Pre-Law Programs & Resources
Pre-Law Advising
Building Your Path to Law School
Our Pre-Law Advising Committee provides hands-on support throughout your undergraduate years. We'll help you select the right courses, connect you with mock trial opportunities, guide you through LSAT preparation, and walk you through every aspect of the law school application process. From your first year on campus to graduation, you'll have experienced advisors helping you every step of the way.
If you're applying to Etown as a first-year student, you may also be eligible for LEAP — our Law Early Admissions Program that guarantees admission to partner law schools through an accelerated 3+3 or 4+3 program.
Learn more about the Law Early Admissions Program (LEAP)
How We Help You Succeed
Find Your Niche
In order to create the most effective curriculum, the pre-law student should introduce themselves to the Pre-Law Director early in their first year to discuss future course scheduling and long-term plans.
The Pre-Law Director also supervises the activities of the Pre-Law Club and works closely with the College's mock trial team, which participates in regional and national mock trial tournaments; both activities are highly recommended for pre-law students. Participants in the mock trial competitions are urged to take Mock Trial I and II, which are taught in the fall and spring semesters. These courses prepare students to participate in intercollegiate tournaments held in the spring semester and are taught by a practicing attorney.
Stay on Track
The Pre-Law Director and the pre-law committee work with the pre-law student and the student's major advisor to ensure that a reasonable and sound course of study is followed that is acceptable for entry into a school of law.
Meet Your Goals
The director and committee assist the student in selecting a suitable school and advise the applicant on the registration and preparation for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Additionally, the director and committee guide students in the preparation and submission of applications and supervise the requests for letters of recommendation for worthy candidates.
Preparing for Law School
Take Suggested Pre-Law Courses
There are a number of courses offered at Elizabethtown College that can be helpful for law school preparation. These classes can help you develop and hone the skills necessary for law school.
| Class | Department & Course Number |
|---|---|
| American National Government | Political Science 111 |
| Mock Trial I and II | Political Science 301 & 302 |
| Constitutional Law I and II | Political Science 303 & 304 |
| Legal Environment of Business | Business Admin. 330 |
| International Legal and Ethical Environment of Business | Business Admin. 337 |
| Communications Law and Ethics | Communications 248 |
| Logic and Critical Thinking | Philosophy 110 |
| Advanced Ethics: Legal | Philosophy 255C |
| Philosophy of Law | Philosophy 305 (PS 305) |
| U.S. Criminal Justice System | Sociology 217 |
| Juvenile Law and Justice | Sociology 352 |
If you're interested in a particular area of law, your advisor can help you choose additional courses that best prepare you for your future career.
Stay Organized & Find the Right Fit
To stay on track, we've developed a timeline to help you research law schools and navigate the application process throughout your time at Etown.
- Focus on doing well in classes and developing skills necessary for success in law school.
- Attend Pre-Law sponsored events to learn about law school admissions, financing law school, and law and law-related careers.
- Continue focusing on classes and developing skills necessary for success in law school.
- Attend Pre-Law sponsored events to learn about law school admissions, financing law school, and law and law-related careers.
- Take the practice LSAT (free).
- Off-campus experience (if taking June LSAT).
- Take the practice LSAT (free).
- Attend the Philadelphia Law School Fair to begin gathering information about specific law schools.
- Order information from law schools/view websites.
- Off-campus experience (if taking Fall LSAT).
- Register for the LSAT (if taking a summer test) ($$). Students are encouraged to take the test over the summer, if possible.
- LSAT Prep (if taking a summer test).
- Order information from law schools/view websites.
- LSAT prep (if taking the LSAT in the fall).
- Register for the LSAT ($$).
- Consider personal statement topics and potential letter of recommendation writers.
- Begin research on possible law schools. See LSAC's GPA/LSAT Locator.
- Register for the Credential Assembly Service through LSAT ($$).
- Send undergraduate transcripts to LSAC/LSDAS.
- Contact potential letter of recommendation writers. You will need at least two letters, possibly three. Professors are best.
- Visit prospective law schools.
- Take the practice LSAT (free).
- Take the LSAT.
- Complete research on possible schools to attend.
- Attend Philadelphia Law School Fair to get information on specific law schools.
- Visit prospective law schools.
- Update resume for law school applications.
- Begin writing a personal statement.
- Complete/submit law school applications (mid-November, possibly sooner).
- Attend Pre-Law events.
- Some law schools may require in-person interviews.
- Law school acceptances arrive.
- Visit schools to which you are accepted.
- Complete financial aid forms.
- Decide which law school to attend.
- Graduate!
Applying to Law School
Focus on the LSAT
LSAT stands for Law School Admissions Test. Think of it as the SAT for getting into law school. To do well on the LSAT, you need to prepare for several months in advance and practice on a regular basis. Some students start to study a year or more in advance.
There are many different strategies, but most people recommend at least 4 months of preparation time (several hours per day during that time). You can prepare on your own using self-study guides (cost ~ $50) or enroll in prep courses (cost ~ $1500).
Because Elizabethtown College is a member of the American Mock Trial Association, Kaplan (an LSAT preparation organization) offers our students a 10% discount on classroom prep courses when you register online and use the promotion code "AMTA10".
Additionally, the Pre-Law Director maintains a small LSAT prep library in their office. Pre-Law students are welcome to borrow these materials for a short period of time. The Pre-Law Director also holds practice LSAT exams for Pre-Law students several times a semester free of charge.
Most students who retake the LSAT, on average, improve their score by about two or three points. However, many students score the same or worse on a second test. Some law schools (but not all) take the average of your LSAT scores if you take more than one test. So, if you score a 150 on your first test, a 152 on your second test, your application may be evaluated as if you received a score of 151. In recent years, more schools are beginning to only consider the highest LSAT score earned. You should carefully research the admission practices for your prospective law schools and consult with the Pre-Law Director before deciding to schedule another LSAT exam.
Pre-Law Advising Committee
The Pre-Law Advising Committee (PLAC) comprises members from various academic departments and provides support to pre-law students throughout their undergraduate years. Committee members include:
- John J. LoCurto, J.D. | locurto@etown.edu | Legal Studies
- Sean Melvin | melvins@etown.edu | Business
- Elizabeth Newell | newellea@etown.edu | Sociology