Pre-law students should seek to develop skills in critical thinking and writing, as these skills will be useful both in law school and in the practice of law. It is recommended that students take classes in law as well as other courses in which students are required to engage in analytic thinking and clear communication. Developing skills in research, in analysis of relevant data, in reaching conclusions based on analysis, in weighing opposing views, and in writing coherently improve a student’s preparation for law school. The cultivation of these skills and insights is not the province of any one discipline at the University; therefore, the choice of a major should be governed by the student’s interests and abilities. Students should schedule an advisement appointment with either the University pre-law advisor or a pre-law advisor within their major department sometime before their senior year to discuss strategies and deadlines in the law school application process. Additional information, including detailed advisement and news about events and pre-law opportunities, is available on the pre-law advisement website. Information on pre-law events is also posted on the Pre-Law Bulletin Board posted outside the Political Science office in Sierra Hall (SH) 210.

The LSAT exam is a very important component in law school admission decisions. LSAT exams are offered four times yearly (two times at CSUN). Information about the LSAT and the law school admissions process is also available from the Law School Admissions Council website.

Pre-law resources, including a beginner’s guide to law school, are available on the Business Law department website.