Pre-Law Program at Wesleyan

Program Advisor: Dr. Nicholas Steneck
Contact: nsteneck@wesleyancollege.edu

Ready to advocate for justice and make a difference in people's lives? At Wesleyan, we'll prepare you for law school through our Pre-Law minor while you pursue any major that interests you. Our program develops the critical thinking, analytical, research, and communication skills that law schools value most.

⚖️ What Do Lawyers Do?

A Juris Doctor (J.D.) leads to a broad range of careers that impact people's lives. Lawyers help with buying homes, writing wills, prosecuting and defending criminals, creating business contracts, and protecting people from litigation. A law degree also opens doors to law-related careers in government, business, higher education, healthcare, communications, and numerous other fields.

📚 Important Academic Information

No specific major is required for law school — law schools accept students from all academic backgrounds. However, the Pre-Law minor is strongly recommended to develop essential skills and knowledge.

Remember: This is a minor in addition to your major—you must have a major to graduate from Wesleyan College.

What Law Schools Look For

Essential Skills

• Strong writing abilities
• Critical thinking skills
• Analytical reasoning
• Research capabilities

Academic Performance

• Competitive LSAT scores
• Competitive GPA (varies by school)
• Strong academic record

Experience & Leadership

• Diverse experiences
• Leadership roles
• Community involvement
• Legal-related experience

🎓 Pre-Law Minor Requirements

Required Courses:

• POL 115 - Introduction to Political Science
• POL 320 - Constitutional Law
• ACC 201 - Principles of Accounting
• BUS 310 - Business Law
• COM 202 - Public Speaking
• ENG 111 - Composition (if not taken for general education)
• HIS 130 - American History to 1877
• HIS 135 - American History since 1877

Choose Two from:

• COM 340 - Persuasive Communication
• PHI 223 - Logic and Critical Thinking
• PHI 224 - Ethics

Your Four-Year Journey

Year 1: Build Your Foundation
Meet with advisor, begin POL 115 and general education, explore legal interests

Year 2: Explore and Research
Research 3-5 law schools, finalize coursework plans, engage in first internship

Year 3: Prepare for Applications
Begin LSAT preparation, take PDE/internship experiences, take LSAT in summer

Year 4: Apply and Interview
Submit applications by November, prepare for interviews, finish strong academically

📝 LSAT & Application Strategy

LSAT (Law School Admission Test): Critical component of law school applications, offered multiple times per year. Preparation courses and practice tests strongly recommended. Take in summer before senior year when possible.

Application Timeline: Law schools use rolling admissions - early applications have significant advantages. Apply by November for best chances of admission and financial aid. Most applications open in September.

Building Relevant Experience

Law schools want evidence of exceptional critical thinking, analytical, research, and communication skills. These can be gained in various settings—don't limit yourself to just law firms!

🏛️ Local Opportunities

• Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office - Prosecution experience
• Macon/Bibb Circuit Public Defenders Office - Defense experience
• State Court of Bibb County - Court system experience
• Middle Georgia Justice - Community advocacy
• Bennett Law & Mediation Services LLC - Private practice experience
• Hogue and Hogue LLP - Law firm experience

🌟 Special Programs

Georgia Legislative Internship Program - Full-time paid internship at Georgia State Capitol (January-March, applications due October)
LSAC Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Programs - For underrepresented students
LSAC Diversity Scholarships - Financial aid opportunities

Ready to Get Started?

Remember: Law schools value diverse backgrounds and experiences. Your unique combination of major and experiences will make you a distinctive candidate.

Download the complete Pre-Professional Guide for more information