Thinking About Law School

Law schools don't recommend any particular undergraduate major. However, the Pre-Law Advisory Committee recommends students select courses that build critical thinking and writing skills. Any major at Stetson has the potential to prepare a student for law school - from music, the humanities, and arts to the natural sciences and mathematics to the social sciences, education and business. The key is to take demanding courses to build evidence of being able to read alertly, write and speak persuasively, and research efficiently and creatively.

The American Bar Association urges pre-law students to develop a broad understanding of history, political thought and math skills, as well as an understanding of human behavior and social interaction, and finally an understanding of diverse cultures and world events. Stetson University offers a wide variety of courses in the liberal arts curriculum that are favored by law schools. Students have found the Logic course in Philosophy to be helpful in preparing for the logical thinking required by LSAT.

Seeking out diverse life experiences and making contributions to society are highly recommended. Opportunities to study abroad, obtain internships, and engage in community service and service learning are offered throughout Stetson University.

Usually, law schools consider LSAT scores, grade point average (GPA), personal statements, letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities. Most law schools usually require a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a minimum LSAT score of 155.

Your LSAT score and GPA will largely determine the tier of law school where you're likely to be most competitive. A student with a GPA of 3.9 and an LSAT score of 172 may be a competitive applicant for Yale or Columbia Law School. Naturally, students may also be interested in attending public or private law schools in the Southeast region. Law schools also seek gender, race, economic and geographical diversity. If you're a member of an underrepresented group, your application may be highly valued. Attending the Graduate School Recruitment Fair will also help you gain insightful information from participating law schools.

It's important during your college career to assess whether or not you wish to be a practicing attorney. There are many kinds of law, from intellectual property to real estate, from corporate finance to estate planning. Spending a summer working as a law clerk, pursuing an internship or seeking informational interviews may help you to decide.

Get Involved

Mock Trial

Involvement in this award-winning team empowers students to learn and hone critical thinking and other skills that will benefit them in law school, and as practicing attorneys.

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Phi Alpha Delta

Mission: Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International is a professional law fraternity advancing integrity, compassion, and courage through service to the student, the school, the profession and the community.

Vision: We are the preeminent law fraternity promoting the bonds of fraternalism, and we are the leader in the development and advancement of professional ideals.

Core Values: Bound together by tradition and our common interest in the law, we share these core values: Integrity, Compassion, Courage, Professionalism, Service, Diversity and Innovation.

Purpose: The purpose of this fraternity shall be to form a strong bond uniting students and teachers of the law with members of the Bench and Bar in a fraternal fellowship designed to advance the ideals of liberty and equal justice under the law; to stimulate excellence in scholarship; to inspire the virtues of compassion and courage; to foster integrity and professional competence; to promote the welfare of its members; and to encourage their moral, intellectual, and cultural advancement; so that each member may enjoy a lifetime of honorable professional and public service. 
"Service to the Student, the School, the Profession and the Community."

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