Frequently Asked Questions

There is no best major for entry into law school. Law schools do not have prerequisite undergraduate courses or preferences for specific degree programs, so no major will necessarily “make you more attractive” during the law school admissions process.

A competitive GPA and LSAT score are substantial factors when applying for law school. Many Pre-Law students often choose a major that will help them maintain an impressive GPA.

For more information about selecting a major, consider reading the response to “What is the best Pre-Law major?” on the Law School Admissions Council website or the ABA’s “Preparing for Law School” undergraduate education statement.

Additionally, you can use FSU’s Undergraduate Academic Program Guide to help you learn more about the curriculum and requirements for FSU majors. For in-person help choosing your major, drop-in at the FSU Career Center and speak with a Career Advisor.

There are no prerequisite courses for admission into law school. Invest in classes that help you maintain a competitive GPA and seek out courses that develop core legal skills whenever possible. Refer to Appendix C: Core Skills Course Match for some skill-building courses.

Qualifying students from FSU College of Law’s partner schools may earn their bachelor and law degrees in six years rather than the traditional seven. This is only for students who will need 4 years to complete their undergraduate credit hour requirements. If you are entering with any credit or are already on track to graduate within 3 years or less than you will not need the 3+3 program structure, instead explore FSU's Degree in Three program for extra resources when graduating in 3 years.

For more information, please visit the 3+3 Program Admission Procedure section of the FSU College of Law website.

To determine if the 3+3 program is a productive option for you, the FSU College of Law has created the FSU 3+3 – Combined Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor Eligibility Form.  This document should be discussed and completed with your academic advisor who regularly assists with your course scheduling and registration.

Non-degree seeking credit or graduate course work will NOT be considered when evaluating your GPA. The only GPA law schools take into account is your undergraduate cumulative GPA.

Work and education beyond a bachelor’s degree may be used for personal edification. Additionally, if there is a legal specialization that interests you, some graduate programs or work experiences may give you knowledge and skills to increase your perceived fit with a specialized law program (e.g., a History M.A. may complement your dream to practice constitutional law). If you already have an abundance of experience, market the core skills and values you have acquired in these positions.

GPA and LSAT scores carry the most weight in law school admissions decisions. Law schools find these two components to be reliable predictors for your success as a law student. Your writing ability – showcased through your personal statement – is another important factor. Additionally, choose your letter of recommendation writers wisely. Professors and/or supervisors with whom you have some rapport, have seen your best performance, and can speak to your potential for success in law school are safe choices to ask for reference letters.

Yes, law schools utilize the personal statement not only to learn more about you, but also to evaluate the quality of your written communication skills. Admissions committees also use it to gauge how well you follow instructions (e.g., how well you answer any prompts, not going over specified page limits, etc.). As LSAC explains, the personal statement is your opportunity to state your case for admission.

The FSU Career Center has several services available to help you create a strong personal statement. Drop-in at the FSU Career Center and meet with a Career Advisor to have your statement critiqued, explore print resources available through the FSU Career Center Library, and review the Career Center guide on “Writing a Personal Statement.” You may also consider having other individuals review your document for content and format, such as professors, industry professionals, and FSU Reading and Writing Center staff.

Your résumé should highlight experiences (both paid and unpaid) that contributed to the development of transferable skills needed for success in the legal field, such as the ABA core skills suggested for law school and legal professions. While a high GPA and LSAT score are your top priorities, ensure that your application documents clearly convey your skills.

Be sure to review the Career Center’s Résumé Writing Guide.

Certainly! Letters of recommendation can support (or refute if you receive a negative letter) the skills you have displayed throughout your application. Choosing people with whom you have rapport, can speak to your skills and abilities, and will champion your potential for success in law school is essential when identifying recommenders.

Letters from people who can attest to your academic skills are highly relevant to law school admissions committees. A professor with whom you have taken two or more classes, for instance, may be a strong choice as they can vouch for your academic performance. Supervisors, managers, and other people who have overseen your work in non-academic contexts may also make good recommenders. Be intentional in building strong relationships with these individuals throughout your academic journey; you can avoid awkwardness when asking for a letter if you already have an established professional relationship. Refrain from asking family members or friends for recommendation letters regardless of their career or social status.

Addenda (addendum is the singular noun form) are law school application attachments used to briefly explain questionable content or inconsistencies disclosed in the application. Criminal activity or a drastic change in GPA from one semester to another are examples of why a student may consider including an addendum in their application.

Law schools definitely review application addenda. While the addenda can certainly help address questionable items in an application, applicants should not rely on an addendum to cancel out the effect of a low GPA or LSAT score.

Honesty, brevity, and accountability are key components. Show integrity by disclosing the full story of your situation, explain your behavior concisely, and accept responsibility for how your conduct impacted you and others. You may want to speak to what you have learned from these experiences and what changes have occurred that will support your ability to be successful in law school and beyond. Follow the formatting guidelines provided by each school to which you are applying.

Prior to gaining licensure to practice as a lawyer, you must take and pass the bar examination (content varies by state). While law schools may or may not choose to conduct background checks on applicants, the bar exam officials definitely will. If you failed to disclose any criminal activity or falsified aspects of your law school application, then you will likely be denied licensure regardless of your academic competencies. Charts 2 and 5 of the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements provide information about character, fitness, and other country/state-specific requirements.

Criminal activity or a poor academic record may pose problems for you, especially if they are not disclosed early and honestly. The following resources are especially useful for addressing any deal-breakers:

• Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) Misconduct and Irregularities section
• FSU College of Law “Character and Fitness” section
• ABA Bar Admissions section

If you believe you have extenuating circumstances that require an explanation or clarification, law schools may give you the opportunity to briefly explain via an Academic Addendum (brief, supplemental documentation used to explain a portion of your application). Admission committees and related legal professionals expect ethical behavior from applicants and employees; therefore, you should clearly communicate any information that might call your character into question.

Please email prelaw@fsu.edu if you have any questions or want to speak with a Pre-Law advisor regarding preparing an addendum.

Most law schools open their applications in early Fall (between August and September).  Some schools accept applications on a rolling basis (they review applications throughout the year); however, be sure to review the specific application deadlines of your preferred schools and apply early if possible! Scholarship, fellowship, and assistantship opportunities are often awarded early on in the admissions process. Consider using the Pre-Law Timeline to guide you through the milestones you might complete each semester.

LSAT testing dates occur in June, July, September, November, January, and March.

Most schools open their applications in the Fall to admit students for the following Fall. For undergraduates planning to attend law school immediately after graduation, taking the LSAT in June or July permits you to re-take the LSAT in September or November if necessary. Students seeking admission in the Fall should aim to take the LSAT no later than the November prior to their desired admission year to ensure scores are reported in a timely manner. For a list of LSAT dates, visit the LSAC dates and deadlines page.

If something influenced a major change in your LSAT score and you think it deserves explanation, then speak to this situation in your addendum.

LSAT scores last 5 years (some law schools prefer scores less than 3 years old). Furthermore, you may only take the LSAT 3 times within a 2-year period, so plan accordingly if you intend to re-take the exam.

Some law schools are now accepting the GRE in place or in addition to the LSAT. For specific school requirements, please visit the school’s website or contact their law school admissions office.

There are several methods available to help you prepare for the LSAT. As the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) advises, very few people achieve their full potential on the LSAT without preparation. It is critical that you consider your learning style and select a preparation experience that best fits your needs. Options to consider may include:

• Self-Study: online quiz/exam resources, study books (for purchase or rental), flashcards
• Formal Preparation Courses (online or in-person
• Private Tutors

Thoroughly research the test preparation resources you discover. Read reviews about the organizations and their products before making a purchase, and have a budget in mind as you browse. Books can range from free to over $50.00 while preparation courses/tutors can cost $800.00 – $1,500.00.

LSAT scores last 5 years (some law schools prefer scores less than 3 years old). Furthermore, you may only take the LSAT 3 times within a 2-year period, so plan accordingly if you intend to re-take the exam.

The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) – the organization which administers the LSAT and facilitates the majority of law school applications – has some recommendations about how to prepare for the exam. FSU’s Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) offers LSAT preparation workshops and other tools to help with academic success

The Law School Admission Council administers both the LSAT and the application process. Routinely visit https://www.lsac.org/ to stay up-to-date about the latest LSAT changes.

During the 2019-2020 application cycle, LSAC will offer the Digital LSAT on Microsoft Surface Go tablets starting with the July 15, 2019 test. Fully digital, non-paper-based testing will be implemented with the September 21, 2019 test.

LSAC has prioritized accessibility factors for test takers with disabilities. LSAC is collaborating with Microsoft to deliver built-in accessibility features including but not limited to screen readers, text and icon magnifiers, and many other accommodations for test takers who need them.

Additionally, the writing portion of the LSAT will be separated from the multiple-choice sections starting with the June 3, 2019 test. With this change, LSAC seeks to provide shorter testing days for test takers. The essay will also be typed rather than handwritten, and all writing will be completed at a time and place of the test takers’ choosing.

Your GPA (Grade Point Average) and LSAT (Law School Admission Test) scores are essential for making a positive first impression. While your application will be assessed holistically, these numerical portions of your application are primary determinants of your viability as a candidate.

It is advisable that you supplement your application with activities and experiences that convey your aptitudes in these core skills, values, knowledge and experiences recommended by the American Bar Association (ABA):

• Problem-solving
• Critical Reading
• Writing and Editing
• Oral Communication and Listening
• Research
• Organization and Management
• Public Service and Promotion of Justice
• Relationship-building and Collaboration
• Background Knowledge
• Exposure to the Law

Visit the Career Center prior to submitting your applications! Career Advisors are waiting to help you transform your résumé and personal statement into documents that effectively market your skills.

Worthwhile experiences will give you opportunities to display leadership, research, and service, and other ABA core skills. FSU has hundreds of student organizations that may help you to develop and showcase such skills.

What constitutes a “large quantity” is going to look different for everyone. The real questions you should ask yourself are as follows:

1. Will adding this experience to my schedule negatively affect my study time and GPA?
2. If I participate in this experience, how would it translate into transferable skills?
3. Am I leaving room in my schedule for productive activities that I naturally enjoy/that refresh me?

Experiential learning can help you to develop important transferable skills and gain valuable experience related to your field of interest.

Participating in these experiences can enhance your résumé and give you quality experiences to refer to in a personal statement; however, law schools do not generally consider prior legal experience a determining factor in the application process.

As a result, it is recommended that Pre-Law students engage in intrinsically motivating experiences as opposed to solely engaging in law-related activities. Do not simply join the debate team because “it will look good on paper;” such rationales may lead to exhaustion, resentment, and demotivation if you do not enjoy them.

If Pre-Law societies genuinely interest you, feel free to participate in any of FSU’s Pre-Law Societies. You might also consider getting involved in other on-campus organizations to build transferable skills, such as the Student and Greek Conduct Board, FSU Mock Trial, and Student Government Association Supreme Court Branch or Judicial Branch. For additional suggestions, drop-in to the FSU Career Center and speak with a Career Advisor about your ideas for involvement and schedule a meeting with a Peer Involvement Mentor to identify which campus engagements align with your legal-related interests.

If you want to “try-on” law school in a brief, yet informative setting, consider applying to a Pre-Law Preparation Summer Program offered by law schools across the country. Florida State University offers the Donald J. Weidner Summer for Undergraduates program.

Law internships in the legal field may be challenging to find as true legal internships are generally reserved for students currently enrolled in law school. However, there are legal-related internship opportunities that can be enriching and helpful to your pre-law experience. For example:

• Each State offers a Governor’s Internship Program that allows undergraduate student to intern in each state office, including the General Counsel office.
• State of Florida Governor’s Internship Program
• Florida Supreme Court Public Outreach Internship
• Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program
• Florida Guardian ad Litem Program
• Florida Office of the Attorney General
• American Bar Association:
  • Commission on Immigration
  • Rule of Law Initiative (ROLI)
• Montgomery Summer Research Diversity Fellowships in Law and Social Science for Undergraduate Students

As with any career decision, self-reflection and research are vital. Engaging in activities that help you explore your values, interests, and skills – in addition to gaining reliable information from quality resources – is extremely important when evaluating good career fit. If you would like some assistance as you determine whether to commit to law school, drop-in and speak with a Career Center Career Advisor, refer to the Choosing a Major or Occupation guide, or visit LSAC’s website. Visiting the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook might also be helpful as you think about career trends, salary expectations, and geographical considerations.

Other ways to learn more about law school include:

1. Attending one of the many Pre-Law summer programs that law schools offer – including the Donald J. Weidner Summer for Undergraduates program
2. Participating in an FSUshadow experience to observe a legal professional’s daily routine
3. Attending FSU’s Law School Fair held every Fall semester
4. Utilizing ProfessioNole to conduct an information interview with an FSU alumnus practicing law
5. Schedule a tour of the FSU College of Law

The following list displays some sample law specializations:

• Business Law
• Civil Rights Law
• Constitutional Law
• Criminal Law
• Environmental Law
• Family & Juvenile Law
• Health Law
• Immigration Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• International Law
• Labor/Employment Law
• Public Interest Law
• Real Estate/Land Use Law
• Sports Law
• Tax Law

Oftentimes, students do not specialize in a branch of law by taking a series of courses during law school. Rather, what a student researches and writes about before, during, and after completing a law program culminates in a specialized body of knowledge. Selecting an undergraduate major which genuinely interests you may provide some the specialized knowledge that you seek.

Many paths besides being a lawyer or a judge are available to you with a J.D. The skill sets you will acquire and hone during your training will fit well in various positions. Consider visiting O*Net or the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to see what careers require similar skills.

Note that with any higher education decision, it is wise to conduct a cost-benefit analysis before committing to a degree path.  Your time, energy, goals, finances, and values are all important factors to consider beforehand.