Pre-Law

University at Albany Law Fair

The University at Albany sponsors a Law School Fair every fall. Representatives from over 40 Law Schools attend this event and are available to answer questions from prospective students.

The 2024 Law Fair will be hosted in person on Friday, September 27, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. in the Lecture Center Concourse.

Law school representatives and LSAT Prep vendors that are interested in attending can register here and should do so by September 20, 2024.

Students are not required to register, but can view the list of participating schools.

Programming Events

Pre-Law hosts events each semester we have programming events that involved UAlbany alum who are lawyers, the Black Lawyers Matter speaker series, informational sessions with current law students, etc.

Prior to Junior Year

• Select a major in a field that interests you and in which you will excel.
• Start building relationships with professors and teaching assistants early on, so you can ask for a recommendation letter from someone you know best.
• If interested in 3+3 Law Program, please apply by the end of freshman year.
• Subscribe to the Pre-Law LISTERV.
• Join the UAlbany Pre-Law Association.
• Explore relevant job and internship opportunities with the Office of Career Services and the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.

Junior Year

• Research law schools.
• Attend the University at Albany Law Fair in the fall.
• Begin preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
• If prepared, consider taking the June LSAT (Note: Students that plan to start Law School right after graduation, should take the LSAT between June after junior year and Fall of senior year.)
• Register with the Credential Assembly Service.
• Register for October LSAT, if appropriate.

Senior Year

• Request letters of recommendation.
• If required, forward Dean's Recommendation forms to the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.
• Review financial aid material.
• Take October LSAT, if appropriate.
• Prepare applications according to law school deadlines.
• Call law schools in January to ensure application is complete.

Law School Preparation

Choosing A Major

Law is an incredibly diverse profession, and because of this, there is no one major that provides a student with a definitive background for its study. While the majors of History, English, Political Science, Philosophy, or Criminal Justice have traditionally been considered as preparation for law school, it is equally true that any major will lead to success in a law career. The most important first step that any student interested in law can make is to choose a major in which the student excels, which can be any major that interests the student. 

Admission Requirements

While there is no major that is "pre-law," there are certain basic requirements for admission to law school: the successful completion of the bachelor's degree, a competitive undergraduate grade point average, and a competitive score on the Law School Admissions Test. Additionally, many personal factors are considered. Even though there is no single major that predicts a successful career in law, there are certain skills that will be necessary to ensure that success, and students should choose their classes wisely to develop those skills. 

Language Skills

Language skills are of the utmost importance for success in the legal profession. Among these skills is writing and students should look for classes that aim to strengthen technical skills such as grammar and choose classes that require essay examinations and analytical written work. Oral communication is another important language skill since those in the legal profession must be able to clearly and effectively convey their meaning through the spoken word, speech classes, or those classes that require oral presentations to help build oral communication skills. Reading and oral comprehension skills are also crucial, both in law school and in the profession.

LSAT

How long should I study?

• Assess yourself – familiarize yourself with the LSAT by taking the exam without timing it. Then do a timed practice exam and score it. There are a few practice online exams on the LSAC website. If you sign up for CSTEP as a Pre-Law student, you can access some free study materials. There is also a free printable version of an official test on the LSAC website here 
   
• Given the unusual nature of this test -- it is a test of skills rather than knowledge of substance -- it is not atypical to need 6-8 months, or even a year of study to reach maximum potential score on the test if you have not prepped for standardized testing in the past. Some students find that they don’t improve significantly on practice tests until after 120 hours of studying. Do not be discouraged!
   
• Not enough time to study? This can be true if you work and are in school and/or have family obligations. Consider postponing until you complete school so you can achieve your best score! Many students do this and at the same time take jobs in fields that can affirm or support career plans. This is a great use of a gap year!

Take practice exams (but only on actual LSAT questions)

• Take timed practice tests as much as possible. Do timed sections and full practice tests and do them again.
• Spend time going over the exams that you take and understand your errors. You will improve not by just doing the exams, but by reviewing your answers. This can be a tedious process, but it is the only way to determine what you are doing wrong, so that you can figure out how to avoid mistakes on the next test. Be sure that you practice under timed conditions.
• Avoid practicing on simulated questions; with so many released exams, it is not a challenge to locate actual tests.

Where can I find sample tests?

• Download sample questions and explanations and a complete sample test from LawHub.
• LSAC sells books that contain released LSAT exams as also mentioned above. The books are also available for purchase from bookstores and on-line booksellers.
• Some test preparation companies (Princeton Review and Kaplan) offer free scored and timed practice tests for anyone who would like to sit for them.

Can I take this test more than once?

• Ideally you want to take the LSAT one time, when you are ready.
• Within one year: Students may take the exam three (3) times in a single testing year (the testing year goes from June 1 to May 31).
• Within five years: Students may take the exam five (5) times within a five year window (the period in which LSAC reports scores to law schools).
• Multiple scores are provided to law schools.
• Do take the LSAT again if you are not pleased with your score and think you can do better -- particularly if you were feeling ill during the test. However, if you prepared appropriately for the first exam, realize that most students do not significantly increase their scores through subsequent testing.
• If you are able to do substantially better on a second exam, you will greatly improve your prospects of admission.

Extracurricular Activities & Personal Experience

Although the Grade Point Average and the LSAT score are important, there are many other factors that law schools consider. Campus involvement, community service, internships in the legal field, and an overall commitment to helping others would be very useful to someone interested in law as a profession.

Law School Application Process

Personal Statement

A strong personal statement should discuss who you are, explain weaknesses in your file, and tell a good story. The admissions officer who reads your personal statement should not just feel informed but feel entertained while reading. No one can tell you what should be in your personal statement without knowing your entire personal and family history. Personal statements are often sent in conjunction with other essays. The set of essays must tell a unified story.

Note: Please email your essay prior to meeting with Pre-Law at [email protected].

Dean's Letter

While not all schools require a Dean's Letter, it is a very important part of the overall application process for those that do and is referred to as a Dean's Recommendation or College Questionnaire. The purpose of this letter is to verify whether a student has had any disciplinary or academic infractions while attending college. 

The office that is responsible for processing this on our campus is the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. The Dean's Letter should be mailed or dropped off at the following address: 

Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
1400 Washington Avenue
Lecture Center 30
Albany, NY 12222 

Note: Please observe the importance of disclosing any infractions that may have occurred in the past even if they have since been expunged. Failure to disclose, if later discovered, carries very serious consequences such as denial of admission to the bar or disbarment. A pre-law advisor is available for further input on this matter.

Letters of Recommendation

When deciding who to ask for a recommendation, please do not use references from your friends or relatives, or recommendations from people who do not really know you. A common mistake made by applicants is to think that the prestige or position of the writer is more important than what the person can say about the applicant. Letters that compare you to your academic peers are often the most useful. A recommendation that is purely laudatory can lose some of its credibility and be viewed with some skepticism. A small flaw embedded along with much praise is likely to be viewed as more real. 

Provide the recommenders with the following information:

• A résumé 
• Information about your grade point average, LSAT score, unusual circumstances or trends.
• Highlights of significant experiences and/or awards, responsibilities, above average leadership responsibilities.
• Copies of papers you did, if any, with comments by the writer of your recommendation.

Make an appointment to meet with the recommenders in-person and be prepared to discuss why you want to go to law school and what you are hoping to do with a law degree. Be active in expressing what you're hoping the recommender will include in the letter. The letter should evaluate rather than describe and the recommender's response will be a good indicator as to whether the recommendation will be useful. If you don't receive a firm yes when you ask the recommender to write a positive letter, you should seek alternatives.

A good recommendation will convey the recommender's enthusiasm and support for you as an applicant to law school.

Provide an envelope stamped and addressed to Credential Assembly Service as a courtesy and to facilitate the process for your recommender. 

Allow at least 4 or 5 weeks for the tasks to be completed by the writer. 

Remember to write a thank you note or stop by in person to express your appreciation. 

The recommender should keep the following in mind:

• The law school admissions process is very competitive. Please ensure the recommendation is specific as possible. Law school admission committees’ want to know primarily how well the student reads and writes, if the student can adapt to the discipline of law school, and will the student reflect favorably on their law school. 
• Be specific about the student's coursework. Was the course a demanding one? How well did the student perform on both oral and written assignments? Did the student do anything which stands outs in your mind (e.g., did the student write a term paper or essay which you considered superior?) if so, indicate the topic and why it was a superior work. Note the student's potential for intellectual development. 
• Indicate how long and in what capacity you have known the student. If you are familiar with non-academic achievements (e.g., extra-curricular activities), please note these. 
• Also note other background characteristics which may be useful (e.g., work experience, bilingual ability). Convey facts, not judgments alone. Do not use unsupported adjectives. 
• Please forward your letter directly to the Credential Assembly Services on the form provided by the student. 
• Keep a copy of every letter of recommendation.

Related Links

• Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
• American Bar Association
• National Association for Law Placement