Volume 16, Issue 4 | January 2024

The Newsletter of the Carnegie Mellon University

Pre-Law Program

News

Incoming 2023 Class is Most Diverse in History, says LSAC

This year’s entering law class is the most diverse on record, based on data from the American Bar Association (ABA) and analysis by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Find out more

University of Nebraska establishes First Amendment Clinic

The clinic will support First Amendment rights by focusing on local and regional cases concerning freedoms of speech, the press, assembly and petition. It will also enhance law students’ understanding of the First Amendment and serve as a resource for organizations, students, journalists and citizens defending First Amendment rights. Read more

The Bar Exam Experience: February Versus July

The good news for applicants preparing to sit for the bar exam in February is that it is not objectively harder than the July exam. The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and state bar licensing boards go to great lengths to equate and scale bar exam scores to ensure comparable levels of difficulty from one exam administration to the next. Despite the similarity between exams, however, there are some special considerations to bear in mind when preparing for the February bar.Learn more

NALP Reports Women Represent 50% of Associate Positions at U.S. Law Firms

Despite diversity growth stalling in some areas within the summer associate classes, new data from The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) shows continued overall advancement in the representation of women, people of color and LGBTQ individuals within U.S. law firms — especially women, whom now constitute a little over 50% of associates for the first time in more than 30 years. Learn more

Opportunities

Lex Fellowship Program

Pre-Law Summer Internships in Italy, Spain, and Washington DC | Mentorship from American JD

The Lex Fellowship is a study-abroad program tailored for the needs of pre-law students. Lex runs during college breaks and allows you the opportunity to experience multiple law firms in different practice areas in locations abroad. Currently, students who apply by February 9th will receive a $50 Amazon gift card towards their LSAT prep materials after they enroll in a Lex program for this summer.Find out more and apply.

Applications for the Plus, Guided Journey Program are Now Open!

The next evolution of LSAC’s Plus program is designed exclusively for individuals planning to apply to law school during the upcoming application cycle. The program will use a cohort-based model to accompany and support aspiring law students for an entire year as they navigate the law school application process.

Learn more and apply

Plus Summer Program

Plus Summer programs are open to individuals throughout their prelaw journeys. Hosted by participating law schools, these residential summer programs provide selected participants with an intimate view of legal education and the journey to law school.

Learn more and apply

Events

Free Logical Reasoning LSAT Workshop

Wednesday February 7 at 6pm EST

This workshop will concentrate on the logical reasoning section, which will constitute two-thirds of the test beginning in August.

Free Reading Comprehension LSAT Workshop

Tuesday April 9 at 6pm EST

This workshop will be focused on the reading comprehension section.

Advice

Tips for Dealing with the Anxiety of Applying to Law School

There is often anxiety at some point for applicants during the law school application process. Will I do well on the LSAT? Will my professor get my recommendation letter in on time? Will I get into all of the schools I applied to? Will I get into any of them? Can I afford it? While some of the anxiety can’t be helped, there are steps you can take to feel more in control. Here are some tips:

Tips for Applying to Law School when Your GPA or LSAT Score is Low

Every year, applicants are admitted to law schools when their GPA or LSAT score is well below the school’s median. Granted, it’s been very competitive in the law school admissions world lately. But still, there are strategies to help overcome less than stellar grades or scores. Find tips

You've Been Accepted, Now What?

Applicants love the spring, when law schools start accepting students. But what you do after you've been accepted can make a big difference. You've spent the fall and maybe much of winter break putting together the perfect application package. Now it's time to wait — for that first acceptance, and hopefully a second, and maybe a third. Read more

4 Tips for Getting Organized This Semester

Stay on top of everything you need to complete by the time you get your under-grad and apply to law school. Find tips