Law

Undergraduates at UC Santa Barbara who are interested in preparing for a career in law will find numerous opportunities to build the strong record of academic achievement and personal accomplishment, which is so important in the very competitive world of law-school admissions.

Each year, around 300 UC Santa Barbara students apply to the nation’s law schools. The rate at which applicants are admitted to law schools consistently exceeds national averages. The majority of our students attend law schools in California, but many also attend law schools in other parts of the country. UC Santa Barbara graduates with superior academic records and scores on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) can expect to be admitted to the nation’s very best law schools. The combination of a strong and diverse liberal arts curriculum and an established network of advising and internship opportunities creates an intellectually engaging and supportive environment in which dedicated prelaw students pursue ambitious professional goals.

Students preparing for law school may select the major that holds the greatest degree of interest for them. Law schools seek to admit students with a broad academic background, demonstrated skills in analytical thinking and communication, and an academic record and score on the Law School Admissions Test that would indicate success in law school. Competition for admission to the nation’s most prestigious law schools is very high. Pre-law advisors assist students with major selection, program planning, selection of law schools, applying for admission, and help students develop a plan tailored to their individual goals and strengths. Our Pre-Law Advising team also hosts a number of events on campus including lawyer and law school panels on a quarterly basis. Our pre-law organizations, The Legal Education Association for Diversity (LEAD) and The UCSB Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) provide information and mutual support; organize law school tours for members and host often host visits of law school representatives and local attorneys. In addition, a select group of UCSB pre-law students publishes one of just a handful of undergraduate law reviews produced in the United States.

Pre-law advisors are available by appointment or on a drop-in basis every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, from 1:00-3:30 in the Pre-Professional Advising Office, North Hall 2105.