Santa Clara University

Freshman Through Senior Year Timetable

The logic of this section assumes a commitment to pre-law preparation at the start of a college career. However, since this is not the case with many, perhaps most, applicants to law school, it is important to note that those arriving at the decision later in their college careers have NOT disadvantaged themselves. Rather, this section is set forth in a format that will cover those who make the law school decision early, as well as allowing those who make the decision later to find their points of assimilation and to proceed on to the ultimate goal---law school acceptance.

As a FRESHMAN, you should: build good reading and study skills; develop a strong program by taking challenging courses and looking into the honors program; schedule appropriate quarterly course loads; explore various majors which interest you; seek out a pre-law advisor; read about the field of law.

As a SOPHOMORE, you should: continue to strengthen your undergraduate record with good courses and good grades; develop contacts with faculty in your major area; talk to people in the field about law as a career; talk to your pre-law advisor; become more involved in SCU and community activities.

As a JUNIOR, you should: work with your faculty advisor to develop a strong major program; continue to get good grades and compete for honors; look into a senior thesis/research project (this could turn into a note if you seek to get onto the law review in law school); apply for an internship position related to your major or your interest in law; talk to law students and lawyers and visit law schools; familiarize yourself with the LSAT and law school application procedures (spring/summer); register for the LSAT and decide whether to take a LSAT prep course (spring/summer); talk to professors about writing a letter of recommendation (spring); plan and begin writing your personal statement (summer).

As a SENIOR, you should: take the LSAT (either in June or October); evaluate law schools; apply to law schools in the fall (before Thanksgiving); look into financial aid for law school; continue internship work; continue to get good grades and compete for honors/awards; complete all undergraduate requirements and graduate.