AV研究所

Before you begin researching law schools or preparing to apply, take some time to decide whether law school is right for you.

First, think about your career goals. If you plan to practice law, then by all means apply to law school. But a law degree is not necessary for some law-related fields, so听 to find out more about the profession you intend to enter.

Joining a law-related student organization can be a great way to determine or enhance the level of your interest in law. The听听and the听听present panels each year on different aspects of the legal profession and the law school admission process.听 The听听team offers the opportunity for intercollegiate courtroom competition.

Consider the financial implications of a law school degree. Learn more about financing law school and an overview of the application process in our

Looking for something to do this summer? Check out our database that details summer programs for students at various points of the law school application process. Programs differ by focus, location, cost, eligibility, and length. Note, there are several programs specifically for diverse candidates. Browse the different tabs to find a program that is right for you!

If you plan to apply to law school, it鈥檚 never too early to start thinking about how to strengthen your application and make yourself an attractive candidate. Here are some strategies.

Choosing a Major

Law schools are interested in candidates from every discipline. The American Bar Association states that 鈥�.鈥� So you should choose a major that you鈥檙e interested in, as opposed to a major that you think will 鈥渓ook good.鈥� It is your performance, much more than the specific courses you have taken, that will determine your attractiveness as a law school applicant.

That being said, if you want to prepare for the rigors of law school, choose courses that will develop your analytical and writing skills as part of a broad liberal arts background.听 With this in mind, Boston College does offer a variety of law-related courses that may be useful for students considering law school, even if they do not provide any direct advantage in gaining admission.

These fall into three broad categories:
Note: These are just a few examples of the many number of courses available at Boston College!

to view current pre-law course recommendations.

Skills Useful for Law School
In addition to analytical and writing skills, pre-law students benefit from developing their skills in analytical thinking, public speaking, debating, Latin, accounting, and finance.

• COMM 1030 Public Speaking
• COMM 1105 Elements of Debate
• CLAS 1010 Elementary Latin
• ENGL 4412, 4579 Writing Workshops
• MFIN 1021 Basic Finance
• PHIL 2264 Logic

Substantive Areas of Law and Legal Reasoning
If you want to know whether you will find the practice of law interesting, exposure to one or two substantive law courses can be helpful in making your decision.

• BSLW 1021 Law I: Intro to Law and Legal Process
  
• BSLW 1185 Law and Economics
• POLI 2304 Constitutional Law: Rights and Liberties
• BSLW 6674 Sports Law
• POLI 3521 International Law
• POLI 2386 Civil Liberties

Courses about Law and the Legal System
The courses described here can make you a stronger law school applicant by improving your skills and enhancing your understanding of the law and how it works.

• POLI 2305 American Federalism
• NTL 2530 International Humanitarian Law
• INTL 5563 Ethics, Religion, and International Politics
• SOCY 1030 Deviance and Social Control
• SOCY 3310 Studies in Crime and Social Justice
• HIST 1841 When Worlds Collide: From Contact to the Constitution 听
• HIST 4442 U.S. Immigration History

Participating in Activities and Internships

Over time, get more deeply involved in fewer extracurricular activities. Take opportunities to lead. Research projects, public interest programs, and business experiences are all valuable in building your skills and reflecting an engaged, problem-solving attitude.

Visit the Career Center鈥檚 internship page to learn more about how to secure an internship opportunity and to learn about where AV研究所 students interned previously.

Consider joining the student pre-law organizations at Boston College, the and the .

For more information about preparing for law school, see the .

Enroll in our Law School Application Prep Mini-Course on Canvas

This mini-course is designed to guide you through key steps required for the law school application process. You can choose to follow the order of the modules or to select the modules that are most helpful given where you are in the process.

As you prepare to apply to law school, it鈥檚 important to learn as much as possible about different schools so you can target your applications most effectively. Here are some resources to help you identify which school is likely to be the best fit for you.

This tool听 provides information on the approximately 200 ABA-accredited law schools, including faculty, library resources, enrollment, and links to each law school for bar passage percentages, placement data, 25th and 75th percentile LSAT scores and GPAs

These reports provide the most current and comprehensive data from the American Bar Association including LSAT score and GPA ranges for each school.

XploreJD is a free online search tool from AccessLex that uses a data-based approach to assist you in learning about law schools that meet your criteria, including location, cost, academic experience, and more.

Analytix is a free tool from AccessLex that allows you to compare law school employment rates, bar passage rates, outcomes, costs, scholarships, and more.

Ready to apply to law school? Here are some steps to help you strengthen your application and get into the best possible school.

The LSAT

The is the standardized test of record to apply to law school. The LSAT is generally offered eight times per testing year (June-May). Students and alums applying to law school are encouraged to take the LSAT in the summer before the fall in which they apply.听Please visit for further information on the exam and preparation.听Please note that fee waivers for the LSAT and other LSAC application components are available to qualifying applicants. Please find more information and requirements on . Benefits can also include access to a library of LSAT test prep questions.

There is no one way to study for the LSAT. There are a number of services and resources open to you, including AV研究所 Test Prep Courses, , and the .

LSAC provides official content only to its licensees. A list of all LSAC-licensed LSAT prep providers is听. If a service is included here, then you can be assured their material will be closely tied to the LSAT official test. This list also notes the providers who offer discounts for applicants with LSAC fee waivers.听Many test prep companies offer additional discounts, so be sure to review their websites carefully and inquire further. Periodically, companies provide special discounts to AV研究所 students, including and (make an account with your AV研究所 email and email them for your discount). Reach out to the Pre-Law Advisor with any questions.

Note that an increasing number of law schools, though not all, now accept the in lieu of the LSAT. for a list of law schools that accept the GRE.

The personal statement

Your law school personal statement needs to do two things: it needs to tell the law school something about you, and it needs to, in some way, answer the question 鈥淲hy do you want to go to law school?鈥� The statement should be roughly two pages long and should be clear, concise, and compelling.

Law schools will also ask for a series of supplemental statements, many of which are optional, including diversity and other statements. If you have something to say that adds to your application, we recommend writing a supplemental statement. For more information, please view the video and view the How to Write a Personal Statement section below.

Letters of recommendation

Most law schools ask for two recommendations from people who recognize your strengths and understand your goals. Ideally, your initial two recommenders are individuals who can speak to your skills in an academic setting, although it does not matter whether they taught you in your major or in another course of study. Make an appointment to meet with your recommenders, and bring copies of your resume and/or work that you have done in their classes.听Let them know why you are asking them to write for you and where you are applying, and review the points you would like them to cover. Also, make sure they know your timeline for completing your application, and give them plenty of time to meet your deadlines.

Resume

While the resume doesn鈥檛 take the place of the application form, it gives you the opportunity to highlight specific details and experience. Include a section on related coursework and research papers.听For most law schools, you will typically want to restrict your resume to a single page unless you have multiple years of work experience.

Character and fitness questions

Some schools may require a Dean鈥檚 Recommendation or Dean鈥檚 Clearance of your academic and disciplinary standing. However, most will ask you to answer questions about your academic and disciplinary standing yourself, in the Character and Fitness section of your application. Applicants must follow strict guidelines for candor and could jeopardize their applications if the standards are not met. See Full Disclosure on Disciplinary Issues below for details.

A&S students and alumni may submit the forms to the Office of Student Services, Lyons Hall 103 or via fax to (617) 552-4975. Carroll School of Management students submit forms to the Associate Dean. Questions? Send an email to听studentservices@bc.edu, call (617) 552-3300, or stop by the Office of Student Services in Lyons Hall.

Transcripts

AV研究所 students and alums who are applying to law school should request that their transcript be sent to the Law School Admissions Council in the Agora Portal. Click here for instructions.

Your transcript is an essential part of your Report that is submitted with your application. Please allow at least several weeks for your transcript request to process.

Law school is a significant commitment of both your time and resources. Before applying, it is important that you understand how to finance your legal education. We encourage you to draw on the following resources as you consider applying and to connect with law schools of interest about scholarship opportunities.

• The AV研究所 provides an overview of the financing law school process
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  There are a number of costs associated with the law school application process, including registering for the LSAT, purchasing the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), and paying individual law school reports and application fees. Learn about the costs here.
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  Take advantage of the Law School Admissions Council鈥檚 accessible resources on financial aid options, scholarships, student loan and debt resources, and more.
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  Draw on AccessLex鈥檚 range of resources and tools, including webinars and info sheets, to better understand how to finance law school and pursue your legal education.
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  Access a comprehensive law school scholarship databank with updated links to hundreds of funding opportunities from external organizations.
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  Use this calculator to clarify law school cost of attendance, especially if you are carrying student loans from your undergraduate institution, and to learn about loan options.
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  Applicants who will apply for federal loans to help pay for law school must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
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  For students interested in careers in public interest law, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forgives the remaining balance of federal Direct Loans after ten years of payments. Learn more here.
  

There are a number of resources to support students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in attending law school. We encourage you to draw on the resources below and to schedule a coaching appointment with the pre-law advisor to discuss your interests and what is available to you!

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  Access the Law School Admissions Council鈥檚 (LSAC) range of resources available to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
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  LSAC includes various resources for LGBTQ+ students, including information on choosing LGBTQ+-friendly law schools and coming out on your application.
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  Access this page to learn about resources for law school applicants with disabilities, including how to request accommodation on the LSAT. Applicants with disabilities are also encouraged to reach out to law schools of interests about offerings and accommodations.
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  CLEO hosts a number of programs throughout the academic year and summer for underrepresented students that include application resources, mentorship opportunities, and more.
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  Access this comprehensive directory of various pipeline programs focused on supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds to aid their successful entry into law school and the legal profession.
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  SEO offers a range of programs to support aspiring law students from underrepresented backgrounds in the application process and allow incoming law students to gain experience in the legal field.
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  Each summer, a number of organizations and universities host programs that allow students to receive support with the law school application process, gain exposure to different legal fields, and receive mentoring from legal professionals. Check out our database to find opportunities of interest.
• 
  For applicants who may be unable to pay the costs associated with applying to law school, including LSAC, CAS, and application fees, consider applying for fee waivers. Learn how to here.

Here are some resources to help you navigate the law school application process.

General Legal Resources

The and the are both excellent sources of legal information. Both also contain links to all accredited law schools in the United States.听

Additional Diversity Resources

The following organizations can provide insight, advice, and opportunities to candidates from underrepresented backgrounds applying to law school:

听

LSAC and law school admissions professionals expect you to acknowledge and explain any disciplinary penalties you have received during your years at Boston College.

Please visit the Dean of Students听website and click the button in the top right corner, 鈥淩equest My Record,鈥� to see what the Office will report. To learn more about the Office of Student Conduct鈥檚 record-keeping policy, please consult section 5.7.6 of the AV研究所 Student Guide. Remember, for law school applications, it is always your obligation to disclose all disciplinary infractions or incidents if you are asked to do so.

Generally, it is better to report all infractions--when in doubt, disclose. Failure to report honestly and openly can often be considered a much more serious offense than the original incident itself.

In reporting an offense, first read the question being asked carefully, as each law school will pose the question in a different way. Then, you should state the facts clearly, briefly and succinctly, take responsibility for the error in judgment, and indicate what you learned from it. Minor, common disciplinary issues like alcohol violations ordinarily will not be held against you, particularly if they are not repeated, and your willingness to own up to them may be perceived as an indication of strong character.听

For more serious violations, you may want to contact the Office of Student Conduct (studentconduct@bc.edu) and the pre-law advisor about preparing your explanation. If you have any doubt as to whether a disciplinary action must be reported, you should check with the pre-law advisor.

Law schools are increasingly maintaining large waitlists. There are several things you can do to improve your chances of admission if you are on reserve or have been waitlisted:

• Write a letter of continued interest to inform the admissions team of your strong interest in the school and to provide an update on your activities since you submitted your application.
• Send an updated transcript to LSAC so that the school has more of your academic record to evaluate. (You can do this using the same method that you used to order the original transcript.)
• If the school is your first choice, state that you will attend if accepted.
• If you are a senior, inform the school of accomplishments since you applied, for example, that you have completed your honors thesis or you were accepted into a prestigious honors society.
• If you are currently working, describe your professional responsibilities and other worthwhile activities in which you are engaged; include an updated resume.
• Send an additional recommendation from a professor or employer; however, the total number of your recommendation letters should not exceed four. Also note that, if the initial two letters you sent with your application were written by professors, your application will not necessarily be enhanced by another letter from a professor. At this point in the process, seek out a letter writer who can add something new to your application.
• Visit the law school to demonstrate your strong interest; contact the admissions office to arrange for a tour and to sit in on a class or two. Some admissions officers will agree to meet with applicants, but generally these discussions are not evaluative.
• Contact the pre-law advisor for additional strategies and tactics based on your specific situation.听