About Pre-Law Advising
Welcome to the Pre-Law resources page for UNC Chapel Hill students! Our Pre-Law advising program offers support for every step of your journey to law school, from exploring legal careers to navigating the application process.
Here, you’ll find self-service tools and resources to help you make informed decisions and actively prepare for law school, including information on UNC’s law-related clubs, essential skills for aspiring law students, LSAT prep, and guidance on crafting a strong application.
With our range of self-directed resources and hands-on support, you’ll be well-equipped to build a compelling law school application and a successful path to a legal career.
Exploring Pre-Law
To help you get started on your journey to law school, here are essential resources that offer valuable insights into legal careers and the application process:
Law School Admission Council (LSAC): Access comprehensive information on law school admissions, including an application timeline, LSAT resources, and the LSAC Law School Admission Guide.
Vault Law Guide: An in-depth guide to legal careers, specialties, and what to expect from different paths within the field of law.
These resources are designed to help you build foundational knowledge, explore various legal paths, and start your journey toward a successful law school application. Please make sure that you’ve reviewed these resources prior to meeting with our Pre-Law Advisor.
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Simply add “Legal & Law Enforcement” as an industry of interest to your Handshake profile to be added to our listserv.
Top Priorities for Pre-Law Undergraduates
Regardless of your major, you can successfully prepare for law school by focusing on a few key priorities. Law schools seek well-rounded candidates from diverse academic backgrounds, so the choice of major is less important than developing strong analytical, research, and communication skills.
- Academic Excellence: Strive for high GPA in challenging coursework.
- Relevant Skills Development: Highlight critical thinking, research, writing, and public speaking.
- Hint: Peruse the UNC Course Catalogue to help identify classes that can help you build these skills — they don’t have to be law-related to be useful!
- Experiential Learning: Internships, research assistantships, and job shadowing.
- Networking: Connect with alumni and professionals in law.
- Early LSAT Prep and Planning: Begin early preparation and familiarize yourself with timelines.
Top 10 Skills for Pre-Law Students
Developing key skills can help you excel in law school and beyond. Here are the top skills for aspiring law students, from analytical thinking and research proficiency to resilience and problem-solving, with each skill offering a strong foundation for success in the legal field.Explore Essential Pre-Law Skills
UNC-Chapel Hill Pre-Law Clubs & Organizations
Getting involved in pre-law clubs and organizations is a great way to explore your interest in law, develop relevant skills, and build connections with peers who share similar career goals. Below are links to active pre-law groups at UNC you can join through Heel Life, including the Carolina Law Society, Mock Trial Team, UNC Debate Team, PAD: Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Co-Ed Fraternity, and more.
Year-By-Year Checklists
Planning for law school doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re just starting to explore legal careers or preparing to apply, our year-by-year checklists are designed to keep you on track with personalized goals, practical steps, and UNC-specific resources.
Each checklist includes five key action items tailored to your stage—plus tips on gaining experience, building legal skills, and connecting with the UNC community.
A quick note: These checklists are here to guide you, not to limit you. While they’re organized by year (First-Year, Sophomore, etc.), we know every student’s path looks different. Maybe you’re transferring in, discovering pre-law later, or taking an accelerated route—whatever your situation, you’re in the right place.
Feel free to jump around, move ahead, or revisit earlier stages. You’re not behind—you’re starting from where you are. And we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Pre-Law FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- What is “pre-law” at UNC Chapel Hill?
- What majors do law schools prefer?
- When should I start preparing for law school?
- Should I take a gap year before law school?
- What experiences should I pursue to strengthen my application?
- Do I need to take the LSAT?
- What is a competitive LSAT score?
- What GPA do I need for law school?
- How do I connect with UNC alumni in the legal field?
- Where can I get help with my personal statement?
- How do I request letters of recommendation?Can I study abroad and still be pre-law?
Pre-Law Appointments for Application Support
UNC Chapel Hill offers personalized coaching to guide you through each step of the law school application process, with appointments available for LSAT strategies, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and more. Please review this page before your appointment to familiarize yourself with key resources and preparation steps; this will allow us to maximize our time together by focusing on your specific goals and unique path to law school.What to Expect in Your Coaching Appointment:
LSAT Prep Resources
Preparing for the LSAT is a critical step in your law school journey, and starting 6-12 months in advance can set you up for success. Below are recommended resources, courses, and practice tools to help you create a study plan and build confidence for test day.
