The Legal Studies department hosted a Law School Fair in the Cochran center on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Recruiters from various law schools tabled, allowing students to explore their options for law school.
Students like Summer Dillon, a senior, were eager to take advantage of the event.
“Even if you aren’t interested in going to law school, seeing it advertised might try and change your path,” Dillon said.
Michelle Smith, J.D., director of the Legal Studies program, says that students have much to gain.
“Students often don’t know who the contact person is at these different universities, the process that they would go through,” said Smith. “And sometimes it’s an eye-opener for someone who is, for the first time, considering law school and it gives them the opportunity right here on campus to learn about what these universities have to offer in the future.”
This event featured representatives from seven different law schools. Loyola Law School, The Paul M. Hebert Law Center, University of Mississippi Law Center, The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Southern University Law Center, Mississippi College School of Law, and the University of Alabama School of Law were all present at the event.
Marie Vertus is the Recruitment Coordinator for Southern University Law Center. She gave her top two pieces of advice for prospective law school students.
First, studying is essential for success on the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT.
“When you are going to take the LSAT, definitely do a prep course, study, and prepare for the test,” Vertus said.
Secondly, letters of recommendation should come from a good source.
“When you’re asking people for letters of recommendation, make sure you are asking people that are going to tell us about you, your personality, who you are, not someone that’s going to write you a one or two-sentence letter of recommendation,” Vertus continued.
The event is part of the eighth annual Pre-Law Week. Pre-Law week consists of five days of professional development workshops, information sessions, and networking opportunities for pre-law students. Events this year were online and in-person. Pre-Law Week 2023 lasted from Monday, Sept. 18 to Friday, Sept. 22.
Pre-law is not a major itself, and no specific major is required for admission into law school. However, it is a concentration that prepares undergraduate students for law school. Students who want to pursue law school must have a bachelor’s degree, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, an application, and have completed the LSAT.
The University of Southern Mississippi offers Legal Studies degrees with concentrations in either Pre-Law or Paralegal Studies. Both are accredited by the American Bar Association. To learn more about pursuing these degree paths, check out the Legal Studies department at www.usm.edu/undergraduate-programs/legal-studies.