Academics

How to Prepare for Law School 

Choice of Academic Major:  The American Bar Association

“…does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for a legal education. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline. You may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science, economics or business, or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse as art, music, science and mathematics, computer science, engineering, nursing or education. Whatever major you select, you are encouraged to pursue an area of study that interests and challenges you, while taking advantage of opportunities to develop your research and writing skills. Taking a broad range of difficult courses from demanding instructors is excellent preparation for legal education.” (http://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/pre_law.html)

Accordingly, there is no pre-law program or recommended major for students interested in law school.  Students who hope to attend law school can choose to major in a wide array of programs, as suggested above.  Although there is no pre-law program or recommended major, MSU does offer pre-law advising for students in any major to help them to make successful applications to law school.

Law School Advising:  The academic advisors from your major and minor may be able to help you to prepare for law school, but Professors Kelly Collinsworth and Dianna Murphy are the attorney-instructors who serve as MSU’s official Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) advisors on campus.  If you add the ‘pre.law’ code to your academic program, this will enable you to receive information related to law school preparation, the admissions process, notifications concerning campus visits from law schools, opportunities for LSAT preparation, etc.  To add the ‘pre.law’ code to your academic program, just ask your academic advisor or email Rhonda Crisp at r.crisp@moreheadstate.edu.

MSU’s official LSAC advisors can help you to answer the following questions:

•             Where should I apply? Does it matter where I go to law school? Do rankings really matter?

•             How do I know which law schools might accept me?

•             What does it mean if I am wait-listed?

•             Is financial aid available?  If so, how can I get it?

•             What is reasonable tuition? Are loans available?  If so, how much should I borrow?

•             Can I work during law school?

•             Which area of law should I study? 

•             What are the job prospects in various areas of law?

•             How do I prepare for the LSAT?  When should I take it?

•             How do I apply for law school? When should I apply?

•             Should I include an addendum to my application that describes special conditions?

•             How do I write a personal statement?  Who should help me to review it?

•             Who should write me a letter of recommendation for law school? How many do I need?

•             Does my GPA matter? How does the LSAC rank students?

•             Do extracurricular activities matter?

•             How do I use the LSAC website?

For more information concerning pre-law advising, please click here.

Dept. of History, Philosophy, Religion, & Legal Studies Main Webpage 

Individuals wishing to pursue law school can select from a variety of majors, although many pursue a major in Paralegal Studies, History, or Philosophy. Students who choose a major other than Paralegal Studies are strongly encouraged to consider the Legal Studies minor. The Legal Studies faculty, all of whom have law degrees, provide students interested in attending law school, regardless of major, with advice pertaining to the Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT), law school admission procedures, and legal career opportunities.

For more information concerning pre-law advising (including information about how to prepare to apply for law school, how to prepare to take the LSAT, etc.), please click here.

 

Admission to Morehead State University (see MSU admission requirements).

There is no Pre-Law major at MSU.  Students wishing to attend law school must obtain a Bachelor's degree.

In addition to a bachelor's degree, students applying to law school should have the following:

1. A good grade point average, generally higher than 3.0 and most applicants have a 3.5 or higher GPA.  While seeking a well-rounded education, applicants will need to select challenging courses that require critical thinking and which are designed to develop excellent research and writing skills.
2. You must register and pay for the Law School Apptitude Test (LSAT) through the Law School Admissions Council.  Your score on the LSAT is a significant factor in determining admission to law school.  The Legal Studies faculty offer workshops and adivising on the LSAT.
3. You must obtain at least two letters of recommendation, usually from a faculty member.
4. Write a personal statement.
5. Complete an application form for the law school to which you are applying.  Most law schools accept a uniform application.