Welcome

We offer a full-service Pre-Law Advising office. The Pre-Law Advisor is available to discuss the law school application process with students. The Advisor can help you decide whether to go to law school, and which schools you should apply to. She provides assistance in preparing for the LSAT, drafting personal statements, obtaining letters of recommendation and financing your legal education. The Pre-Law Advising office is also responisble for processing the Dean's Certification letters required by some law schools.

On these pages, you will find an array of information on most topics related to the decision to attend law school. You should also check out the UMass Pre-Law blog for announcements about workshops and panels on topics relating to law school and the practice of law, as well as other recently updated information. And come visit the ever-expanding Pre-Law Advising Resource Library in E20 Machmer for additional materials, including most law school catalogs.

If you don't find what you're looking for on these pages, or you need to discuss your individual situation with the Pre-Law Advisor, please email us at prelaw@acad.umass.edu. During the Fall semester, priority for appointments goes to students and alumni who are currently applying to law school.

Join the Pre-Law email list! Get regular updates about workshops, panels, and other important announcements. To be added to the list, please click here and enter the necessary personal information. (*Please do not send an e-mail request to be added to the list to the pre-law advisor.) You can also follow this link to unsubscribe from the list. Also note that e-mails sent to the list will usually duplicate the most recent postings to the blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Undergraduate Preparation - What should I major in? What classes should I take?

Internships

Taking Time Off Before Law School
* Applying after Taking Time Off

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS)

Deciding Where to Apply

Applications
* The application form
* Personal Statements
* Letters of Recommendation
* Tips for Recommenders
* Disciplinary and/or arrest record

Admissions Committee Decision-Making Process

Financing Law School

Dean's Certification Letter

Applicants with disabilities

Applicants of color

Other useful links

Address

Diane Curtis, J.D., Director
Pre-Law Advising Office
E-20 Machmer, 240 Hicks Way
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 577-0396
Fax: (413) 545-6669
prelaw@acad.umass.edu
Blog: http://blogs.umass.edu/prelaw/

Hours:

For fall 2008 semester:

M 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tu 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
W 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
F 9:00 am - 2:30 pm

Office closed all university holidays.

To request an appointment, write to prelaw@acad.umass.edu. Students applying for Fall 2009 admission will be given priority for fall appointments.

The Pre-Law Advising Office gratefully acknowledges the work of the prior Pre-Law Advisors, and in particular, Professor Judith Holmes, in developing the content of this site.