Pre-Law Program
Program Coordinator
Matthew Chick (Political Science)
Program
Pre-Law
About
The Pre-Law Program at Hartwick consists of aims pursued within the liberal arts education provided by our Promise Core curriculum and a major in the arts and sciences, rather than a specific pre-professional major or sequence of required courses. The Pre-Law program coordinator at Hartwick provides guidance to students interested in law-related careers.
Requirements
A successful application to law school depends on a combination of academic achievement, significant participation in campus activities, and an above average score on the Law School Admission Test. Most law schools are looking for “A” and high “B” students.
Following the guidelines of the Association of American Law Schools, we recommend individualized courses of study that:
• provide basic information about economic, political, and social institutions
• cultivate an appreciation for historical documentation and analysis
• develop skills in oral and written use of the English language
• develop the ability to think creatively and critically through deduction, induction, and by analogy
The coordinator counsels students to educate themselves broadly, challenge themselves in a major, and maintain a high academic average. Additionally, there is semi-regular programming on tips for both applying to Law school and interacting with professionals in the Legal field/community.
Popular majors for pre-law students are English, political science, economics, and philosophy. Opportunities to become familiar with the practice of law itself are available through internships and job-shadowing programs. Most prospective students also choose to minor in Legal Studies which compliments many majors nicely (Please see the separate Legal Studies Minor section of the catalog).
The following courses that are offered at Hartwick are directly relevant to the legal field:
Courses that complement an interest in law and help prepare one for law school are:
Hartwick pre-law students have been accepted at a broad range of excellent law schools, including:
- Cornell University
- Syracuse University
- The University of Vermont
- Wake Forest University
- George Washington
- Boston University
- University of Buffalo
- Albany Law
- Pace
- University of Maine
- Hofstra Law
3+3 Law Program with Albany Law School
Under this program, highly qualified students can be considered for admission to Albany Law School after their third year at Hartwick. During students’ first year at Hartwick, they apply to Albany. Students are accepted on the strength of their high school record and undergraduate potential. They receive a bachelor’s degree from Hartwick after successfully completing three years at Hartwick and their first year of study at Albany Law School.