Explore Majors

There is neither a pre-law major nor a pre-law track. Your law school classes will teach you want you need to know to practice law. You should focus now on a broad base of study and consider majors you would enjoy and do well in. Consider what you would do if you did not attend law school.

Meet with your academic advisor

They will give you guidance about study skills, course selection, campus involvement and help you navigate the law school application process.

Take Challenging Skill Based Courses

Again, there are no required courses for law school. Instead, The American Bar Association recommends that you focus on core skills and broad areas of knowledge.

Get Involved

One of the great things about a large university, such as The University of Iowa, is an abundance of student organization and local volunteer opportunities. Law schools like students to demonstrate community involvement and leadership. Academic research through the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates is also a valuable form of involvement.

Review Resources

Familiarize yourself with the LSAT and the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) website. Explore the Pre-Law link on the Academic Advising Center website.

Get to Know the Legal Profession

You should use your early years of college to confirm your interest in law and to investigate the profession further. Join a pre-law organization such as Phi Alpha Delta. Attend campus pre-law events, job shadow or interview attorneys.

GPA, GPA, GPA!

Your GPA will be one of the most important factors in your law school application. Study hard, use academic resources and keep your GPA high from the start. As you earn additional semester hours it will be more challenging to raise a lower GPA.

Skills Needed to be a Good Attorney

Analytical/Problem Solving, Critical Reading and Thinking, Writing, Oral Communication, Listening