PRE-LAW AT ST. OLAF COLLEGE

Academic Information

We believe that the best preparation for a career in law is a broad liberal arts education. The most successful students and practitioners of law are well-rounded individuals who are able to think and express themselves with skill and creativity. For this reason, there is no set pre-law curriculum and students are discouraged from trying to limit their undergraduate education to the narrow field of legal studies. Instead, those interested in attending law school are encouraged to pursue a broad program of study that strengthens their abilities in writing, reading, speaking, and analysis. Students can pursue this type of broad learning through any department in the college, not just the traditional pre-law majors of political science, history, and philosophy.

Important Resources

CENTER FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, CEL Modular Building, x3268

  1. LSAT Study Guides
  2. LSAT & LSDAS Information Books
  3. The Princeton Review — comprehensive listings of law schools
  4. ABA — LSAC — official guide to ABA-approved law schools
  5. Various guides to law school admissions

Websites

  1. Pre-Law Home Page
  2. Center for Experiential Learning
  3. American Bar Association — Pre-law resources and law school rankings
  4. Law School Admissions Council — Law school information and preparation including information on the LSAT
  5. Pre-law Handbook — Contains a wealth of information complete with quotes from law school admission personnel around the country
  6. Princeton Review, Law Schools — Searchable database of law schools with information about the LSAT, financial aid, and more
  7. Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) — Opportunities for minorities and low-income students to attend law school and become members of the legal profession
  8. NAPLA Law School Locator

Exploring Careers in Law

GET INFORMED        

  • CEL Workshop: Identifying Vocational Interests
  • CEL Workshop: Information Session for Students Interested in Pre-Law
  • CEL Workshop: Law School  – Options and Applying
  • LSAT Study Sessions (organized by pre-law student group or preparatory organizations)

GET EXPERIENCE

  • Job Shadowing – Spend a day or a week working with a legal professional
  • Internship – Explore the option of an academic credit or career experience internship that allows you to use classroom learning in the legal world.
  • Workshop – Internship Search: Resources & Strategies

GET CONNECTED

  • With Ole alumni/ae in the profession - Contact the CEL for more information on how to use the alumni database.
More Information

PRIMARY CONTACTS    
  • Doug Casson, Assistant Professor, Political Science, x3484
  • Kirsten Cahoon, Senior Associate Director, Career Connections Program, CEL, x3268

PRE-LAW ADVISING COMMITTEE