Law School
UChicago offers outstanding preparation for law school. The College's liberal arts curriculum gives students the analytical and critical thinking skills needed to excel in law school and the legal profession. In the 2025 law school admissions cycle, UChicago students and alumni had a 90% acceptance rate.
Career Advancement's expert pre-law advisers work closely with students to help them secure admission to top law schools. The Careers in Law program also offers resources to help students build the skills and experiences that go into a strong application.
UChicago-Exclusive Opportunities
The Chicago Law Scholars Program (CLS) is an early decision opportunity to attend the UChicago Law School available only to alumni of the College and to current fourth-year students, and includes a merit scholarship of $150,000.
Applications for the 2027 seminar will open in February 2027!
The Legal Research and Writing seminar jumpstarts students’ knowledge of legal resources, research techniques, and legal memo writing. This is a non-credit seminar offered to second through fourth year undergraduate students interested in receiving an introduction to (i) conducting case law research utilizing search tools such as Westlaw, (ii) learning the basics of statutory and administrative law, (iii) reading and dissecting case law through case briefing tools, and (iv) learning the components of a legal memo. The seminar is offered by Careers in Law in partnership with the D’Angelo Law Library at the Law School.
Apply here by April 15, 2026 to join the 2026-2027 Rising Attorneys cohort!
The Careers in Law team is proud to offer the Rising Attorneys Program, dedicated to promoting the success of future law students with a special focus on issues relevant to those from low-income families. The program is open to all rising third- and fourth-year students and recent alumni planning to apply to law school within the next five years who can commit to taking the LSAT during the next year. Cohort benefits include a free LSAT prep course, a mentor currently working in the legal field, LSAT registration reimbursement, and access to presentations and programs during the academic year focused on how to succeed in law school. Applications open each year at the beginning of the spring quarter, with each year’s program starting in June and ending one year later.
Apply here by April 15 to join the 2026-2027 Law & Politics cohort!
The Law & Politics track is a selective, one-year program offered to rising second-, third-, and fourth-year students interested in attending law school to launch a career in politics. Selected students will receive specialized advising, mentorship from professionals in the field, and targeted programming. The track will culminate with each student presenting an individual or small-group capstone project such as a campaign speech, mock press conference, or debate.
This program is offered in coordination with campus partners including the Office of Civic Engagement, the Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse, and the Institute of Politics.
Each year, UChicago offers internships with a wide range of legal employers, including:
Government agencies like the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Orleans Public Defenders, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Legal nonprofits such as Bet Tzedek Legal Services, Center for Elder & Disability Law, the Environmental Law & Policy Center, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Law firms such as Sidley Austin, Groombridge Wu, and Ropes & Gray
Court systems such as the U.S. District Courts of Northern Texas, Eastern Missouri, and Western Missouri
UChicago Law School Clinics, including the Abrams Environmental Law Clinic, the Federal Criminal Justice Clinic, and the Supreme Court Clinic
Law Applicant Support Series (LASS)
Careers in Law has developed the Law Applicant Support Series (LASS) to provide customizable, individual support through the law school application process, from LSAT to acceptance. Available to current students and alumni, participants have found the most success when they engage consistently with our digital and in-person resources.
CIL hosts a variety of workshops and programs, such as:
Law School Applications 101
Mentorship events with current law school students
Law school admissions information sessions
Kick off the application process with a comprehensive introduction, including:
Personalizing Your Personal Statement
Maximizing Your Resume’s Impact
Perspective Statements Demystified
Strategizing Supplemental Essays
Individual appointments with our highly qualified advising team are available for LASS participants to schedule at any point in the application cycle. Appointment topics include:
Law School Application Process
LSAT Strategy and Timelines
Developing a School List
Resume Review
Personal Statement Review
Supplemental Essays Review
Interview Preparation
UChicago partners with Blueprint to provide discounted access to Blueprint’s LSAT prep courses. Find out more about Blueprint’s approach to LSAT preparation here, and reach out to Priya Laroia at plaroia@uchicago.edu for the current discount and instructions on registering for a course at the discounted rate.
First Year Guide
Your first year is a great time to start exploring law and see if it seems like a good fit for you. Focus on adjusting to college, doing well in your classes, and building a strong GPA.
For your first year summer, you do not necessarily need to have an internship focused on law: while there are many legal internships open to first years with nonprofits and government agencies, any summer opportunity that helps you build strong research and analytical skills would be a great fit!
Attend the Careers in Law Kickoff Event in early October
Build a resume with your career adviser
Apply for an on-campus job to start gaining experience
Start networking with employers and law schools by applying for a Winter Break career trek or job shadowing experience
Join a legal RSO focused on an area that interests you
Sign up for the Careers in Law newsletter to get regular updates on internships and upcoming events
Start applying for summer opportunities such as Metcalf internships
Attend the "How to Get a Legal Internship" event in early January
Apply for a Spring Break career trek or job shadowing experience
Continue applying for summer internships
Apply for the Law & Politics Track by April 15, 2026
Complete a summer opportunity: any summer experience that gives you exposure to law or helps you build analytical, research, and writing skills will put you in a strong position for law school!
Third Year Guide
Your third year is the time to start making serious preparations for the law school application process. Top law schools visit campus each fall for admissions presentations, so we encourage you to attend these and start making a list of target schools. LASS workshops will kick off in Spring Quarter.
Depending on your unique situation, you may wish to take the LSAT in spring or summer of your third year. Allow at least three months to prepare for the LSAT. It is recommended that you spend between 180 and 200 hours total to prepare for the test.
As you start preparing to apply, you'll also want to continue building strong relationships with faculty, maintaining a strong GPA, and gaining hands-on work experience.
Familiarize yourself with the Law School Admissions Council website
Attend law school info sessions - Careers in Law hosts top law schools on campus every year. Recent visitors have included:
Berkeley
Columbia
Cornell
Duke
Georgetown
George Washington
Harvard
Penn Carey Law School
UChicago
UCLA
USC
UT Austin
UVA
Vanderbilt
WashU
Yale
Apply for a Winter Break career trek or job shadowing experience
Decide when you will take the LSAT - allow for at least 180 hours of study time and choose one backup test date
UChicago partners with Blueprint to provide discounted access to Blueprint’s LSAT prep courses. Find out more about Blueprint’s approach to LSAT preparation here, and reach out to Priya Laroia at plaroia@uchicago.edu for the current discount and instructions on registering for a course at the discounted rate.
Register for the LSAT at least six weeks before your planned test date
Start applying for summer opportunities such as Metcalf internships
Apply for the Legal Research and Writing Seminar: applications open in early February and close in early March
Apply for a Spring Break career trek or job shadowing experience
Attend the LASS kickoff event:
By May, select recommenders for your letters of recommendation and ask if they would be willing to write a letter for you. Plan to submit 2 academic letters of recommendation from faculty and 1 letter from an employer
Continue applying for summer internships
Complete a summer opportunity: any summer experience that gives you exposure to law or helps you build analytical, research, and writing skills will put you in a strong position for law school!
Attend summer LASS workshops:
Personalizing Your Personal Statement
Maximizing Your Resume’s Impact
Perspective Statements Demystified
Strategizing Supplemental Essays
Start working on your law school application:
Write your law school resume
Draft your personal statement
Submit your official transcripts to LSAC
Send your drafts to a Careers in Law adviser for review
Second Year Guide
In your second year, you want to continue exploring, maintaining a strong GPA, and building a compelling portfolio of experiences. It's a good idea to give yourself substantive exposure to law this year whether that's with an internship, job shadowing experience, RSO, or other opportunities. This will help you decide whether you seriously want to consider law school.
As you start taking more courses in your major, you also want to invest time in building relationships with faculty members who could serve as recommenders for your law school application.
For your second year summer, look for a substantive work experience that will help you build your research and analytical skills. Legal internships can be a great way to explore law, but aren't required for a strong law school application.
Consider getting involved with research to build experience and faculty relationships
Apply for a Winter Break career trek or job shadowing experience
Start applying for summer opportunities such as Metcalf internships
Apply for the Legal Research and Writing Seminar: applications open in early February and close in early March
Attend the "How to Get a Legal Internship" event in early January
Apply for a Spring Break career trek or job shadowing experience
Continue applying for summer internships
Apply for selective cohorts by April 15, 2026
Complete a summer opportunity: any summer experience that gives you exposure to law or helps you build analytical, research, and writing skills will put you in a strong position for law school!
Fourth Year Guide
If you are planning to apply straight through, fall of fourth year is when you will finalize and submit your applications. During winter and spring, you will evaluate your offers. Most law schools set deadlines in April or May for responding to their offer of admission.
Confirm your list of target schools with your Careers in Law adviser
Take the LSAT no later than October
Complete and submit your applications by the end of October
When LSAC notifies you that a letter of recommendation has been submitted, send your letter writer a thank you note
If you want to learn more about specific law school programs, attend on-campus law school information sessions - recent visitors include:
Berkeley
Columbia
Cornell
Duke
Georgetown
George Washington
Harvard
Penn Carey Law School
UChicago
UCLA
USC
UT Austin
UVA
Vanderbilt
WashU
Yale
Once you have your Fall Quarter grades, submit an updated transcript to LSAC
If any of your target schools invite you to interview, meet with a Careers in Law adviser to prepare
Evaluate your offers of admission - law schools will typically release offers between December and April
Keep the CIL team updated as you hear from schools so they can best support you
If any of your target schools invite you to interview, meet with a Careers in Law adviser to prepare
Evaluate your offers of admission - law schools will typically release offers between December and April
Keep the CIL team updated as you hear from schools so they can best support you
Accept the offer from the school you will attend and pay your seat deposit before their deadline - most schools have deadlines in April or May
Notify your CIL adviser about your choice so we can celebrate with you!
Begin law school in August or September!
Resources
Sign up for the Careers in Law newsletter for regular updates on upcoming events, internships, and more!
View the law school application timeline for an overview of key steps and milestones in the application process.
View the law school application guide for an overview of each component of the application.
Students and alumni can schedule an appointment with our team of dedicated advisers through Handshake, or reach out at the contact information below.
Priya Laroia, JD, MLA
Program Director, Careers in Law
plaroia@uchicago.eduPriya is excited to support students and alumni on their journeys to finding fulfilling careers in the legal field. She has worked extensively in Chicago’s non-profit sector and in both secondary and higher education. Having taken an nontraditional path after receiving her BA from Northwestern and her JD from UChicago, Priya enjoys working with students to find creative ways to hone and apply their legal skills in areas that interest them. In her free time, she loves reading, talking long walks, and spending time with her family.
Ben Morris-Levenson, AB'11, JD
Assistant Director, Careers in Law
bmorrislevenson@uchicago.eduBen is eager to support UChicago students and alumni interested in careers in law. He has experience working in corporate litigation and in the government at both local and federal levels. Ben received his bachelor's degree in political science from the College and his JD from Harvard Law School. He enjoys traveling, reading, and the Philadelphia Eagles.