Binghamton University Pre-Law Advisement Guide
The Pre-Law Advisement Guide is a comprehensive resource designed to help students navigate the law school preparation and application process. The guide covers key topics including exploring legal careers, preparing for the LSAT, selecting law schools, securing letters of recommendation, writing personal statements, understanding character and fitness requirements, financing legal education, and planning a successful application timeline.
Who should use this resource:
Students considering law school at any stage of their academic journey. Whether you are just beginning to explore legal careers or are actively preparing applications, this guide provides information and planning tools to support informed decision-making throughout the process.
Why it’s helpful:
Applying to law school involves many interconnected steps and deadlines. This guide brings essential information together in one place, helping students understand expectations, develop a preparation plan, avoid common application mistakes, and access resources that support a competitive and well-informed law school application.
The Pre-Law Advisement Guide offers a wide range of tips and resources for your pre- law journey! Below is the table of contents to the guide. Click the link to access the full resource.
Pre-Law Advising Services…………………………………………………………………………….. 4
Exploring Your Interest in Law ………………………………………………………………………. 5
Preparing for Law School……………………………………………………………………………….. 5
LSAT…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report …………………………………………………… 10
Law School Applications………………………………………………………………………………….. 11
Application-Related Fees……………………………………………………………………………… 11
When to Apply ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
Letters of Recommendation ………………………………………………………………………….. 12
Personal Statement ………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
Getting Started ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
Writing Tips……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14
Optional Essays…………………………………………………………………………………………… 15
Writing Feedback………………………………………………………………………………………… 15
Dean’s Letters……………………………………………………………………………………………… 16
Character and Fitness…………………………………………………………………………………… 16
Resources for Diverse Applicants………………………………………………………………….. 17
Finding the Right Law School……………………………………………………………………….. 18
Your List of Schools…………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
Where to Get Information……………………………………………………………………………… 18
Employment Trends…………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
Rankings…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
Financing Your Education ………………………………………………………………………………… 19
Sources of Funding ……………………………………………………………………………………… 20
Admission Decisions……………………………………………………………………………………. 21
Reapplying Later & Taking Time to Prepare ………………………………………………….. 22
Pre-Law Yearly Checklist …………………………………………………………………………….. 23
Pre-Law Information Online…………………………………………………………………………. 25
