Pre-Law

Pre-Law

Law schools require a baccalaureate degree. They do not require a specific undergraduate major, but seek students who are broadly educated. Admission is selective based primarily on GPA, LSAT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Law schools want students who excel in oral and written communication; understand economic, political and social institutions; and have well-developed objective and critical thinking skills. Western’s General University Requirements are intended to aid students in honing these skills.

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT), normally required of applicants to American and Canadian law schools, is offered throughout the year at various sites, including the Western campus. Information about applying to law school and registering to take the LSAT may be obtained from LSAC.org. Students should plan to take the LSAT late in their junior year or early in their senior year. Check LSAC.org for the most current information. Some law schools allow students to use GRE scores as a substitute for LSAT scores.

Western students admitted to Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies are eligible to pursue a Law, Diversity, and Justice concentration (LDJ) Bachelor of Arts degree. Students in the program learn from law school textbooks, are taught through a law school style approach, and develop practical skills directly relevant to law school through moot court exercises and legal writing.

The Center for Law, Diversity & Justice (CLDJ) at Fairhaven College offers law-centered academic and extracurricular opportunities, including internships, networking opportunities, and mentorship from LDJ faculty to students in the program. Non-Fairhaven students are eligible to apply for the Law, Diversity, and Justice minor. For more information on the CLDJ contact Professor Claudia Johnson, john567@wwu.edu, Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies. To explore the Law, Diversity and Justice major, please email fairhaven.admissions@wwu.edu.

Advisors

Dr. Paul Chen, Department of Political Science, Arntzen Hall 436, 360-650-4876, Paul.Chen@wwu.edu. chss.wwu.edu/political-science/pre-law-advising

Assistant Prof. Claudia C. Johnson, Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Fairhaven 335, john567@wwu.edu.