Winston Wells, professor of political science and IC’s pre-law advisor, says IC faculty, staff and alumni are effectively helping students navigate the changing landscape of legal education.

Josephine Oshiafi ’14 is a recent graduate who successfully transitioned from the Hilltop to law school. Dr. Wells said Oshiafi was dedicated to the pre-law program, studying abroad at Oxford University and interning at Standard Chartered Bank and KPMG. Upon graduation, Oshiafi was accepted to The University of Chicago Law School, where she graduated in 2017.

“The quality of Josephine’s academic work was superb and matched by an equally impressive sense of maturity and purpose,” said Wells. “She set extremely high standards for herself, both in and out of the classroom, and she consistently reached her goals. Her interest in pursuing a career as an attorney was always serious, and I expect her to have a huge impact in her field."

For aspiring lawyers on the Hilltop wishing to take a similar path, there are a series of steps Wells recommends, beginning with choosing a major. While political science or criminal justice are popular choices, a wide range of disciplines in the liberal arts – from philosophy to economics to English – are effective to promote valuable critical reading and analytical thinking skills needed for law school. Students are encouraged to focus on their passions and obtain the best grades possible. Courses in American politics, constitutional law and associate professor of philosophy John Laumakis’s introduction to logic and critical thinking class are recommended.

During their junior year, students register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), a national organization that provides resources and facilitates the law school admission process. Nearly all of IC’s pre-law students use the LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service to submit their academic transcripts, personal statements and letters of recommendation.

Preparing for the grueling, four-hour Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is another important step that requires months of preparation. A test prep course and practice exams can help students hone their reading comprehension, analytical and logical reasoning, and writing skills.

The student-run Pre-Law Club offers support with trips to nearby law schools and sponsor talks and presentations from practicing attorneys, especially IC alumni. Director of career services, Susie Whittaker Drake ’90, regularly takes students to law school forums to engage with admission representatives. JJ Sadler ’10, the College’s coordinator of internships and undergraduate research, helps students secure internships with local law firms.

Generous scholarships and awards, including the Judge Richard Mills Scholarship and the Richard L. Pratt Memorial Award, support pre-law students. The Roger Huson Endowed Fund for Pre-Law Preparation, gives students financial support to prepare for the LSAT. Seven graduates from the Class of 2017 plan to pursue their law degrees, joining alumni with high acceptance rates to schools like Saint Louis University, Baylor University and Loyola University of Chicago.