Application Planning: Summer To-Do List

The law application process can feel overwhelming at times. The good news is that we are here to break the process down into actionable, bite-sized pieces to support your success on this journey. Summer can be a great time to lay the foundation for a successful (and less stressful!) application season!

Below are recommendations on how to prioritize your summer application work. We look forward to supporting you throughout this process.

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2024-2025 Pre-Law Year In Review

The 2024 – 2025 academic year was busy and filled with many successes and inevitable challenges, including a highly competitive admissions cycle. We are proud of the determination, resilience, and accomplishments of all our Illini pre-law students and alumni this year!


We thank our UIUC pre-law student & alumni leaders, law expert volunteers, and all those who helped support our over 2000 pre-law Illini this academic year!

Read below for some highlights from this year!

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Summer & Fall 2025 Course Recommendations

It’s time to get excited about Summer & Fall courses! Each semester we receive many questions from pre-law students regarding courses helpful in preparation for law school. Pre-Law Advising has made a helpful chart with suggested classes pre-law students might find useful and interesting when planning and exploring a legal education.

In general, students interested in going to law school should take classes that focus on analytical and critical thinking, communication, research and writing, and when possible – legal topics of interest. The recommended course list includes classes from many disciplines that might serve one or more of these goals. Look at the chart to find courses that interest you and will help build the necessary skills for law school.

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Leadership in Law

With guest authors Elizabeth King ’26 and CJ Maples ’27

As you may have heard before, leadership is a critical skill to succeed in law school and the legal profession. The American Bar Association frequently emphasizes the importance of leadership to work effectively with clients, judges, and fellow colleagues. What exactly does leadership look like for attorneys and what opportunities exist for students to develop leadership skills before starting their careers? Read below to learn more!

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Law School Insider: Reflections from the First Semester of Law School

As law students move through each semester of their law school journey, they learn and experience new things. We asked some of our newest Illini law students to share reflections about their first semester of law school.

Read on to hear what they have to share!

If you want to see what your fellow Illini had to share after the first few weeks of law school, click here.

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Internships for Pre-Law Students


With guest authors Carter Cohen '25 and Elizabeth King '26.

There are many internship opportunities available to students interested in law, and they come in both legal and non-legal forms. Legal internships, like those with law firms or a legal-focused non-profit, provide direct exposure to legal procedures and casework. Government internships, like those in courts, or government agencies, provide experience in courtrooms or crafting public policy. Non-legal internships, such as those in corporations, can also be highly valuable in developing core skills and providing practical experience in fields that overlap with law.

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Fall 2024 – Exploring Gap Year Opportunities


Pursuing opportunities before law school can contribute significantly to an applicant’s success and offer tremendous benefits personally, academically, and professionally. Whether you ultimately decide to pursue an opportunity before law school or go “straight through”, future applicants should consider how a timeline that includes a “gap year(s)” might enhance their application and contribute to their ultimate success as a law student!

Below is a collection of resources to assist in your decision-making!

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