Pre-law Guide
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Pre-law Guide
How to
use this guide
This guide covers reection, preparation tips and advice for the law school application process. It is not intended to serve as
a substitute for working with our pre-law adviser to get individualized advice and discuss the more nuanced decisions you
will make throughout your pre-law journey. To do this, make an appointment in Handshake.
Exploring Your Interest in Law School 2
Application Timeline 4
Researching Law Schools 8
Law School Comparison Worksheet 9
Application Components 11
Making a Decision 14
Exploring Your Interest in Law School
Why are you considering law school?
• Why do you nd law school interesting or compelling?
» Is law school uniquely compelling as a degree
option, or could other degrees, such as an MPA,
MPP, MBA, Ph.D. or other master’s programs also
help you to achieve your goals?
• What do you value most?
» How would your pursuit of a law degree support
these values?
» How would your values impact the law schools you
decide to apply to?
• Are you applying to law school because you want to
make a high salary?
» Law school graduates usually incur substantial
debt. Not all types of lawyers make the same salary
and work hours can be long for the highest salaries.
Conduct informational interviews with attorneys
across practice areas to learn more about each
practice area.
The pursuit of a law degree involves a signicant commitment of time, energy and money. It’s important to consider
the degree carefully. This guide covers the Juris Doctor, or J.D., which is the most common degree conferred by law
schools. All American Bar Association-approved law schools usually require three years of full-time study to earn a J.D.,
though there are many part-time and joint-degree options. Here are some questions to keep in mind as you explore law
school as a post-graduate option.
• Have you validated and conrmed your interest in a
law career compared with other career paths?
» See the “How can you learn about potential law
career paths?” section below.
• Are you interested in practicing law?
» If so, which law practice settings appeal to you
most and why?
» Are you interested in career areas for which a
J.D. may be an asset (e.g., politics, government
public policy)?
• Are you willing to invest the time, energy and money
associated with going to law school?
» Have you thoroughly investigated these costs?
If you aren’t sure, might you consider applying
later when you are more certain?
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Pre-law Guide
How can you learn about potential law career paths?
Law Career Possibilities
Consult Vault law career guides, the prelaw portal built by
the National Association for Law Placement and the
Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Learn more about common law practice areas on
legal profession association sites. Here are common areas
you may want to explore:
• Academia
• Business and industry
• Government
Law School and the Application Process
Consult the LSAC Discover Law site, the American Bar
Association pre-law site and websites of law schools that
interest you.
Current Law Students and Program Alumni
Use LinkedIn, TigerNet and other tools to identify current
students and graduates of law school programs you’re
considering or alumni who have gone into legal roles that
interest you. You can:
• Conduct informational interviews with practicing lawyers
to learn about the rewarding and challenging aspects of
their careers
• Observe or shadow a lawyer on the job
• Intern at an organization to help build skills for law school
Relevant Programs and Resources from the Center for
Career Development
Meet with our pre-law adviser and attend relevant programs
including:
• Experiential programs such as Princeternships and
City Treks
• Law school information sessions on campus, which are
open to students and local alumni
• Other pre-law events
• Judicial clerkship
• Private practice
• Public interest
What do law schools value most in an applicant?
In determining who will be admitted, admissions
committees try to predict how successful a candidate
will be academically and professionally. Your application
is viewed holistically and most law schools value the
following factors most:
• Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and/or Graduate
Record Examination (GRE) score
» The LSAT in particular is a key factor for most
top law schools
• Undergraduate GPA
» This is a key factor for most top law schools
» Law schools also consider improvement of
grades over time and the rigor of your
academic plan
» GPA remains a determining factor for
applicants who apply several years after
graduation from college
• Rigor of undergraduate course of study and
motivation demonstrated
• Personal statement and other essays or statements
• Work experience or other postgraduate experience
(including graduate work)
• College curricular and extracurricular activities and
community activities
• Letters of recommendation
• Difculties (nancial, personal and physical)
overcome
• Each student’s unique character and background
- how will this applicant enhance the learning
community? Law schools are particularly
interested in students who have been traditionally
underrepresented in the legal profession.
Admissions ofcers seek the following qualities:
• Excellent verbal and written communication, able
to effectively articulate and argue both sides of a
question clearly, concisely and enthusiastically
• Strong research and writing skills
• Capacity to quickly work through complex
problems, organizing material and drawing
thoughtful conclusions
• Strong work ethic
• Passion for legal thought
• Precision
• Ability to accept criticism
• Ability to cope with ambiguity
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Pre-law Guide
Traditionally Underrepresented Students
Law schools encourage traditionally underrepresented applicants
to consider their programs. Additional resources are available
with more information about career opportunities and, in
some cases, experiential options and programs to encourage
underrepresented applicants to consider law.
The links below provide a starting point for exploration in these
areas, however, it is best to consult law schools’ websites for
programs that interest you and speak with the pre-law adviser
for more guidance in this area.
• General diversity information: LSAC - Discover Law initiative
• Information for specic applicants
» LGBTQIA Applicants
» Racial and Ethnic Minority Applicants
» Female Applicants
Application Timeline
Although the application process varies by program, a common timeline applies to many law schools and there are helpful
actions to take to explore law during your rst few years of college. The law school application process is very different from
the undergraduate admission process. Many students nd it to be more time-consuming and stressful than they think it will
be, so it is important to plan ahead and to build in time for thoughtful reection.
Suggestions for Your First Few Years at Princeton
• Build a solid academic foundation. Although
law school does not require you to take specic
coursework, admissions committees will consider the
rigor of your academic program and pay attention
to whether you took advantage of opportunities to
challenge yourself, excel in your coursework and build
relationships with professors.
• Choose a concentration that you enjoy and can
do well in, regardless of whether it is law-related.
Princeton does not have a pre-law major or curriculum.
Law schools welcome all academic majors and do not
favor one over another, so select a course of study that
both challenges you and allows you to excel.
• Get involved in activities that interest you. These do
not have to be pre-law or legal clubs or organizations,
but they should demonstrate leadership and
commitment to activities outside of your coursework.
You do not have to pursue summer jobs and
internships that directly relate to the law as long as
you are building relevant skills and experience and
following your interests.
• Explore law school. Consider the questions and
recommendations in the Exploring Your Interest in
Law School section above to conrm your interest in
the eld.
• Begin to reect on your unique interests and skills
and keep an open mind about what comes after
graduation. Preparing for law school is one of the
many career possibilities that you could pursue.
• Establish a credit history and use credit responsibly.
Many law students rely on private loans to nance
their legal education.
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Pre-law Guide
Determine When to Apply
Applying Early
The Harvard Law School Junior Deferral Program (JDP)
allows students to apply as college juniors. If admitted,
students defer their admission for at least two years after
graduation before matriculating to Harvard Law School.
Application requirements for JDP applicants are the
same as for regular JD applicants. The JDP application
opens in the spring and does not have rolling admissions.
Admission decisions are released at the same time and will
be made after students’ spring grades become available.
It is a highly selective program. Successful applicants from
Princeton and other schools have outstanding community
engagement experience and high grades. For more
information about the JDP application and deadline, visit
the JDP admissions page.
Deciding Whether to Apply as a College Senior or
After Graduation
Law schools encourage applicants to take time off between
undergraduate study and law school, and most applicants
choose to do this. Here are some of the reasons they
decide to wait:
• It’s helpful for law schools to see all four years of GPA
data, and in the case of Princeton alumni, for the law
school to learn more about the completion of their
senior thesis or project.
• Students welcome a break from school — particularly
after a nal year of thesis completion — before
throwing themselves into three years of intense study.
• Students nd it helpful to gain professional and life
experience before going to law school. Law schools
value professional experience and it may make you a
more competitive applicant at many top schools while
also helping you feel more certain about what you
want to do.
• Students may choose to build up savings before
enrolling. Consider whether you have a source of funds
for educational and living expenses.
If you feel prepared and ready to submit strong materials
that demonstrate the skills that law schools seek, you may
decide to apply as a senior. If you aren’t admitted to the
school of your choice, you can always reapply in the future,
describing your additional experiences since your last
application.
What to Do if You Take Time Off Before Applying
Consider what you would do if law school were not
an option and spend a few years exploring that eld,
regardless of whether it relates to law. Although working
in a law-related capacity may give you valuable insight into
what lawyers do, it will not increase your chances of being
admitted into law school any more than a “non-legal” full-
time job. In fact, spending time in a non-legal environment
can give you a different perspective. Princeton alumni do a
wide variety of things during this time, including pursuing
jobs, volunteer opportunities or post-grad academic or
work fellowships.
Additional Timeline Considerations
If you decide to pursue a joint degree program or to apply
to multiple degree programs simultaneously, more timeline
considerations and standardized tests or application
components may apply.
Some students choose to apply to a law school Early
Decision or Early Action. Early Decision is binding and
applications are due earlier than the timeline described
in this guide; applicants should only apply this way if the
school is their rst choice and they would accept admission
regardless of the nancial aid package offered by the
school. Early Action also requires an earlier application due
date but is not binding and allows applicants to receive an
admission decision much earlier, usually by mid-December.
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Pre-law Guide
Summer the year before you apply:
• Register to take the LSAT or GRE by October if necessary. If you have already taken the LSAT and are unsure about
whether to retake it, please consult the pre-law adviser.
• Take the LSAT or GRE if you feel you are adequately prepared.
• Early in the semester, select writers for your letters of recommendation and ask each person by phone or in-person
meeting if they would be willing to serve as a recommender.
• Begin to consider your options for nancing law school.
Detailed Timeline Recommendations
12-18 months before you apply:
• Explore careers in law and learn what law school is like. If you are in school at this time, continue to do as well as
possible academically and take a normal-to-heavy courseload each semester with graded courses when possible.
Continue your involvement in extracurricular, community or civic activities.
• Check out upcoming events for law school programs to attend.
• Meet with the pre-law adviser to discuss your initial thoughts and plan.
9-12 months before you apply:
• Build or strengthen relationships with faculty members who later may write you letters of recommendation.
• Consider attending a LSAC Law School Forum, a free opportunity to meet representatives from a wide variety of
law schools.
• Open a Credential Assembly Service (CAS) account to electronically compile the documents and information that
most American Bar Association-approved law schools require.
• If you are a current student, pursue a job, internship or shadowing experience for the summer.
• Begin preparing for the LSAT or GRE.
6-9 months before you apply:
• Register to take the LSAT and possibly the GRE at least six weeks before your planned test date to secure a
convenient testing location and ensure that you are adequately prepared.
• Research law schools and create a list of schools to which you will apply.
• Discuss your application process and school choices based on your interests and other personal considerations
with the pre-law adviser.
• Write your law school resume. Most law schools accept two-page resumes, so you can add more detail to your
academic achievements, extracurricular activities, leadership, awards and professional experience. Please see page
15 of this guide for an example of a law school resume.
• Begin drafting your personal statement, considering your narrative and major themes to highlight throughout your
application materials.
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Pre-law Guide
Fall the year you apply:
• Finalize your list of schools and make sure you have double-checked the application requirements for each school.
Meet with the pre-law adviser to review your list.
• Request nancial aid information from law schools.
• Obtain a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
• View the applications for the schools to which you plan to apply online on the Law School Admission Council’s
CAS Electronic Application System. Do this at least six weeks before your rst application deadline.
• Complete your personal statement, diversity statements, supplemental essays and addenda, ensuring that several
readers have reviewed each statement and they are tailored to each school before they are nalized.
• Complete and begin submitting digital applications for each school before the end of November.
• Pay your application fees for each law school.
• When you conrm that a recommendation has been received by LSAC, send a thank you note to the person who
wrote it.
• Request ofcial transcripts from the registrar. You also likely need to submit a transcript to LSAC for coursework
from Princeton University and any other college or graduate-level coursework since many law schools require it.
Some study abroad transcripts can take signicantly longer for LSAC to obtain.
• Arrange a visit to each school you’re applying to if possible. Contact the admissions ofce to arrange a tour of the
school, get connected with a current student or ask to sit in on a law school course.
Winter and early spring after applying:
• Contact law school admissions ofces if they have not conrmed they received your application and les within two
weeks after you submitted your application.
• Complete and submit nancial aid application materials.
• If you are applying as a senior, have an updated transcript with your fall term grades sent directly to CAS.
• Some schools may also request that you share a Dean’s Certication to conrm that applicants have not had
academic or disciplinary problems. This is usually requested the spring after you apply.
• If you apply to a school that conducts interviews, prepare adequately and consult the pre-law adviser at the Center
for Career Development for more preparation tips.
• Evaluate offers of acceptance, deferrals and nancial aid. Accept the offer from the school you will attend and pay
your seat deposit before their deadline.
• Thank your recommenders and inform them about your plans.
Apply Early
It is always a good idea to complete
your applications long before each
school’s deadline. This gives you time
to address any problems that may
arise and will give you an advantage
if the schools use rolling admissions,
meaning that they review the
applications as they are received.
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Pre-law Guide
Researching Law Schools
Applying to law school is not the same as applying to college. Although a school’s ranking may be important, we recommend
you apply to a wide range of schools, not just the top programs. Each school is unique and has specic areas of focus. If you
are most interested in working at a large corporate law rm, you may not be interested in applying to a “Top 15” school that
focuses on public interest law because their programs and courses might not cover the content that would best prepare you
for other types of practice. Use the Law School Comparison Worksheet in the next section to help you narrow down options.
Many applicants nd it helpful to create a spreadsheet which includes your notes about the admissions criteria and
application process for each university. Although the number of schools to which you apply may be based on your individual
circumstances, Princeton applicants typically apply to 8-11 schools. If you have questions about average scores and grades
for Princeton applicants admitted to various schools, you can meet with the pre-law adviser to learn more.
Peruse Guides and Rankings
U.S. News,
Gradschools.com and Peterson’s offer insights
into locale, campus life, specialties and overall reputations.
Give more weight to the ranking of the specic program
than the ranking of the institution as a whole. Also, you can
search for schools by LSAT score and GPA on this LSAC
site, which could help give you some ideas but could be
misleading when used as the only factor for building a list of
schools.
Attend Law School Information Sessions and Events
Regularly check upcoming Center for Career Development
events for law school information sessions offered on the
Princeton campus in the fall. Representatives from law
schools will cover the distinguishing qualities of each school
and share broader context about law school and legal
professions. If you are an alum, you can either attend these
sessions on campus or go to other sessions offered by each
school. Attend an LSAC-sponsored Law School Forum to
learn about a variety of law schools, the application process,
the LSAT, nancial aid, diversity and the legal profession.
Browse Law School Program Websites
When you visit the sites, read through required/elective
courses and review other unique program attributes.
Be Aware of Financial Considerations
Law school can be expensive and nancial aid is not
guaranteed, nor always sufcient to cover costs. For more
information, study this infographic for an overview of
options for paying for law school and read this information
from LSAC about paying for law school, which includes
links to information about Loan Repayment Assistance
Programs (LRAP) many law schools offer for students who
choose to pursue public interest law. Although United
States law schools welcome applications from international
students nancial aid can be limited because they are not
eligible for federal nancial aid programs. If you are an
international student, review law school websites, prioritize
contacting the admissions departments for top choice
schools to get information directly from them and consult
with the pre-law adviser.
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Pre-law Guide
Law School Comparison Worksheet
Gather the information you need to determine whether a particular law program is right for you.
This is a comprehensive list and not every item will apply to you or your specic considerations, interests or values.
Tip:
Download this
worksheet
Program Attributes
Degrees granted (if applicable) Are joint (J.D./masters, J.D./MBA, J.D./Ph.D.) degrees an option?
Time to degree completion What is the minimum, maximum and average time commitment? Are there caps on
funding/years of study?
Course timing and sequencing Are part-time study and/or online or evening course options if you’re interested in
these?
Graduation requirements Beyond coursework, are there internship, thesis or comprehensive exam
requirements to earn a degree?
Program size Consider how you like to work and interact and whether a larger class size/cohort is
preferable to a smaller one.
Classes Do classes look interesting and aligned with your likely legal focus areas? Are the
classes that interest you easy to get into?
Extracurricular academics If you are interested in specic activities, such as Law Review, law
clinics, moot court or specic student clubs, does the school have active groups that
are accessible to most interested students?
Graduate student community Is graduate student campus housing available? Are there religious or cultural
groups for graduate students who want to make friends outside of class? Are there
opportunities to socialize with other graduate students on campus?
Quality and Reputation
Institution and program
accreditations
Attending a nationally accredited law school allows you to sit for the bar exam in
any state and allows for the most geographic mobility. American Bar Association
(ABA) is the most widely respected accreditor in the U.S. ABA-accredited schools
can be found
here. The California Bar Association (CBA) is the most powerful state
accreditor in the U.S. but may not allow for as much geographic mobility outside of
California.
Your likely t with the school Review proles of the typically admitted student to assess realistic appraisal of your
chances of admission and your t with the institution. What characteristics and skills
describe the successful applicant?
Faculty reputation Are faculty well-trained in the law? Are faculty accessible? Do faculty have research
areas that interest you?
Alumni satisfaction How do graduates of the program rate the support and guidance they received for
both their studies and their future career plans?
FACTORS TO CONSIDER INFORMATION TO FIND
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Pre-law Guide
Institutional Demographics
Diversity of faculty and student body Which traits/characteristics are important to you in nding a sense of belonging
at the institution?
Faculty-to-Student ratio How large are the classes?
Geography/Local region What is the area like? Are housing and transportation available? Do you need
a car? Can you nd work/volunteer roles? If it is a regional school, would you
enjoy working in this region after graduation?
Cost and Financial Assistance
Fellowships/Assistantships/
Scholarships
Is funding included (typically this is not the case)? Where and when can you
apply for consideration? Are there caveats or stipulations for using funds? If
you are interested in pursuing public interest law, does the school offer funding
or Loan Repayment Assistance Programs?
Cost of living Do law school students typically live on campus? What’s the average rent
off-campus? How much is public transit? What’s the cost to park a car? How
expensive are groceries and other necessities?
Career Planning
Summer options What do most students do during their summers? Is funding available or
provided if students pursue public interest internships? Is research an option?
The post-graduate employment process is highly structured for law students in
their second and third years and many times summer positions may lead into
full-time post graduation offers.
Common post-graduation roles What type of work do most recent graduates of the program pursue (e.g. Big
Law - top corporate law rms, public interest law, etc)? How many clerkships
are typically available for alumni and in which disciplines? What are the long-
term marketability and job prospects for alumni? What percent of alumni pass
the bar?
Career services offered to law school
students
Are there career advisers dedicated to law school students? Can alumni use the
law school’s career center?
FACTORS TO CONSIDER INFORMATION TO FIND
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Pre-law Guide
Application Components
This section includes information about more detailed parts of the application.
LSAT
What it is
Most ABA-accredited law schools required students
to take the LSAT. This digital exam lasts approximately
four hours and assesses key skills for success in law
school: reading comprehension, analytical reasoning,
logical reasoning and writing. Many law schools
regard the LSAT score as the best indicator of your
performance in law school.
When it’s offered
See dates, sites, registration forms, fees and deadlines
on the LSAC website. Note that LSAT test sites ll
quickly, so it is advisable to six weeks before a test
date so you can ensure that you get a convenient
location and time.
Score range
Your score is computed on a scale of 120 to 180, based
on the number of questions you answer correctly.
Generally, a score of 165 or higher is a competitive
score for the top 15 law schools.
How long scores last
All scores will become part of your record for ve
years. Although some schools will average the scores
from multiple testing dates, most schools only consider
the highest total score.
How to prepare
The LSAC site and Khan Academy both offer free
diagnostic tests and preparation. Taking a full, timed
LSAT to see how you do can serve as a good starting
point for your preparation. Taking multiple preparation
tests and practicing over time tends to be the best
way to get an optimal LSAT score. Retaking the LSAT is
not generally recommended, so build in ample time for
preparation.
Standardized Tests
GRE
What it is
Some law schools have recently added the GRE
General Test as an option in lieu of the LSAT. This test
takes approximately four hours and covers verbal
and quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. Not
all law schools accept GRE scores. Therefore, if you
are thinking of applying to multiple law schools or if
you are considering other graduate programs, you
will want to consider which exam would be the best
option for you. Check which law schools accept the
GRE.
When it’s offered
You can take the GRE at exible times at various
testing centers, although you should plan ahead
to secure the location that works best for you.
Detailed GRE test information including dates, sites,
registration forms, fees, deadlines and registration
information is available on the Educational Testing
Service website.
Score range
Your score is computed on a scale of 130-170 for
the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning
sections and the score scale for the Analytical Writing
section is 0-6.
How long scores last
All scores will become part of your record for ve
years. Although some schools will average the
scores from multiple testing dates, most schools only
consider the highest total score.
How to prepare for it
The ETS site and Khan Academy both offer free
diagnostic tests and preparation. This can serve as a
good starting point for your preparation. Also, review
these GRE Prep Resources.
Additional Exam-related Notes
• If you take both the LSAT and GRE, expect to submit both scores.
• Your LSAT score is automatically reported to schools as part of your application. Your GRE test
fee entitles you to request scores be sent to up to four graduate institutions on the day of the
exam. Additional reports and reports sent after the exam date are subject to additional fees.
• Accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Please see the Accommodated
T
esting section of the LSAC website and/or the GRE website.
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Pre-law Guide
Extracurricular Activities and Work Experience
Letters of Recommendation
Although not a primary factor in law school admissions
decisions, experiences outside of the classroom can
be distinguishing factors among many highly qualied
applicants, particularly at highly selective law schools,
and for candidates whose GPA and/or LSAT score
make them borderline applicants. These can include
extracurricular collegiate experiences, internships, jobs,
volunteer work, community service, research and gap
year experiences. Schools value depth of involvement
and leadership roles over whether the activities directly
align with law or the quantity of activities.
Law school applications typically require at least two
letters of recommendation with a strong preference
for academic letters. Although your letters of
recommendation don’t factor into the process as much
as grades or exam scores, they could be the deciding
factor in the admission process. so dedicate time to
securing genuine, quality recommendations. Although
recommendations are condential, there are steps you
can take to help your letter writers help you.
Consider who to ask
Academic references (JP and thesis advisers, for
example) tend to be emphasized, although other
professors are also good choices. Pick recommenders
that know you well enough to provide concrete
examples of your intellectual strength, judgment,
motivation,leadership and an assessment of your
communication skills. In some cases, non-academic
references could be helpful if they hold advanced
degrees and know your work well. If a law school
accepts more than two letters, consider getting a third
letter from a supervisor, especially if you are in the
workforce.
Give them something to work with
Arrange an in-person conversation with each
recommender to share an overview of your goals, why
you are interested in law school and ask whether they
would write a recommendation and why you would like
this person to write it. Provide a copy of your resume,
your personal statement and additional points to which
they might refer when writing your letter — such as
work from their class — to help them frame their letter.
Be respectful
Provide sufcient lead time, generally four to six
weeks, for your recommenders to draft and submit
their letters. Remember, students typically seek
recommendations during what is often the busiest time
of the year for faculty.
Save copies
If you might defer your application, stay in contact
with potential recommenders. If you request a
recommendation before applying, you may save it
through the CAS site to keep on le for when you apply
to law school in the future.
Application Essays & Personal Statements
Law schools require a personal statement and optional
statements. Optional statements may include additional
essays requested by the law school and a diversity
statement. Personal statements are a critical sample
of your ability to write and since most schools do
not conduct interviews, the statement represents
an opportunity for you to distinguish yourself and
potentially offset weaknesses in your application.
Through all components of your application —
particularly your statements — you should share
consistent themes and tailor the writing to each school.
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Pre-law Guide
What to Do in Your Personal Statement
• Start by freewriting. Brainstorm your motivation
for a career in law. Think of what can help shape
your statement. Examples may be the inuences
of your family and life experiences, instances when
you creatively solved a problem or demonstrated
leadership, your unique traits and interests,
experiences that changed you and adjectives that
describe you.
• Write a concise narrative with one or two
points that demonstrate your ability to craft an
argument. You can write up to two pages, but go
for quality over quantity and don’t feel the need to
capture your life story.
• Bring in multiple stories and themes about
yourself. Focus on a concrete experience (or
related series of experiences) from your life and the
impact it has had upon you that tells more about
your unique background and interest in the law. Use
stories to demonstrate your qualities.
• Write well. Law schools are looking for strong
writers and admissions committees view your
personal statement as a writing sample. Show them
that you can be articulate, persuasive and engaging
and follow a logical progression. This will likely
require you to write multiple drafts and proofread
carefully. Pay attention to syntax, grammar, spelling
and possible autocorrect errors.
• Follow directions. Read the law school application
carefully. Most law schools allow you to choose
a topic, but some may require you to address a
specic question.
• Be honest and be yourself. It is essential that you
be absolutely truthful and candid on your law school
application, including revealing such matters as
disciplinary actions and criminal convictions if asked.
A criminal conviction may not disqualify you from
attending law school or becoming a lawyer, but
lawyers are held to high standards of honesty and
lying on an application may hurt your chances of
being admitted to the bar.
• Consider your audience. Your readers have
signicant context about the law and are likely
to be professors and law school admissions
ofcers. Assume they have this context rather than
explaining details of legal professions.
What Not to Do in Your Personal Statement
• Do not write about what you hope to study. The
most common mistake that applicants make on the
personal statement is to write about a topic instead
of sharing about themselves. Don’t write about the
eld of law you want to study or the school. Write
about you.
• Do not address low grades or scores in your
statement. Your personal statement is not an
apology; rather, it is an opportunity to highlight
strengths. If you struggled with a debilitating
illness during college, or worked twice as hard
as your classmates because English is not your
rst language, you might tell those stories in your
personal statement to demonstrate resilience. If
those experiences negatively affected your GPA,
save that explanation for an addendum. Emphasize
the positive in your personal statement.
• Do not be gimmicky or humorous. Avoid cliches,
beginning with a famous quote or writing in a way
that could be viewed as unprofessional.
• Do not focus on another person or borrow
others’ words. Use the statements to share more
about yourself and focus a story about working
with or helping others on your role in solving the
problem or meeting a goal.
Diversity Statement
The diversity statement is an optional component of the
application that asks applicants how their perspective
and presence will enrich the law school. A diversity
statement is one or two pages long depending on the
school. In the context of this essay, diversity is any
personal characteristic or experience that gives you a
unique perspective and is not limited to race, ethnicity,
socioeconomic status, religious afliation or sexual
orientation. Some applicants write about signicant
experiences or positions they have held that have
shaped their perspective or values. We recommend
each applicant submit this statement.
14
Pre-law Guide
It is a privilege offered to you by the law school. The
policy for applying for deferrals varies greatly from
school to school and is likely to include you writing
a statement about why their deferral for one year
would be benecial. Please be sure to research this
thoroughly if you plan on asking for a deferral.
How to Decide on Schools to Which You Are
Admitted
Consider visiting the school to talk with faculty,
students and their career services ofce to learn more
about factors you aren’t as certain about from the
Law School Comparison Worksheet in this guide, to
see the location and what it feels like to be part of
the campus community. You may also want to revisit
the factors on the Law School Comparison Worksheet
that matter most to you. Don’t forget to discuss your
thoughts with the pre-law adviser.
Additional Optional Essays
If a law school gives you the opportunity to submit
additional essays, you should take it, so long as you
genuinely believe you have something important
to say. Consider these essays an opportunity to
demonstrate your writing skills and particular interest in
a school. One common topic is, “Why X Law School?”,
which gives you the opportunity to picture yourself
in the school and think about which programs and
extracurriculars most appeal to you and how you might
contribute in those areas if admitted.
Addenda
An addendum is an optional separate letter that you
submit along with your application materials which
provides additional information about an element of
Making a Decision
Law school applicants may learn about their admission status as early as December or as late as August (if from a waitlist). If
admitted, schools ask you to make a nal decision by early April and that is typically a rm deadline even if you are awaiting
information about a waitlist status at another school. Applicants are informed around March or April if they are placed on a
waitlist, and will receive a notication between that time and up to a few days before the term starts if you are accepted.
Waitlist
If you are placed on a waitlist, submit a letter of intent
to the admissions dean conrming your strong interest
in attending the school (and possibly that it is your rst
choice, if true), sharing new information and gathering
information from the law school.
You can share an update on your GPA accompanied
by an updated transcript, an additional letter of
recommendation and/or other updates on what you
have done or achieved since your original application
submission. In addition to writing the letter, you
might also want to contact the admissions ofce
with questions about the number of people on the
waitlist, whether the waitlist is ranked and historical
information about how many applicants were called
from the waitlist in previous years.
Deferrals
You may want to consider deferring for a variety of
reasons, including nancial factors, uncertainty about
committing to law school or interest in reapplying to
other programs in a future cycle before committing to
a program. Deferrals are not granted automatically.
your application that could raise concern. It may be
helpful to use an addendum if you feel your grades do
not reect your true abilities, if you feel your LSAT score
does not accurately reect your potential for success
in law school, if you opted to retake the LSAT or if
you have a criminal or disciplinary record including an
offense that may seem very minor. It is not necessary
to write an addendum if doing so will unnecessarily
highlight a minor aw, such as receiving your only “B”
in college. An addendum should be factual and brief,
describe the concerning issue, explain how you resolved
it and tell the reader how the lessons you learned
will make you a successful law school student. If you
include an addendum, do not also mention the same
information in a personal statement. We recommend
that the pre-law adviser review your addendum before
it is submitted.
15
Pre-law Guide
Jaiden Johnson
jjohnson@princeton.edu | (609) 900-0000
EDUCATION
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ June 2019
• A.B. in Race and Public Policy, African American Studies Department, Certificate in American Studies
• GPA: 3.91
HONORS
• Arthur J. Liman Pubic Interest Fellow, Princeton University Program in Law and Public Affairs 2018
• Oscar S. Strauss II Fellow in Criminal Justice (Guggenheim Fellowship) 2017
WORK EXPERIENCE
Correctional Association of New York, Prison Visiting Project Intern June 2017 – August 2017
• Visited and monitored New York State prisons, wrote detailed reports based on qualitative and quantitative data from
visits.
• Corresponded regularly with incarcerated individuals concerning abuses and conditions in NYS prisons.
Harlem Community Justice Center, Youth Justice Fellow June 2016 – August 2016
• Offered job search assistance, researched effective strategies for successful post-incarceration reentry.
• Organized community events for young adult justice programs.
• Co-facilitated Speakers Bureau program for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Princeton Politics Department, Research Assistant December 2015 – August 2017
• Collected & coded data from newspaper archives on indigenous & rural protest in Argentina from 1990-2015, in Spanish.
• Managed and coordinated research team of three other research assistants.
ProWorld Peru, Community Health Intern September 2014 – June 2015
• Gained a broadened perspective and cross-cultural fluency through year-long Princeton Bridge Year program.
• Worked to bring sustainable clean water to rural communities.
• Taught English and designed literacy program for students ages 6-15.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Students for Prison Education and Reform (SPEAR), Co-President December 2016 – present
• Lead SPEAR’s committees in advocacy & activism on prison conditions, sentencing policy, and prison education.
• Promote public awareness of mass incarceration through public events and original research.
• Spearhead campaign calling for University divestiture from private prisons.
• Organized and directed SPEAR’s 2017 and 2018 spring conferences:
- April 2018: Shadows of the Prison, $40,000 budget, 30 speakers.
- April 2017: Toward Abolition: Dismantling the Carceral State, $15,000 budget, 30 speakers.
Princeton LGBT Center, Peer Educator Fall 2016 –Spring 2017
• Supported students with questions relating to being LGBTQ on campus to promote safe, accepting environment.
• Collaborate on initiatives to inform the larger University community on issues of homophobia and transphobia.
• Specialized in intersection of faith and sexuality.
Example Resume
16
Pre-law Guide
Jericho Road Community Health Center, Volunteer September 2010 – June 2014
• Volunteered weekly renovating homes to provide safe, clean housing for incoming refugees.
• Co-instructed citizenship classes for cohort of refugees from Burma, all of whom now are citizens.
Orchard Park Youth Court, Member September 2009 – June 2014
• Acted as judge, defense, and prosecutor on cases for minors as confidential alternative to Family Court.
LEADERSHIP
Progressive Christians at Princeton, Co-founder and Leader Fall 2017 – present
• Founded and lead on-campus group for students who identify as progressive and Christian.
• Foster safe space for Christians who identify as LGBTQ+.
• Collaborate with other progressive student groups of faith to build inclusive faith community on campus.
Princeton University Breakout Program, Trip Leader Fall 2016
• Led 10 students on week-long trip to Buffalo, NY on refugee resettlement; met with community partners and advocates to
understand resettlement and post-resettlement process, and challenges faced by incoming refugees.
Princeton University Honor Committee, Senior Member Feb 2015 – Dec 2016
• Acted as University agent to investigate and adjudicate alleged academic integrity violations.
• Led referendum effort to amend Honor Code to include mental health considerations and reduce standard penalty.
LANGUAGE AND TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
Proficient in Spanish, Competent in French, Proficient in R Statistical Software & Microsoft Office