How to Prepare for Law School at Keuka College

Our preparation program works — countless Keuka College alumni have gone on to become successful attorneys.

To date, every Keuka College student who desires to attend law school has been accepted, giving us a 100% success rate. Our students have been accepted to law schools across the nation, including:

Syracuse University Law School
University of Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo Law School)
Ohio Northern Law School
Duquesne University
Mitchell Hamline School of Law (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Stetson University College of Law (Gulfport, Florida)
University of Pennsylvania Law School (Penn Law)
Tulane Law School
Charleston School of Law

While the College offers a pre-law minor, that's not the only way to get ready.

Here's what else you need to know.

What are the recommended pre-law courses available at Keuka College?

There is no defined set of courses required for law school admission, but the courses for the pre-law minor will develop important competencies and help familiarize you with the legal process and concepts, including:

POL 120: American Government
HIS 250: Reading the Past: Method and Analysis
POL 350: Political Philosophy
CRM 301: Criminal Law
COM 122: Communication and Our World
COM 123: Public Speaking
ENG 220: Reading the World
BUS 202: Business Law
CRM 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice
SOC 322: White Collar and Corporate Crime
COM 321: Digital Space and Social Change

What are the most important elements of a successful law school application?

Law school admissions committees look at the entire applicant package, but the single two most important factors are your GPA and your scores on standardized admissions tests, such as the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Whereas most law schools still require the LSAT, law schools are increasingly accepting the GRE in place of the LSAT.

Pre-law advisors recommend choosing the major in which you are most likely to excel. A high undergraduate GPA demonstrates your commitment to your education and your ability to do the work needed to complete a juris doctor (JD) degree. Certain majors have higher law school admissions rates than others, and the most common undergraduate majors for students who successfully applied to law schools are history, political science, English, finance, psychology, and communications. Recommended courses, such as those offered within the Political Science and History major, develop your research, critical reading, and writing skills. The American Bar Association provides further recommendations for skill sets, experience, and knowledge students should acquire in preparation for law school.

Are there additional resources available to students interested in pre-law?

Yes. The following resources are available to all students, including those without the pre-law minor:

Personalized Academic Advising: Our pre-law professors will provide advice on selecting courses, identify Field Period opportunities to gain experience within the field of law, and help you select extracurricular activities that will develop the skills necessary to succeed in law school, such as public speaking and leadership
Annual pre-law event offered in September to meet pre-law advisors and interact with other students interested in attending law school
Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) is an organization which guides students through the law school admissions process, from administering the LSAT, choosing a law school, hosting the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), to handling law school applications.
Free LSAT (Law School Admission Test) prep materials through Khan Academy which has partnered with LSAC
Information on salaries and legal specialties through the Prelaw Portal, from the National Association for Law Placement (NALP)
Law School Transparency site which provides law school data so students can make strategic choices about where to apply