SO YOU’RE A SOPHOMORE?
Welcome to your second year of college. If we’re being honest, this year was the most challenging of my four years. I felt as if I’d become acclimated with the campus and was ready to make an impact, but just didn’t know where to start. One of the best decisions I made this year was getting involved in a leadership position on campus. In my role, I engaged my class and the surrounding community through volunteer events. I also began a political internship during the school year with a local State Representative. This allowed me to learn more about the political space and decide if it was truly the direction I saw myself pursuing. I want to highlight my experiences in order to encourage you to get active and engaged during this year. Your sophomore year is not the year to have fear, but rather, to keep trying new things. Lastly, maintain that GPA you’ve worked for and begin visualizing your future. Remember, your resume is an amalgamation of all four of your undergraduate years, so don’t let this year pass by without making an impact.
Sophomore “Play-Book”
STAY INVOLVED
Try to solidify those organizations that you have an interest in and move into a leadership position. Consistency is key, so demonstrating your consistent and impactful work within one organization can be more valuable than general membership. Similarly, a lack of consistent work within multiple organizations can also be less impactful than a deeper committment to one organization.
VOLUNTEER
Are you volunteering?? It may not be a part of your school’s required curriculum, but volunteer work shows that you are invested in your community and dedicated to making a tangible difference. Try to volunteer with an organization that aligns with your passions, whether that be a home for survivors of sexual assault, an environment-focused organization, a shelter for the homeless, or some other social justice cause.
CAPITALIZE ON INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Start looking more closely at potential internships. There are some great pre-law opportunities within the "Internships" section of this site. I would recommend applying to an internship that is law-related this summer. This will not only give you a head start on the application process, but also help you decide if a career in law is the right fit for you. Don't be afraid, however, to apply for an internship outside of the law or policy realm. These experiences can add diversity to your application and make you stand out as a law school applicant.
GPA CHECK
Keep those grades UP!!
If your first-year wasn’t as strong as you would’ve liked, seek out the resources on campus such as the writing center or academic tutoring center to help you excel in your courses this year. Use these tools, and other resources you've gained from your first year, to propel you closer to your academic goals for applying to law school.
PRIORITIZE/STRATEGIZE
As you begin to take courses in your major this year, assess how well you are doing in these courses. If you are uninterested in the material, the concepts aren’t easily sticking with you, or you find yourself struggling, don’t be afraid to switch your major. Don’t continue to “struggle” in a major for the next three years if it doesn’t align with your personal interests and passions. One reason many students perform well within their major is not only because of their knowledge and work ethic, but also because they have a strong interest in the subject matter. Contrary to popular belief, to apply to law school, there is no “right” major. Many people believe that English, Political Science, or Public Policy majors are the “prime” candidates for law school. However, law school applicants span across many fields varying from business to art history. Therefore, aside from enhancing your campus involvement, truly assess your performance in your major and courses this year to maintain the highest GPA possible.