Interested in Prelaw at NYU? Here’s What You Need to Know

The practice of law touches countless aspects of society. Capable lawyers work daily on everything from human rights issues and patents on complex technical equipment to contract negotiations in the entertainment field. For this reason, law schools seek applicants with a wide range of strengths and interests.

“Every student’s prelaw journey is different,” says Alexandra Garcia. She’s a former academic and preprofessional adviser at NYU specializing in prelaw. “This is part of the beauty of prelaw and what helps contribute to an intellectually diverse law school classroom.”

This philosophy informs why there isn’t a designated prelaw major at NYU. Instead, students are encouraged to choose a major that allows them to follow their passions, not what they think law school admissions panels expect. But most law schools seek candidates who can demonstrate strength in a few specific skills. These include clear, concise writing, critical thinking, and the ability to undertake detailed research tasks. Creative problem-solving, organization, and time management are also valuable. Luckily, these are the bedrock of a liberal arts education. And all NYU students—regardless of their major—acquire these skills during their undergraduate studies.

Isabella Montano is a Global Liberal Studies major on the prelaw track. Her passions led to a year abroad in Spain and a blossoming interest in international human rights law. Isabella began shaping her path while studying away at NYU Madrid. There, she gained invaluable professional experience to boost her law school application potential.

“I got matched for an internship with a nongovernmental organization legal clinic in Spain, which was very focused on immigration,” she says. “That was my first practical experience in a law office doing that kind of work. At the same time, I was taking a course on US and European comparative human rights. That experience solidified my interest in human rights law.”

Since prelaw students are a self-identified group from a variety of schools at the University, NYU offers ample support and guidance to ensure they are on the right track to thrive after graduation. In addition to specialized prelaw advisers, students have access to the NYU Undergraduate Law Society, an organization that coordinates LSAT prep events, pairs students with mentors in the field of law, and hosts networking and informational events offering expert advice throughout the year.

For Elena Garcia, an English and American Literature major on the prelaw track, these resources have been critical. “As I get closer to graduation, I feel more confident in my ability to navigate the legal space outside of my undergraduate studies due to the advising and professional resources available to me,” she affirms.

The path of an NYU student to a career in the legal field is self-directed. What’s more, NYU offers a wide variety of resources and support to guide them along their journey. Here is a sampling of those resources.

The Lawyer Alumni Mentor Network pairs undergraduate students with acting attorneys in one-on-one mentoring relationships for practical advice and guidance in the field.

The Undergraduate Law Review, Mock Trial, Model UN, and undergraduate law societies provide students with invaluable opportunities to connect with other prelaw students and hone the skills necessary to thrive in law school and beyond.

The Wasserman Center for Career Development offers students specialized career coaching, internship opportunities, alumni and networking events, personalized CV and résumé reviews, and interviewing help.

The staff at the NYU Writing Center help students craft strong application letters and strengthen their writing skills. Also, they will review writing samples for graduate school or internship applications.

The NYU Abu Dhabi Career Development Center provides personalized guidance, advising, and resources to support students during their time at NYU Abu Dhabi and beyond.

Staff at the Center for Career Development at NYU Shanghai host events and curate extensive job and internship lists. Also, they provide individual guidance for students throughout their time on campus.

Alumni events and networking opportunities throughout the year offer current students access to working professionals. These give students exposure to unfiltered advice and valuable insights.

Internship and externship opportunities are available across all NYU campuses and global sites. These opportunities connect students to real-world experience and strengthen their postgraduate application.