Lehigh Pre-Law Program (Advising & Curriculum)
Lehigh students do not need a designated pre-law major or a fixed set of law-school prerequisite courses. The goal is to complete a strong undergraduate degree while building skills in reading, writing, research, and analysis. Use Lehigh’s current pre-law advising resources and your academic adviser to plan coursework, applications, and costs around your own goals.
If you are balancing classes, work, family duties, and the cost of a future law degree, it can be hard to know where to start. The good news is that preparation does not require adding a second major just to signal interest in law. It calls for thoughtful course choices, steady academic progress, and a clear plan for applying.
I advise students to treat “pre-law” as guidance, not as a separate degree. Your undergraduate major should fit your interests and help you do strong work. From there, you can build a law-school application step by step, checking each school’s current rules rather than relying on a single general checklist.
Lehigh pre-law advising and undergraduate context
Pre-law at Lehigh is an undergraduate planning path, not a professional degree or a required major. Your first task is to meet Lehigh’s degree rules in a field you can pursue with focus. Use current university advising materials to plan courses and application steps, and confirm details that may change.
Lehigh’s institutional accreditation is through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Accreditation applies to the university, not to a promise of law-school admission. Law schools make their own decisions based on each applicant’s record and the rules for that application cycle.
The American Bar Association does not require applicants to complete a specific undergraduate major. It also does not set one universal list of courses that all applicants must take. Law schools may have their own policies, so check the admissions pages of schools you may apply to.
A bachelor’s degree is generally required before a student starts law school under ABA Standard 502, with limited exceptions. Plan to complete your Lehigh degree requirements. Credit totals and college rules can vary, so check your program’s current catalog and speak with your academic adviser before changing your course plan.
A useful advising meeting should leave you with clear next steps. Bring questions about course choices, writing practice, activities, testing, and timing. If you are working or supporting family, say so. That context can help you build a plan that fits your real schedule.
Degree curriculum and course selection
Your Lehigh curriculum is the degree you choose, not a universal pre-law course sequence. Select a field that interests you and gives you a fair chance to do well. Then use electives and other learning opportunities to strengthen skills that law study draws on, such as close reading, clear writing, research, and reasoned argument.
Law students read detailed texts, assess evidence, and explain conclusions. Undergraduate courses that ask you to write, interpret information, or defend a position can help you practice those skills. No single class can guarantee readiness, and one course should not be treated as a required law-school prerequisite.
| Planning choice | Potential value for law-school preparation | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Major based on a strong academic interest | Can support steady engagement and subject knowledge | Degree requirements, workload, and your performance |
| Writing-intensive courses | Give practice in clear, structured writing | Course assignments and feedback |
| Research or evidence-based courses | Build skills in finding and assessing information | Research expectations and available support |
| Quantitative coursework | Helps you work with data and precise claims | Whether the course fits your degree plan |
| Electives across fields | Can broaden your view of policy, people, or institutions | Credits, prerequisites, and graduation timing |
Think about course load as well as course content. A schedule filled with demanding classes may leave too little time for careful work, paid employment, or family care. A balanced plan can help protect your academic progress while still giving you room to explore.
Do not add courses only because they sound “law-related.” A strong record in a field you value may be more useful than a crowded schedule that makes it harder to do your best work. Ask your academic adviser how a proposed course fits degree rules, and ask pre-law advisers how it fits your broader preparation.
Academic success, advising, and student experience
Strong preparation comes from consistent work over time, not from one impressive activity or class. Use academic advising to keep your degree on track and pre-law guidance to understand application planning. Since services and procedures can change, verify current resources through Lehigh rather than relying on old posts or informal advice.
Your undergraduate GPA matters, but law schools assess applications under their own admissions practices. The GPA used in law-school applications is calculated by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) under its rules. It may differ from the GPA shown on a Lehigh transcript. Learn how LSAC handles your record before estimating your application profile.
There is no universal GPA or LSAT cutoff for all law schools. Compare your LSAC-calculated GPA and test results with each school’s current entering-class medians and ranges. These figures are reference points, not guarantees, and they do not decide admission by themselves.
Build a record of activities with real substance. Research, service, leadership, advocacy, or relevant employment may help you learn and show what matters to you. Depth and responsibility can be more revealing than a long list of short-term activities. Choose commitments you can sustain alongside your courses and other duties.
Here are two planning examples. They are hypothetical, not reports of actual Lehigh students.
- A student with family and work duties chooses a course load that leaves time for strong academic work. The student asks advisers about degree progress, then sets a testing and application timeline that fits work and caregiving demands.
- A student exploring law-related work takes courses across areas of interest and pursues a sustained service or research role. The student reflects on the experience and uses it to make a more informed decision about law school.
In either case, the key measure is not how many activities or advanced courses the student can fit in. It is whether the plan supports academic progress and a clear, well-supported application.
Law-school preparation, career paths, and cost
Applying to law school is a sequence of decisions: choose schools, meet each school’s testing and document rules, submit a complete application, then compare offers. Plan backward from each deadline. Admissions rules can change by school and year, so verify them for the cycle in which you apply.
Start with a school list that matches your academic profile, location goals, and likely cost. Check whether each school accepts the LSAT, the GRE, or both for your cycle. Review its current rules for the Law School Admission Council Credential Assembly Service (CAS), letters of recommendation, essays, and any extra materials.
| Application step | Action to take | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| School research | Review current admissions pages and entering-class data | Policies and benchmarks vary by school |
| Test planning | Confirm accepted tests and timing | Avoid preparing for a test a school will not use |
| CAS setup | Check LSAC’s current process and document needs | Transcripts and other records may take time |
| Recommendations | Ask early and share relevant context | Gives recommenders time to prepare |
| Essays and application | Follow each school’s format and deadline | Requirements are not identical |
| Offer review | Compare total cost, conditions, and outcomes | An offer alone does not show its value |
Use current entering-class medians and ranges to assess fit, but do not treat them as admission thresholds. Also look at the school’s latest ABA-required Standard 509 disclosures. These provide school-specific information, including admissions, cost, and bar-passage data. Review each report directly, and consider the limits of any single metric.
Cost deserves the same care as admission. Compare the full cost of attendance, not only tuition or the value of a scholarship. Read the aid terms closely, including conditions for keeping an award in later years. Then weigh likely borrowing against your career plans and the jobs you would consider after graduation.
Employment data also needs context. Review a school’s latest ABA-required employment disclosures and examine job types and locations, not only an overall rate. Ask whether the reported outcomes fit your intended region and career path. Compare these figures with net cost and bar-passage information before choosing among offers.
A practical planning sequence
A law-school plan should fit your undergraduate timeline and personal commitments. Begin with the tasks that matter now, then add application work when it is useful. This sequence is a planning guide, not a fixed Lehigh requirement; confirm dates and procedures with Lehigh and each law school.
Early undergraduate study: Choose a major and course plan that meet degree rules and support strong work. Practice writing, reading, research, and quantitative reasoning. Meet with your academic adviser when you need to assess course choices or degree progress.
As your interests develop: Try sustained work, service, research, or leadership that helps you explore your interests. Keep notes on what you learn and what responsibilities you take on. You do not need to collect activities simply to make a résumé longer.
Before applying: Identify schools and check their current test policies, deadlines, CAS instructions, and application materials. Make a realistic test plan. Request recommendations early, and allow time to draft and revise essays.
After decisions arrive: Compare admission offers using net cost, scholarship renewal terms, location, bar-passage disclosures, and employment information. Consider how each school’s outcomes align with your goals. If a term is unclear, ask the school for written clarification before you commit.
This process helps you avoid two common mistakes: assuming that a certain major guarantees admission, or choosing a law school based only on a scholarship headline. The better choice is the one that fits your academic record, goals, finances, and likely career path.
Conclusion and frequently asked questions
The strongest undergraduate plan is one you can complete with care. At Lehigh, focus on your degree, build useful academic skills, and use current advising resources to map the path to law school. Then assess each school by its own admissions rules, cost, and disclosed outcomes before you decide.
Do I need to major in political science to apply to law school?
No. The ABA does not require a specific undergraduate major. Choose a field that interests you and supports strong academic work.
Does Lehigh require a pre-law major?
Pre-law is an advising path, not a required Lehigh major. Complete the requirements for your chosen undergraduate degree.
Are there required pre-law classes at Lehigh?
There is no universal set of prerequisite courses for law-school applicants. Check each law school’s current admissions rules and plan courses with your Lehigh advisers.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree before law school?
ABA Standard 502 generally calls for a bachelor’s degree before law-school entry, with limited exceptions. Confirm the rule and your target schools’ policies.
What GPA or LSAT score do I need?
There is no universal cutoff. Compare your LSAC-calculated GPA and test results with each school’s current entering-class data.
Can I take the GRE instead of the LSAT?
Some law schools may accept the GRE, but policies vary and can change. Check the current admissions page for every school on your list.
What is CAS?
The Credential Assembly Service is an LSAC service used in the law-school application process. Review LSAC’s current instructions to learn what records and materials are needed.
How should I choose between law-school offers?
Compare total cost after aid, scholarship renewal terms, location, bar-passage disclosures, and employment outcomes. Do not rely on sticker price or one headline statistic alone.
When should I ask for recommendation letters?
Ask well before your application deadlines. Follow each school’s instructions and give recommenders enough time and useful context.
Where should I confirm Lehigh advising details?
Use Lehigh’s current pre-law advising materials and speak with your academic adviser. Verify application rules with LSAC and each law school.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Richard Thornton. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
