FAQ's

What is pre-law?

“Pre-law” is a term used to describe students who plan to enter law school after graduating from college. ”Pre-law” is not a major. Rather, pre-law students select a major and minor geared towards individual interests. Bowling Green State University offers an interdisciplinary pre-law advising program that seeks to assist students in developing abilities in three broad areas considered by the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) to be basic to pre-legal study. These areas are:
            ● comprehension and expression in written and oral language
            ● the critical understanding of human institutions and values
            ● the ability to think clearly, carefully and independently

What should I choose for my major if I want to go to law school?

Law schools accept students with virtually any undergraduate background. Pre-law students major and minor in a wide range of disciplines including the social sciences, communication, the humanities, the natural sciences, journalism, education, business and criminal justice. You should major and minor in a subject of interest to you that will help you develop good written and oral communication skills and the ability to think critically.

What courses are required for admission to law school?

There are no specific courses required for admission to law school. It is recommended that you meet with your advisor to choose elective courses that help develop the skills to prepare you for law school.

What kinds of extracurricular opportunities are available to me as a pre-law student?

The BGSU Law Society is a student organization that is open to anyone interested in law or going to law school. The group meets regularly and sponsors trips to law schools, hosts practice sessions for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), brings speakers to campus, and much more. Contact the pre-law advisor for more information.

The Intercollegiate Mediation Team team at BGSU is a group of students who work as a team to learn more about the different types of alternative dispute resolution and to develop improved listening, critical reasoning, and public speaking skills. Intercollegiate mediation reflects real world practice, involving a mediator and the two conflicting parties and their advocates working to create a mutual agreement. The team competes in annual tournaments held by the International Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR).

Is there an opportunity to connect with BGSU alumni who are successful professionals in the field of law?

A mentoring program is under development that will connect you with alumni practicing a specialization in law that interests you or in a geographic area convenient for you. A program is also being developed to allow students to shadow attorneys and judges to experience a day in the life of a legal professional.

What kind of GPA do I need to get into law school?

Admission to law school is dependent on multiple factors: your GPA, your LSAT score, personal qualifications and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and a relationship with law school alumni. While a GPA of 3.0 or above is recommended, in most cases all factors are considered holistically by the admissions committees of law schools.

What law schools have BGSU pre-law students attended in the past?

Our students have gone on to study law at such highly competitive law schools as Harvard, Yale, Stanford and the University of Michigan. They have also been admitted to every law school in Ohio including Ohio State University, Capital University, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio Northern University, Cleveland State University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, and the University of Toledo.

What type of degree will I earn upon completion of law school?

Attending law school leads to a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and typically takes about three years to complete on a full-time basis.