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Pre-Law Advising

 

Pre-Law Timeline

From start to finish, applying to law school is a long and tedious process. Use this guide as you matriculate at GW. For applicants who wish to take some time off between graduating and applying, you can use "Year 3 & 4" on this timeline as a loose guide. If you have any questions about any of the suggestions, reach out to a pre-law advisor via email.

 

  • Focus on your grades & commit to your coursework.
  • Take a variety of courses that require you to read, write, research and analyze.
  • Attend a Pre-Law Introduction Workshop or watch our pre-recorded one on our website.
  • Sign up for the Pre-law Newsletter.
  • Explore major options. Consider your interests, topics in which you excel, and options that will give you another career or graduate study option if you change your mind about law school.
  • Join a student organization that interests you (i.e. Pre-Law Student Association, Phi Alpha Delta, Mock Trial, Moot Court, College Democrats/Republicans, Student Government Association, GW Parliamentary Debate Society, etc. A variety of student organizations can be found on GW Engage.)
  • Avoid disciplinary actions and criminal misconduct charges.

 

  • Declare your major.
  • Get your résumé reviewed by Career Services and keep it updated.
  • Take a practice LSAT exam through LawHub.
  • Conduct informational interviews or job shadowing with current attorneys (on-campus, in your hometown, a GW alum, etc.)
  • Consider applying for the Law and Society minor in the Sociology Department if interested. Note that you are able to take some courses in this minor without declaring it.
  • Begin identifying professors who might serve as your recommenders and speak with them about your plans.
  • Investigate the various fields of law.
  • Create a “Future JD Student” Account on LSAC.org.
  • Attend a “Law School Application Workshop” hosted by pre-law advising.
  • Register and prepare for the LSAT (consider a prep course).
  • Register for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service.
  • Consider a law-related internship for the spring or summer.
  • Start or expand your target school list by researching at least 20 schools.
  • Attend the GW Law School Fair in October and refine your school list.
  • Begin drafting your personal statement in the spring semester.
  • Meet with a pre-law advisor in the spring semester or over the summer.

 

  • Finalize your school list and research all optional essays and document requirements.
  • Request and secure letters of recommendation by October 1st.
  • Complete your file with the Credential Assembly Service.
    • Request transcripts from the GW Registrar. You will also need to request transcripts from any other college/university you attended through dual enrollment courses in high school or through post-matriculation transfer credit. (Note that study abroad transcripts may not need to be requested through CAS if your study abroad experience was through GW and less than one year of work; however, individual schools may still request these grades/transcript.)
    • Ensure all letter of recommendation are uploaded.
  • Finish your personal statement and have it reviewed by the Writing Center.
  • Write all supplemental/optional essays.
  • Attend the law school fair and plan visits to schools on your list.
  • Research financial aid; complete FAFSA in October.
  • Submit your applications, preferably before Thanksgiving.