Sent by Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising at the University of Kansas on Thursday, Aug 27, 2026
|
Estimated Reading Time: 9.5 Minutes
|
|
|
|
Your Must-Do's and Recommended Things to Know
|
DO: Meet with a pre-law advisor this semester and confirm graduation plans, if you are planning to apply to law school this year.
KNOW: Your GPA can be the difference between getting into law school or getting into law school with a good scholarship. For most students, a 3.5 or higher GPA is a great goal to start. Some law schools have higher or lower average GPAs, so ask a pre-law advisor if unsure.
EXPLORE: Visit with law schools at MINK Law Day on Sept. 2. If you are applying to law school in the next few years, mark your calendar! This free event brings together over 70 law schools from across the country to Kansas, and it can be a great way for sophomores, juniors, and seniors to explore law programs.
|
|
|
|
From the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to KU, we've collected upcoming deadlines, events, and opportunities to mark your calendars for:
|
- Aug. 28, 2026: Last Day to Drop Most KU Courses for a 100% Refund
- Sept. 1, 2026: Most Law Schools Open Applications for Fall 2027 Applicants
- Sept. 2, 2026: MINK Law Day in Overland Park, Kansas (Register for MINK Law Day)
-
Sept. 10, 2026: KU School of Law Virtual Information Session (Register to Attend)
- Sept. 14, 2026: Last day to withdraw/drop most KU courses without a "W"
-
Sept. 24, 2026: Spring 2027 Schedule of Classes Becomes Available
- Oct. 7-10, 2026: LSAT Test Dates (Registration Deadline: Aug. 27, 2026)
- Oct. 13, 2026: Last Day to Register to Vote in Kansas
- Oct. 14, 2026: KU Public Service and Pre-Law Expo at Kansas Memorial Union
- Nov. 11-14, 2026: LSAT Test Dates (Registration Deadline: Oct. 1, 2026)
*Last LSAT for the 2026 calendar year
|
|
|
|
News and Updates Worth Knowing
|
You got this, Jayhawks! Take some time to enjoy the warm weather, and let's start this semester strong. Here is what that caught our attention:
|
-
See the Kansas Court of Appeals at KU on Sept. 22, 2026. In honor of Constitution Day, the Kansas Court of Appeals will be hearing oral arguments in two cases at the KU Dole Institute on Tuesday, September 22 beginning at 10 AM. Students can attend these open hearings and see Kansas justice firsthand. (Visit Information Here)
-
Then, visit with Georgetown University Law Center on Sept. 22, 2026. KU students will get to learn more about Georgetown Law, its admission process, and ask questions. Georgetown Law invites KU students to join on Zoom and looks forward to getting to know you. Registration is required. (Register to Attend Here)
- The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences will host an in-person LSAT preparation course this fall semester. This course will start on Oct. 5 and end on Nov. 9, and it will meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings. (Course Registration Information Here)
-
The LSAT returns to almost all in-person testing this school year. Starting Aug. 2026, the LSAT is returning to in-center testing for almost all test takers, with limited exceptions for certain medical accommodations or extreme distance in getting to a testing center. If you are planning to take the LSAT this year, be sure to plan travel time as well. The nearest LSAT testing centers for most KU students are in Topeka and Overland Park, Kansas.
-
Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising is growing. For three years, Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising supported hundreds of students explore and prepare for their future. This year, we saw a record 1,166 declared pre-law students at KU. We are excited to announce that Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising is growing and has hired a second advisor. This new advisor will begin meeting with pre-law students in late-September.
|
|
|
| Deep Dive into Opportunities for Pre-Law Students Like You
|
Get Exposure to Law by Volunteering with Kansas State Courts |
Many pre-law students try to seek out internship experience before applying. However, it can be more helpful (and easier) to get legal exposure rather than legal experience. This could include taking law-related courses like LDST 292 Leading with the Law or BLAW 301 Legal Aspects of Business. It also can include hands-on, volunteering opportunities. In Douglas County, we have two state-sponsored opportunities for KU students to get exposure to law and give back to our community.
This fall, the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration (OJA) is launching a Court Navigator Program. Court Navigators are volunteers, who get hands-on experience with state courts and public service. Court Navigators serve in local courthouses and help court visitors navigate the courthouse and its services. KU students may be able to receive internship course credit for this experience but should consult with their academic major advisor first. As a navigator, no prior legal experience is required, and you will receive comprehensive training and ongoing supervision. Interested students can contact Jacquie Ring at jring@ncsc.org.
The Douglas County district court operates other, long-standing volunteer programs. The court's law library has an immediate need for student volunteers. This position lets students experience helping attorneys and the public who visit the law library, while allowing you flexible time. If you are interested in a more ongoing commitment, consider the Citizen Review Board and work with children involved in district court cases. However you want to get involved, completing a volunteer interest form is your first step.
|
|
|
|
Other Ways to Explore and Prepare
|
-
University Honors Program students can apply for an Honors Opportunity Award (HOA). The first HOA application opens on Sept. 1 and closes on Sept. 21. An HOA can help you fund many academic enrichment opportunities and can also help students with LSAT preparation costs and test registration. (Apply for an HOA Here)
-
Well qualified first-year students can apply for the Legal Education Accelerated Degree (LEAD) Program. This program allows KU students to earn both a bachelor of arts (BA) and a juris doctor (JD) degree in six years instead of seven. Current first semester KU freshman interested in applying are encouraged to contact program coordinator Mego Londeen with any questions before submitting an application to ensure full understanding of the program. First-year students must apply by the end of their first semester.
-
AccessLex hosts "Applying to Law School" webinar on Sept. 10. Once you’ve identified your target schools, being strategic and thoughtful in applying is the best way to increase your chances of receiving a law school acceptance letter. During this event, an Accredited Financial Counselor® from AccessLex Institute® will review the essential components of a successful law school application. (Webinar Information Here)
|
|
|
|
Making the Case: Why A Little Statistics Matter |
Monthly Advice, Insights, and Perspective From a Pre-Law Advisor
|
Welcome Jayhawks ,
It is great to see our campus back to life! We welcomed over 350 new pre-law Jayhawks, and this fall, our pre-law flock has grown by 9% at KU. These numbers are exciting, but they remind how much numbers influence how we think about law schools. I want to take a moment and talk about one my favorite things: statistics and law. If you are still reading, kudos! I want to make the case that knowing a little about statistics can help you be prepared for (and applying to) law school.
Oftentimes, I am asked to predict whether a student "will get into this law school" or "how likely is a scholarship offer." With a quick online search, students can find calculators that claim to predict the chance of getting into a particular law school or websites claiming actual data on applicants who got in, were waitlisted, or denied. To be clear, it can be stressful relying on well-intentioned online advice and not knowing whether that advice is actually helpful.
So, what can pre-law students do to be more informed? Knowing these three statistical ideas can help you be more prepared:
|
-
Pre-law students often go to Reddit and other websites to find information. There is a real issue with self-selection and non-response biases here. All 82,431 people who applied to law school this last year did not post their results online. Be cautious relying on websites where people share "their GPAs and LSAT scores that got them into law school."
-
It can be tempting to say, "I'm above this law school's 'average' GPA and LSAT score, so I will get in." That's an ecological fallacy, and law school applications are holistic. Avoid assuming that big-picture trends always apply to you and your specific circumstances.
-
The LSAT is designed and used to answer one question: does someone have the skills to be successful in law school? This is called construct and predictive validity. The LSAT is a reliable way to predict first-year grades in law school. Knowing that the LSAT is different from your college final and what it actually measures can help you study better.
|
I want to be clear: you don't need a Minor in Statistics to get into law school. However, knowing a little about statistics can help you better navigate life (and your path to law school). If you have questions, always feel free to use Jayhawk GPS and schedule a time to talk more! When scheduling, just select "Academic Advising" and then "Career/Graduate School" as the appointment type to find a time. You have the help of Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising as you explore, prepare, or apply to law school.
Rock Chalk,
|
Jake Brillhart
Lead Pre-Law Advisor
|
|
|
|
Your KU email account is the official channel for important university communications.
|
|
|
|
Getting ready for law school is a big task. We're here to help. Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising offers resources to help you apply for law school and prepare for your legal education.
|
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the and and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, , Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the .
|
|
| Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising
prelaw.ku.edu
prelaw@ku.edu
|
Summerfield Hall Room 315
1300 Sunnyside Avenue
Lawrence, KS 66045
|
Bus Routes: 8, 11 & 12, 41, and 42
|
|
|
|
|
No longer interested in law school? Don't want to receive more information from Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising? Have more questions? Please email prelaw@ku.edu
|
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
1450 Jayhawk Blvd. University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS 66045 US
|
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|
