Pre-Law
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Unlike premedical programs, which are quite specific and virtually obligatory for medical school candidates, pre law "curriculum" is largely a myth.
While no particular curriculum path is the ideal route to law school, Simmons' strong academic programs, small classes, and extensive opportunities for student/professor interaction and independent learning are an ideal preparation.
A student who is considering law school after graduation should register with the prelaw advisor as soon as possible using the online registration form below. At some point, she should make an appointment with the advisor to discuss specific interests and plans.
The prelaw advisor organizes extra-curricular activities of interest to prelaw students: lectures, meetings with lawyers who are Simmons alumnae, and field studies or internships related to law. The advisor is also available to help with the application process.
There is no declaration process into a pre-law major at Simmons University. Any student or alumni who has an interest in eventually attending law school may schedule advising appointments or join the pre-law program by completing the brief registration form below. All students and alumni are welcome to attend pre-law events hosted by the Pre-Law program.
Articulation Agreements
New England Law | Boston
Simmons University has an articulation agreement with New England Law | Boston that guarantees students admissions to law school as long as they meet the stated admissions criteria. Students will also receive a scholarship of at least $10,000 for the first year at New England Law, renewable for the student's remaining years at the law school if the student maintains a specified cumulative grade point average. Alumni who graduate from Simmons within three years of applying are also eligible as long as they meet the below criteria.
Admissions Criteria:
- Hold a BA, BS, or comparable degree awarded within three years of the date of the student's entry into the law school or be working towards such a degree to be awarded prior to the student's participation in the law school's orientation program.
- Have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, as calculated by the LSAC, at the time of application to New England Law
- Have a score of at least 150 on an LSAT exam taken no more than 5 years prior to the time of application to New England Law
- Include at least one letter of recommendation from a pre-law advisor or faculty member with their law school application
- Apply to New England Law through the normal application procedure, meeting all application deadlines and all requirements for admission, including those related to character and fitness
Law School Acceptances
Simmons University students and alumni have been accepted into the following law school programs. Students and alumni are encouraged to apply to any law program of interest to them. The Pre-Law Advisor supports all students and alumni with exploring different law school programs, preparing for the LSATs, and completing the admissions application process.
- Boston College Law School, Newton Centre, MA
- New England School of Law*, Boston, MA
- The Fletcher School at Tufts University, Medford, MA
- Northeastern University School of Law, Boston, MA
- Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA
- University of Massachusetts (UMass) School of Law, Dartmouth, MA
- Western New England School of Law, Springfield, MA
*Simmons University has an articulation agreement with New England School of Law located in Boston, MA.
- Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, NY
- California Western School of Law, San Diego, CA
- City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law, Queens, NY
- William and Mary Law School, Williamsburg, VA
- Cornell Law School, Ithaca, NY
- Duke University School of Law, Durham, NC
- Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, FL
- George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C.
- Rutgers Law School, Camden & Newark, NJ
- University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law, Los Angeles, CA
- University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Denver, CO
- University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, Baltimore, MD
- University of New Hampshire - Franklin Pierce School of Law, Concord, NH
- University of Texas School of Law in Austin, Austin, TX
- University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Salt Lake City, UT
- University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, VA
Recommended Reading
The following recommended reading list has been compiled for prospective law students by staff at the University of Dayton School of Law. This list provides an introductory sampling of publications which may be of interest to those individuals who are giving through to entering law school. Copies of some of these recommended readings can be found in the Pre-Law Program's resource library located in the Center for Student Success (CSS).
- The Nature of the Judicial Process
- Simple Justice: The History of Brown v. Board of Education And Black America's Struggle for Equality
- The Bramble Bush: Our Law and Its Study
- Gideon's Trumpet
- Miracle at Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention
In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action - The Supreme Court
- Attorney for the Damned: Clarence Darrow in the Courtroom
- John Marshall: A Life in Law
- Thurgood Marshall: Justice for All
- A Season for Justice: The Life and Times of Civil Rights Lawyer Morris Dees
- Barron's Guide to Law Schools
From Here to Attorney: The Ultimate Guide to Excelling in law School and Launching Your Legal Career - Learning the Law: Success in Law School and Beyond
- The Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools
- One L: An Inside Account of Life in the First Year of Harvard Law School
- The official LSAT PrepTest
- The Official LSAT PrepKit: The Official LSAT PrepBook
- Law School Admission Council
- LSAT: Law School Admission Test
We have a variety of law books available at the Simmons University Library, including:
- Alumni/ae in Action
- Career in Law
- Choosing a Career in Law
- Full Disclosure: Do You Really Want to Be a Lawyer?
- How to Land Your First Paralegal Job
- Paralegal: An Insider's Guide to the Fastest-Growing Occupation of the 1990
- Peterson's Graduate Programs in Business, Education, Health and Law
- Women in Law
Resources
These videos are created by the Law School Admissions Council, Inc. ("LSAC") and are supplemental resources for students and alumni. Content in these videos may not represent the views and opinions of Simmons University. Students and alumni are encouraged to consult with the Pre-Law Advisor for guidance and support.
Mock Admission Panel
1 hour 12 seconds
You work hard with your advisees to compile the strongest application possible. Now see what happens when admission committees review these applications. Our October prelaw advisor webinar featured a mock admission panel to help you strategize with your advisees about how they tell their story. Our speakers included: ~ Meg Krishnan – The University of Chicago Law School ~ Michelle Preston – University of Wisconsin Law School ~ Reyes Aguilar – The University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law
Finacial Aid and Repayment
58 minutes 08 seconds
As students explore their law school options, many are likely wondering how they’ll pay for their legal education. Join us for a discussion about financial aid and repayment, including upcoming changes to repayment for Federal Direct Loans. Our panelists are Alan Schieve, Director of Admissions, University of Colorado Law School Rebecca Schreiber, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, The Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law.
Application Cycle Overview
58 minutes 09 seconds
There is a lot to think about as you prepare to work with your advisees in the 2023-2024 application cycle. This recorded webinar presents an overview of what you need to know to prepare for the coming year. Kyle McEntee, LSAC’s senior director of prelaw engagement, discusses last year’s applicant and LSAT volumes, what we might expect in this application year, an overview of the updated Law School Transparency personal report onboarding, and other hot topics such as AI and the Supreme Court.
Writing for Impact Pilot
49 minutes 08 seconds
In this webinar, Katya Valasek, director of pre-law advising, and Laura Fonseca, director of DEI programs and initiatives at LSAC, discuss the Writing for Impact pilot program. Writing for Impact aligns with LSAC’s mission to advance law and justice by encouraging diverse, talented individuals to study law and supporting their enrollment journeys from prelaw through practice. Topics include general program structure, changes from last year, timeline and rollout, student experience, and what this means for you.
Law School Waitlist
56 minutes 53 seconds
Many of your students may have been placed on law school waitlists and subsequently asked you what, if anything, they should do. In this webinar, a panel of law school admission professionals share insights and recommendations for how best to guide your waitlisted students.
Insights About Test Optional Admissions
57 minutes 15 seconds
Now that the ABA Council is planning to move forward again with its proposal for test-optional admissions, what insights — about applicant behavior, class diversity and more — can be gleaned from the undergraduate realm, where such policies have become the norm? In this webinar, a top researcher at the College Board discusses some of the lessons learned thus far from undergraduate institutions. Panelists also include a law school dean and a law school admissions leader. Panelists ~ Michele Alexandre, dean, Loyola University Chicago School of Law ~ Jessica Howell, vice president, research, the College Board ~ Rebecca L. Scheller, associate dean, admissions and financial aid, University of Wisconsin Law School
Mental Health Disclosures on Law School Applications
45 minutes 34 seconds
How should you guide your students regarding mental health disclosures on law school applications? In this recorded webinar presentation, you’ll learn about this important issue from a panel of highly experienced law school admission leaders. Discussion topics: ~ How do mental health disclosures affect an applicant’s chances of admission to law school, and, ultimately, to the bar? ~ What information and details should be included as part of a mental health disclosure? ~ If someone who made a mental health disclosure is admitted to law school, is the disclosed information shared with other administrative offices or with faculty?
Law School Transparency
55 minutes 36 seconds
In this recorded webinar presentation, you’ll learn about Law School Transparency, a service that can help your students make highly informed, data-driven decisions about where to attend law school. Kyle McEntee, senior director of prelaw solutions, demonstrates Law School Transparency’s innovative tools and how to make best use of them. The webinar is hosted by Jennifer O’Connor, LSAC ambassador.
Kristina Pechulis
Adjunct Faculty and Director of Pre-Law Advising
Office of Undergraduate Advising
We partner with faculty advisors, academic departments and other Simmons support staff to encourage academic and personal development of all students.