Pre-Law at UNE
The pre-law emphasis allows students interested in studying law to receive special advising and to develop an appropriate liberal arts program of study as preparation for admission to law school and success in the legal profession. UNE students who are majoring in any discipline can take advantage of the pre-law program.
Although law schools do not require any particular major or coursework for admission, law schools expect students to have acquired skills that enable them to think critically, reason logically, and speak and write effectively. Also, the study and practice of law involves many aspects of social life and integrates many fields of study. Thus, courses in a variety of disciplines—both in the humanities and in fields such as biology, environmental studies, and psychology—will offer a valuable context for the study of law. Law schools encourage students to have diverse undergraduate majors.
Here is where you can find information both on the pre-law concentration as well as more general information about law school.
Pre-Law Courses
The Political Science Department’s Pre-Law program offers classes that provide students with a strong legal background and also prepare students for the law school curriculum. Additionally, the Pre-Law program coordinates with other departments to develop specific pre-law classes designed to expose students to legal issues specific to their major. Below is a list of current and pending pre-law courses.
- American Law & Society
- Business Law
- Constitutional Law
- Health Care Law
- Trial Advocacy
- United States Supreme Court
- First Amendment Law
- United States Congress
- Legal Research & Writing
- International Law
- Ocean Coastal Law
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Independent Study
University of New England Mock Trial Team
The Pre-Law Program organizes and supervises the University of New England Mock Trial team, which was established in the Fall of 2009. The Mock Trial team competes against area colleges and universities at various AMTA (American Mock Trial Association) intercollegiate tournaments. In the Fall of 2009, the UNE Mock Trial Team competed against the University of Massachusetts, UNH, Colby and Bates Colleges. The UNE Mock Trial Team plans on participating in additional tournaments in the Fall of 2010.
By engaging in competitive trial simulations with teams from other colleges and universities, students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as knowledge of legal practices and procedures.
If you are interested in joining the UNE Mock Trial Team or would like more information, contact James Roche.
UNE Mediation Team
The Pre-Law Program organizes and supervises the University of New England Mediation team, which will enter into various American Mock Trial Association Mediation tournaments to compete against area colleges and universities.
These competitions are designed to help undergraduate students understand the value of resolving disputes through mediation. The competitions also help students develop mediation skills so that they are better equipped at resolving both personal and professional disputes through mediation.
The UNE Pre-Law program will supervise and organize UNE’s first mediation team, with hopes of competing by the Fall 2011 tournament season.
If you are interested in joining the Mediation Team or would like more information, contact James Roche.
Internships and Practical Experience
The Pre-Law program is working with area law firms to establish regular internship opportunities for students who have completed a core set of Pre-Law classes (American Law & Society, Legal Research & Writing and Trial Advocacy).
The UNE Pre-Law program is also establishing a partnership with various governmental agencies to allow UNE students to be actively involved in the representation of underserved clients in actual civil and criminal cases.
Law School Admissions
Law schools evaluate applicants on the basis of five factors.
1. College GPA.
Grades are an important part of law school admissions. The college you attended and the major in which you earned your degree are taken into consideration when assessing your grades. Too many courses taken pass/fail is often looked on unfavorably because admissions officers cannot interpret your accomplishments as well. They may assume that your GPA would be lower had all courses been take for a grade.
2. Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
The LSAT is given substantial weight in admissions decisions. The LSAT is a standardized, multiple-choice test that is scheduled for a half day. The current LSAT consists of three types of questions: reading comprehension to measure the ability to read with understanding and insight; analytical reasoning to measure the ability to understand a structure of relationships and to draw conclusions about that structure; and logical reasoning to evaluate the ability to understand, analyze, criticize, and complete a variety of arguments.
At the end of the scored, multiple choice portion of the LSAT, a 35 minute writing sample is administered. The writing sample is unscored, but is sent to the law schools to which you apply so that they can evaluate your writing skills. Test scores range from 120 to 180. The test is challenging and as such requires preparation. The UNE Pre-Law program will be offering a class to help with the LSAT preparation process.
More information about the LSAT, as well as information on registering for the LSAT can be found at: http://lsac.org/JD/LSAT/about-the-lsat.asp
3. Personal statement.
Law schools require brief personal statements, which give you the chance to distinguish yourself from other applicants. The personal statement allows you to explain your experiences and qualifications beyond what is revealed by your GPA and LSAT score.
4. Letters of recommendation.
Law schools usually require two or three letters of recommendation. You should try to develop relationships with two or three professors during your first three years in college so they can write strong, informative letters about you.
5. Activities/work experience.
Activities in which you have taken on responsibilities and demonstrated leadership are the most useful for admission purposes. It is better to concentrate on a few activities rather than spreading yourself too thin just so you can list many organizations on your resume. Responsibility is a plus in work experience, particularly paid or volunteer community or legal work experience.
LSAT Tutoring
The Pre-Law program will begin offering LSAT tutoring in the Fall of 2011. (See the section on law school admissions for more information about the LSAT.)
Law Day
In late October, UNE holds a Law Day. Representatives from a number of law schools will come to campus and provide information on their programs. Law Day will offer UNE students the chance to learn about things such as the law school admissions process and financial aid directly from law school representatives.
What if I am not sure I want to go to law school?
Your undergraduate education should be a time of exploration. If you are thinking of going to law school but are uncertain about whether to go, use your undergraduate years as a time to explore both the law and other areas. A good way to find out first hand what the practice of law is like is to intern or volunteer at a legal practice. UNE is establishing a number of opportunities for students to get practical legal experience, which will allow students to gain a better understanding of what the life of a lawyer is like. Also, take classes in a variety of areas and choose a major that engages you. Not only will you likely do better academically in a field of study that interests you, you will also have the ability to work in the field of your major if you decide law school is not for you. Keep in mind that a legal career is not for everyone and that it is important to follow your interests.
Links
- Law School Admissions Council - Law school and LSAT exam information
- Grad School.com - National listing of graduate schools
- Peterson's Guides - Searchable graduate school guide
- Princeton Review - Graduate school listings and reviews
iTunes U
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Blogs
LinkedIn
