PRE-LAW
- Upcoming Workshops
- Pre-Law Faculty Associate: Michael Yontz
- Pre-Law Graduate Assistant: Karis Perusek
- CASA Pre-Law Program Goals
- Thinking About Law School? Read More Here!
- Events and Programs
- Law School Application Timeline
- Law School Applications
- LSAC
- Law School Rankings
- Georgia Law Schools
- LSAT
- Personal Statements
- AccessLex Resources
- Scholarships
Michael Yontz is a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Georgia State University. A first generation college student, he received a B.A. in Psychology and Political Science from Indiana University, where he also completed his Juris Doctor, where he was a member of the Lab for Law and Social Psychology. He completed his Ph.D. at Stony Brook University, with a focus on political psychology and the legal system.
As Pre-Law Faculty associate, Dr. Yontz works to assist Georgia State students and alumni in considering, applying to, and preparing for law school by providing application reviews and advice, and connecting students with other legal professionals and experts.
Dr. Yontz also serves as the Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law & Society, advises the undergraduate Pre-Law Society, and frequently collaborates with other undergraduate pre-law organizations. He has previously taught at Stony Brook University and Dartmouth College.
Karis Perusek is currently a 2L at Georgia State University College of Law. Since her enrollment, Karis joined the Center for Access to Justice as the 2L Pro Bono Representative, was selected for Moot Court, and serves as a university-wide Student Government Associate Justice. Karis is also in her second semester of the HeLP Clinic, where she assists low-income clients with a variety of legal issues. Karis joined CASA as a Graduate Assistant. In this role, Karis organizes events between the law school and the undergraduate school. She also is available as a resource for undergraduate students interested in law school to review resumés, personal statements, and provide generalized law school and LSAT advice.
Prior to her acceptance at Georgia State Law, Karis received her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of Florida. At the University of Florida, Karis was a part of multiple honor societies, established award-winning diversity and inclusion framework for her sorority, served as a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student representative, and was frequently recognized on the Dean’s List. Karis also worked at the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida, where she collaborated in judges’ chambers to conduct research, and review Motions in Limine and Motions to Dismiss.
- Help students identify and solidify their interests and eligibility for law school
- Provide academic mentoring and support that keeps students on track toward successful graduate school applications and career progressions, both directly to students and indirectly through faculty development
- Expand research opportunities on all campuses
Join GSU’s students interested in pursuing law school through our CASA Pre Law GroupMe. Here you will receive notifications for all of pre-law tailored events, such as LSAT prep, info sessions, and application workshops.
Subscribe to the CASA Pre-Law GroupMe Discussion
Our dedication CASA Pre-Law Pathways GRA is here to answer any questions you may have. Visit our main page and click “Meet with a CASA Team Member to get connected and schedule a meeting with our Pre-Law GRA.
See upcoming events and programs here!
- Visit CASA’s Calendar for upcoming events and registration details!
Unaffiliated events:
- LSAC Digital Law School Forums
- Each year, LSAC Law School Forums serve as invaluable opportunities for candidates to learn about law school and connect with law school representatives. By attending an LSAC Law School Forum, you’ll be able to connect directly with law school representatives from across North America, learn about financial aid and the law school admission process, and get answers to any questions you may have.
- Occur various days throughout the semester
- LSAC Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program
- A unique immersive learning experience specifically aimed at undergraduate students from minoritized groups that are underrepresented in the legal profession. Each year, several member law schools host PLUS Programs.
- AccessLex Institute’s LexPreLaw diversity pathway program.
- This free program, designed specifically for students from underrepresented racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, offers LSAT prep, admission counseling, financial education, and engagement opportunities to increase chances of law school admission.
- The Lex Fellowship: Study Abroad Opportunity
- The Lex Fellowship is a study-abroad program tailored for the needs of pre-law students. Lex runs during college breaks and allows you the opportunity to experience different law firms in different practice areas in locations across Europe. Students are guided by an Advisor with a US JD background and get the chance to experience a wide breadth of legal concentrations through diverse cases, fields, and lawyers. They are now accepting applications for Summer 2023.
- We are accepting applications for our summer programs and have an exciting opportunity for your students for January. Your students at East Georgia State College who apply by January 27th will receive a $300 flight credit for a Summer 2023 Lex Fellowship program.
- Learn more here.
- Campusprep.org offers a set of low-cost, high-quality, GRE and LSAT prep courses LIVE online this winter/spring
- $285 LSAT Course: The live online course preps you for the spring and summer test dates. The comprehensive, 27-hour, live course includes 3 practice exams and costs $285. Payment plans and financial aid are available.
Law school applications are submitted through the Law School Admission Council (“LSAC”) which can be found here. Although you must pay a fee per application through LSAC, some schools waive their individual application fee. Check the law school’s website to determine the eligibility requirements for a fee waiver and application requirements.
Resources:
- LSAC Plus (Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars) Program
- 7sage: https://7sage.com/
- $10 package includes guidance, tips, tricks, and examples for the entire law school application
- University of Miami Webinar Recordings: scroll down to Admissions Section
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) has a wealth of important information. Here are some useful links:
- “Your Journey to Law School” from LSAC
- LSAC’s “Checklist for Applying to Law School”
- Free Resources for Aspiring Law Students | The Law School Admission Council (lsac.org) https://www.lsac.org/discover-law/how-prepare-your-legal-education/free-resources-aspiring-law-students
- LSAC “Lawhub” for LSAT Preparation and Law School Application Information https://www.lsac.org/lawhub
- Fee Waivers for the LSAT & Credential Assembly Service (CAS) https://www.lsac.org/lsat/register-lsat/lsat-cas-fees/fee-waivers-lsat-credential-assembly-service-cas
- LSAT FAQs https://www.lsac.org/lsat/frequently-asked-questions-about-lsat
- Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools (search tool) https://officialguide.lsac.org/
- J.D. Application Requirements: https://www.lsac.org/applying-law-school/jd-application-process/jd-application-requirements
- Applying for Financial Aid: https://www.lsac.org/choosing-law-school/paying-law-school/applying-aid
- “Law School Unmasked” June 7- June 23
- “Admissions Unmasked” June 20 – July 29
Law school rankings are determined by a variety of factors, such as best post-graduation career prospects, quality of life, and available programs. Law schools take pride in their rankings, and students utilize these rankings to identify law schools that meet their individual criteria and rank high on measures that pertain to them. The websites provided below provide the best ranking summaries and offer school-specific enrollment data.
- Law School Numbers – http://lawschoolnumbers.com/
- LSAC – https://officialguide.lsac.org/release/ugpalsat/ugpalsat.aspx
(input GPA and LSAT score to see “reach/sweet spot/safety schools”) - The Princeton Review – https://www.princetonreview.com/law-school-rankings/best-law-schools
- The Princeton Review, Find Your Dream Law School – https://www.princetonreview.com/law-school?ceid=lss-article-body
- U.S. News & World Report – https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings
- US News & World Report LSAT and GRE Comparison – https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/articles/2018-06-11/10-key-differences-between-the-lsat-and-gre
Below is a list of law schools in Georgia as well as a relevant contact. Review these acclaimed law schools to find out what makes students so excited to enroll.
- Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School: https://www.johnmarshall.edu/
- Rebecca Milter: Assistant Dean of Admissions and Recruitment
- [email protected], 678-916-2620
- Emory University School of Law: https://law.emory.edu/
- Anthony Spatola: Director of Graduate Programs Admission
- [email protected], 404-727-0604
- Georgia State University College of Law: https://law.gsu.edu/
- Monique McCarthy: Senior Director of Law Admissions
- [email protected], 404-413-9004
- GSU Panther Scholars Program (never taken the LSAT, GPA > 3.5, ACT or SAT at or above 85th percentile at time of test administration) – https://law.gsu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/jd/#panther-scholars
- GSU Transfer Student Application:
- Mercer University School of Law: https://law.mercer.edu/
- Marilyn Sutton: Assistant Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid
- [email protected], 478-301-2429
- University of Georgia School of Law: https://www.law.uga.edu/
- Xavier R. Brown: Assistant Dean for Admissions
- [email protected], 706-542-7060
LSAT Registration and Fees
The LSAT, Law School Admissions Test, is a multiple choice test provided several times throughout the year, typically provided every other month at testing sites all across the nation. Visit the LSAC website to register before the relevant deadline (www.lsac.org/lsat/lsat-dates-deadlines-score-release-dates).
- Frequently Asked Questions about the LSAT: https://www.lsac.org/lsat/frequently-asked-questions-about-lsat
- LSAT Fee Waivers: https://www.lsac.org/lsat/lsat-dates-deadlines-score-release-dates/lsat-cas-fees-and-refunds/fee-waivers-lsat-credential
LSAT Test Prep
We strongly recommend the use of a study aid or one of the resources listed below anytime an applicant considers taking or retaking the LSAT to enhance their prep efforts.
- LSAT Best Practices Guide
- GSU Test Prep Academy (Dr. Gary B. Cohen) – https://robinson.gsu.edu/executive-education/test-prep-academy/
- Khan Academy – https://www.khanacademy.org/prep/lsat
- LSAT Engine – https://www.lsatengine.com/
- LSAT Hacks – https://lsathacks.com/explanations/
- LSAT Max (MaxMondays, Wisdom Wednesdays) – https://testmaxprep.com/lsat
- LSAT Unplugged (Steve Schwartz, free law school personal statement reviews) – https://lsatblog.blogspot.com/p/lsat-course-packages.html
- The Princeton Review 2022 LSAT Prep Programs
- TestMasters – https://www.testmasters.net/
- $300 discount for GSU students at live (in-person or online) classes, $100 discount on self-paced online course
- Test Success – https://testsuccess.org/
- AccessLex – www.accesslex.org/max-prelaw
- XploreJD by AccessLex – https://xplorejd.org
- Student Loan Calculator www.accesslex.org/student-loan-calculator#/
- LexScholars by AccessLex – https://www.accesslex.org/tools-and-resources/lexscholars-accesslex
- MAX Pre-Law Coaching – https://maxprelaw.exceedlms.com/student/activity/412491-schedule-a-call-with-a-max-pre-law-coach
- AccessLex Diversity Pipeline Program Directory – https://www.accesslex.org/accesslex-diversity-pipeline-program-directory
- AccessLex Scholarship Locator – https://www.accesslex.org/databank
- Powerscore Books – https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/publications/
- Kaplan Books and Test Prep – https://www.kaptest.com/lsat
The Personal Statement requirement of any law school application can be daunting and confusing for many pre-law students. Below you will find helpful links to tips and tricks about how to write the best statement pertaining to your own experiences and knowledge.
- The Princeton Review Law School Personal Statement Tips https://www.princetonreview.com/law-school-advice/personal-statement
- Georgetown University Law School Personal Statement Dos and Don’ts https://careercenter.georgetown.edu/major-career-guides/graduate-school-guide/graduate-school-law-school/graduate-law-school-law-school-application-law-school-personal-statement-tips-html/#
- U.S. News 2 Law School Personal Statements That Succeeded https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/articles/2017-04-27/2-law-school-personal-statements-that-succeeded
- Patriot Pre-Law Program Schar School of Policy and Government The Law School Personal Statement: A Collection https://scharprelaw.gmu.edu/the-law-school-personal-statement-a-collection/
- University of Washington Writing Personal Statements for Law School https://www.washington.edu/uaa/advising/site/assets/files/1062/personal_statement_law.pdf
- New England Law Boston 4 Outstanding Real-World Law School Personal Statement Examples https://www.nesl.edu/blog/detail/outstanding-real-world-law-school-personal-statement-examples
- Shemmassian Academic Consulting Law School Personal Statement: The Ultimate Guide (Examples Included) https://www.nesl.edu/blog/detail/outstanding-real-world-law-school-personal-statement-examples
- BeMo 10 Law School Personal Statement Examples in December 2021 https://bemoacademicconsulting.com/blog/sample-law-school-personal-statement-and-tips
- Accepted.Com Sample Law School Personal Statement Essays https://www.accepted.com/law/sampleessays
Click Here for the AccessLex Webinars Calendar
AskEdna! Student Success Resources
The 2022 LexScholars by AccessLex Application cycle opens on March 21, 2022. See Below for More Information:
- American Bar Association Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund – www.ambar.org/ABALOS (February 1 – April 1)
- KarmicKash (free tuition for BARBRI Law Preview ) – https://lawpreview.barbri.com/karmickash/
- NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund – https://marshallmotleyscholars.org/
- Pipeline to Practice Foundation Scholarships (free access to BARBRI Law Preview’s law school prep course before law school and a BARBRI Bar Review course after graduation) – https://pipelinetopractice.org/
“One Lawyer Can Change the World” Scholarship – https://lawpreview.barbri.com/10000-get-information/ - Kahalas Term Scholarship, Suffolk University Law School, Boston – https://www.suffolk.edu/law/about/diversity-inclusion/kahalas-term-scholarship