Pre-Law Advising
Exploring Your Interest in Law
A law degree (J.D. or Juris Doctor) can lead to a wide range of law-related careers and can open doors to careers in government, business, higher education, communications, and numerous other fields. If you are considering a legal career, take time to explore the field of law before applying to law school.
At Cornell, there are many resources to help you prepare for law school; these are described in detail in Cornell’s Legal Careers Guide.
Read through the American Bar Association's advice on Preparing for Law School.
Register to receive e-mails about law-related programs and opportunities by completing a brief Career Interest Profile on Cornell CareerNet.
Attend pre-law programs listed on the Cornell Career Services Calendar.
Talk with a career counselor and take some interest assessment tests in G55 Goldwin Smith, to determine if your personality, values, and interests are aligned with what is required in the legal profession.
Conduct research on legal careers using resources in G55 Goldwin Smith and 103 Barnes Hall.
Investigate online resources on legal careers, law schools, and other law-related topics through the Cornell Career Services website.
Participate in Cornell's Extern Program to shadow Cornell alumni in their workplaces over winter break, and in a similar program for first-year students, FRESH, that takes place during spring break.
Intern with a law firm or law-related organization to gain exposure to the field and to experience the work environment.
Conduct information interviews to learn about the legal profession. Talk with lawyers who are family members, family friends, or Cornell alumni. The Career Contact Network is an online resource that puts you in touch with alumni who volunteer to answer questions and provide career advice to students via e-mail.
Discuss the law school experience with current law students and sit in on a class. You can arrange to visit Cornell Law School by calling the Admissions Office at 607-255-5141.
Take a position as a paralegal or legal assistant in a law firm or work in a law-related organization before applying to law school to confirm your interest in the field. No special training is required, and Arts and Sciences Career Services can assist you in your job search. Many Cornellians who eventually go to law school take time off first.
Make an appointment with Assistant Dean Heather Struck in 172 Goldwin Smith Hall to discuss your plans for law school (call 607-255-5051 or 607-255-4833)
Applying to Law School
A comprehensive discussion of the law school application process can be found in Cornell’s Legal Careers Guide. The following is a brief list of suggestions as you gear up for the application process:
Attend a pre-law workshop listed on the Cornell Career Services Calendar.
Take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), required for admission to all ABA-Approved US law schools. The LSAT is administered four times per year by the Law School Admission Council, and is offered in October and December at Cornell (www.lsac.org). Many applicants take the LSAT in October of their senior year, but it can be beneficial to take it as early as February or June of the year in which you plan to apply. This allows time to research schools after receiving your LSAT score. Your LSAT score is good for at least three years; some law schools will consider an older score.
Register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and check YES to release your information to your pre-law advisor, so that Cornell can monitor law school admission results and use this information to guide future law school applicants. Your personal information is always kept confidential.
Order a transcript in B7 Day Hall to be sent to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Give the Cornell Registrar a copy of the bar-coded LSAC transcript request form that from your online account at www.lsac.org. It’s a good idea to order your own copy of the transcript first, and check its accuracy.
Request Letters of Recommendation. Law schools typically require two letters, and they prefer academic recommendations to employer or character references. It’s advisable to request at least one letter from a faculty member in your major. Make an appointment to meet with your faculty early, and provide them with supporting information such as your resumé, personal statement, and a copy of your transcript or a graded class assignment or exam. Most law school applicants use the Letter of Recommendation Service included in the CAS registration. If you intend to apply to law school after graduation, consider establishing a file through the Interfolio Credentials Service and request faculty letters before you graduate. Write thank you notes to your recommenders, and let them know where you are accepted.
Request Dean’s Certifications. A small number of law schools require a College or Dean’s Certification. This process requires your submission of a Release Form authorizing the College to check the records of the Judicial Administrator and the College Academic Integrity Board; this form is available in G55 Goldwin Smith. Bring your signed release form, and signed Certification forms with stamped and addressed envelopes for each law school to G55 Goldwin Smith. Allow at least two weeks for processing the forms; the forms are processed in the order received. Without stamped envelopes the forms will not be sent to the law schools. If you have a violation that must be reported, make an appointment to speak with Assistant Dean Heather Struck in 172 Goldwin Smith (607-255-4833).
Write your Personal Statement. This is a very important piece of the law school application, which allows you to tell the admissions committee about yourself. Only a few law schools include an interview in the admissions process, so your personal statement becomes your primary opportunity to describe yourself beyond your grades and test scores. Make an appointment to discuss your personal statement with Assistant Dean Heather Struck in 172 Goldwin Smith (607-255-4833).
If you plan to apply to law school after graduation, make an appointment in your senior year with Assistant Dean Heather Struck in 172 Goldwin Smith (607-255-4833).
Contact Information
Prelaw Advisor
Heather Struck
Assistant Dean
hcs47@cornell.edu
Walk-in Hours
Tue, Thu 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
(fall and spring semesters)
172 Goldwin Smith Hall
Or, for an appointment call 607-255-4833
Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Perry
Academic Advising Center
G-55 Goldwin Smith Hall
jap236@cornell.edu
607-255-5051
