BRAND NEW Pre-Law Advisors!
Meet our new Pre-law advisors Jeremy and Marisa, who are currently 3L students at the William S. Richardson School of Law here at UHManoa. They are currently available at these times or by appointment.
Please e-mail prelaw@hawaii.edu for an appointment and for other prelaw questions.
Pre-Law Preparation at UHMānoa
(Text compiled from the websites of the U.S. Department of Labor, American Bar Association, Law School Admissions Council, and William S. Richardson School of Law, as well as from the UHM 2011-2012 Catalog.)
Hawai'i J.D. program: William S. Richardson School of Law
J.D. Programs
Coursework
What makes a strong candidate?
The LSAT
The Application Process
Additional Information
Downloadable Brochure
Law in practice is the application of abstract rules, or laws, to concrete situations to resolve actual or potential conflict. Because law impacts virtually every aspect of society, the legal profession is as diverse as humanity itself. Lawyers, or attorneys, may use their degrees in careers other than law, but most choose to practice law in one form or another. Lawyers work in all areas of society, from public practice to private firms, from trials in court to teaching in academia, and from general law to specialty areas such as corporate law, entertainment law, copyright law, criminal law, family law, environmental law, international law, tax law, and so on.
A lawyer must have analytic, creative, and logical reasoning skills, as well as reading, writing, and debating skills. Lawyers must know how to analyze legal issues in light of constantly changing laws and public policy. Within the context of the legal system, they must be able to advocate for individuals and diverse interest groups, represent viewpoints other than their own, and give accurate, intelligent counsel. In particular, lawyers must be able to write clearly, communicate effectively, and negotiate persuasively.
J.D. Programs
In order to practice, lawyers must earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and must pass a regional bar exam.
Becoming a J.D. requires approximately 7 years of education:
- Bachelors Degree (~4 years)
- Law School (~3 years)
Some law schools allow students to attend part time by extending the course of study to four years. A number of schools have also developed combined degree programs – JD/MBA, JD/PhD, JD/MPA, JD/MD, JD/MS – which often extend the course of study beyond three years.
Most U.S. law schools rely on a case or casebook method combined with Socratic teaching. Students research assigned cases and related judicial opinions in preparation for class, and instructors ask students to clarify details and highlight underlying theory in order to determine how well the students have understood.
First-year and second-year curricula usually begin with the fundamentals of legal practice and progress to courses in civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, legal research and writing, property law, torts, professional ethics, and so on. Third-year curricula are often elective courses in areas of interest. Law school teaches students how to think like a lawyer and how to apply rules logically; students learn the details and logistics of practicing law (filing briefs, forms, the legal system, etc.) through internships and work experience. Law students often participate in extra-curricular activities, including law reviews (academic journals by students), Moot Court, and Client Competitions.
Graduates from accredited law schools are eligible to take state bar exams. Although some states have reciprocal agreements that allow lawyers to practice in several states after passing one bar exam, most states require lawyers to pass a bar exam specifically for the state in which they intend to practice. All lawyers must be bar-approved in order to practice.
Coursework
All ABA-approved law schools require a completed baccalaureate degree, but few require specific undergraduate courses. Instead, they look for a variety of courses that will develop the kinds of skills that will be important in practicing law, such as analytic reading, fluent writing, clear ethics, and strong oral communication. Many courses at UHM develop such skills and can be found in departments from every college, for example:
Communicology |
American Studies |
Business |
English |
Asian Studies |
Environmental Management |
Philosophy |
Ethnic Studies |
Family Resources |
Theatre |
Hawaiian Studies |
Natural Sciences |
History |
Women's Studies |
Political Science |
Journalism |
Pre-law students should plan on taking more “Writing Intensive” courses than the five required to graduate from UHMānoa, preferably several at the upper division level, and should take full advantage of these courses to hone their writing skills. UHMānoa’s Ethical Issues and Oral Communication focus requirements are especially important in law, and pre-law students should consider taking more than the required one each.
If you have a particular area of interest, your coursework should reflect that interest, either in your major or in your electives, as in the following examples:
| Area of Interest | Departments that Offer Relevant Courses |
Business Law: |
Accounting Information Technology Management Management and Industrial Relation |
Family Law: |
Family Resources Sociology Psychology |
Patent Law: |
Physics Information and Computer Science Chemistry Math |
Environmental Law: |
Natural Resources and Environmental Management Biology Microbiology Global Environmental Science |
Additional requirements may include courses such as psychology, communicology, English, history.
What makes a strong candidate?
While law schools are interested in enrolling students who excel academically, they are also interested in students who demonstrate potential for contributing to the community and the profession of law.
Lawyers must be able to read and comprehend vast amounts of information within limited amounts of time, critically assess information from multiple perspectives, and form arguments and judgments based in reason and logic. Lawyers must also be able to communicate effectively with clients, judges, juries, the community, and other lawyers.
Legal decisions deeply impact people’s lives and well being. Pre-law students should continually evaluate themselves, work to improve their weaknesses, and strive to develop judgment, dependability, conscientious habits, and a solid ethical foundation.
Criteria for admission to law school often include:
- Successful completion of a rigorous undergraduate academic program
- high grade point average (GPA)
- evidence of courses requiring extensive reading, writing, public speaking, research, and logic/critical thinking
- a pattern of strong or improving grades
- graduate course work (optional)
- High LSAT score
- Personal statement
- motivation
- lessons learned
- evidence of having overcome difficulties
- Letters of recommendation
- academic ability, personal character, future potential
- recommenders should know you well; the more details, the better
- State of residency (for public schools)
- Experience with the law profession (optional)
- volunteer, paid, or extracurricular
- evidence of public service and a commitment to helping others
- evidence of commitment to the legal field and an understanding of what it entails
- evidence of personal initiative, maturity, leadership, and integrity
Researching Schools
Every ABA-approved school provides sufficient basic training in American law to qualify its graduates to take the bar exam in any state or region. However, it is advantageous to attend a law school in the area where you hope to practice. Law school prepares students for the state bar exam and provides crucial contacts to the legal community in the area.
There are now more than 150 public and private law schools in the U.S. and Canada, each one unique in its mission, philosophy, criteria, and strengths.
Although there are resources that “rank” schools (The Gourman Report, U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, etc.), the rankings are rarely pertinent for individual applicants. More important is whether there is a good match between applicant and school.
To find schools that are good a fit for you (PAC peer advisors can help with this process):
- Assess your individual strengths and weaknesses, your professional interests, learning style, and personality;
- Start with a list of all schools you would consider attending, which may be limited to the schools in one state or region;
- Using the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools, create your “Long List” by omitting the schools that do not match your professional interests, learning style, and personality (PAC offers a list of 7 factors to consider, found here: Choosing a School Handout);
- Once you have your LSAT scores, create your “Short List” by categorizing the schools into “Reach,” “Match,” and “Safety,” ranking the schools by preference, and finally choosing how many schools to apply to;
- If possible, visit the schools to see their facilities, talk to Admissions Directors, and chat with students.
The LSAT
Overview: All law schools require applicants to take a standardized test called the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The LSAT assesses your knowledge and skills in Logical Reasoning, Logic Games, Reading Comprehension, and Writing. The test requires ~5 hours to complete, and entails ~100 multiple choice questions and a 35-minute essay. The LSAT is administered in a paper-based format, and is offered four times a year: February, June, September/October, and December. Pre-law students should plan on taking the LSAT in June or October, a full year before entering law school (for example, test in June 2012 to enter Fall 2013). Scores from February exams usually arrive after the application deadlines for that year.
Scoring: You will receive only one score for the entire LSAT. Scores range from 120-180, with 180 being the highest; a score of 155 or higher is considered competitive for most law schools.
Preparation: Your most important preparation for the LSAT is your undergraduate courses, many of which sharpen your writing and verbal reasoning skills. It is necessary to study for and be familiar with all sections of the LSAT, including the Logic Games section.
Official Test Preparation Material: Guide to the LSAT and Practice Exams available on LSAC website
PAC offers a more detailed summary of the LSAT here: LSAT Exam Breakdown Sheet
The Application Process
The first step in applying is to create an account at the Law School Admissions Council website, www.lsac.org, which you will need to do before or when registering for the LSAT.
Almost all ABA-approved law schools require that applicants also register for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). You can register through the mail or online at the LSAC website. Register at least two months before your schools’ earliest application deadline; earlier is better. For LSAC, you will need to complete application information and submit transcripts, LSAT scores, and a personal statement. Once your application is complete, LSAC will send a data summary to the law schools you designate.
Each law school also has its own application form, all of which are also available at the LSAC website. You can submit the individual schools’ applications by mail or electronically by following the instructions on the website. If you have questions, you can contact LSAC via telephone or email. Many schools prefer or require your letters of recommendation to be submitted through LSAC’s Letters of Recommendation and Evaluation Services; others accept letters directly. Instructions for submitting letters are on the LSAC website.
Note: Individual schools have different deadlines and procedures, especially regarding letters of recommendation and personal statements. It is your responsibility to follow all instructions and to meet all deadlines, so read all of the application instructions carefully!
A quick guide to help you stay on track. Law School Application Timeline/Checklist.
Additional Advisor
William S. Richardson School of Law Advisor:
Elisabeth Steele Hutchison
William S. Richardson School of Law
2515 Dole Street, Room 225-227
Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: 808-956-5557
Fax: 808-956-3813
Email: esteele@hawaii.edu
Web: www.law.hawaii.edu/admissions
Additional Information
UHMānoa’s Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center (PAC) has reference books on law schools and law careers, lists of volunteer opportunities, academic planning worksheets, and one-on-one advising by peers who can help you prepare for and apply to law schools.
| UHM's Manoa Pre-Law Association (MPLA) | mpla@hawaii.edu |
| American Bar Association (ABA) | www.abanet.org |
| Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) | www.lsac.org |
| Law School Admissions Test | http://www.lsac.org/lsat/about-the-lsat.asp |
| Law School Credential Assembly Service | |
| Discover Law: "DiscoverLaw.org provides students with resources, tips, and tools on how to become a competitive law school applicant." | www.discoverlaw.org |
| U.S. News & World Report: How to Get In Law School "Questions about how to get into a specific law program? Here you'll find answers directly from admissions officials from law schools across the country detailing what students can do to heighten their chances of being accepted" | http://www.usnews.com/ |
| AdmissionsDeans.com: "Have you ever wanted to ask a Law School Dean about his or her law school? Or an Admissions Dean about writing an effective personal statement? Or a Law School Professor about how to write an effective law school exam answer? We’ve asked these and many more questions to deans and professors across the country." | http://www.admissionsdean.com/ |
| Law School Podcaster: "Topics include everything from a behind-the-scenes view of the admission process to post-law school job opportunities and current market trends. Guests include law school deans, alumni, LSAT test preparation companies, law school admissions authors, law school admissions consultants, recruiters and more." | http://www.lawschoolpodcaster.com/ |
| preLaw Magazine | http://www.nationaljurist.com/prelaw-home | ABA-Approved Law Schools by LSAC/ABA | available in PAC |
| Law School Admission Reference Manual by LSAC | available in PAC |