SO YOU’RE A JUNIOR?
Hey junior!! It’s probably starting to sink in that you’re halfway through college. Congratulations, but it’s grind time. As a junior who knows they want to pursue law school, you have a unique opportunity to position yourself as a strong candidate by beginning to understand the application process early. Start identifying how you would like to study for the LSAT, whether it be through an online course, in the classroom, or an outside internship.
QUICK PLUG: The Junior Deferral Program is a program at Harvard Law School that admits juniors for law school admission and automatically defers their acceptance for two years. I applied to this program and took the LSAT in the February of my junior year. If you know that you want to attend law school, but also know that you’d like to gain experience in the work force or pursuing an additional graduate degree before you enter, this program could be perfect for you. I’m currently working as a paralegal during my time before law school; however, the doors and possibilities you are able to pursue are endless. For more information about this opportunity click here.
Junior-Year “Play-Book”
BUILD A “LAW” COMMUNITY
During your junior year, try to participate in an internship, program, or organization that has a pre-law focus. This will allow you to surround yourself with like-minded individuals with the same goals. Building a supportive community throughout the law school application process will not only open doors for further opportunities, but also provide you with an encouraging group of advocates. Focus on including ONLY positive individuals within your circle, because the process will be challenging. Applying to law school is a process, so it is crucial for your network to include people who are invested in making you feel encouraged and seeing you succeed.
KEEP STUDYING
Even when it gets difficult, it is crucial that you maintain your GPA this semester. Although you will probably be in the heart of your major this year and classes may be difficult, do not allow this pressure to make you crack. Push through and know that you are preparing for something greater than the multiple fifteen page papers that may be taking over your social life.
CREATE A LAW SCHOOL TIMELINE
Begin to decide when you will complete the law school application process. If you’d like to apply for the Junior Deferral Program, prep begins now. If you plan to apply during your senior year of college, LSAT prep begins now. If you plan to apply after college, begin to decide what jobs or fellowship opportunities would most fully strengthen your application within those gap years.
NETWORK
Junior year is a big year. But most importantly, this is the year to buckle down and start making next step decisions. It’s important to network during this year and talk with peers or older students and graduates about their journeys to law school. Start to hone in and really visualize what your path will look like. It will pay off in the near future!
INTERNSHIPS
Along with summer internships, take advantage of internships during the academic year itself. Look for opportunities within law firms or at your state's Capitol during the legislative session during the school year. Be sure to apply to multiple internships for the summer and choose ones that are not only competitive, but fit with your overall goals and vision. If you want to work in a corporate space but have never had the opportunity, take advantage of this summer to do so. This internship could play an integral role in providing you a job opportunity during any potential gap years you take, or provide you with a crucial career network as you begin law school right after undergrad.