Pre-Law Resources
Law school represents a substantial financial investment. The cost to attend law school could exceed $150,000 once the cost of tuition, housing, food, books, transportation and personal expenses are all accounted for. As with any large expenditure, it is necessary to consider the pros and cons of investing this much effort, time and money.
The best source for information on how to finance your legal education is the financial aid office of the law school that you plan to attend. Speaking generally, most students finance their legal education in part — though not exclusively — through educational loans. These loans are paid back with future income; the more you borrow, the more you will owe in principal and interest, and the longer this debt will impact your life after graduation. For these reasons, the Law School Admission Council recommends the following guidelines for taking on educational debt:
- Borrow the minimum amount possible to attend the law school you choose.
- Borrow federal loans first, as they offer the most flexible repayment options and provide more opportunities for payment relief than private loans.
- Avoid private student loans unless you are an international student and therefore not eligible for federal student loans.
Other options for financial aid exist but are limited. This includes Federal Work-Study funding, scholarships, grants and fellowships. Most law school scholarships are merit-based and are often directly tied to your LSAT score or LSAT/GPA. LSAC has compiled a list of questions every prospective student should ask law school financial aid offices.
The following is a list of websites where you can explore various law schools.
Please refer to the Law School Admissions Council's website for helpful tips on preparing for the LSAT and what to expect on test day.
Below are popular student-run organizations for pre-law students. This is by no means an exhaustive resource; please visit WaveSync for a full list of student organizations on Tulane's campus.
