Georgetown College
Pre-Law
There is no set pre-law curriculum required for admission to law school. Instead, law school admissions committees advise prospective applicants to acquire a well-balanced liberal arts education and maintain a rigorous course load. Students should choose a major related to their interests, but they are also encouraged to take a wide range of academically challenging courses that will prepare them to think, work, and write well. A student considering law school should contact the pre-law advisor, Dr. Melissa Scheier, in the Political Science Department as soon as possible.
Click to See Career Options
| AREA | EMPLOYERS | STRATEGIES |
|---|---|---|
CORPORATE PRACTICE | ||
| Corporate office summer clerkships and entry level positions are rare. Usually only experienced lawyers are hired by corporations. Develop tolerance for bureaucratic procedure. An undergraduate major in business, particularly accounting or finance, is helpful. | |
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT | ||
| Get involved with an internship or co-op program with the federal government to get a foot in the door. New lawyers frequently go to court and litigate sooner; experience gained here can be valuable to private firms later. Government work offers a variety of practice opportunities from criminal to contracts. | |
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS | ||
|
| High academic achievement is emphasized by State and Federal judges; Federal judges usually require top 10% or 15% class rank. Clerkships can be a stepping-stone to other legal areas and provide many benefits for future career opportunities. For U.S. Supreme Court, applicants must be top law graduates with one to two years clerking at lower Federal Court. Moot Court participation in regional and national competitions is helpful. Law review membership, as an indication of writing ability, is highly valued and emphasized at all court levels. |
POLITICS | ||
|
| A service-oriented attitude is helpful. Learn to enlist the help of others. Clerkship or summer associate positions with law firms providing lobbying services provide good experience. Demonstrate an interest in politics through your undergraduate major, active campaigning, or research papers/articles. Obtain law firm experience. Acquire superior writing skills. Develop a pleasing personality, enthusiasm, and high energy level. Show ability to work with people and good communication and organizational skills. Consider earning a Master’s of Public Administration. |
PRIVATE PRACTICE | ||
| Acquire excellent research and writing skills. Obtain clerkships or internships. Large and medium-size firms frequently emphasize grades and class rank and value law review and moot court experience. | |
PUBLIC INTEREST LAW | ||
|
| Gain supervised work experience in an area through summer internships. Demonstrate a desire to help the economically disadvantaged and show an interest in law as a means of change. Volunteer for non-profit organizations that serve a wide range of people. |
TEACHING | ||
| Obtain several years of experience in private practice or government agency. The LLM degree and an outstanding academic record are required for law school teaching. Teaching allows for more flexibility of time. Some lawyers teach on an adjunct basis. | |
STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT | ||
|
| Take essential courses related to criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law, and evidence. Participate in a criminal clinical program. Obtain summer positions in a prosecutor’s office or a criminal litigation office or private firms practicing criminal law. Civil law deals with a broad range of subjects other than criminal matters and provides for a wide variety of functions including the opportunity to work with private lawyers and a variety of public officials. A demonstrated interest in public issues and completion of related internships are helpful. |
PATENT & COPYRIGHT LAW | ||
| This highly specialized area usually requires technical, science or engineering degree. These lawyers help protect clients’ claims to copyrights, inventions, software, etc. | |
ENERGY LAW NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENTAL LAW | ||
| This area involves rights to resources including those in the earth and dangers in production of energy as well as transportation, taxation, patents, and government regulation. An undergraduate major in environmental science, agriculture, engineering, or science may be good preparation. | |
FINANCIAL PLANNING, INVESTMENT BANKING, ESTATE PLANNING | ||
| Insurance “Estate Planning” positions require interest and ability in sales. Bank trust department positions are good for those who do not want to litigate or be confrontational. An undergraduate major in accounting or finance may be helpful. | |
LEGAL PUBLISHING/JOURNALISM | ||
| Exhibit interest in writing, research, and editing for publishers. For national media, gain experience covering the law and politics. | |
LAW FIRM ADMINISTRATION | ||
| Handle office management (e.g. work flow), business development, clerk and attorney recruitment, clerkship programs, finances, and human resources in a law firm. | |
HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION | ||
| Serve as a Dean or Director of Academics, Admissions, Career Services, Records, Alumni Affairs, Development, etc. in law schools. Work in judicial affairs, pre-law advising, or other undergraduate student support services. | |
LAW LIBRARIANSHIP | ||
| Masters in Library or Information Science, in addition to a law degree, may be required for some positions. | |
General Information
- Students interested in attending law school may choose any major of interest. Some undergraduate majors can help prepare students for a particular area of law, e.g., a B.S. in environmental science for a career in environmental law.
- Develop strong research and writing skills. Enhance communication skills through public speaking courses, debate team, or Toast Masters (a public speaking organization).
- Maintain a high G.P.A. to increase chances of gaining admission to law school.
- Join Phi Alpha Delta professional association.
- Find part-time jobs or internships in law firms or government agencies to reality test your interest in law and to gain relevant experience.
- Prepare for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) which is required by all law schools.
- Secure strong personal recommendations from professors.
- Participate in mock trial, student government, student judiciary boards, and other related organizations.
Helpful Links
- American Bar Association
- National Association for Paralegal Associations, Inc.
- Law School Admission Council
- Lawyers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
(2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer