Pre-Law
Prepare for law school • Become a lawyer • Serve your community
John Brown University
2000 W. University St.,
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500
jbuinfo@jbu.edu
What are you looking for?
Prepare for law school • Become a lawyer • Serve your community
Current trends indicate that law schools are not looking for pre-law majors but, instead, are looking for students who have successfully completed a rigorous liberal arts program of study and who can perform well on the LSAT. For that reason, we believe John Brown University's pre-law program prepares our students well for the competitive law school admissions process.
The purpose of the pre-law program is to assist students in developing the skills and knowledge necessary for active intellectual engagement in the first year of law school and allow them to explore their interests in various areas within the legal profession.
The pre-law minor can be taken in conjunction with a major of the student's choice as a way to develop the verbal, written and analytical skills necessary for law school while maintaining academic rigor in their chosen major.
Students will receive support from their pre-law program adviser, a professor who is familiar with the terrain of the legal profession and the law school admissions process.
JBU's pre-law students have been accepted at law schools like Harvard, Columbia, Georgetown, Indiana, Missouri and Arkansas, among many others.
Pre-law students will be ready for the rigorous process of applying for and getting admitted to law school through one-on-one support and guidance from JBU's faculty.
Students take a series of mock LSAT tests and study in groups to prepare for taking the law school admissions test.
Students integrate their Christian faith and the legal profession, gaining exposure to practicing legal professionals and discussing contemporary issues in law through pre-law dinners, gatherings and book clubs.
Through the minor, students get exposure to the law through JBU's Law, Courts, and Politics, Constitutional Law, Media Law and Digital Ethics, and/or Business Law and Ethics courses.
No. Law schools do not require applicants to major in pre-law. In fact, most seem to discourage it. Current trends indicate that law schools are looking for students who have successfully completed a variety of rigorous academic programs, who can think critically and broadly and perform well on the LSAT. The goal of John Brown University's Pre-Law Program is for students to be prepared for the competitive law school admissions process, as well as the intellectual engagement required in the first year of law school.
No. Even though law schools do not require either a major or a minor in pre-law, the coursework in JBU's pre-law minor can be of significant help to students from a variety of majors in developing the skills, abilities, knowledge base, and habits of critical thinking necessary for success in law school.
Law school is a tremendous opportunity and experience, but it is not for everyone. Reasons for attending law school are as diverse as the individuals who apply. Please contact Dr. Daniel Bennett (DBennett@jbu.edu), JBU’s pre-law program adviser, to discuss the possibilities.
Applicants generally apply to law school early in the fall semester of their senior year, or a year in advance of the fall they plan to start law school. Since application deadlines vary, you should check with the programs to which you intend to apply.
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. Some law schools have recently started to accept the GRE test in lieu of LSAT results, but the vast majority of law schools still require the LSAT. Your LSAT score will be one of the most important components of your law school application. The Law School Admissions Council provides free LSAT preparation resources, available here. You can learn more about studying for the LSAT here.
Generally, students take the LSAT by the December prior to the fall semester in which they plan to begin law school. It is a good idea to take it even earlier - such as the June or October prior to the December date. Application requirements vary, so be certain to check the deadlines of the law schools to which you are applying. You can find more information on LSAT test dates and registration deadlines at the Law School Admissions Council website: www.lsac.org
The LSDAS is the Law School Data Assembly Service. The LSDAS takes information submitted by applicants, standardizes it, and sends it to law schools selected by the applicant. Most ABA-accredited law schools require that their applicants use the LSDAS. You can find more information on the LSDAS at the Law School Admissions Council website: www.lsac.org
John Brown University
2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500 jbuinfo@jbu.edu
JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.