Prelaw Mentorship Program

The Michigan State University College of Law is pleased to sponsor the Prelaw Mentorship Program which aims to partner law student mentors with MSU undergraduate students demonstrating an interest in pursuing law school after graduation. The goal of the Prelaw Mentorship Program is to provide expert assistance in preparing law school applications as well as connect some of MSU’s highly-motivated undergraduate students with current MSU College of Law students.

The program will provide opportunities for participants to engage and connect in various manners throughout the duration of the program.

The program welcomes applications from rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors from all majors within MSU. Applicants may be exploring the possibility of attending law school or may already be confident in their pursuit of a legal education.

  • Program Overview

    Overall, the Prelaw Mentorship Program provides:

    • One-on-one mentoring of MSU undergraduates by current MSU College of Law students, who will be available to share their personal perspectives on the law school experience and offer advice on applying to law schools, preparing competitive applications, choosing law schools, and other related matters.
    • Special opportunities to attend seminars and other events specifically designed for mentees by the College of Law, including attending classes.
    • Opportunities within the College of Law and other sources for prelaw advising and law school application assistance, including webinars with experts in the College of Law and around the nation on topics such as taking the LSAT, writing effective personal statements, organizing successful applications, and career opportunities for those with the J.D. degree.
  • Specific Activities
    • A welcome and orientation for mentees as well as a meet-and-greet with current MSU Law mentors at the start of the Fall semester. This year’s opening reception will be held during the week of September 9, 2024.
    • A variety of other organized events throughout the academic year.
    • Arranged classroom sit-ins at the College of Law.
    • College of Law webinars and Spartan Prelaw Day.
    • College of Law outreach highlighting opportunities across campus to learn more about law school and the legal profession.
    • A reception at the end of the academic year, including a certificate ceremony for those who successfully complete the program.
  • Mentee Responsibilities
    • Meeting with assigned mentors on an individual basis at least once each semester.
    • Participating in scheduled activities, to the extent allowed by class schedules and other responsibilities.
    • Responding promptly to communications from mentors and program coordinators.
    • Always conducting oneself with the highest level of respect and professionalism with mentors and others associated with the program.
    • Being mindful of the time constraints of mentors, including their academic and exam schedules and other deadlines.
    • Providing feedback when requested throughout the academic year so that the program can be evaluated and improved.
  • How To Apply
    1. Complete the online application and submit the form electronically as indicated.
    2. Each application must be supported by a letter of recommendation. To facilitate the recommendation process, first talk with your program professor and ask for a recommendation. Then, as you complete the Prelaw Mentorship Program application form, list your recommender’s name and email address in the appropriate spaces. Once the application is submitted, the recommender will receive an online link to complete their recommendation. All recommenders must be professor/faculty instructor whom the applicant has completed a course.

    All application materials (including the letter of recommendation) must be submitted online by 11:59pm ET on Sunday, April 14, 2024. You may access the Application for the Prelaw Mentorship Program here: Application Form. Please consider applying early to provide recommenders ample time to submit their letters by the Sunday, April 14th deadline.

  • Timeline
    • Early March – Prelaw Mentorship Program Application Opens
    • April 14 – Prelaw Mentorship Program Application Closes
    • Mid April – Selection process begins
    • End of April – Prelaw Mentees notified via email
    • Early September – Welcome & Orientation Meeting
    • September through March – Ongoing activities and mentor/mentee engagement
    • April 2025 – End of Year Reception

For more information, contact:

Coordinators

Genevieve Fischre, Assistant Director of Admissions
admiss@law.msu.edu

Audra Foster, Director of Pipeline Programming, Outreach and Education
admiss@law.msu.edu

JD Admissions