Published: Oct. 21, 2016
Emily Prehm from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights talking with Colorado Law student Tessa DeVault (2013)

The 2016 Colorado Law Fair is Monday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Glen Miller Ballroom on the second floor of the UMC. The event is sponsored by University of Colorado Boulder PreLaw Office, Phi Alpha Delta National Legal Fraternity and Western Association of PreLaw Advisors.

David A. Logan, former dean and professor of law at Roger Williams University School of Law in Rhode Island, will give a special presentation entitled "The Law School Application Process and Financing Your Legal Education" at noon in UMC 235.

Pre-law students who attend the fair will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from numerous law schools nationwide. Business casual dresscode is suggested for attendees.

Below, we have compiled a list of questions for your consideration to ensure you get the most out of your experience at the law fair, as well as a pre-law senior-year checklist for a smooth transition to law school.

12 questions to ask law school representatives:

  • What is the size of the student body? (Do you like a large or small school?)
  • Where is the law school? On the main campus? Downtown or in the suburbs?
  • Does the faculty primarily teach or primarily do research? What kind of research is being done?
  • Does the school have legal clinics? Is clinic experience readily available, or is there some kind of lottery system?
  • What specialized courses and programs are available? Which LLM specialties are offered?
  • What are the opportunities for writing, for law review, participation in moot court? Does the school partcipate in a national moot court?
  • Are joint degree programs (e.g. JD/MBA, JD/MA) available? How do they operate?
  • Are student support programs readily available? Is there a student group for your interests, such as environmental law or civil rights law?
  • What is the general atmosphere of the school? Is collegial or solitary work more common?
  • What is the placement record of the school? Where do graduates go for jobs?
  • Is it a public or private school? What is the financial aid situation?
  • How is the morale of the student body? Do students play a big role in the operation of the school?

Senior-year checklist for pre-law students:

  • Talk with a pre-law advisor.
  • Register and prepare for the LSAT.
  • Begin to research law schools.
  • Request letters of recommendation from professors (CAS forms needed).
  • Take the June LSAT.
  • Draft personal statement.
  • Receive LSAT scores.
  • Complete research of law schools (LSAC.org).
  • Select law schools for application.
  • Compose a schedule of application deadlines.
  • Complete personal statement.
  • Subscribe to CAS if you haven't done so.
  • Send transcript request forms to all colleges/universities.
  • Request letters of reference from professors, if you haven't done so already.
  • Take the October LSAT. Meet with pre-law advisor.
  • Send applications to law schools.
  • Receive October LSAT scores, if applicable.
  • Complete application process by Dec. 1 (earlier is better).
  • Receive acceptance letters from law schools!
  • Discuss your options with your pre-law advisor.
  • Visit law schools before making final choice.

Click here for a full list of participating law schools at the 2016 Colorado Law Fair.

For general information and resources, visit the Pre-Law department website here.

Five Law School Admission Test vendors at this year’s Colorado Law Fair are providing 10 scholarships for CUBoulder Pre-Law students. In its third year, the scholarships will reward more than $10,000.

“We are thrilled with the generous contribute of our LSAT vendors and the scholarships they have given us in the past three years,” said Anthony Bastone, Academic Advisor for Pre-Law.

The application process will open after the 2016 Colorado Law Fair. To apply, students must submit a one-page personal statement detailing academic achievement, leadership experience and community service to Anthony Bastone, Anthony.Bastone@Colorado.Edu. This will be on-going throughout the academic year until all scholarships are awarded. 

And if you would like to make an appointment with the PreLaw Advising Office in Career Services, please contact Academic Advisor Anthony L. Bastone II.