Pre-Law Four-Year Plan

  • Explore Majors
    • Schedule an appointment with the Career Center if you are feeling uncertain
  • Get Involved!
    • Join one of the three pre-law student groups on campus: Pre-Law Society, Black Pre-Law Student Association, Mock Trial
  • Create a Resume

  • Declare your major
  • Maintain a good GPA
  • Get involved if you haven’t already
  • Get experience
    • Land an internship, fellowship, research opportunity, or shadowing experience related to law to build relevant skills (more on this later)
    • Attend pre-law events in Handshake (use the pre-law event label to filter results)
    • Network wherever possible (Use Nova Network to connect with Villanova alums in the legal profession)

  • Update your resume
  • Maintain good academics
  • Get additional experience (internships, research, on-campus jobs, volunteer work, etc.)
  • Study for the LSAT (if intending to attend law school immediately after graduation)
  • Register to take the LSAT in the summer or fall
  • Create an account with LSAC.org to track your applications
  • Research financial aid options for school

  • Take the LSAT (if enrolling directly after graduation)
  • Research schools you are interested in and create a list of reach, target, and safety (recommended 6-8 schools)
  • Attend law school fairs
  • Finalize your resume
  • Ask for at least three letters of recommendation from professors and supervisors
  • Write your personal statement
  • Request a copy of your transcript via myNOVA to send to LSAC.org
  • Fill out FAFSA and research financial aid options for law school
  • Pay the fee for the CAS (Credential Assembly Service) to send your application materials through LSAC
  • Apply to law school (end of fall semester/early spring semester)
  • Decide on the law school of your dreams! (Spring Semester)