Pre-Law Information

Your Future in Pre-Law Information

People who pursue law degrees may work:

• As family attorneys negotiating divorces and child custody
• As prosecutors or defense attorneys in the criminal justice system
• In transactional law drawing up contracts, mortgages, trusts and wills for individuals and businesses
• In private law practices or medium- or large-sized law firms
• As trustees managing property and financial assets
• For the government as elected or appointed officials or staff members
• In international law working on human rights or multinational business

Lawyers are needed in virtually every business and at all levels of government to interpret rules and regulations. If you have scientific expertise or are interested in information technology, you may work on intellectual property and copyright issues. Increasingly, people with a legal education enter careers that don't involve practicing law. A law degree also allows you to work as a librarian, lobbyist, financial specialist or educator.

Our alumni have attended some of the nation's top law schools. Graduates include:

• John Creuzot, former state district judge in Dallas County
• William Downes, former chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming
• Hilda Tagle, senior district judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• More than 1,500 attorneys in the Dallas-Fort Worth region
• More than 40 judges for state trial and appellate courts or elected political officials
• Representatives at private law firms and in public interest positions in every major urban area and more than 80 counties in Texas

How we help

Law schools often want students with diverse personal and academic backgrounds. For that reason, students with any major are eligible to apply to law school. UNT offers a wide range of courses that strengthen your writing, reasoning, communication and analytical skills and prepare you for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

Several courses provide a deep understanding of certain types and aspects of law. For example, you can take courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, the U.S. Supreme Court and international law through the political science department. The G. Brint Ryan College of Business teaches courses on business law and international transactions. Courses in UNT's Department of Criminal Justice cover most areas of criminal law.

UNT offers a wide variety of study abroad programs, internship programs, a Moot Court team, a debate team and a student chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, all of which prepare you for law school.

The Office of Pre-Law Advising provides guidance as you progress through your course work and the application process. Individual and group advising sessions are offered, as well as workshops to assist you with the decision-making and application processes for law school.

Looking ahead

Law school applications are generally filed during the fall semester the year before you intend to enroll in law school. As a result, the LSAT should be taken in June before your senior year or in October or December of your senior year. High LSAT scores are the most important component for getting into a top law school.

Law schools are very competitive. Your GPA should be better than a 3.0 for most law schools and better than a 3.7 for top law schools.

Law schools also evaluate your work experience, résumé, activities and awards during college, personal statement and letters of recommendation. As a result, it's important to be engaged in campus and community activities and build relationships with faculty members.