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
Law School Forums2012 Law School Recruitment Forums
Washington, DCSaturday, June 16, 10:00 am–4:00 pmMarriott Wardman Park, 2660 Woodley Road, NWWashington, DC 20008
Boston, MA Saturday, November 17 New York, NY Friday, October 12 and 13
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
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