Prelaw Program

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Cailín Pachter, Director, Pre-Professional Advising

This interdisciplinary program of study, although not a major program as such, is especially designed to attain the goals prescribed by the Association of American Law Schools for pre-legal preparation:

to provide the student with information about economic, political, and social institutions and values;
to cultivate an appreciation of historical documentation and analysis;
to develop requisite skills in the use of the English language, oral as well as written;
to develop an ability to think creatively and critically and use systematic reasoning-deductive, inductive, and by analogy.

According to the Law School Admission Council, the American Bar Association “does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for a legal education.” Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline and may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science, economics, or business, or in areas as diverse as art, music, science, mathematics, computer science, or theatre. Whatever major is selected, students are encouraged to pursue an area of study that interests and challenges them while taking advantage of opportunities to develop their research and writing skills. Taking a broad range of difficult courses from demanding instructors is excellent preparation for law school. A sound legal education will build upon and further refine the skills, values, and knowledge that students already possess. The student who goes on to law school lacking a broad range of basic skills and knowledge will face a difficult challenge.

All students who elect to participate in the pre-law program or who seek advice and direction regarding pre-law studies or applying to law school should register with Cailín Pachter in the Pre-Professional Advising Office.