Phone: 940-565-2681
800-868-8211
www.cas.unt.edu/advising/pre-law
E-mail: Wendy Watson
Phone: 940-565-4413
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Are you considering attending law school? The University of North Texas can help you get there. As a lawyer, you may work in a wide range of settings. People who pursue law degrees may work:
Lawyers are needed in virtually every business and at all levels of government to interpret rules and regulations. If you have scientific expertise or are interested in information technology, you may work on intellectual property and copyright issues. Increasingly, people with a legal education enter careers that don’t involve practicing law. A law degree also allows you to work as a librarian, lobbyist, financial specialist or educator.
Our alumni have attended some of the nation’s top law schools. Graduates include:
John Creuzot, former state district judge in Dallas County
William Downes, former chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming
Hilda Tagle, senior district judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
More than 1,500 attorneys in the Dallas-Fort Worth region
More than 40 judges for state trial and appellate courts or elected political officials
Representatives at private law firms and in public interest positions in every major urban area and more than 80 counties in Texas
Law schools often want students with diverse personal and academic backgrounds. For that reason, students with any major are eligible to apply to law school. We offer a wide range of courses that strengthen your writing, reasoning, communication and analytical skills and prepare you for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Several courses provide a deep understanding of certain types and aspects of law. For example, you can take courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, the U.S. Supreme Court and international law through the political science department. Our College of Business teaches courses on business law and international transactions. Courses in the criminal justice department cover most areas of criminal law. In addition, many majors include courses exploring the law as it relates to a student’s major.
UNT offers a variety of study abroad programs, internship programs, a Moot Court team, a debate team and a student chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, all of which prepare you for law school.
The Office of Pre-Law Advising provides guidance as you progress through your course work and the application process. Individual and group advising sessions are offered, as well as workshops to assist you with the decision-making and application processes for law school.
Law school applications are generally filed during the fall semester of the year before you intend to enroll in law school. As a result, the LSAT should be taken the June before your senior year or the October or December of your senior year. High LSAT scores are the most important component for getting into a top law school.
Law schools are very competitive. Your GPA should be better than a 3.0 for most law schools and better than a 3.7 for top law schools. Law schools also evaluate your work experience, résumé, activities and awards during college, personal statement and letters of recommendation. As a result, it is important to be engaged on campus and in your community and build relationships with faculty members.
We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Texas Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program or its equivalent in high school.
In your junior year, take the SAT or the ACT and have your scores sent to UNT.
In your senior year, apply for admission at Apply Texas by March 1 and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.
Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT.
If you’re attending a Texas community college, you should consult our Transfer Articulation web page, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor or advisor to review your degree plan. Proper planning will allow you to receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.
Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you with a peer mentor and other campus resources. More than 3,500 students transfer to UNT each year.