Applying to Law School
How do I decide if and when I should go to Law School?
Deciding whether or when to go to Law School is a big and complex decision. A number of factors should be considered, including:
- Your career goals
- Your financial status
- Your desire to continue in school for another three years
- Are there professional or personal pursuits you want to pursue before starting law school and committing to the practice of law
- The current legal market
Here are ways explore the legal field at Northwestern:
- Meet with Northwestern’s Prelaw Adviser to discuss your skills, interests and values and how they might align with a career in the legal field. You can schedule a Pre-Law Advising appointment on Handshake.
- Research the field of law
- Recommended Books for Students Exploring Law and Considering Law School
- 24 Hours with 24 Lawyers: Profiles of Traditional and Non-Traditional Careers; Jasper Kim
- Law School Confidential: A Complete Guide to the Law School Experience: By Students, for Students; Robert Miller
- Real Law Stories: Inside the American Judicial Process; Richard Brisbin, John Kilwein
- The American Legal Profession: The Myths and Realities of Practicing Law; Christopher Banks
- The Official Guide to Legal Specialties: An Insider’s Guide to Every Major Practice Area; Lisa Abrams
- Engage in experiential and extracurricular opportunities offered at Northwestern which include:
- Shadow alumni in various industries including law through the NEXT Externship Job Shadowing Program
- Participate in the Chicago Field Studies/Legal Field Studies Program. This NU based program coordinates full-time internships for credit in legal fields, as well as part-time internships in civic engagement, and community research, among other programs. An internship through CFS can be a great way to learn about a law-related field, gain work experience, and link your academic and professional interests.
- Join Student Organizations and take on a leadership role
Law related organizations at Northwestern include:
- Northwestern Phi Alpha Delta co-ed prelaw fraternity
- Northwestern Women in Law
- Northwestern Mock Trial
- Northwestern Undergraduate Law Journal
- Northwestern Black Pre-law Association
- Northwestern University School of Law : Our own law school in downtown Chicago serves as a valuable resource for our undergraduate students who want to learn what law school is like first hand. You can schedule a visit to tour the school, sit in on a class, and speak with law students.
- Conduct Informational Interviews with Northwestern Alumni in the legal profession. You can identify alumni to reach out to and get contact information through the following platforms: