Ethics: Legal	Philosophy 255C
Philosophy of Law	Philosophy 305 (PS 305)
U.S. Criminal Justice System	Sociology 217
Juvenile Law and Justice	Sociology 352

If you’re interested in a particular area of law, your advisor can help you choose additional courses that best prepare you for your future career.

2. Focus on the LSAT

LSAT stands for Law School Admissions Test. Think of it as the SAT for getting into law school. To do well on the LSAT, you need to prepare for several months in advance and practice on a regular basis. Some students start to study a year or more in advance.

Preparing for the LSAT

There are many different strategies, but most people recommend at least 4 months of preparation time (several hours per day during that time). You can prepare on your own using self-study guides (cost ~ $50) or enroll in prep courses (cost ~ $1500).

Because Elizabethtown College is a member of the American Mock Trial Association, Kaplan (an LSAT preparation organization) offers our students a 10% discount on classroom prep courses when you register online and use the promotion code “AMTA10”.

Additionally, the Pre-Law Director maintains a small LSAT prep library in his office. Pre-Law students are welcome to borrow these materials for a short period of time. The Pre-Law Director also holds practice LSAT exams for Pre-Law students several times a semester free of charge.

Retaking the LSAT

Most students who retake the LSAT, on average, improve their score by about two or three points. However, many students score the same or worse on a second test. Some law schools (but not all) take the average of your LSAT scores if you take more than one test. So, if you score a 150 on your first test, a 152 on your second test, your application may be evaluated as if you received a score of 151. In recent years, more schools are beginning to only consider the highest LSAT score earned. You should carefully research the admission practices for your prospective law schools and consult with the Pre-Law Director before deciding to schedule another LSAT exam.

3. Stay Organized & Find the Right Fit

To stay on track, we’ve developed a timeline to help you research law schools and navigate the application process throughout your time at Etown.

Suggested Application Timeline

Class Year	Semester	Classes/Activities
First-year	Fall	Focus on doing well in classes and developing skills necessary for success in law school. Attend Pre-Law sponsored events to learn about law school admissions, financing law school, and law and law-related careers.
Sophomore		Focus on doing well in classes and developing skills necessary for success in law school. Attend Pre-Law sponsored events to learn about law school admissions, financing law school, and law and law-related careers. Consider taking practice LSAT (free)
Junior	Fall	Off-campus experience (if taking June LSAT) Take practice LSAT (free) Attend Philadelphia Law School Fair to begin getting information about specific law schools Order information from law schools/view websites
	Spring	Off-campus experience (if taking Fall LSAT) Register for LSAT (if taking a summer test)($$) Note: Students are encouraged to take the test over the summer, if possible. LSAT Prep (if taking a summer test) Order information from law schools/view websites
	Start of Summer	LSAT prep (if taking the LSAT in the fall) Register for LSAT($$) Think of personal statement topics and potential letter of recommendation writers
	Late Summer	Begin research on possible law schools See LSAC's See GPA/LSAT Locator Register for the Credential Assembly Service through LSAT ($$) Send undergraduate transcripts to LSAC/LSDAS Contact potential letter of recommendation writers You will need at least two letters, possibly three. Professors are best. Visit prospective law schools
Senior	Fall	Take practice LSAT (free) Take LSAT Complete research on possible schools to attend Attend Philadelphia Law School Fair to get information on specific law schools Visit prospective law schools Update resume for law school applications Begin writing a personal statement Complete/submit law school applications (mid-November, possibly sooner)
	Spring	Attend Pre-Law events Some law schools may require in-person interviews Law school acceptances arrive Visit schools to which you are accepted Complete financial aid forms Decide which law school to attend Graduate!