Is a career in the law for you? Why go to law school at all? Can a Juris Doctor (i.e., a J.D., or law degree) be beneficial to your career aspirations even if you do not practice law? These are some of the questions you may be asking as you consider your path post-MCLA. This is the homepage for MCLA Pre-Law Advising. This is where you will find helpful information about law schools, careers in the law, and paths for careers where a J.D. would be helpful. If you would like more personalized, one-on-one advising, please contact our Pre-Law Adviser, Professor Samantha Pettey. MCLA has agreements with both the University of Massachusetts School of Law (which recently received full accreditation from the American Bar Association) and the Western New England University School of Law, permitting qualified students to enroll after only three years of undergraduate work (see below).
September – October of junior year:
o Student assesses academic performance to date to ensure that the GPA requirement has been met and 50% of required baccalaureate credits have been earned;
o Student prepares for the LSAT;
October – December of junior year:
o Student consults faculty advisor to plan course selection for spring semester of junior year to ensure that all requirements for the baccalaureate degree, other than courses to be taken in the first year of law school, will be fulfilled;
o Student takes either October or December administration of the LSAT;
November – January of junior year:
o Student receives LSAT score and determines if eligible to submit application;
o Student submits transcripts, including fall semester junior year grades, to Credential Assembly Service (CAS);
o Student submits application materials to the School of Law, including:
▪ Application form;
▪ CAS report (includes undergraduate transcript and LSAT scores);
▪ Two letters of recommendation;
▪ Resume
▪ Personal statement;
▪ Letter of eligibility for 3+3 program from faculty advisor;
January – March of junior year:o Student requests interview after application materials have been submitted.
o Student sits for February LSAT if necessary.
Program checklist for 3 + 3 agreements with UMASS and WNEU
Samantha Pettey, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, History, Political Science and Public Policy
(P) 413.662.5551 | (E) S.Pettey@mcla.edu