The requirements to apply to law school are less specific than for medical school programs, so “pre-law” is more of an idea than it is a strict program. At most undergraduate colleges, and all of the top ones, there is no such program as ‘pre-law,’ but there are some things that undergraduate students can do to make themselves more attractive to law schools when it comes time to apply.
Law schools want to see applicants who are grounded in philosophy, ethics, and history, and who have a deep understanding of and appreciation for the humanities. They put heavy weight on the importance of analytical thinking and writing, so a major that is writing and discussion-heavy is a strong bet.
Because law schools are looking for intellectual students with extraordinary academic track records, the top schools in the country for pre-law are the top schools in the country period. As one decides where to go to college, aspiring lawyers should also look for law school-oriented student organizations, mentorship opportunities, and a track record of getting into top law schools.
If you’re considering applying to one of the most competitive undergraduate schools in the country, send us an email. We help students chart a course to a successful future.
Harvard University — Cambridge, Massachusetts
If we had to pick a college based on its track record of getting students into law school, Harvard would be on top. While Harvard doesn’t have a formal pre-law track, the Harvard Law School Pre-L Program aims to “demystify the law school admission process” for students from “broadly diverse backgrounds,” and students have access to mentors, pre-law tutors, and more.
Yale University — New Haven, Connecticut
Yale doesn’t have a pre-law track either, but it also manages to be one of the top schools in the country for students planning for law school (you’ll see this is a trend on this list). Mentorship, and specialized programs, like the Yale Multidisciplinary Academic Program in Human Rights through the Schell Center for International Human Rights at Yale Law School, offer opportunities to build towards law school.
University of Chicago — Chicago, Illinois
In 2020, the University of Chicago Career Advancement Program introduced a “Law & Politics” track for students aiming for law school. The Careers in Law program offers one-on-one advising, workshops, panels, internships, and more. Students who excel in these programs can apply to the University of Chicago Law School early through the Chicago Law Scholars Program, a binding early decision opportunity.
University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania helps students through every step of applying to law school, starting when you first arrive on campus as a freshman undergraduate. Their guidance works. In the 2021-2022 law school cycle, 85% of law school applicants from Penn gained admission, with the two top law schools being University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and Harvard Law School
Princeton University — Princeton, New Jersey
Students at Princeton have access to one to three-day Princeternship intensives with an alumnus in the legal profession. They also have access to support from the Center for Career Development and pre-law workshops and alumni panels. In fact, the university has a whole suite of academic and extracurricular activities aimed at giving law-aspiring students skills and exposure before applying to law school.
Columbia University — New York, New York
The Pre-Law Society at Columbia offers students a forum to learn about the law school application and admissions process, law school, and the legal profession. The Columbia Law School LEAD Fellowship Program is open to top juniors and seniors who can apply to matriculate to Columbia Law School after an approved two-year gap in the professional sector.
Georgetown University — Washington, D.C.
Georgetown has a proven track record of getting students into top law schools and the Pre-Law Advisors at Georgetown guide students from day one. For students who want to chart their course early, the Early Assurance Program with the Georgetown University Law Center invites students to apply to the Law Center in their junior year.
Duke University — Durham, North Carolina
Pursuing pre-law at Duke doesn’t mean taking particular courses, but does mean “being involved in a process of self-discovery, defining life goals, determining lifestyle, and developing a strategy for realizing these goals.” The pre-law mentorship program, Sui Generis, Bench and Bar undergraduate student society, and the Duke PreLaw Fellowship Program are the real deal for aspiring lawyers.
Stanford University — Stanford, California
Stanford is one of the most exclusive schools in the country, but once you’re there they try to speak to and reach out to everyone. The annual Shaking the Foundation conference aims for progressive change in the legal profession, and the Pre-Law Society offers mentorship, community, and professional education. Students have access to hands-on advising including application review.
Dartmouth College — Hanover, New Hampshire
The Pre-Law Advising opportunities through the Center for Professional Development are both broad and deep, and the Dartmouth Minority Pre-Law Association “aims to provide undergraduate students, especially those of underrepresented identities in the legal field with resources” like mentorship, advising, and events.
Wherever you go to college, you need to prioritize learning how to learn if you are planning on applying to law school. By this, we mean acquiring the writing, thinking, strategy, studying, and relationship skills to excel at anything that is thrown your way.
If you see a legal profession in your future, send us an email. We help students like you find, and get into, their perfect college.