Pre-Law

What can you expect from the pre-law advising program?

The pre-law advising program is a set of offerings centered around preparation for law school admission. They include:

• Personalized Academic Advising
• LSAT Preparation
• Extracurricular Activities
• Events
• Pre-Law Timetable

Pre-Law Time Table

First and Second Years

• Work with your academic advisor and the pre-law advisor to review and register for the required courses for your degree program. Discuss with your advisors which general education and elective classes will be most beneficial in preparing you for law school.
• Begin conversations with your faculty advisor about co-op/internship opportunities that are required or recommended for your major.
• Participate in extracurricular activates that will help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in a law program, such as leadership, public speaking, critical thinking, analysis and communication, among others. (But don’t get carried away—studies come first.)

Third Year

• Make this your best year academically. Your acceptance to law school will depend to a great extent on your academic record.
• Start reviewing old copies of the LSAT test and explore the option of enrolling in a commercial test preparation course.
• Start investigating law schools.

Summer Between Third and Fourth Years

• Visit Law School Data Assembly Service to learn more about registering for the LSAT. Read the site thoroughly to make sure you understand all phases of the application process.
• Register for the LSAT and LSDAS.
• Begin to develop a list of 10 to 15 law schools for which you’d like to apply. Ultimately, applicants submit applications to 6 to 10 schools.
• Prepare for and take the LSAT.

Fourth Year

• If needed, make an appointment with the pre-law coordinator to discuss your plans.
• Pull together ideas for a personal statement or essay. Speak to professors about letters of recommendation.
• Request and send your undergraduate transcripts and apply for financial aid at law schools of interest.
• Finalize and submit your applications before Thanksgiving, if possible.
• By mid-January, follow up with law schools to ensure all application materials were received.
• Receive acceptance, make decision, send deposit.
• After graduation, send a final copy of your undergraduate transcript to the law school you will attend.

Students from all majors are welcome to apply to law school. The Pre-Law Advising Program recommends that you select a major that interests you and provides a challenging curriculum that includes the development of skills in problem-solving, critical thinking and analysis, and writing and communication. In addition to your major, a selection of other academic pursuits can enhance your studies and elevate your competitiveness as a law school applicant.

Double Majors

Many of the degree programs at RIT can be combined into a double major, though you will need to work with your Academic Advisor to develop a plan to finish both majors without extending your time-to-degree. While certainly not required, if a double major is desired, the Pre-Law Advising Program recommends considering the following options for the development of the skills and aptitudes needed for law school:

• Criminal Justice–Explore issues of law and justice as you evaluate the intended and unintended consequences of criminal justice policies and decision-making.  A focus on theory and social science provides students with the problem-solving skills necessary for addressing today’s most pressing social issues.
• Economics–Combine math and statistics with your desire to impact policy and social issues to research, collect, and analyze information. The economics major emphasizes the quantitative analytical approach to dealing with economic problems, providing students with necessary skills and the intellectual foundation to succeed in a law program.
• Philosophy–Most of the skills required for student and career success—how to learn, how to apply that learning in professional and personal environments, and how to communicate that knowledge—are central to philosophy. Philosophy students are taught to evaluate complex problems, identify and examine underlying principles, investigate issues from diverse perspectives, and communicate clearly in both written and oral forms. 
• Chemistry–Knowledge of chemistry is fundamental to an understanding of biology, biochemistry, geology and medicine, and areas of astronomy, physics, and engineering. It is especially useful for students who wish to pursue a career in patent law.

Accelerated Dual Degrees

Extremely motivated students may wish to pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees at RIT through an accelerated course of study prior to attending law school. These dual-degree programs allow you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in less time than it would normally take to complete each degree separately. Most accelerated programs require completion of freshman and sophomore course work at RIT before applying for admission.

Some accelerated dual degree options that may be of interest to pre-law students include:

• Applied Mathematics BS/Applied and Computational Mathematics MS
• Criminal Justice BS/MS
• Environmental Science BS/MS
• Environmental Science BS/Science, Technology and Public Policy MS
• International and Global Studies BS/Science, Technology and Public Policy MS
• Mechanical Engineering BS/MS
• Mechanical Engineering BS/Science, Technology and Public Policy MS
• Public Policy BS/MS

Explore all of RIT’s accelerated dual degree programs.

Minors and Immersions

Minors and immersions are concentrated areas of study in a particular subject area. Minors consist of five courses while immersions consist of three courses. RIT offers more than 170 minors and immersions to augment your academic studies. The Pre-Law Advising Program highly recommends the following minors or immersions for the development of the skills and aptitudes needed for law school:

• Legal Studies (available as a minor or immersion) explores the relationship of law to other aspects of society and culture, such as politics, social institutions, and the economy. Legal studies is offered as a minor and an immersion.
• Public Policy (available as a minor or immersion) enables you to gain a deeper understanding of public policy, the policy making process, and how policy analysis impacts policymaking. Public policy is offered as a minor and an immersion.
• Communication (available as a minor or immersion) develops a foundation in communication theories and research while you enhance your skills in public speaking, persuasion, and writing. Communication is offered as a minor and an immersion.
• English (available as a minor or immersion) build your awareness of the methods, theories, and technologies for both the creation and analysis of literary texts while you gain skills in critical or creative writing. English is offered as a minor and an immersion.
• Philosophy (available as a minor or immersion) evaluates complex problems, identify and examine underlying principles, investigate issues from diverse perspectives, and clearly communicate your point of view. Philosophy is offered as a minor and an immersion.

RIT/Syracuse University College of Law 3+3 Option

RIT has partnered with Syracuse University’s College of Law to offer an accelerated 3+3 BS/JD option for highly capable students. This option provides a fast-track pathway to law school in which students earn a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctorate degree in six years. In the 3+3 option, students interested in the following RIT majors–advertising and public relations, communication, criminal justice, economics, international and global studies, journalism, philosophy, political science, psychology, public policy, and sociology and anthropology–may apply to the option directly. Successful applicants are offered admission to RIT and given conditional acceptance into Syracuse University’s College of Law. Learn more about the RIT/Syracuse University College of Law 3+3 Option, including admission requirements and frequently asked questions.

Getting involved in activities outside the classroom will allow you to connect with other students who share your interest in the law, as well as provides the opportunity to hone the skills necessary to succeed in law school in new and fun ways. While you're encouraged to join a variety of clubs and organizations, several that may be of particular interest include:

• Pre-Law Association–The Pre-Law Association provides opportunities to visit law schools to sit in on a first-year courses, meet admissions representatives to learn more about what they look for in successful law school candidates, and attend LSAT review seminars. This is a great way to meet other pre-law students of all majors at RIT.
• Mock Trial Association–RIT’s mock trial team competes in both invitational and regional tournaments sanctioned by the American Mock Trial Association. It offers excellent preparation for students interested in attending law school, providing networking opportunities as well as practice in developing persuasive, cohesive arguments and delivering them in a court-like setting.