The LSAT
Students planning to enter law school in the fall semester after graduation from college should take the LSAT at the end of their junior year or the beginning of their senior year. The Pre-Law Program strongly encourages students to participate in and complete a comprehensive preparatory program prior to taking the LSAT. This preparation can be in the form of self-guided study using a preparation manual, tutorial study in a group or with a faculty member, or a specially designed, commercially available preparation course. The LSAT may be taken more than once, so students are urged to take the exam earlier rather than later. Multiple test takers should know that LSAT will send all scores to the designated Schools of Law. However, the manner in which the law school handles the scores will depend on the policies of the particular institution. Some will consider only the most recent score, some the highest score, and some law schools will average the scores. With this in mind, students should check with those law schools to which they will be applying to ascertain the advisability of retesting. Pre-law students are encouraged to meet with a pre-law advisor. The advisor can assist in reviewing course schedules and providing information on the LSAT, LSAT preparation programs, specific law schools, and the law school application processes. In addition, pre-law students are encouraged to participate in the activities of the Pre-Law Club, the Mock Trial and Mediation teams and to join Phi Alpha Delta, the national legal fraternity. The Department of Philosophy offers a course open to all juniors and seniors which focuses on preparing for the LSAT: PHIL 30700 Reasoning and Standardized Test-Taking. The Department of Political Science offers POLS 36000 Pre-Law Seminar: Law School Preparation, which focuses on writing for law school and application preparation. Taken together, these courses build confidence and enhance aptitude.
As a strong foundation for both the LSAT and for first-year law school, the following courses are recommended: