What You’ll Study in the Prelaw Pathway
Obtain a liberal arts education at Reed College while preparing for a career in law. Select a major in which you will thrive, and form relationships with your professors so they become familiar with your work. Explore summer jobs and internships in law or policy, and plan ahead to prepare for the LSAT. Meet with our prelaw adviser to assess your academic and extracurricular experiences and discuss the application process.
Roadmap to the Prelaw Pathway at Reed
Earn your bachelor's degree at Reed in a program of interest to you. Gain the knowledge and skills, from problem-solving to research, that prepare you for medical school. Reed’s pre-health faculty, along with the Center for Life Beyond Reed, will help you plan your course selection, timeline, and application process, as well as provide you with interview and personal statement support.
Year One
Begin Your Reed Journey
In your first year, lay a strong foundation for your future studies. There are no major requirements for law school, so select a field in which you will excel. Get to know your professors, and begin to research the requirements for law school, like the LSAT.
Along with all of your first-year classmates, take Humanities 110, a cornerstone Reed course that studies how past and present human cultures shape our world. This interdisciplinary journey hones your critical thinking and writing skills while encouraging you to think beyond conventional academic boundaries.
Year Two
Explore Prelaw Resources and Internships
Dive deeper into your major, and begin to plan whether you want to attend law school right after graduation or take time off before applying. Law schools generally favor applicants with one to two years of work experience, so you may want to seek out internships and other research opportunities during your summer breaks. Collaborate with esteemed faculty on their projects or find outside opportunities to develop analytical and research skills.
Year Three
Take the Junior Qualifying Exam
Continue your major courses, strengthening your expertise in your chosen field. Take upper division classes that center the law as a subject of inquiry, like Race and the Law in American History (comparative race and ethnicity studies); Law and Economics (economics); and Law and Society (sociology).
As the capstone of your bachelor’s degree at Reed, take the junior qualifying exam in your major department. Depending on your program, you may conduct research or answer a series of quantitative or essay questions.
Year Four
Write Your Senior Thesis
Prepare for and complete your senior thesis during your final year at Reed. The senior thesis marks the culmination of your academic career at Reed. Build on what you’ve learned over the past three years to explore a problem or answer a question that holds particular significance to you.
Work with the Center for Life Beyond Reed to build an application timeline that includes when you plan to take the LSAT. Line up a schedule of final steps, including registering for LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS), sending transcripts, and requesting recommendations. Begin drafting and revising your personal statement, and complete your applications by early to mid-November.
Why Pursue the Prelaw Pathway at Reed
Reed Alumni Legal Network
At Reed, the path to law school is supported by a network of Reed alumni practicing in the field. Information sessions and panel discussions with alumni in the field help you understand what law schools are looking for and give you a broader understanding of career options. Reed's Alumni Legal Network established the Legal Education Access Fund to support students interested in pursuing a career in law.
Watch Reed Alumni Talk About Patent Law
Learn About Reed's Alumni Legal Network
