Pre-Law Experiences
UChicago Career Advancement offers in-depth and immersive experiences that prepare you for law school and a career in the legal field.
At UChicago, you have the opportunity to engage with and be mentored by prominent alumni and law students, and to hone your skills through the Careers in Law’s Legal Research and Writing Seminar and the Law & Politics selective track!
There are many exciting opportunities to develop cross-functional skills that are foundational for law school and practicing law. Some of these skills are:
- Analytical Problem-Solving
- Writing and Language Communication Skills
- Research Skills
- Advocacy Skills
Explore the resources below to chart your path to a successful career in the legal field!
Sold on a Career in Law?
Between graduating from the College and starting law school, UChicago students pursue a variety of career paths, from arts and entertainment to education, to business and consulting. Almost any substantive opportunity will develop skills and experience that will be useful in law school and your future legal career. Law schools love having a variety of professional backgrounds in their classes.
Explore these common pre-law career pathways:
- Government & Public Policy
- Legal Support
- Politics
- Management Consulting
- Teaching & Instruction
1-5 Day Long Experiences
Job Shadowing
Explore options in the legal field through a day-in-the-life experience with a current professional at employers such as The Attorneys at Walczak Hernandez PC, The Legal Aid Society, ACLU, or The Bronx Defenders through UChicago's Job Shadowing Program.
University Experiences
Explore the field and engage with alumni and admissions representatives through Career Advancement-sponsored programming including alumni lunch & learns, Law School Admissions Sessions, the UChicago Law School Open House, and Trek visits with employers in Chicago, New York, and other exciting locations.
Month-Long Experiences
Micro-Metcalf Internships
Expand your skills with micro-internships, short projects that you can complete from anywhere in the world on your own schedule, through UChicago's Micro-Metcalf Program. Past Micro-Metcalf internships have been with employers such as JusticeWorks YouthCare, Abrams Environmental Law Clinic, or The Constitution Project.
Metcalf Internships
Experience substantive internships throughout the academic year and into the summer with employers such as the National Constitution Center, Goldberg Kohn, Orleans Public Defenders, Sidley Austin, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fundthrough UChicago's Jeff Metcalf Internship Program.
Legal Research & Writing Seminar
Build legal research and writing skills in our 6-week seminar where you will have the opportunity to develop legal research skills and draft and receive feedback on legal memos.
Year-Long Experiences
Student Organizations
Build your skills with fellow students through experiential opportunities on campus by joining RSOs such as:
Law & Politics Selective Track
Considering a career in politics? Join the Law & Politics track to prepare for your career through joint programming with such partners as the Office of Civic Engagement and the Institute of Politics!
Law Student Mentor Program
Get paired up with a UChicago Law student to learn more about life in law school!
Government & Public Policy
UChicago Career Advancement offers in-depth and immersive experiences that prepare you for law school and a career in the legal field.
While a student, you can meet national leaders at the Institute of Politics, conduct ground-breaking research at the UChicago Center on Democracy, and intern with a variety of government agencies and political campaigns as you pursue a pre-law career in government and policy.
Explore the resources below to chart your pre-law path in government and public policy!
Sold on a Career in Government & Public Policy?
Find the role that's right for you:
- Draft public policy positions for elected officials
- Create policy memos for branches of the federal government
- Advocate for policy positions as a part of an advocacy organization
- Analyze data and manage programs for public institutions
Short-Term Opportunities
Job Shadowing
Explore options in government and policy through a day-in-the-life experience with a current professional at organizations such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Progressive Public Affairs, or the United States Attorney's Office through UChicago's Job Shadowing Program.
Career Treks
Get to know what it means to engage in public policy by joining a Trek across the nation to visit with employers on the City of Chicago Local Career Treks, New York City Policy Center Trek, or Washington, D.C. Career Trek.
University Experiences
Explore the field and engage with alumni and admissions representatives through Career Advancement-sponsored programming such as alumni lunch & learns, Law School Admissions Sessions, and UChicago Law School Open Houses.
Month-Long Experiences
Micro-Metcalf Internships
Expand your skills with micro-internships, short projects that you can complete from anywhere in the world on your own schedule, through UChicago's Micro-Metcalf Program. Possible employer organizations include the Harris School of Public Policy, Metropolitan Planning Council, or UChicago Law School.
Metcalf Internships
Experience substantive internships throughout the academic year and into the summer with employers such as City of Chicago, Office of the Mayor, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, State of Illinois, Office of the Governor, or NYC Health + Hospitals through UChicago's Jeff Metcalf Internship Program.
Legal Research & Writing Seminar
Build legal research and writing skills through our 6-week seminar where you will have the opportunity to draft and receive feedback on legal memos!
Take It To The Next Level
Public Policy Leaders Program
Join a selective cohort of future public policy leaders to accelerate your career growth through the Public Policy Leaders Program:
- Dedicated internship funding
- Exclusive content and workshops
- Growing alumni connections
Law & Politics Selective Track
Considering a career in politics? Join the new Law & Politics track and prepare through joint programming with such partners as the Office of Civic Engagement and the Institute of Politics!
Law Student Mentor Program
Get paired up with a UChicago Law student to learn more about preparing for law school!
Legal Support & Politics
UChicago Career Advancement offers in-depth and immersive experiences that prepare you for law school and a career in the legal field.
Explore career options in legal support and politics below, and watch this short video to hear from a young alumnus who took advantage of this pre-law path!
Sold on a Career in Legal Support & Politics?
Find the role that's right for you:
- Conduct research and review documents for a partner at a large law firm
- Support fundraising or operations for a local or national campaign
- Conduct intakes and perform research at a nonprofit organization
Short-Term Opportunities
Job Shadowing
Explore options in the legal field through a day-in-the-life experience with a current professional at employers such as The Attorneys at Walczak Hernandez PC, The Legal Aid Society, ACLU, or The Bronx Defenders through UChicago's Job Shadowing Program.
University Experiences
Explore the field and engage with alumni and admissions representatives through Career Advancement-sponsored programming such as alumni lunch & learns, Law School Admissions Sessions, UChicago Law School Open Houses, and Trek visits to employers in Chicago, New York, and Alabama.
Month-Long Experiences
Micro-Metcalf Internships
Expand your skills with micro-internships, short projects that you can complete from anywhere in the world on your own schedule, through UChicago's Micro-Metcalf Program. Possible Micro-Metcalf internships could be with employers such as JusticeWorks YouthCare, Abrams Environmental Law Clinic, or The Constitution Project.
Metcalf Internships
Experience substantive internships throughout the academic year and into the summer with employers such as the National Constitution Center, Goldberg Kohn, Ltd., Orleans Public Defenders, Sidley Austin, or Advocates for Justice through UChicago's Jeff Metcalf Internship Program.
Legal Research & Writing Seminar
Build legal research and writing skills through our 6-week seminar where you will have the opportunity to draft and receive feedback on legal memos!
Take It To The Next Level
Student Organizations
Build your skills with fellow students through experiential opportunities on campus!
- Moot Court
- Mock Trial
- Chicago Debate Society
- Model UN
- The Undergraduate Law Review
- Phi Alpha Delta
- Women in Law
Law & Politics Selective Track
Considering a career in politics? Join the Law & Politics track to prepare for your career through joint programming with such partners as the Office of Civic Engagement and the Institute of Politics!
Law Student Mentor Program
Get paired up with a UChicago Law student to learn more about preparing for law school!