Law schools are interested in admitting a wide variety of students. There is not a correct way to prepare and no particular experience outside the classroom that ensures admittance. Students should engage with the world, becoming involved with a variety of experiences prior to applying to law school.
Leadership and involvement
Internships offer the opportunity to explore a professional organization in a hands-on environment, allowing students to gain better understanding of a career field, organization or work environment. More than 75% of law students wait up to three years after graduating before applying to law school, opting for an internship that can offer networking or the opportunity of a full-time job offer. Law-related work experience is not required for law school, though many law and government related internships do exist.
Students may explore internships and opportunities through Handshake.
Law schools understand that many students work to assist with tuition or other college expenses. Regardless of the type of work, it is important for the admissions committee to know about how time is spent outside the classroom; the resume should cite the average number of hours worked per week.
Many students decide to enter the workforce full time prior to applying to law school. Students come from a wide variety of career fields, and employment in the legal profession is not a requirement for entrance into law school; however, a student interested in entering a particular field should consider gaining some experience in that field prior to law school. This enables the student to be aware of the issues and affords the opportunity to network.
While working during undergraduate school is common, working through law school is not, so students are advised to prepare a plan for the transition to attending law school full time.
Lawyers are engaged in the world around them and many provide pro bono service in addition to their regular hours. Volunteering and engaging with the community supports an interest in law and assisting communities. There are endless ways to get involved.
Students interested in gaining course credit for a service project may check out University Service Learning, and Changemaker Central at Arizona State University offers students service opportunities.
ASU has a robust offering of study abroad opportunities for students interested in visiting a different country, from 2-week, faculty-led programs to year-long exchange programs. Study abroad is a great way to challenge oneself in a new culture and different environment and helps students build skills along the way.
ASU hosts more than 800 clubs and organizations covering nearly every discipline and interest area. Joining a club can be a great way to meet like-minded people, engage in the ASU community, and build skills.
Clubs available at ASU are found at sundevilsync.
Prelaw clubs:
The law requires students to know and understand how to research. While students are introduced to legal research in law school, engaging in undergraduate research is another way to get involved. ASU is home to research in nearly every discipline
ASU offers a number of positions where students will engage with the ASU student experience. Some examples are community assistants, career peers, classroom TAs, first year success coaches, career peers, and more.