PRELAW
RECOMMENDATIONS
Fairmount College
of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Wichita
State University
WSU Undergraduate Program
The Association of American Law
Schools states that students interested in pursuing a law degree
should get a broad undergraduate education that provides
"comprehension and expression in words, critical
understanding of the human institutions and values with which the
law deals and creative power in thinking." These qualities
are to be achieved through disciplined study in fields of the
student's choice. Law schools do not have a check list of
preferred majors, degrees or prelaw courses. The best planning
for a solid prelaw program will occur through interaction with
one of the prelaw advisors identified in a number of departments
and colleges at WSU. The Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising
Center maintains information on prelaw programs and also on
advisors available to assist students in outlining a plan of
study which will meet individual needs.
Prelaw students should carefully
consider the following:
- Select a major that is
academically rigorous and which will encourage
independent and analytical thinking.
- Select a major you find
interesting. Since no particular major is
"required," there is little point in majoring
in a subject you find uninspiring. Indeed, the prelaw
student may pursue a broadly based liberal studies
curriculum by completing any of the baccalaureate degrees
offered in WSU's Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences or may pursue any other degree offered at WSU.
- One aspect of a liberal arts
education is to give students knowledge of a wide variety
of subjects. When selecting elective classes beyond your
major or concentration, choose rigorous courses which
require critical and analytical thinking and writing.
- Emphasize fundamentals. This
means you should understand quantitative methods of
analysis. The use of quantitative methods and statistical
techniques is becoming more important in all fields of
endeavor, including law. In addition, the ability to
organize your thoughts and to express them clearly in
writing has always been important. Both writing and oral
communication skills are particularly important for
prelaw students.
- Before selecting a major or
individual courses which purport to teach
"law," keep in mind that a student with wide
knowledge of history, literature, philosophy, and
economics will be better equipped for law school than one
who has completed a more limited undergraduate course of
study.
- The basic logic course
(Philosophy 125Q) offered each semester by the LAS
College will be particularly helpful to prelaw students
if taken before the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is
scheduled. Specific sections of the LSAT focus on logic
and analytical reasoning, so prior background will prove
beneficial. The LSAT is scheduled four (4) times per year
and is given on the WSU campus.
- Some prelaw students
initiate employment as legal assistants or
"runners" in local law firms. The experiences
gained through this involvement may help to clarify and
confirm professional goals and may also contribute to
more effective selection of an academic major or
concentration. Several on-campus resources, including the
Cooperative Education Program, are available to assist
students with possible placement.
LAS Pre-Law
Academic Advisor
115 Grace Wilkie Hall, 316-WSU-3700
3/02
