Sent by Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising at the University of Kansas on Saturday, Sep 19, 2026
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Estimated Reading Time: About 10 Minutes
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Your Must-Do's and Recommended Things to Know
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DO: Meet with your academic major advisor for help with spring semester classes or keeping on track for graduation, Jayhawks. The Spring 2027 schedule of classes will be available on Sept. 24, 2026.
KNOW: Meet our new pre-law advisor, Blake Bixler! With two full-time advisors for our 1,100+ pre-law students, KU students will have shorter wait times and more personalized support. Find your assigned pre-law and academic major advisors using Jayhawk GPS.
EXPLORE: Find spring classes with the same professors to help with your future letters of recommendation. Before you meet with your academic major advisor, take time to jot down the names of professors you have enjoyed or want to take more classes with. This can help when it comes time to apply to law school, and you need letters of recommendation.
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From the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to KU, we've collected upcoming deadlines, events, and opportunities to mark your calendars for:
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Sept. 22, 2026: Georgetown University Law Center Visit with KU (Register with GULC)
- Sept. 24, 2026: Spring 2027 Schedule of Classes Becomes Available
*Be sure to also check your KU email for when you can enroll in spring classes -
Sept. 26, 2026: AccessLex Law School Launch Virtual Summit (Register for the Summit)
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Sept. 29, 2026: Legal Tech Careers Panel with WashU Law (Register with WashU Law)
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Oct. 2, 2026: UMKC School of Law Virtual Info Session (Register with UMKC)
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Oct. 10, 2026: HKM Pre-Law Scholarship Deadline (Scholarship Info)
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Oct. 10, 2026: University of Arkansas School of Law Virtual Q&A (Register with UArk)
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Oct. 13, 2026: LSAC Virtual Law School Forum (Register with LSAC)
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Oct. 21, 2026: KU School of Law Virtual Information Session (Register with KU Law)
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Oct. 27, 2026: Columbia Law School Virtual Info Session (Register with Columbia Law)
- Nov. 11-14, 2026: LSAT Test Dates (Registration Deadline: Oct. 1, 2026)
*Last LSAT for the 2026 calendar year
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News and Updates Worth Knowing
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It's fall y'all, so you still have time to explore law and finish the semester strong. Here are the headlines that caught our attention:
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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)
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Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising has outgrown its office space and has moved to Wescoe Hall. Wescoe Hall is where more pre-law students take classes, and we anticipate this central location being a convenient stop during the day. Students with existing pre-law advising appointments will receive a reminder email letting them know about office locations changing.
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Join us for the 2026 KU Public Service and Pre-Law Expo taking place on Oct. 14, 2026. This fair is open to all KU students interested in pursuing careers in law and public service industries, including local government, state government, federal government, education, criminal justice, and public administration. Come to the fair to meet representatives from these industries who have jobs, internships, and graduate and law school opportunities. (Learn More and Submit Your Resume Here)
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LSAT registration continues to increase, even with testing changes. The Law School Admission Council now requires in-person testing for most LSAT test takers, with limited exceptions. Compared to last year, both August and September LSAT registrations are up. This means your LSAT scores are still going to be an important factor for a competitive application. (Register for Upcoming LSATs)
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Deep Dive into Opportunities for Pre-Law Students Like You
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KANSAS CITY PATHWAY TO LAW SCHOOL PROGRAM
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The UMKC School of Law and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association are excited to announce its inaugural Kansas City Pathway to Law School Collaborative Program. This day-long program will be held on Oct. 17, 2026, in Kansas City.
This free program is designed to give undergraduate students an inside look at the legal profession and take the next step toward law school. Students will gain practical skills, connect with legal professionals and current law students, and get to experience what it is really like to be a law student. Participants will have the opportunity to:
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Experience a challenging and engaging mock law school class taught by UMKC Law faculty
- Participate in interactive advocacy workshops and hands-on legal training
- Learn about law school admissions, scholarships, and financial aid
- Connect with current UMKC Law students and hear firsthand about their experiences
- Build relationships with Kansas City-area attorneys and other legal professionals
- Meet and network with pre-law students from across the region
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Most importantly, students will leave with a better understanding of the path to law school, valuable tools for preparing for success, and the confidence to see themselves pursuing a career in law. There is no cost to participate, but space is limited. The deadline to register is Oct.9, 2026.
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Other Ways to Explore and Prepare
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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 KU on Tuesday, September 22 beginning at 10 AM. Students can attend these open hearings and see Kansas justice firsthand. (Visit Information Here)
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Then, visit with Georgetown University Law Center on Sept. 22, 2026, at 2 PM. 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)
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Interested in the First Amendment? Join the Hall Center for Humanities on Oct. 1 for its Sawyer Seminar. The Hall Center's Sawyer Seminar series brings experts to KU to discuss current issues facing colleges. This October's seminar, "Censorship & Other Attacks on Academic Freedom", is free to attend and begins at 11 AM.
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Curious about politics and want to know what to expect in November's elections? The KU Dole Institute of Politics organizes nonpartisan events throughout the year to help students and community members learn more about current public affairs. Join the Dole Institute on Oct. 14, at 4 PM, and former U.S. Archivist Colleen Shogan for a guided discussion "Previewing the Midterm Elections" with journalists Kirk Bado and Jacob Rubashkin. Both virtual and in-person options are available, and don't forget that Oct. 13 is the deadline to register to vote in Kansas.
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Applying to law school next year, or graduating and taking a gap year? Each spring, Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising offers a three-credit-hour course for juniors and seniors. SPAA 310 Career Exploration & Planning provides opportunities to explore careers in law and plan for post-graduation opportunities, like law school. The Spring 2027 course will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM in Wescoe Hall.
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Making the Case: Take That "Difficult" Course |
Monthly Advice, Insights, and Perspective From a Pre-Law Advisor
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Hello Jayhawks,
September is in full swing, and there are great pre-law opportunities over the next month. I spent the weekend watching my alma mater, Oklahoma State, play and seeing our Jayhawks play in our first-ever international football game. Neither game was without the hard work of college students practicing and pushing themselves to be more.
I think there is a lesson in the Union Jack Classic for our pre-law students. Playing more than 4,000 miles from home is certainly less familiar, takes more time, and is more complicated than playing in Lawrence. Sometimes, there is value in a good challenge. The same can be said for taking that "hard" course that you might be putting off.
Each year, thousands of law students participate in the national LSSSE study, which tracks law school trends. Among 2025 respondents, several things stand out to me:
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More than 62% of law students reported they either "often" or "very often" prepared two or more drafts of a paper or assignment before turning it in.
- More than 67% of law students reported they will write at least one paper that is 20 or more pages that year. More than 11% will have to write at least four papers that are 20 or more pages.
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More than 57% of law students reported they either "often" or "very often" asked questions in class or contributed to class discussions.
- Less than 14% of law students reported they either "often" or "very often" came to class without completing readings or assignments.
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LSSSE helps us step back, see the kinds of work that law students regularly do and how they prepare for class. While there are no required "pre-law courses" for law school, I want to make the case that taking that "harder" course can be worthwhile. When you meet with your academic advisor soon, ask about opportunities to take writing and reading-intensive courses. Don't just pick the hardest or most demanding courses. Your GPA matters. Be intentional and find courses that help prepare you for the reading, writing, and research skills needed for law school.
This semester, if you are taking that "harder" course and it's moved from challenging to now overwhelming, let's talk. Opting for credit/no credit grading can sometimes reduce grading pressure while you keep practicing these critical pre-law skills. However, CR/NC can affect pre-law students differently when LSAC recalculates your GPA, so check with your academic major and pre-law advisors before deciding.
Your bachelor's degree is helping you learn more about yourself and the world. So, find the right opportunities to lean into this next week: think about how you might ask a question in class, speak up in a discussion group, take another look at your essay draft before submitting, or spend more time working through a difficult reading. You've got this, and don't forget that you have pre-law and academic major advisors behind you!
Rock Chalk,
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Jake Brillhart
Lead Pre-Law Advisor
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Your KU email account is the official channel for important university communications.
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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.
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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 .
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| Jayhawk Pre-Law Advising
prelaw.ku.edu
prelaw@ku.edu
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Wescoe Hall
1445 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045
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Bus Routes: 11/12, 30/36, 34/38, 41, 42, and 43.
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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
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