PRE-LAW

Wartburg does not have a “pre-law” major.  That’s because we believe the best way to prepare our students for law school and the legal profession is to provide a top-notch liberal arts education.  We want you to study what you are most passionate about while also focusing on critical thinking, written and oral communication, and leadership skills.

Wartburg is also committed to getting you ready for the law school admission process.  Whether it’s individual meetings to discuss grades and courses, trips to visit law schools, or an on-campus LSAT preparation class, we will assist and guide throughout your time with us.

Our graduates have experienced tremendous success.  They are in a variety of law-related careers in private practice, the military, corporate law, criminal prosecution and defense, and more.  A Wartburg graduate who attends law school has the entire Wartburg community of alums behind them.  

At Wartburg, we believe that the world will always need competent and ethical attorneys. As we prepare our students for lives of leadership and service, we will give you the individual attention you need to prepare for law school and beyond.

LAW RELATED COURSES
Business Law I and II
Constitutional Law
Media Law & Ethics
Philosophy
Introduction to Peace and Justice
Building Peace and Justice
Introduction to American Politics
Crime and Deviance
Environmental Politics

Pre-Law Club

Friendship.  Scholarship.  Diplomacy.
The Spalatin Society:  Advising the Wartburg Community Since 1509

The Spalatin Society provides opportunities for fun and learning. Students interested in pursuing a career in law gather on a regular basis to talk about law school, meet alumni, and learn about the practice of law.

George Spalatin was born in Germany in 1484 and he studied law and religion at the University of Erfurt.  In 1509, he became a confidant and advisor to Frederick the Wise, the Elector of Saxony.  He was also a friend and confidant of Martin Luther.  Spalatin, who accompanied Frederick to the Diet of Augsburg in 1518 and the Diet of Worms in 1521, negotiated with papal representatives and his diplomatic efforts were important in the early years of the Reformation.  After Luther refused to recant or rescind his positions at the Diet of Worms, Spalatin is credited with convincing Frederick to provide protection to Luther at the Wartburg Castle. 

LAW SCHOOL PREPARATION

There is no such thing as a prelaw curriculum. Law schools accept students from all majors and backgrounds. You should be preparing to succeed in law school, not preparing to succeed at getting into law school. This means you should be working toward the strongest possible college record you can achieve. But like it or not, law school admissions is a numbers game; your undergraduate GPA and your score on the LSAT are the two most important factors determining the likelihood of acceptance into the law school of your choice.

But having the numbers to get in to law school does not guarantee you will be able to master a demanding law school curriculum if you haven’t honed the skills you need. You need strong writing skills and demonstrable ability in communication and reasoning. Lawyers must analyze complex and often conflicting cases and statutes which demand logical and analytical thinking, and the ability to express their reasoning with clarity and precision. Seminar format courses that accentuate writing and discussion usually contribute to developing these skills. Math, philosophy and engineering majors may find they are developing logical skills that may not have a specific application to the law, but will be of enormous use in general application to the study of law. If you feel your major does not adequately prepare you to write well or to think logically and analytically, you should take electives that will. Take challenging courses, and exercise the self-discipline to do well in those courses.

Additional Tips

Don't neglect extracurricular activities that will help to separate you from other applicants with similar numbers. Any responsible leadership role you have taken helps to show admissions committees you have varied talents beyond your academic ones. Study abroad, honors you accumulate, work experience, internships--all enhance your application.

For those who have been out of school for more than a year or two, your undergraduate GPA will be less important. The law schools will focus more on your LSAT score and your accomplishments since leaving school. Graduate training and professional accomplishments are important, but community activities, child-rearing, political involvement, etc., will also be considered by admissions committees.

Much of the information found here is more extensively and ably handled in resources available at the Academic Resource Center (ARC) in the Vogel Library: the LSAT/LSDAS Registration and Information BookThe Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools, law school catalogs, and publications on the suggested reading list. We invite you to come to ARC and use our resources, and to talk with us about your questions, concerns and plans for a future in law.Here are links to some helpful resources if you are considering law school and the legal profession:

ADVISER

Karen Thalacker

Title IX Coordinator