Pre-Law Advising

The Law School Application Process

This section is intended to provide an overview of some of the components of a law school application. It is NOT intended to provide comprehensive advice about the many subjective aspects of law school admission and financial aid and you should not rely on it as such. All Drexel students and alumni have free and unlimited access to the Prelaw Advisor. Call (215) 895-1632 or email vitlip@drexel.edu to schedule an appointment. Students and alumni who are unable to attend an in-person meeting may schedule a telephone consultation.

• Law School Admission Test (LSAT): a five-hour standardized test that is required for admission to every ABA-approved law school. The LSAT is administered in June, October, December and February. Drexel sponsors free practice tests several times each year. For more information about the LSAT or to register for an upcoming test, visit the Law School Admission Council’s website at www.LSAC.org. How should you prepare? How important is your LSAT score really? What is you’re just not a good standardized test taker?


• Undergraduate GPA: you know what this is, or do you? Did you know that law schools consider more than just your Drexel GPA? Work undertaken at other colleges is included as well. Repeated classes, plus/minus grades, and other factors all contribute to your law school admission GPA.


• Personal Statement: this is your chance to “interview” with the law school admission committees. What should you tell them? What topics should be avoided? How can you make your application “stand out” from among thousands of others?


• Letters of Recommendation Law schools care greatly what others say about you; but who are these “others”? Are you better off getting a letter from a famous individual or someone from a more modest background who knows you well? Are letters from lawyers and judges particularly helpful? What about professors, TA’s, and co-op employers?


• Diversity: Law schools actively seek students from a variety of backgrounds. How can you help the law schools understand the unique perspective you would bring to their classes?


• Character and Fitness Disclosure: All law schools want to know about the times in your life you would just as soon forget. Whether you have had run-ins with the police, gotten in trouble at Drexel or at your job, even if you were simply questioned about an incident and never formally charged, law schools require you to disclose everything. Applicants often must disclose even those incidents that were expunged, sealed or that they were previously told need not be reported. Failing to do so can derail even the most promising application, result in dismissal from law school or denial of permission to take the bar examination. Drexel’s prelaw advisor can provide candid advice on your situation and help ensure that this important part of your law school application is handled properly.