Pre-Law
Four accelerated 3+3 law school partnerships. A dedicated pre-law advisor from day one. And the freedom to major in anything—because law schools value diverse thinkers, and so do we.
Pre-law at John Carroll
There is no one major for law school. That’s the point.
Choose the undergraduate path that fits your interests and goals, then build the skills, experiences and preparation you need for law school.
JCU pre-law advising is open to students in any major. You’ll work with a dedicated pre-law advisor to plan coursework, prepare for the LSAT, explore law schools and build a competitive application.
What should I major in?
Major in something you want to study deeply.
Law schools value strong readers, writers, researchers, problem-solvers and critical thinkers. That means your best undergraduate major is often the one in which you can develop those skills, perform well academically and build a compelling story about what you want to do next.
Your pre-law advisor can help you connect your major, electives, Law & Society minor, internships and co-curricular experiences into a coherent law-school preparation plan.
More than a course sequence
Build your law-school preparation into your JCU experience.
Pre-law at JCU combines individualized advising with academic preparation, practical experience and opportunities to test your interest in the legal profession before you apply.
Dedicated advising
Work with a pre-law advisor from early exploration through LSAT planning, school selection and the application process.
Law & Society
Add an interdisciplinary minor that helps you examine law through political, philosophical, historical and social perspectives.
Mock Trial
Practice argumentation, evidence analysis, public speaking and courtroom strategy through competitive Mock Trial.
Pre-Law Society
Connect with other students considering legal careers and engage with attorneys, alumni, law schools and professional opportunities.
Internships & experience
Explore legal work through internships, research, service, campus leadership and professional experiences in Greater Cleveland.
Application preparation
Build a timeline for the LSAT, personal statement, recommendations, school research and application deadlines.
Save a full year
3+3 Accelerated Law School Programs
Earn your bachelor’s degree and J.D. in six years instead of the traditional seven.
A traditional path typically means four years of undergraduate study followed by three years of law school. With JCU’s 3+3 pathway, you complete three years of undergraduate study at John Carroll, then begin law school in your fourth year. Credits from your first year of law school fulfill your remaining JCU bachelor’s degree requirements, allowing you to complete both degrees in six years.
How the 3+3 pathway works
Study at John Carroll
Complete your undergraduate major, Core requirements and the coursework needed to qualify for the accelerated law pathway.
Begin law school
Start your first year of law school. Those law school credits also fulfill your remaining requirements for your JCU bachelor’s degree.
Complete your J.D.
Continue through your final two years of law school and complete your Juris Doctor degree.
Bachelor’s degree + J.D.One year faster than the traditional 4+3 pathway.
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Pair your JCU education with a JD from Case Western Reserve, a nationally recognized leader in legal education and innovation. Coordinated advising from both JCU and CWRU Law.
Requirements 3.6 GPA · LSAT 157
Deadline Nov. 30 of junior year
Cleveland State University College of Law
Begin your legal training early with Cleveland State’s respected JD program. Deep connections to Cleveland’s legal community, with an evening program available for flexibility.
Requirements 3.4 GPA on 91 credit hours · LSAT at the median of the entering 1L class (currently 155)
Deadline March 1 of junior year
University of Akron School of Law
Earn your JD through a streamlined pathway with Akron Law, known for its practical training in intellectual property and trial advocacy and strong regional connections.
Requirements LSAT at or above ~25th percentile of entering class (currently 151) · GPA at or above median of incoming class (currently 3.54)
Deadline Contact Pre-Law advising
Saint Louis University School of Law
Extend your Jesuit education into law school at SLU, another Jesuit university. Students apply as 3+3 candidates after completing 91 credit hours; SLU does not use a guaranteed-admission threshold.
Requirements No guaranteed-admission threshold · apply as a 3+3 candidate after 91 credit hours
Deadline Semester after you complete 91 hours
For CWRU, Cleveland State, and Akron, meeting the stated requirements means guaranteed admission; you still apply. “Currently” LSAT and GPA figures can change with each entering class. Meet with Dr. Elizabeth Stiles early to map your path. LSAT is typically taken in June after sophomore year or October of junior year.
Your network starts at JCU
Where Our Students Go
Your pre-law preparation does not end at the classroom door. JCU students build connections through faculty, alumni, internships, law-school partnerships and the legal community.
JCU graduates regularly meet students for coffee, review resumes and personal statements, provide internships, conduct mock interviews, share advice about choosing a law school and help students make professional connections. You are not just joining a pre-law program. You are joining a community of lawyers invested in helping the next generation succeed.
Recent graduates have attended law schools including:
Alumni employers include Jones Day, Foley & Lardner, BakerHostetler, Mayer Brown, Calfee Halter & Griswold, Taft, Reminger, Legal Aid, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, among others.
3+3 is one option
You can also build a traditional four-year path to law school.
You do not need to choose the accelerated pathway to benefit from JCU’s pre-law resources. Your advisor can help you build a plan around your major, interests and timing.
Explore
Choose your major, meet your pre-law advisor, build strong academic habits and begin exploring legal careers.
Build
Add relevant coursework, consider the Law & Society minor, join Mock Trial or Pre-Law Society and seek experience.
Prepare
Research law schools, prepare for the LSAT, deepen internships and begin developing your application strategy.
Apply
Finalize your school list, personal statement, recommendations and applications while completing your JCU degree.
Pre-law questions
What prospective students often want to know
Does John Carroll have a pre-law major?
No. Pre-law is an advising and preparation pathway rather than a major. You can pursue pre-law while majoring in any undergraduate field at JCU.
What should I major in if I want to go to law school?
Law schools do not require one specific undergraduate major. Choose a field that genuinely interests you and gives you opportunities to strengthen your reading, writing, research, analytical reasoning and communication skills.
How does the 3+3 law pathway work?
Students complete three years of undergraduate study at JCU and begin law school in year four. Credits earned during the first year of law school fulfill the remaining requirements for the JCU bachelor’s degree. Students then complete the final two years of law school, allowing both degrees to be earned in six years.
Is admission to a 3+3 partner law school automatic?
Requirements vary by partner. Some JCU agreements provide guaranteed admission when stated academic and testing thresholds are met, but students still complete the law school application process. Saint Louis University uses a 3+3 candidate pathway rather than a guaranteed-admission threshold.
When should I start preparing for law school?
Start early enough to explore rather than rush. Meeting with the pre-law advisor during your first or second year gives you time to plan coursework, experiences, LSAT preparation and application timing around your goals.
Do I have to participate in 3+3 to use JCU’s pre-law resources?
No. Pre-law advising, student organizations, academic preparation and law-school application support are available to JCU students pursuing the traditional four-year undergraduate path as well.
Your first move
Ready to start your path to law school?
Tell Admissions you’re interested in law school.
When you inquire or apply, let us know so we can connect you with Dr. Stiles for pre-law advising and information about the 3+3 programs with CWRU, Cleveland State, Akron, and Saint Louis University.
Visit campus and explore your options.
Meet with Dr. Stiles to learn about the 3+3 eligibility requirements, Mock Trial, the Law & Society minor, and how any major can prepare you for law school.
JCU’s signature platform
Then Onward takes you from here.
Once you’re at JCU, Onward connects your major, your pre-law preparation, and your law school goals into one clear plan. From choosing the right major through LSAT prep and applications, you’ll have the support to get there.
Discover Onward
