Pre-Law

The road to law school starts here.

UNI’s strong academic programs will prepare you to succeed in the law school of your choice. Our faculty pre-law advisors will assist you through all stages of preparation including course selection, LSAT preparation and application assistance.

A dedicated Pre-Law Club offers additional support through discussions with local attorneys and judges, presentations from law school representatives, and studying/application resources.

UNI has also developed 3+3 program partnerships with the University of Iowa College of Law and Drake University Law School to make the process of earning a law degree more efficient. These accelerated programs allow you to complete a bachelor’s degree at UNI and a Juris Doctorate at Iowa or Drake in six years rather than the normal seven.

Pre-Law students walking to class
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3+3 Partnerships

Earn your Juris Doctorate in six years rather than seven at the University of Iowa College of Law or Drake University Law School

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Personal Advisors

Pre-law advisors are here to assist you through all stages of law school preparation

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Pre-Law
Club

UNI Pre-law Club will connect you with working lawyers and introduce you to law school representatives to help with the application process

Preparing for Law School

At UNI, you can be pre-law with any major. No matter what your path of study, our pre-law advisors will help you get law school ready.

According to the American Bar Association, the following skills provide a sound foundation for law school:

  • Critical reading
  • Writing and editing
  • Oral Communication and listening
  • Problem solving and logical thinking
  • Organization and time management
  • Relationship-building and collaboration

Common Pre-Law Majors

Legal Studies Minor

A minor in legal studies equips students with the ability to comprehend and critically evaluate written arguments, to make one's own arguments and support them with evidence and logical reasoning, and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 

3+3 Partnerships

Partnerships with Drake University Law School and the University of Iowa College of Law are designed for you to complete both a bachelor’s degree at UNI and Juris Doctorate in six years, rather than the traditional seven years.

You may choose any major to complete the 3+3 program, but it must be one that will allow you to complete its requirements before the end of your junior year. This will require careful planning and coordination with your academic and pre-law advisors.

University of Iowa College of Law 3+3 Program

Drake University Law School 3+3 Program

 The Old Capitol located on the University of Iowa campus. (Photo courtesy of the University of Iowa)
 The Old Capitol located on the University of Iowa campus. (Photo courtesy of the University of Iowa)

Pre-Law FAQs

Pursuing your law degree can be timely, costly and confusing process. Below are some answers to the most frequently asked questions by students and parents. 

First and Second Years of Your Undergraduate

  • Take interesting and challenging Liberal Arts Core classes. Make sure you’re taking classes that help you improve problem solving, logical thinking, reading and writing skills.
  • Talk to your academic advisor about your goals, your possible interest in law school, and how your course of study relates. Plan out course of study to permit light course-load during semester preparing for LSAT.
  • Meet with pre-law advisor periodically to discuss interest and goals
  • Once choose a major, discuss with academic advisor and pre-law advisor whether any additional courses would be useful to help prepare for law school
  • Write a draft of your personal statement at least once each year and get feedback from pre-law advisor
  • Attend UNI Pre-law Club events to learn about the legal profession and law school
     

Junior Year of Your Undergraduate

  • Take Elementary Logic (PHIL 1030)
  • If possible, plan to take a light course load during semester studying for LSAT
  • Visit with pre-law advisor to discuss preparing for LSAT
  • Devote at least 200 hours to LSAT preparation
  • If you haven’t already, consider internship, job shadow, and/or volunteer opportunities that will help you explore your interests in legal careers
  • Attend UNI Pre-law Club events to learn about the legal profession and law school
  • Before school dismisses, ask professors to write letters of rec for you.
  • Over summer, start on resume and personal statement
  • Narrow down list of schools considering applying to
     

Senior Year of Your Undergraduate

  • Take the LSAT no later than September/October.
  • By early September, ask professors for letter of rec and provide with any information they request to help them write it
  • Write and edit resume and personal statements. Be sure to get input from pre-law advisor on drafts
  • Visit with pre-law advisor to finalize list of schools to apply for, in light of LSAT scores
  • Submit applications no later than Thanksgiving
  • Visit with pre-law advisor as you make final decision about where to attend.
  • Notify school that you’re accepting offer and pay seat deposit

Most of our graduates stay in state and attend Drake University Law School or the University of Iowa College of Law, but in the last 10 years our graduates have attended law schools around the country, including:

Creighton University School of Law

Florida State University College of Law

George Washington University Law School

Harvard Law School

Marquette University Law School

Mitchell-Hamline School of Law

New York University School of Law

Pepperdine University School of Law

Stanford University Law School

Texas A&M University

University of Denver Sturm College of Law

University of Kansas School of Law

University of Michigan Law School

University of Minnesota Law School

University of Nebraska College of Law

University of Wisconsin Law School

Washington University School of Law

UNI pre-law alumni have gone on to practice in a variety positions and locations, including:

Neighborhood Defender Service

Assistant Attorney General, Colorado

Chevron

University of Arkansas

Caterpillar

‌Associate at JONES DAY, Detroit

Policy Counsel, Data Privacy, Future of Privacy Forum, Washington, D.C.

Asst. State Attorney, DuPage County, IL

First Amendment & Employment Litigator, Foundation for Individual Rights & Expression

Assoc. Attorney at Sheehy, Ware, Pappas & Grubbs, San Antonio, TX

‌Corporate Assoc. Attorney at Faegre Drinker, Minneapolis

Assoc. Attorney at Timmer & Judkins, Johnston, IA

Judicial Law Clerk at U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

 

Panther POV

Meet a few of our recent pre-law alums who are already doing great things in the world, thanks to their start at the University of Northern Iowa.