Pre-Law Preview Part II | Tips and Reflections from Upper-Level Pre-Law Students

Alyse Caldwell – Class of 2026 – Major in Sociology, Minors in Political Science and Criminology shares, “Told my high school advisor I wanted to be a criminal defense attorney, and she told me I should pick sociology and criminology as my major and minor. But then, when talking to other inspiring lawyers, everyone was majoring in political science, so I added that on as well. But don’t do what I did because guess what, you can go to law school with ANY major or minor.”

Ben Aranda – Class of 2028, Major in Sociology, Minors in Criminology, Law & Society and Recreation, Sport & Tourism (RST) shares, “My choice of minors may seem to be a little odd at first, but I ultimately chose those two because I felt that they could really help my understanding of the practices of law that I want to go into. My criminology minor is explanatory: it would be greatly beneficial for criminal law. I’ve always been interested in criminology and even parts of forensics. However, I also have an RST minor because I’m very interested in sports law. NIL has taken over college athletics, and I would love to put my hat in the ring. Knowing the sports industry, and even parts of the entertainment industry, can really help me reach that goal, especially since sports law can be very niche.”

Erika Efigenio – Class of 2027 – Major in Political Science, Minors in Italian and Mandarin Chinese shares, “I picked my political science major because government and politics have always caught my attention, to be informed about the governmental systems. As a Latina, I have always thought the worst about the government, and I wanted to be a more educated person to correct misinformation and educate my community more. I chose my minors (Italian and Mandarin Chinese) with a pure interest in expanding my language knowledge. I love learning about new cultures and languages, and I hope to continue in expanding my multilingual skills.”

Julia Trevino – Class of 2027 – Major in Information Sciences, Minor in Legal Studies shares, “I wanted a major that offered technical rigor but also genuinely interested me. My program strikes a great balance between STEM and the liberal arts, which was important to me. With my technical background, I wanted to keep building those skills while also exploring how technology impacts people and society. It has given me both the depth and flexibility to grow in areas that matter to me and align with the type of law I want to pursue.”

Julia Trevino – Class of 2027 shares, “The University of Illinois clubs MAFA (Minority Association for Future Attorneys) and the Pre-Law Honors Society were really helpful in connecting me with other pre-law students and providing mentorship. The events they host, such as panel discussions and Zoom conferences, gave me insight into different legal paths and helped me feel more supported in the process. The PLAS APPtitude Program was also valuable, as it offered a more realistic look at what a legal career is like on a day-to-day level, which was helpful in deciding if this path is truly the right fit. In my opinion, it is also important to get involved with pre-law opportunities outside of school. Look for local initiatives, volunteer efforts, and fellowship/internships. Expanding beyond campus can really broaden your perspective and make your experience more meaningful.”

Ben Aranda – Class of 2028 shares, “I found lots of benefits in attending law chats, even for law schools that you may not be interested in attending. They drop so much valuable information on the application process, their law programs, or even ways to boost your resume to make it stand out. Doesn’t matter what year you are, there will always be great takeaways. You can find law chats hosted by certain pre-law RSOs, like Latinx in Law or Pre-Law Honors Society, or even pre-law advising services. I LOVED the Illinois and Iowa Law Chat from last year, especially since those two law schools are front-runners for schools I want to go to.”

Anais Tatem – Class of 2028 shares, “As a pre-law student, some of the most helpful resources have been the Pre-Law Advising Services (PLAS), law-focused RSOs, and events hosted by the Women’s Undergraduate Law Society (WULS). PLAS offers great workshops that walk you through everything from what law schools are looking for to how to start preparing early. This made the whole process feel less intimidating. Being involved in WULS has also been a huge help because it gave me a space to connect with other students on the same path, learn from guest speakers, and explore different legal fields I had not considered before. Aside from that, even classes outside of law, like my finance courses, have been surprisingly helpful in building the critical thinking and analytical skills I know I will need in the future.”

Alyse Caldwell – Class of 2026 shares, “I just secured an internship for Fall 2025. But what I can say about the process is not to get discouraged because this process will not be as fast as others.”

Julia Trevino – Class of 2027 shares, “This summer, I am interning with a public policy consulting and lobbying firm specializing in strategic advocacy and government relations. I have gained hands-on experience in public policy through drafting policy briefs and corresponding directly with embassy officials and congressional staff, which has significantly strengthened both my writing and communication skills. It has been incredibly valuable to witness how targeted advocacy and relationship building influence real-world policy outcomes. This internship has also exposed me to a field I previously knew little about, and that exposure has sparked a growing interest in pursuing a legal career focused on technology policy and regulation. In addition, I have been working with a local legal nonprofit, which has taught me the value of community engagement and the importance of helping at the local level. It has shown me how impactful legal work can be when it is rooted in service and accessibility, and how many ways one can be involved in supporting others through everyday advocacy.”

Diti Nainwal – Class of 2027 shares, “The class I’ve enjoyed the most thus far is Math 257 (Linear Algebra). I took Math 285 (Intro to Differential Equations) with 257, and it was very interesting to see the way that matrices helped pave the path to solve certain differential equations.”

Alyse Caldwell – Class of 2026 shares, “At Illinois, some classes I have enjoyed the most so far are Criminology (SOC 275) and Forensic Science (ANTH 246). These two are my favorite because everything that was taught in this class caught my attention and had me excited to share with my loved ones the things I had learned in class.”

Erika Efigenio – Class of 2027 shares, “PS 270 (Intro to Political Theory) is a great course that I highly recommend, with the way that it makes you think about politics through a theoretical lens. I learned how to ask deeper questions in evaluating political situations.”

Emma Costello-Wollwage – Class of 2028 shares, “Even though I’m a Political Science and English major, I really enjoyed Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies (ASTR 122). I’d recommend taking classes outside of your major- it’s so refreshing to learn about new things on top of your passion.”

Julia Trevino – Class of 2027 shares, “One of my favorite classes at Illinois was IS 203: Analytical Foundations for Information Problems. I enjoyed how it introduced mathematical concepts like predicate logic and neural networks, which are especially relevant to learning systems in generative AI. It was the first course that helped me see the technical side of information sciences, connecting directly with real-world tech issues. I also really enjoyed LAW 301: Introduction to Law for Undergraduates. It provided a strong foundation in legal reasoning and explored how law functions as a tool for social change. It was a great starting point for understanding what a legal education might look like. LAW 303, Living the Law, was another standout course. It combined a broad overview of major areas of law with hands-on simulations that helped me understand how lawyers, judges, and lawmakers actually work. It was approachable but informative, and gave me a better sense of what law school and legal practice might involve.”

Diti Nainwal – Class of 2027 shares, “I usually go for runs when I’m stressed and tire myself out enough physically where I don’t have enough energy to ruminate over whatever is stressing me out.”

Alyse Caldwell – Class of 2026 shares, “I have managed any stress or anxiety during my undergraduate studies by not procrastinating to complete any assignments, therefore I can have solo dates or free time over the weekend.”

Erika Efigenio – Class of 2027 shares, “The best piece of advice I have learned in managing my stress and anxiety is to enjoy everything that campus has to offer. When I start to feel stressed with my work, I like to distract myself by going to athletic games with my friends and trying new food and drink places on campus. Working on a different class assignment and coming back to the problem with a fresh set of eyes is also a great technique.”

Anais Tatem – Class of 2028 shares, “Managing stress and anxiety in college has definitely been a learning process for me. One of the biggest things that has helped is keeping a routine that includes time for myself. Whether that’s going to the gym, going on a walk, getting coffee with a friend, or just taking a break from my screen, those little moments help me reset. I’ve also learned to lean on my support system, whether it’s talking to family, friends, or other students who are going through the same thing. And when things start to feel overwhelming, I remind myself that it’s okay to ask for help and that I don’t have to do everything perfectly. Giving myself grace and staying grounded in why I’m here has made a big difference.”

Ben Aranda – Class of 2028 shares, “I’ve had my ups and downs my first year, and I found it important not to get discouraged about your grades. Something you’ll learn is that grades are weighed very differently here than in high school. It’s inevitable that you may find yourself getting a grade that you weren’t hoping for, whether on an assignment or even a class. It’s okay to be upset in the moment, but it’s important that you pick yourself up and keep moving forward. Maintain that positive, hard-working mindset, and things will fall into place.”

Julia Trevino – Class of 2027 shares, “Meditation and journaling have really helped me manage stress and anxiety during college. Writing things down clears my head and helps me figure out what I am feeling, what I need to do, and how to get back on track. I have also learned how important it is not to isolate myself. Spending time with friends and leaning on family has made a big difference when things get overwhelming. Having that support system keeps me grounded.”