Services Provided:
The Center for University Advising advises Hofstra undergraduate students and alumni interested in pursuing a career in law. These are just some of the things we can help you with:
- Selecting courses relevant to the law profession
- Preparing for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
- Researching and applying to law school
- Writing personal statements
- Providing information on clubs and organizations and other resources
- Access to Pre-law Professions Canvas Site (must request access)
Pre-Law Admissions Process
Admissions Process
The first decision a prospective law school student must make has to do with the timing of their application. Applicants need to decide whether they wish to enter law school directly after graduation, or if they would prefer to take time off between college and law school. Once you decide on an application time, start focusing on your options regarding law school: should you live on campus or stay home? Which school is the best for your interest and which schools are known for their excellence in the field that you want to pursue? Start exploring law school websites and request information from schools that match your interests. Another question to consider is: which schools are within your application range? Grade-point-average and test scores are the best indicators for applicants who are trying to determine which schools are within their application range. The Law School Admission Council lets you search for schools based on your GPA and LSAT score. (Click on the link "LSAC Data Search"). You can insert your numbers and see how every law school evaluated last year's applicants with your combination.
Experience & Extra-Curriculars
This factor may encompass a wide range of pursuits from undergraduate curricular and extracurricular activities, to internships, to full-time work experience. A law school candidate may want to highlight relevant experience and activities in their resume and identify unique endeavors in their personal statement. Extra curricular activities and community involvement demonstrate that the applicant has skills and abilities relevant to the study of law. Visit the sites below to find out how Hofstra can help you gain the valuable experience necessary to be an outstanding law school candidate.
Use these resources to navigate local internship and volunteer opportunities:
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Your GPA is an important factor to being competitive with other law school applicants. The GPA offers admissions committees another numerical basis for comparing applicants. Please note that your GPA is an important factor, but it certainly isn't the only factor considered. It will be in your best interest to choose a manageable, yet challenging course load. Talk to your Advisement dean about choosing a major that best suits your interest because it will probably have a positive impact on your GPA.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are used to demonstrate to an admissions committee that someone else, besides you, thinks you are a qualified candidate for law school. Most law schools require applicants to submit 2-3 letters of recommendation from professors or employers that are familiar with your intellectual abilities and leadership potential.
Use these resources to receive tools and tips for Personal Statements and Letters of Recommendations:
LSAT
Your LSAT score is based on the number of questions answered correctly (the raw score). Raw scores are converted to an LSAT scale that ranges from 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest possible score and 180 the highest possible score. The LSAT, like any admission test, is not a perfect predictor of law school performance and although several other factors are involved in the decision-making process, the LSAT is one of the major factors for law school admission.
The Princeton Review’s: LSAT AT A GLANCE:
HOW LONG IS THE EXAM? 4 hours
HOW DO I REGISTER? http://www.lsac.org/
WHEN IS IT OFFERED? LSAT Dates and Deadlines
LSAT SECTION-BY-SECTION:
| READING COMPREHENSION |
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| LOGICAL REASONING |
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| ANALYTICAL REASONING |
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| VARIABLE |
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| WRITING SAMPLE |
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Personal Statement
Applicants submit a personal statement as part of the application process for almost all law schools. The purpose of the personal statement is to give you an opportunity to tell the school important things about yourself that are not addressed or apparent in the application. Admissions committees look for a concise, detailed, well-written statement revealing the applicant's individuality.
Use these resources to receive tools and tips for Personal Statements:
Resources
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association provides information on programs and services which promote members’ professional growth and quality of life.
The Association of American Law Schools (AALS)
AALS is a resource for the improvement of the quality of legal education by networking law school faculty, professional staff and deans to information and resources. AALS is the principal representative of legal education to the federal government, other national higher education organizations, learned societies and international law schools.
PublicLegal, a product of the Internet Legal Research Group
ILRG serves as a comprehensive resource of the information available on the Internet concerning law and the legal profession, with an emphasis on the United States of America. Designed for everyone, lay persons and legal scholars alike, it is quality controlled to include only the most substantive legal resources online
The Prelaw Handbook: A Guide to Law School
This website enables college students to decide whether they want to become lawyers and guides to law school those who do. This website contains exclusive law school rankings.
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
The LSAC is a nonprofit corporation whose members are more than 200 law schools in the United States and Canada. It was founded in 1947 to coordinate, facilitate, and enhance the law school admission process. The organization also provides programs and services related to legal education. All law schools approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) are LSAC members. You can also register for the LSAT and the LSDAS, and practice tests through this page.
Law School Discussion
Law School Discussion is a forum for discussing all aspects of Law School in the United States. The idea was to create an online community where law school related issues could be discussed in an organized, friendly, and informative manner.
The National Jurist Magazine
The National Jurist Magazine, founded in 1999, is the premier e-commerce company specializing in multi-publisher legal information products.
How I Compare
How I Compare is a completely free resource and community for students interested in going to Law School. The site's unique algorithm uses real time admission data to generate a list of schools where you have a high likelihood of being accepted. The site also helps you keep track of your Law School application and admissions process, learn about scholarship opportunities, communicate and ask questions to other Pre-Law students, offers a 100% FREE LSAT Prep Course, and has a plethora of research and detailed information about all 200+ US Law Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What should my major be as an undergraduate?
There are very few areas of law that require a specific undergraduate degree. Students should major in anything that they excel at and enjoy. By doing this, their grades are more likely to be higher, which will improve their chances of being accepted into the school of their choice. In addition, it gives them other options if they decide to forgo law school.
What is the LSAT?
It is a five-part test made up of any combination of logic, reasoning, analytical reasoning and reading comprehension. In addition, a writing sample is required. Each part to the test is 35 minutes long.
How is the LSAT scored?
The test is scored on a range from 120 to 180. All scores expire after five years. Applicants can only take the test three times in two years, unless they have the permission of an ABA-accredited law school. If you take the LSAT more than once, law schools have the option of either taking the highest score or an average of the tests.
Can I cancel an LSAT score?
A person can cancel the score of the test but has only up to 6 days after the test to decide. This decision should only be made with the help of an academic advisor.
How often is the test given?
The test is scheduled four times a year: June, September/October, December and February.
When & how should I apply to take the LSAT?
Applications are normally available after the February test. It is most efficient to apply online.
How do I prepare for the LSAT?
There are three common ways to prepare: individually, LSAT prep classes or LSAT tutor. You should customize these options to your needs.
What about a letter of recommendation?
Law schools will ask for a range of one letter to an unlimited total, but generally one to three is sufficient. If the applicant is a current student, the letter should come from a faculty member or advisor who knows the student well enough to address their readiness for law school.
What is a personal statement?
Personal statements should be written to address the law school’s requirements. Many schools will ask the applicant to address why they want to be a lawyer and why this particular school is of interest to them. Other schools do not give guidelines and ask the students to write about their topic of choice. It is vital to follow their instructions explicitly.
Definitions
LSAT: Law School Admission Test
LSAC: Law School Admission Council
LSDAS: Law School Data Assembly Service
ABA: American Bar Association
Law School Report: A one-page report sent to each law school about the applicant.
Current Events, Volunteer Opportunities, and other activities for Hofstra Pre-Law students
Contact Us
Office Hours & Appointments
Students are encouraged to make an appointment with the pre-law advisor to discuss their interest and plans for pursuing law school. Current Hofstra students may schedule an appointment through the NAVIGATE app on the Hofstra portal. Hofstra Alumni may call our front desk at 516-463-6770 for appointments.
Center for University Advising
101 Memorial Hall
P: (516) 463-6770