The Opportunities of a Small College. The Resources of a Large University.
Let your liberal arts education set the foundation for your future law career. First, you'll take a wide-angled look at the world and then you'll dive deep on a topic(s) of interest with a major of your choosing. The individual mentorship of our pre-law advisers will help you explore the field of law - connecting you to alums, job shadow opportunities and internship placements. With their guidance, you'll be prepared for the LSAT and set up for success in the law school application process. Our partnership with Cornell University allows ambitious students to graduate with a bachelor's from HWS and a J.D. from Cornell in just six years.
"I am very aware of the challenges of going to law school in the U.S. as an international student. However, that has only sparked my interest more as I want to represent other first generation international or low-income college students. No one in my family has followed this path, so the Pre-Law department has become a solid rock I can lean on for support. My goal is to best prepare myself to attend law school and create change. My experience at HWS has provided me with the direction I need pursue my goals."
Ready to build a better world? Expedite your bachelor's and Juris Doctor degree with the 3+3 LEAP. Our exclusive partnership with Cornell University allows HWS undergraduates to complete their senior year while attending Cornell Law School and earn a bachelor's and a Juris doctor in six years, rather than the typical seven.
Pre-law Advisers are available to help students plan and complete a course of study that will result in successful application to law school. They can also provide information and assistance to students in the application process for law school.
There are important things to keep in mind throughout your four years at HWS and planning ahead each year can help to make law school applications more successful.
While there are no required courses for the Pre-Law Program, the outline below is designed to help students stay on track.
First Year
Talk with a Career Services staff person and begin Pathways, a career development program
Attend the pre-law information session to meet the Pre-Law Advisers and gain information about preparing for law school
Get involved in activities that will develop skills looked for by law schools (leadership, writing, analytical thinking, etc.)
Focus on starting out with (and later maintaining) a high GPA
Sophomore Year
Explore careers within the legal field
Continue to stay involved in campus leadership activities, public service and work.
Keep up your GPA
Junior Year
Intern or shadow with a law firm or any law-related field of interest
Network with alums using the Career Network
Begin researching law schools that you may want to attend
Develop relationships with potential recommenders and open a Recommendation File to keep recommendations organized and available
Look into dates for the LSAT or register if taking summer LSAT
Begin studying for LSAT - Prep courses, review books (give yourself ample time to prepare)
Begin writing personal statement
Keep up your GPA
Senior Year
Take (or retake) the LSAT - December is the LATEST date you should take it for fall admission of the next year. If you only take the December test, make sure this is the last piece to complete in your application, and send applications in as soon as you receive your score.
Gather at least three letters of recommendation - academic sources are preferred by law schools
Finish personal statement, have it checked over several times
Apply early!! Those who apply in the fall/early winter hear back earlier and are more likely to be accepted
Review acceptances and make final decision on which school to attend
Turn in Financial Aid applications/forms
Belonging, Diversity and Equity
The Pre-Law program at HWS is committed to helping students gain access to law school. The HWS and Cornell Law Early Admissions Program helps make attending law school an affordable option by reducing the time required to gain a law degree.
Alum ImpactReal World Impact
isabella pardales '21 j.d. candidate at vermont law school
On topics like sustainability and climate change, Isbaella’s courses exposed the impacts public and legal policy decisions have on different populations. That knowledge guided her toward law school to study energy law.
Internships play a large role for students enrolling in law school, providing experience and opportunities to gain further insight into the legal world. Students have previously interned in Geneva, New York City, Boston, Washington D.C. and Switzerland, just to name a few locations.
Previous internship placements include:
American Red Cross - Geneva, N.Y.
Big Brothers Big Sisters - Geneva, N.Y.
Brown, Gavalas & Fromm, LLP - New York City
Cefalo and Associates Law Firm - West Pittston, P.A.
Construction - Saratoga, N.Y.
David Belfort '92 law firm - Boston, M.A.
Kenyon & Kenyon, LLP - New York City and Washington, D.C.
Kings County District Attorney's Office - Brooklyn, N.Y.
Legal Assistance of the Finger Lakes - Geneva, N.Y.
Maine Department of Conservation - Augusta, M.E.
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw - London
New York County Supreme Court - New York City
New York State Attorney General's Office - New York City
Onondaga County District Attorney's Office - Syracuse, N.Y.
Oswego County District Attorney's Office - Oswego, N.Y.
Pruell & Brady, LLP - Norwood, M.A.
Public Defender's Office - Rhode Island
Senator Charles Schumer - Albany, N.Y.
S. Department of Justice - Washington, D.C.
S. Environmental Protection Agency - Washington, D.C.
