• Seton Hall University
• Pre-Law Advising

What is Pre-Law Advising?
Pre-Law Advising assists students considering law school by providing advice and assistance at all stages of the application process, from exploring whether to pursue a career in law to completing applications and deciding which school to attend.

Where do Seton Hall graduates tend to go for law school?
Seton Hall graduates have been accepted by and attended many top law schools. The most common destinations are Seton Hall Law School and Rutgers Law, but graduates from recent classes have enrolled at numerous other schools in the New York/New Jersey region and beyond, including: Albany, American, Arizona State, Boston University, Emory, Florida A&M, Fordham, George Washington, Hofstra, Michigan State, New York Law, Northeastern, Notre Dame, Pace, Penn State, St. John’s, Suffolk, Temple, University of Florida, University of Maryland, University of Pennsylvania, University of Richmond, Villanova and William and Mary.

Is there a pre-law major at Seton Hall?
No—as at most colleges, there is no pre-law major at Seton Hall. You can major in any subject you wish before applying to law school. There is no particular major or minor that law schools desire applicants to have. Regardless of major, take classes that challenge you and interest you. You should also take at least a few classes that teach critical reading and writing skills.

What is most important for law school admissions?
The two most important factors in law school admission, by far, are your college GPA and LSAT score. Law schools also look at your resume to learn about your activities and employment experience, as well as your personal statements and letters of recommendation.

How should I choose which classes, activities, internships and jobs to pursue to enhance my law school admission chances?
As with your choice of major, you should choose activities, internships and jobs that interest you. Leadership in one or two activities is more desirable than spreading yourself thin. You do not need to have had a law-related internship to be a successful law school applicant. Remember: Law schools seek to admit students with majors in all disciplines and with diverse interests and backgrounds. Law school faculty do not expect first-year law students (1Ls) to have any prior legal knowledge. Instead, they expect entering students to have strong writing and analytical skills. Therefore, it is always best to choose your major, your classes and your extracurricular activities based simply on what subjects and activities most interest and challenge you. Pursuing your passions and interests inside and outside the classroom is the surest path to becoming the strongest law school applicant you can be.

Do all law students go straight to law school from college?
No. You do not need to go straight to law school from college. Many of the most successful law students and lawyers take one or more “gap years” (also known as "growth years") between college graduation and applying to law school and the average age of law students is around 26.

How can I figure out whether I want to go to law school?
Many departments and other colleges within the University offer classes on law-related topics. You may want to enroll in some of these classes to see if the field of law truly interests you before you commit to applying to law school. You can also join student organizations such as the Seton Hall Pre-Law Student Association and the Mock Trial team to learn more about law school and what being a lawyer is like. You can visit Seton Hall Law School and other law schools and sit in on a class, speak with law students, etc. And you can pursue law-related internships (in summer and for credit during the school year) with the help of the Career Center.

What is a dual degree “3+3” program?
Law school is usually 3 years. By doing a “3+3” dual degree program, the first year of law school will double count as the senior year of college, meaning students can earn both degrees in 6 years. You can save a year of college tuition by having your first year of law school double count as your senior year of college and can expect admission to Seton Hall Law if you meet the strict LSAT and GPA requirements. The following majors within the College of Arts and Sciences offer this option: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Social Work, Sociology, Environmental Studies, and Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.

Can I do a 3+3 degree with any law school?
No. This option is only available with Seton Hall School of Law in Newark.

How do I get into (and remain in) a 3+3 program?
You must decide to pursue the 3+3 option before starting at Seton Hall. In order to be admitted to a 3+3 program in the College of Arts and Sciences, applicants must have a minimum SAT score of 1270 or higher and minimum High School GPA of 3.7 (unweighted). To continue on to Seton Hall Law, students must then maintain a 3.65 GPA at Seton Hall and achieve a certain minimum LSAT score determined by the Law School. Apply by submitting your application to Seton Hall and selecting the dual degree Law program with an Arts and Sciences undergraduate major, listed above.

Is participating in a 3+3 program binding?
No. While you cannot begin a 3+3 program after starting college, you can decide to switch out of a 3+3 program at any time without penalty and complete college in the usual four years. You could then choose to apply to any law schools as a regular applicant.

Why would students choose to leave a 3+3 program?
Some students will not be able to meet the GPA and LSAT requirements. Some will decide they want the chance to take more elective courses, take a minor or double major, or study abroad. Some students will decide they do not want to miss out on the social experience of their senior year of college. In addition, some students will drop a 3+3 program in order to attempt to attend a different and possibly more highly ranked law school. Finally, some students realize they may be able to graduate in 3-3.5 years anyway if come in with/take enough credits.

Whom do I contact for additional information?
Email [email protected] and someone will get back to you. General information about attending law school and the law school application process may be found at the website of the Law School Admission Council.