Additional Resources and Information

Additional Resources and Information

Joining the pre-law listserv

By joining the pre-law listserv, you will receive information about pre-law events on campus such as panels, presentations, workshops and important information about getting connected to fields of law. To join the listserv, follow the two steps below.

  • First, declare LAW as your pre-professional emphasis on GOLD as follows: ABOUT ME>My Personal Info>Pre-Professional Emphasis: LAW, then click on Update. This will make sure that you are always in the pre-law listserv, even as it is periodically updated.
  • Then, email moran-m@ucsb.edu to ask to be added to the interim pre-law listserv before the next update. If you only do this, and not the first step, your name would be dropped when the list is updated, so please make sure to follow both of these steps. When you send your email, please include: "pre-law listserv" as the subject.
    (Please note: if you are a current student that declared LAW as your pre-professional emphasis prior to September 12, 2023, you are already on the listserv)

Campus Resources

  • UCSB Career Services This office offers additional avenues for pre-law advising (see list of advising topics below) and for exploring topics related to law school and the legal profession.

    • Additional law school events
    • Career information and planning
    • Guidance in choosing a career
    • Interest assessment tools
    • Information about other professional and graduate schools
    • Test preparation resources
  • CLAS (Campus Learning Assistance Services) CLAS offers tutorial groups and academic skills workshops, as well as one-on-one writing and academic coaching appointments. Visit the MyCLAS website to enroll online.

Student Organizations

  • Legal Education Association for Diversity (LEAD) LEAD provides mentorships, networking, resources, and information to students of color who are interested in pursuing a law school education.

  • Mock Trial Team Mock Trial allows undergraduate students to take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses, acting out a fictitious case while competing against the mock trial teams of other universities.

  • Moot Court Moot Court enables members to compete in simulated Supreme Court-style oral arguments and write briefs for simulated appellate cases.

  • Phi Alpha Delta (P.A.D.) Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity is a co-ed organization with alumni chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada. P.A.D. provides a strong community for students interested in pursuing a career in legal, professional, or public service.

  • Pre-Law Society at UCSB The Pre-Law Society at UCSB seeks to create an environment where students can expand their knowledge of the legal profession while connecting members with resources to enhance their chances for law school admission. In addition, the society seeks to improve and expand UCSB pre-law culture through providing members with professional help and guidance.

Law School Application Financial Assistance

  • LSAC Fee Waivers for the LSAT and CAS (The Law School Admissions Council) Available for law school candidates who cannot afford to pay for the LSAT and the Credential Assembly Service. This program is part of their mission to reduce barriers for determined law school applicants.

  • AS/EOP Grants

    • Graduate Program Testing Fees: (e.g., CBEST, GRE, GMAT, MCAT & LSAT) grants are available only after documentation has been submitted which indicates that a waiver of such a fee [by the LSAC, see above] is not possible. Please see EOP for additional information.
    • Graduate/Professional Program Application Fees: Grants to Offset Graduate/Professional Program Application Fees (with a maximum of five applications) will be granted only if the student can provide documentation that indicates that a waiver of such a fee [by a law school] is not possible or that it has been denied. Please see EOP for additional information.

Professional Organizations

  • LSAC (The Law School Admissions Council) Create a student account with LSAC to register for the LSAT online, receive your scores via e-mail, sign up for the Credential Assemby Service (CAS your law school application portal), track your applications, and more.

  • NALP (The Association for Legal Career Professionals) NALP is a professional organization that offers career counseling and planning, professional development, and other services to law students, lawyers, and its members.

  • ABA (American Bar Association) - Comprehensive Bar Admissions Requirements. The ABA site provides information about bar admissions guidelines, which vary from state to state.

  • The State Bar of California Of the UCSB graduates who eventually pursue the legal profession, a large number take the California Bar Examination. Visit the State Bar of California’s website to learn about the bar admission requirements, pass rate statistics, and more.

Additional Resources and Scholarships

Please note that UCSB is not affiliated with any of these programs and we cannot guarantee any of the information contained within these resources. They are provided for students to investigate and connect with the resources that fit their needs.

  • Immigrants Rising Pre-Law Fund See site for eligibility. Grants will cover LSAT preparation (courses, tutoring, self-study materials, etc) and law school application fees. In addition to financial support, recipients will be connected to Immigrants Rising's network of legal professionals (updated January 2020).
     
  • Financial Rsources for DACA students Originally compiled by the West Coast Consortium of Law Schools in collaboration with UC Law Schools and updated by California Western School of Law (updated July 2023).
     
  • The Lawyers of Distinction Scholarship was founded to help college students achieve their dreams without having to worry about the financial burden of whether or not they will be able to afford school (updated September, 2020).
     
  • The Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Foundation issues a number of scholarships each year of varying amounts ($1,500 – $3,500) to law students of all genders identities and expressions. An applicant may receive more than one scholarship. Scholarship applicants are evaluated based on a multitude of factors. The scholarship deadline is August 1, 2023 (updated March 2023).
     
  • Student Loan Repayment and Forgiveness A resource compiled by the ABA providing an overview of student loan repayment and forgiveness options.

Financing Law School - Financial Information and Resources from AccessLex

AccessLex provides valuable financial information and resources to help you prepare to finance law school. Please see the specific resources below recommended by your UCSB Pre-Law Advisors (updated winter 2023).

  • Pipeline/Pathway Programs Database The AccessLex Diversity Pathway Program Directory is an online database designed to help prospective law students from historically underrepresented groups find law school pathways or pipeline programs near them. These programs are typically designed to prepare students for an effective transition to law school. The resources included through these programs may include LSAT prep, mock law school classes, connections to lawyers, and mentorship, among other resources.
  • Scholarship Database Search over 800 carefully curated and vetted scholarship opportunities, including the Dreamer Fund Scholarship, and writing competitions — totaling more than $3 million in aid.
     
  • Financing Law School - resources, presentations, and 1-on-1 financial advising MAX by AccessLex provides quick and easy to understand lessons, in-person and online learning options, one-on-one financial coaching from Accredited Financial Counselors, from paying for law school to investing for your retirement.
     
  • Financial Preparation Workshops
    While we encourage you to meet with UCSB advisors specifically for information on applying to law school, choosing law schools, application components and review, and developing an timeline that works for you tailored to you, through appointments or drop-in advising, we highly recommend the following set of financial preparation workshops from AccessLex so you can benefit from the financial expertise of their financial advisors:
     
    - Building your law school budget
    - Your Public Service Loan Forgiveness plan
    - The Road to Zero: A strategic approach to student loan repayment
    - Paying for law school
    - An introduction to law school finance for first generation students
     

    For a list of upcoming AccessLex Financial Webinars, click here. And, again, for everything else, we recommend you meet with one of your UCSB pre-law advisors so we can tailor your law school preparation and application plans to your individual goals, needs, and personal circumstances.