Pre-Law Advising
Lebanon Valley students have done very well at a variety of law schools. Over the years, LVC students who have excelled academically have attended Harvard, Chicago, Columbia, Stanford, Washington and Lee, and William and Mary law schools. Our graduates have also studied at several of Pennsylvania's fine schools of law, including Penn State Dickinson, Temple, Villanova, Duquense, Drexel, and Widener. Lebanon Valley alumni have pursued legal careers with corporations, government, and in private practice, while a number have entered politics.
Students should consult with the pre-law advisor well before commencing the law school application process. The pre-law advisor, Dr. Philip Benesch, will help you decide when to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and which law schools may suit your interests and qualifications. The LSAT is required for acceptance at American Bar Association-approved law schools. The LSAT is given four times during the year, typically in February, June, September, and December, and it may be taken at Lebanon Valley College. For many, it will be beneficial to take an LSAT preparation course. Two are available within a short driving distance of LVC. LVC has teamed with Kaplan to offer practice LSATs in early September and in February. A follow-up workshop will be held approximately two weeks after each practice test. In addition, we strongly recommend that before taking the LSAT students complete PHL 120 Basic Logic, a course required for the Law and Society minor.
In addition to an applicant's LSAT score, law schools will consider his or her GPA, transcript, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. No single major is identified as an ideal preparation for law school; rather a broad liberal-arts curriculum is preferred, with courses known for significant reading, writing, and thinking challenges being particularly valued.