TL;DR — Thinking About Law School Before You Start College? Good. Now Don’t Overdo It.
Cordel Faulk, former Chief Admissions Officer at the University of Virginia School of Law and head of College Solutions’ What’s Next? law school admissions advising program, knows the ins and outs of law school admissions. In today’s post, he shares his guidance for high school students who are considering applying to law school.
If you’re heading into undergrad already thinking about law school, I admire the foresight. But I’ll tell you what I tell every high-achieving college student with the same instinct: don’t try to plan your way into a top law school like it’s a linear track. Because it isn’t. And the more rigidly you try to map it all out now, the less likely you are to get where you want to go.
The best law school applicants don’t treat college like a holding pen. They use it. They get curious, take risks, grow in confidence and clarity, and leave behind a story that makes people want to read more. That’s what law schools respond to, and that’s what actually gets you ready for the experience of being a lawyer.
So what does that look like in practice?
Let’s start with the obvious: where you go matters, but not as much as what you do when you get there.
There’s a myth that to get into a great law school, you have to go to a name-brand college. You don’t. Law schools admit students from every kind of institution… elite, rural, urban, public, private, religious, and obscure. What they care about is the rigor of your education and the context in which you thrived.
So choose an undergraduate institution that challenges you. One where your professors will know you, where you’ll be pushed to think harder and write better, and where you’ll find your footing intellectually. Go where you’ll grow.
That doesn’t mean gaming your GPA by avoiding hard classes or enrolling somewhere “easier.” It means choosing to be in a place where you’ll do good work and leave better than you came.
Your major is less important than you think (and more important than you realize).
Law schools don’t care if you major in political science or chemistry. There’s no “pre-law” box they’re looking to check. But they do care that you’ve developed the intellectual habits needed for law: reading deeply, analyzing ideas critically, writing clearly, and engaging with the world thoughtfully.
So pick a major that stretches you. Choose something you’re willing to work hard in, something that makes you ask better questions. Maybe it’s philosophy, where you’ll learn to dissect arguments. Maybe it’s history, where you’ll examine how institutions rise and fall. Maybe it’s math, where logic rules everything. Maybe it’s something else entirely. Just make sure it’s real, and that it helps you grow sharper, not just more strategic.
And once you’ve chosen your major, commit to it. Excel in it. Be curious within it. That’s what law schools notice.
Get involved (but don’t spread yourself thin).
College will offer you more activities than you know what to do with. You don’t need to do all of them. What you need is to do something, and do it well.
The applicants who stand out aren’t always the ones who have the longest resumes. They’re the ones who show a real sense of purpose. They commit to organizations. They take on leadership. They follow through. They serve other people, not just themselves.
That could mean leading a student group, mentoring local high school students, organizing a campus initiative, or simply being the one who shows up and does the work. None of it has to be flashy. But it should be genuine.
Don’t waste your summers.
Summer breaks can be transformative… or forgettable. It’s up to you. You don’t need to intern at a law firm to prove you’re serious about law school. You just need to spend your time doing something meaningful.
That might be working a service job and learning how people move through the world. It might be volunteering for a cause you care about. It might be doing research, teaching, traveling, or building something from scratch.
What matters is that you’re out there learning. Taking responsibility. Gaining perspective. And beginning to understand how your values intersect with the wider world.
You’re building a story (whether you know it or not).
When you apply to law school, your transcript, resume, and essays will tell a story. Whether that story is interesting (whether it reflects clarity, growth, curiosity, and character) will depend on the choices you make in college.
So think about how you spend your time. Not in a checklist way, but in a “what does this say about me?” way. Are you stretching yourself? Are you helping others? Are you showing initiative? Are you following through?
That’s what the best law school applications reflect. Not perfection. Not a script. Just a person who’s becoming more fully themselves.
Finally: be someone others trust (online and off).
Law is a profession built on judgment, discretion, and integrity. So while you’re growing your resume, don’t neglect your reputation.
That includes the way you carry yourself in class, the way you lead your peers, and — yes — the way you show up online. It’s easy to forget that your digital footprint says just as much about you as your transcript. Law school admissions officers don’t go looking for trouble, but they’re not blind either. If something public gives them pause, it can hurt you. Sometimes quietly. Sometimes definitively.
So take five minutes and Google yourself. Scroll through your profiles like a stranger would. And if what you see doesn’t reflect the person you’re trying to become, clean it up. Then get back to work. Keep your word. Own your mistakes. Treat people well, especially when it’s inconvenient. Show up when it matters. Not just because law schools might notice (though they will), but because that’s the kind of person who’s ready to become a lawyer.
College is not a waiting room for law school. It’s a laboratory for who you’re becoming. So yes, it’s good to think ahead. But don’t live like you’re auditioning for the next thing. Live like someone who’s doing the work now. Law school will be there when you’re ready. Just make sure you are.
TL;DR – What Matters Most if You’re Thinking About Law School in College:
Choose a college where you’ll grow, not just one with a name.
Pick a major that challenges you and makes you think hard.
Get involved in things that matter to you, and follow through.
Use your summers to learn, serve, or explore… not just pad a résumé.
Be someone others trust. And watch your digital presence while you’re at it.
What’s Next?
The law school application process is intimidating, confusing, and at times scary. We at What’s Next? law school advising can use our expertise to demystify this process. We want it to be more exciting than it is scary. We can help you find the right fit. It’s out there.
Led by Cordel Faulk, former Chief Admissions Officer at UVA Law, What’s Next? is grounded in deep experience and honest guidance. We’ve helped applicants navigate this journey before — and we’re ready to help you do the same.