Pre-law Advising

There's no required or "best" major for law school—students are accepted from nearly every field. Pick a major you're genuinely interested in and can excel at.

Popular choices include:

• Social sciences and humanities (political science, history, English, philosophy, psychology).
• Business fields (economics, finance, business administration).

STEM majors are also great options:

• Biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental studies, public health.
• These can make you stand out and are valuable for fields like patent or environmental law.

Choose challenging courses in any major that interests you. Law schools care more about strong grades, developed skills and meaningful experiences than your specific major.

Read: The American Bar Association’s Statement on Preparing for Law School

Law schools don't require specific majors or classes. Instead, focus on challenging courses and activities that develop these key skills:

Academic Skills

• Critical thinking and analysis: Breaking down complex problems, evaluating arguments and connecting ideas.
• Research skills: Finding and applying relevant information to solve problems.
• Reading comprehension: Understanding dense, technical material quickly and thoroughly.
• Writing: Communicating arguments clearly and persuasively.

Professional Skills

• Speaking: Presenting ideas confidently in class discussions and presentations.
• Time management: Juggling multiple deadlines and commitments.
• Teamwork: Collaborating effectively and resolving conflicts.
• Attention to detail: Catching important specifics in rules, cases and documents.

Personal Qualities

• Emotional intelligence: Managing stress and working with challenging people.
• Ethics: Understanding professional responsibility and doing the right thing.

Take rigorous courses, get involved in meaningful activities and work toward becoming a strong communicator and problem solver.

Freshman/Sophomore Years

• Choose a major that aligns with your academic interests. You may also consider a minor and/or certificate that complements your major and goals. Explore NIU’s diverse selection of undergraduate programs to customize your degree.
• Discuss your career goals and pre-law interests with your academic advisor. Your advisor will recommend courses, suggest relevant minors or certificates, connect you with resources and opportunities and refer you to pre-law advising.
• Focus on earning good grades by attending class regularly, developing good study habits and working on time management. Your GPA is cumulative, so it is essential to set a solid foundation from the start. Connect with the Huskie Academic Success Center for tutoring, academic coaching and writing support.
• Take courses that enhance your writing, reading comprehension, oral communication, critical thinking, logical reasoning and analytical skills. Such courses can be a part of your major, minor, general education, or electives.
• Build your resume by finding a job or internship and/or getting involved by joining a student club or organization, volunteering, or participating in community service. Undergraduate research, study abroad and the Honors Program are also great opportunities to enhance your undergraduate degree and gain leadership skills.
• Consider joining Mock Trial, Pre-law Society, Forensics, or other student organization that fits with your academic, professional and/or personal interests. Use the Huskie Hub platform through Student Involvement to explore hundreds of opportunities.
• Find a good balance between your academic workload and extracurricular activities. It is important to get involved, but not at the expense of your grades.
• Establish relationships with your professors through their classes and office hours, as they may be future letter of recommendation writers.
• Think deeply about why you want to become a lawyer. If possible, interview an attorney to get insights into the highlights and challenges of the legal profession.

Note: If you are interested in the Accelerated Law Degree Program, you are encouraged to meet with an NIU College of Law representative during your sophomore year.

Junior Year

• Maintain or improve your GPA, as your grades are a key factor in law school admission.
• Create a free account with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), which enables you to register for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), apply for admission to law school and submit your application materials electronically.
• Decide when you will take the LSAT and start preparing. Studying for the LSAT takes considerable time (250-300 hours recommended), so planning is crucial. Connect with test prep through Kaplan, LawHub or other resources.
• Research law schools and make a short list of those to which you may apply. Consider location, size, cost, diversity, student body and likelihood of admission. Get started using LSAC's Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools.
• Attend a free in-person or virtual Law School Forum hosted by LSAC.
• Think about whom you will ask for letters of recommendation. Most law schools require one or more letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors or mentors who can speak to your character, skills, ethics and strengths.
• Consider applying for an LSAC Fee Waiver if you need financial assistance through the application process to offset the costs of LawHub, LSAT and/or CAS and CAS Reports.
• Learn more about paying for law school and research financial aid and scholarship opportunities at the law schools you are considering.

Note: if you are applying to the Accelerated Law Degree Program, upi must take the LSAT and complete the law school application process by April 1 of your junior year.

Senior Year

• Take the LSAT the summer before your senior year or early fall of senior year, if possible. Early testing allows you time to schedule a retake, if desired.
• Begin the application process to your selected law schools through your LSAC account. Be mindful of priority application deadlines.
• Register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), which is required by most law schools and streamlines the application process. CAS combines your application materials with your LSAT score and sends a report to law schools. You should register for a CAS subscription at least four to six weeks before application deadlines.
• Request official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution you have attended to be sent directly to LSAC. LSAC will calculate your undergraduate cumulative GPA and submit your transcripts to the law schools.
• Reach out to faculty to write letters of recommendation. It is essential to prepare early and thoughtfully when deciding whom to ask for a letter of recommendation and to allow them adequate time to write a strong letter. Your recommenders will submit their letters directly to LSAC as a part of your CAS registration.
• Write your personal statement. This essay allows you to explain your motivations for pursuing law and share your experiences. You may tailor your letter to each law school to which you are applying, as each may have specific or broad prompts to address. Bring your personal statement to the Writing Center for feedback.
• Update your resume, which is required for some law schools and optional for others. Outline your educational background, work experience, involvement, achievements and skills. Bring your resume to Career Services for feedback.
• Consider if you want to include an addendum with your law school applications. Addenda are optional explanations of academic performance, LSAT score, etc.
• Visit the law schools you are applying to if you have not already, if possible.

Note: if you are applying to the Accelerated Law Degree Program, you must take the LSAT and complete the law school application process by April 1 of your junior year.

Law schools consider your entire application, but your GPA and test scores matter most. Here's what you'll need:

Applications

• Search schools using LSAC's Official Guide and apply through your LSAC account.
• Each school has different requirements and application fees ($0-$100).

Transcripts

• Request official transcripts from all colleges you've attended, sent directly to LSAC.
• LSAC calculates your cumulative GPA (might differ from your NIU GPA since it includes all schools and repeated courses).
• Law schools favor challenging coursework.

LSAT or GRE

All law schools accept the Law School Admission Test (LSAT); some also accept the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (though LSAT is more common).

• LSAT: Tests logical reasoning, reading comprehension and argumentative writing. Scored 120-180. Offered seven times/year. Limit: three times/year, seven times total. A fee waiver programis available for those who qualify.

• GRE: Tests verbal, quantitative and analytical writing. Scored 260-340 (verbal and quantitative). Can be taken five times/year with a 21-day waiting period. A fee reduction program is available for those who qualify.

Note: if you are applying to the Accelerated Law Degree Program, you must take the LSAT.

Personal Statement

Tell your story in your own voice. Explain why law school, what you're passionate about and what makes you a strong candidate. Tailor each statement to the specific school.

Resume

Include academics, work, activities, volunteering and leadership. Show how you spend your time and manage responsibilities.

Letters of Recommendation

Get letters from professors, supervisors, or mentors who know you well—personal connection matters more than impressive titles. Submit through LSAC.

Addenda

This is optional. Explain anything needing extra context not covered elsewhere in your application.

• LSAT Prep (varies)
• LSAT ($248)
  • Score Preview ($45 or $85)
• LSAC CAS Account ($215)
  • Sending Official Transcripts to LSAC (varies)
• Law School Application Fees (varies)
• LSAC CAS Reports ($45 each)
• Seat Deposits (varies) 

• Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
• LawHub - LSAT and Law School Prep
• The American Bar Association (ABA)
• National Association for Law Placement (NALP)
• AccessLex Institute
• Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)
• The National Jurist
• NIU Accelerated Law Degree Program
• NIU College of Law
• Explore NIU Majors, Minors and Certificates