Begin to Establish a Professional Identity

Undergraduate law-related coursework, plus an active engagement in campus or off-campus community organizations and experiences, will help you cultivate an awareness that being in the law means that you are part of a profession. At its core, it is never too early to learn about the ethical and civic obligations about how to become a responsible citizen in a political community that is governed under law and general norms of civility. Learning professional competence is essential because lawyers are routinely asked to make difficult choices about how to give objective, and emotionally detached, advice to clients who are often in a crisis mode and cannot think too clearly about the situation at hand. A wise rule of thumb is to develop a college mind-set that prepares you for the types of advising and leadership roles you are likely to assume in a legal setting. Pre-law students should develop a curriculum that is based on ethical principles that will be applied in school, legal practice and public affairs; to become effective listeners, communicators, investigators, advocates, problem solvers, and advisers; and, to become proficient in using relevant and rapidly evolving technologies. Constantly reading books about the law, courts and legal profession, and taking part in legal or community internships or public service projects, and being diligent about participating in informal activities that expose you to the experiences legal professionals and law school alumni have in the law and the legal profession will help foster the creation of a professional identity that will guide all of your decisions in law school and after graduation.