Career Center

Law School Prep & Application Timeline

Although everyone’s law school path can vary, there are general timelines to follow if you plan to attend law school. Use this checklist below to develop a broad set of next steps for yourself depending on your class year. *NOTE: Many students take a gap year or more time off between undergraduate and law school, but this timeline assumes you are attending law school right after undergraduate*

+-First-Year

Explore majors – choose one you are most interested in
Get involved on campus to develop law-related skills (problem-solving, writing, team-work, critical thinking, etc.)
Join one of the three pre-law student groups on campus: Pre-Law Society, Black Pre-Law Student Association, Mock Trial
Create a resume – check out the resume samples on the Career Center website

+-Sophomore

Declare your major – choose a major that truly interests you
Maintain a good GPA
Get involved if you haven’t already!
Get experience – land an internship, fellowship, research opportunity, study abroad, shadowing experience related to build relevant skills
Network with law alumni and people who work in law

+-Junior

Update your resume
Maintain good academics
Get experience
Study for the LSAT (if you plan on attending law school after you graduate)
Register for LSAT test date in June, July or September
Create an account with LSAC.org to track your applications
Attend law school fairs/Research schools you’re interested in
Research financial aid options for law school
Network with law alumni and people who work in law

+-Senior

Take the LSAT (if you intend on attending law school immediately)
Create a list of reach, target and safety law schools (recommended: 6-8 schools)
Attend law school fairs
Research schools you’re interested in
Network with law alumni and people who work in law
Finalize resume
Ask for at least three letters of recommendationfrom professors and supervisors
Write your personal statement
Request a copy of your transcript to send to LSAC.org
Fill out FASFA
Research financial aid options for law school
Pay the fee for the CAS (Credential Assembly Service) to send your application materials through LSAC
Apply to law school (end of fall semester/early spring semester)
Decide (spring semester)

Join the Pre-Law Advising Mailing List

Schedule a Pre-Law Appointment

Navigate to Handshake.
Select the Career Center option that aligns with your current student status.
Select one of the two Pre-Law Advising appointment options.
Find a date and time that works for you!

About the Villanova University Career Center

Our mission is to provide high quality, comprehensive career services, empowering members of the Villanova University community to choose and attain personally rewarding careers. We serve that mission in a variety of ways:

Individualized Career Planning

Members of the Career Center team regularly meet with undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni to educate them about career decision-making, provide them with the tools to succeed and connect them with opportunities and people through our resources and events. Foundational to this work is our focus on helping Villanovans align their values with the work and organizations they seek. We encourage students and alumni to evaluate employers and employment by asking questions and thinking critically about what they see, hear and observe in action to ensure the opportunity aligns with their goals.

Partnership with Colleges

Within the colleges of the university, professional development teams and programs exist to integrate career services, education and experiences into the curriculum. The Career Center is a contributing partner to the creation, delivery and evaluation of these programs to ensure all students are provided with equitable access to career and professional development resources.

Events, Programs & Employer Connections

Throughout the year, the Career Center manages hundreds of events and programs in collaboration with employers, faculty, staff and alumni of the university, including on-campus interviews, career fairs, in-class career education sessions and academic immersion programs. Along with our career events, employers post thousands of job and internship opportunities in our career services management platform, Handshake.

Who We Serve

The Career Center’s services are available to all degree-seeking students of the university and all undergraduate and graduate alumni. Students in the Charles Widger School of Law should primarily seek the services of the Office of Career Strategy & Advancement.

Career Center Quick Links

Career Center Social Media

Icons on the Career Center website are by Icons8.

Our Diversity Statement

The Villanova University Career Center is committed to the university’s advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion and recognizes that these principles are integral to our work. It is necessary for Villanova students and alumni to develop intercultural understanding and inclusive communication practices in order to be a positive influence in the global workplace. We seek to create a welcoming environment in all that we do, ensuring that all identities, perspectives and experiences are heard, respected and valued in conversations about career and professional development. We develop programs and resources to support underrepresented and minoritized students and alumni in achieving personally rewarding careers. We will continue to listen, learn and serve as advocates for all members of the Villanova community as we support individuals on their personal and professional journeys.

Our Core Values

Inclusivity

We commit to ensuring that all identities, perspectives and experiences are heard, respected and valued.

Holistic Approach

We recognize the unique needs of each person, acknowledge the multitude of factors that influence decision-making and maintain an environment of trust, honesty and transparency.

Continuous Learning

We embrace a growth mindset and stay open to all opportunities to learn, innovate and educate.

Connectivity

We make meaningful connections between opportunities, people, resources and ideas.

Celebration

We take time to encourage each other and celebrate success in all its forms.