JUNIOR PRE-LAW SESSION

1. JUNIOR PRE-LAW SESSION Dr. Jessica Adolino, Director Jmu Pre-law Program Associate Dean School of Public and international affairs Professor of Political science

2. Things to do in Junior year • The law school application process typically begins in the spring of your junior year, or approximately 18 months prior to when you expect to begin law school

3. Things to do in Junior year • Meet with a prelaw advisorhttp://www.jmu.edu/prelaw/

4. Things to do in Junior year 2. Continue to focus on becoming academically successful and well-rounded • Throughout the junior year make every attempt to maintain or improve your GPA • Continue to choose a balanced, diversified, and progressively more complex course of study, including classes that encourage analytical and logical reasoning, reading comprehension and good writing skills • Use elective courses that emphasize critical thinking, reasoning and communication skills. Be cautious to choose those that are progressively more complex (e.g. 300 and 400 level)

5. Things to do in Junior year 3.What do you need to know about the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)? • All students applying to ABA approved law schools must take the LSAT • Tests general skills in reading, analysis, and logic and your ability to deal with the unfamiliar, to remain stable under pressure, and to tolerate ambiguity • You do not need to have any legal knowledge to do well on the LSAT

6. Things to do in Junior year 3.What do you need to know about the LSAT? • Given four times a year: early June, late September or early October, early December, and early February by the Law School Admissions Council • 5 timed 35-minute multiple choice sections: • 2 Logical Reasoning • 1 Reading Comprehension • 1 Analytical Reasoning • 1 Experimental section (NOT be counted towards score) • Writing section (not scored ) • Detailed information at http://www.lsac.org

7. Things to do in Junior year 3.What do you need to know about the LSAT?, con’t. • Plan to take the test only ONCE • Electronic registration and score reporting • Fee waivers

8. Things to do in Junior year 4. When should you take the LSAT? • First choice: the June following your junior year • Alternative preference: Sept/Oct of your senior year • December results will make application deadlines • Reasons why JUNE is the best choice • Fewer distractions • Time for a re-test • Better prepared to choose schools • Take the test ONLY when you feel fully prepared to do so • And DON’T take the test once for “practice”

9. Things to do in Junior year 5. Prepare well for the LSAT Spring of junior year prime preparation time • Become familiar with the LSAT format—structure and scoring • Managing the answer sheet • Repeated timed practice using authentic past LSAT’s • Deciding when you’ve prepared too much • Decide whether to purchase any of the various preparation materials or take a preparation course • http://www.jmu.edu/prelaw/lsat.shtml

10. Things to do in Junior year • Create an LSAC account and register for the LSAC Credential Assembly Service • Transcripts • LSDAs Report • Letter of recommendation service • Evaluation service • Five-year subscription • http://www.jmu.edu/prelaw/applying.shtml

11. Things to do in Junior year 7. Begin thinking about which law schools you want to attend

12. Things to do in Junior year • Think about letters of recommendation and talk with faculty who know you well

13. Things to do in Junior year • Start thinking about your personal statement

14. Things to do in Junior year 10. Secure a summer job or internship, if possible, in a law-related field. Do an internship with a lawyer or volunteer to work in a law office or community law clinic

15. Thinking ahead 11. If you have the opportunity, during the summer of your junior year, you might want to visit several of the law schools that are high on your wish list

16. Thinking ahead 12. When should you apply?

17. Thinking ahead • Spring 2012 information sessions • Writing your personal statement and asking for letters of recommendation • Deciding where to apply