Year Off Before Law School

Name: Hank Graham
Major (s): Political Science
Minor (s): English
Certificate (s): None

My Pathway:

Freshman year:

  • Came in undecided
    • Chose English major
    • Switched to Journalism major
  • Began work-study job at the Political Science department

Sophomore year: ​

  • Switched to PSCI major and began lower division PSCI requirements
  • Joined Phi Alpha Delta (Pre-Law Fraternity)
  • Joined Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society)
  • Continued completing English minor requirements

Junior year: 

  • Completed lower division PSCI requirements
  • Began studying for LSAT
  • Lightly started working on Honors Thesis

Senior year: 

  • Completed upper division PSCI requirements
  • Completed English minor requirements
  • Completed Honors Thesis in PSCI Department

Year Off: 

  • Looking to do an internship at under a public defense office in Colorado
  • Saving money
  • Applying in early fall for multiple out-of-state law schools

I spent my first summer as an intern for the Loveland Reporter Herald. The following summer I worked in construction to save up some money. My last summer as an undergraduate was by far the busiest. I studied for LSAT and worked on my Honors Thesis.

Being a defense attorney has long been a dream of mine. The high stakes, daily challenge, and ability to work with a vast array of people really appeals to me. I read an article on Judy Clarke when I was starting out my undergradute career, and I think that helped me definitively decide I wanted to be an attorney.

I really want to emphasize the importance of taking a good chunk of time to study for the LSAT. This test is not easy, but anyone can do well if they properly prepare. I also recommend that students dedicate themselves to their grades as much as possible. Take any chance you have to boost that GPA. Getting into law school is difficult but you'll see good results if you give it as much effort as possible.

I would have made more effort to relax and enjoy what CU has to offer. I really enjoyed attending sporting events and club activities, but I don't feel like I did that enough. Academics are the main reason we are here, but there is also a lot of fun to be had.

Multiple programs at CU Boulder were incredibly helpful in my preparation. The PSCI Constitutional Law class gave me a glimpse of legal logic and showed me what law school may look like. We were given the chance to present original written and oral arguments. I also was given an interesting look at the history of important legal decisions. Completing an Honors Thesis in the Political Science Department also gave me great preparation. I got to complete my own in-depth research and really grow my writing skills. This project also directly showed me how deliver professional, high-level work.

I was in Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity, as well as Pi Sigma Alpha )National Political Science Honor Society). 

Don't overthink it and don't doudt yourself. Some people have the misperception that this path is scary or too difficult. Just do the best you can preparing for the LSAT and working on your grades, and you'll be in in great shape. You can do this!