Note: When CPLA refers to “first year students” we are referring to freshmen. However, much of the content will also be relevant to students at all levels who are new to considering law career directions.
Are you a transfer student? Welcome to the next phase of your college journey! We know that you likely have additional questions or concerns, and may be planning to apply to law school in the next few semesters. We would love to meet with you for a full 45 minute appointment as soon as you’re ready to connect. You can schedule an appointment via Starfish with any of our advisors.
Are you a freshman considering law? We’re here for you!
Here are our essential Pre-Law resources and tips for freshmen during your first year:
- Work through CPLA’s Pre-Law 101 on Canvas. Sign up HERE! It’s free, self-paced, and full of essential information for law-interested students.
- Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for Pre-Law advice, resources, and highlighted jobs and internships.
- Explore CPLA events and events hosted by our campus partners
- Email the Pre-Law team with questions at information@prelaw.wisc.edu.
- Fall Semester Drop-Ins are open to freshmen as capacity allows. See the CPLA Events Calendar and follow us on Instagram for the most up to date information on drop-ins each fall
- We also highly recommend meeting with your academic advisor(s) to confirm major(s) and certificate(s) of interest, building relationships with faculty, and connecting with other students!
All freshmen are able to make 1:1 appointments with CPLA in spring semester.
In addition to knowing that Pre-Law students are most successful when they prioritize the above recommendations, waiting until spring semester for full length appointments helps ensure CPLA is able to provide the most effective and timely advising to our advisees who are currently in the process of applying to law school. That may be you some day!
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Feeling stressed or concerned waiting until spring semester for a full appointment? Please reach out for support: information@prelaw.wisc.edu. We may be able to help clarify any pressing questions so you can confidently continue making the most of your first semester.
1. Explore Majors
At UW-Madison, there is neither a pre-law major nor a pre-law track. Why not? Because your classes in law school will teach you what you need to know to practice law. According to the American Bar Association, “The ABA does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for a legal education.” You should devote your undergraduate years to developing a broad base of knowledge. Take advantage of this freedom and major in something that you will truly enjoy studying. Declare any major you want but make every effort to do well academically in whatever you choose.
Want to meet with someone to discuss your options? Cross-College Advising Service meets with students from all schools and colleges who are exploring majors, and the Career Exploration Center (CEC) meets with students from all schools and colleges who are exploring career options. The CEC staff is specifically trained to help you weigh multiple career options! Click here for how to make an appointment with the CEC.
2. Consider Skill-Based Coursework
There are no specific classes that you need to take before applying to law school. However, the American Bar Association (ABA) does recommend using undergraduate coursework in combination with extracurricular experiences to acquire certain skills and knowledge that can help prepare you for law school.
For more information, visit our Majors & Coursework page.
3. Get Involved
One of the benefits of attending such a large university is the opportunity to involve yourself in any one of the 800+ student organizations and/or hundreds of local volunteering opportunities. Law schools prefer students to demonstrate involvement in their communities and to take on leadership roles in those communities to the greatest extent possible. Such involvement tends to indicate that you will be an active participant in your law school community and the community in which you will practice. Academic involvement, including research with professors through the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, is another valuable form of involvement.
Involvement Resources
4. Confirm an Interest in Law
You do not need to be 100% sure about your interest in the law for quite some time, but you should use your early years in college to investigate the profession of law further and to confirm your continued interest. Consider joining a pre-law student organization, taking a law-related class, attending pre-law events on campus, and talking to or shadowing attorneys. Consider attending pre-law events on campus, panel discussions, or reaching out to your personal network to connect with attorneys.
New Networking Resource: Career Conversations Module from Successworks
Career Conversations is a non-credit Canvas module that takes about 30 minutes to complete and will help you learn more about the value of networking. We’ve taken some of the guesswork out of finding people to network with – Successworks Career Services has identified UW alumni who are ready to have one-on-one conversations with students like you about all things careers. You can filter the list to show folks who are working in “Government, Policy, International Affairs, and Law” to find folks in law related careers. This would be a good resource to find mentors, folks to do job shadowing with, and folks to do informational interviews with to find out more about their jobs.