Review the resources offered by the Pre-Law Advising Office. The office serves all current and former students at the University of Maryland interested in law school and legal careers. 

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Test your interests by engaging with one or more of the UMD based options below. 

 

USAJobs search jobs

Openings with Federal Agencies: Prepare to apply

 

 

Thinking about a career in legal services? Pursuing a JD is usually a three year commitment as well as quite a hefty financial commitment. Gain experiences and talk with current professionals to confirm your next steps. 

Get the inside scoop

Register for Intern For A Day as a Freshmen or Sophomore to shadow professionals working in the legal field and make a new connection. 

Network with fellow Terps who are working in the legal field and have volunteered to share their story, review your law school resume, etc. 

Explore career options in legal services 

Review legal career options within the federal government 

Tips from alumni:

 

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Test your interests by completing an internship. Review the sites below that UMD students have interned at recently:

Openings:

Tip: Reach out to small law firms. Networking is crucial as firms are more willing to hire undergraduates as interns if they have an existing connection to the firm.

 

Summer programs

Donald J. Weidner Summer for Undergraduates Program, Florida State University, deadline early April 

TRIALS Pre-Law Summer Program- NYU & Harvard Law - Free program, students receive $3,000 stipend. Trials is a unique partnership of Harvard Law School, NYU School of Law, and the Advantage Testing Foundation. It is a summer study program for students of modest means whose backgrounds are currently underrepresented at the nation’s top law schools. Deadline: late Feb 

 

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to gain experience with populations of interest, such as individuals who are incarcerated or who have been victims of a crime. Examples of possible volunteer experiences include:

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Finding the right law school fit for your goals is crucial. Take your time to review your needs, list of options, and attend fairs/admission events to learn what the program really offers.

BSOS students are very competitive for law school programs! In the last few years, BSOS students have attended law school at, 

  • Boston University
  • Drexel University
  • Georgetown University
  • Harvard University
  • Howard University
  • University of Baltimore
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Virginia
  • Yeshiva University
  • Any many more!

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Resume Tips

  • Highlight past experiences that demonstrate your passion for law or legal related areas.
  • Demonstrate your academic achievements: academic scholarships, GPA, awards, honors, etc.  
  • Relevant experiences: including non-law positions that demonstrates desirable qualities- writing abilities, communication skills, interest in world/community/etc., leadership experiences
  • Resumes can be up to two pages, just make sure every thing listed is related. 
  • Review tips for developing your application materials from the Feller Center 

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Highlight these in-demand qualities/skills in your resume: communication, writing, interpersonal, organizational, ability to multitask, research, attention to detail, speaking, and problem solving.

Sample Job Titles: 

  • Background Investigator
  • Case Assistant
  • Immigration Paralegal
  • Investigative Specialist
  • Legal Administrative Assistant
  • Legal Assistant
  • Legal Secretary
  • Paralegal/Paralegal Specialist
  • Program Analyst
  • Pre-Law Fellow 

Sample Organizations Who Have Hired BSOS Majors:

  • Covington & Burling LLP
  • Edwards Neils PLLC
  • Law Office of Luis C. Diaz
  • Madison Associates
  • Morrison & Foerster LLP
  • New York County District Attorney's Office
  • Public Defender Service of the District of Columbia
  • Quinn Emanuel
  • Reno & Cavanaugh 
  • Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Sidley Austin LLP
  • Steptoe & Johnson LLP
  • Sterne Kessler’s Apprentice Program- each summer 
  • Trombly & Singer PLLC
  • U.S. Department of Justice

Openings:

Are you a recent grad seeking a short term opportunity? Consider registering with a Temp/Placement Agency |  A growing number of organizations are outsourcing their hiring to temporary agencies. A temporary agency will locate and vet candidates that possess the skills required for a position. Organizations may use the short term jobs to "test" an employee and then offer the employees that they see as a good fit a full-time position. Other organizations use temp agencies to find professionals to fill in for a short period of time (i.e. the busy season). Example organizations: Legal Placements, Law Resources 

 

Start Exploring

terrapin connect

Network with fellow Terps who are working in the legal field. 

UMD alumni share tips for entering the field of law, hosted by UMD. 

Tips from professionals in the field, hosted by UMD.