Division of Humanities and Social Sciences

Pre-Law Professional Program

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Do I need a Pre-Law Major to go to law school?

No. Law schools do not require applicants to complete a Pre-Law major and, in fact, most law schools seem to discourage it. Current trends highlight the fact that law schools, instead, are looking for students who have successfully completed a rigorous liberal arts program of study, who can think critically and broadly, and who can perform well on the LSAT. John Brown University's Pre-Law Professional Program seeks to prepare students in each of these areas. Our goal is for students who participate in the Pre-Law Professional Program to be prepared not only for the competitive law school admissions process, but also for the intellectual engagement required in the first year of law school.

2) Do I need a Pre-Law Minor to go to law school?

No. Just as you do not need a Pre-Law Major to get into law school, neither do you need a Pre-Law Minor. You may have noticed that JBU's Pre-Law Professional Program nevertheless contains a Pre-Law Minor as one of its integral components. Our reason for this is that the coursework contained in the JBU Pre-Law Minor is key to helping students from a variety of majors to develop the skills, abilities, knowledge base, and habits of critical thinking necessary for success in law school. Therefore, although a Pre-Law Minor is not required for admission to law school, we highly encourage students to pursue the Pre-Law Minor at JBU as a means to helping them develop the skills and abilities that lead to law school success.

3) What is the LSAT?

The LSAT is the Law School Admissions Test. It is a half-day exam that must be taken by all students who apply to law school. Your LSAT score will be one of the most important components of your law school applications. You can find more information on the LSAT at the Law School Admissions Council website: www.lsac.org

4) How do I prepare for the LSAT?

There are several different methods of preparing for the LSAT. At JBU, we offer a mock LSAT test and score analysis each spring semester. Look for announcements on campus or contact us for more information. You can purchase LSAT preparation materials and previously administered LSAT exams online at the Law School Admissions Council website: www.lsac.org Organizations such as Kaplan also offer commercial courses for LSAT preparation.

5) When should I take the LSAT?

It is generally required that students take the LSAT no later than the December prior to the fall semester in which they plan to begin law school. It is highly recommended, however, to take the LSAT even earlier-such as the June or October prior to the December date. Application requirements will vary by school so be certain to check the deadlines of the specific law schools to which you are interested in applying. You can find more information on LSAT test dates and registration deadlines at the Law School Admissions Council website: www.lsac.org

6) What is the LSDAS and do I need to subscribe in order to apply to law school?

The LSDAS is the Law School Data Assembly Service. Individuals interested in applying to law school submit their application information to the LSDAS which then standardizes that information before sending it to law schools selected by the applicant.

Most ABA-accredited law schools require that their applicants run their applications through the LSDAS. You can find out more information on the LSDAS at the Law School Admissions Council website: : www.lsac.org

7) Should I go to law school?

Law school is a tremendous opportunity and experience, but it is not for everybody. Reasons for attending law school are as diverse as the individuals who apply. If you'd like to talk with someone about your interest in the law and whether or not law school would be a good fit for you, please contact Professor Scott Jones (sjones@jbu.edu) Director of JBU's Pre-Law Professional Program.

8) What law school should I attend?

The law school that is best suited to you will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to what you hope to do with your law degree, financial considerations, geographical location, and the combination of your undergraduate GPA and LSAT score.

The ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools is a great resource for exploring various law schools. This guide also walks you through the law school application process. You can purchase it online and also view ABA-approved law schools online at : www.lsac.org

The Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools is another great resource for exploring various law schools. It is available at most major bookstores.

In addition to these resources, we have cataloged a wide variety of law school viewbooks for JBU students interested in attending law school. The ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools, The Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools, and viewbooks for various law schools are available for your use in the Humanities and Social Sciences Division. Please contact Professor Scott Jones (sjones@jbu.edu) to view these materials or to discuss your options.

9) When should I apply to law school?

Applicants generally apply to law school early in the fall semester of their senior year in order to begin law school the following fall semester. Since application deadlines will vary by school, it is recommended that you check the deadlines of the specific schools to which you intend to apply.

10) Who can I talk to about my interest in law school, law school application procedures, and/or the Pre-Law Professional Program at JBU?

If you are interested in finding out more about law school, the law school admissions process, or JBU's Pre-Law Professional Program, please let us know. We'd be happy to meet with you.

Professor Scott Jones

Assistant Professor of Political Science
Director, Pre-Law Professional Program
sjones@jbu.edu