The Opportunities of a Small College. The Resources of a Large University.
Let your liberal arts education set the foundation for your future law career. First, you'll take a wide-angled look at the world and then you'll dive deep on a topic(s) of interest with a major of your choosing. The individual mentorship of our pre-law advisors will help you explore the field of law - connecting you to alums, job shadow opportunities and internship placements. With their guidance, you'll be prepared for the LSAT and set up for success in the law school application process. Our partnership with Cornell University allows ambitious students to graduate with a bachelor's from HWS and a J.D. from Cornell in just six years.
“The Pre-Law program at Hobart and William Smith offers an enriching environment with professors who genuinely prioritize student success, leading to my decision to attend law school for constitutional or environmental law and ultimately, engage in state politics. In the program, I have collaborated with numerous advisors dedicated to my well-being. I particularly enjoyed Professor of History Matthew Crow’s class on U.S. Constitutional history, where we explored landmark Supreme Court cases and their influence on the nation.
I am working on two significant research projects. The first is my capstone paper for "A Narco History of Mexico," where I analyze the 1940 Reglamento Federal de Toxicomanias as a diplomatic failure. My second research project examines the Senate race in Montana between Democrat John Tester and Republican Tim Sheehy and the strategies and performances of the candidates, ultimately assessing what factors contributed to Sheehy’s victory.”
Cornell University 3+3 Program
Expedite your bachelor's and Juris Doctor degree with the 3+3 LEAP. Our exclusive partnership with Cornell University allows HWS undergraduates to complete their senior year while attending Cornell Law School and earn a bachelor's and a Juris doctor in six years, rather than the typical seven.
For Joseph “Paul” Janes '24, Frederick Jackson '24 and Peter McGriff '24, enrolling in the 3+3 LEAP program meant gaining a holistic liberal arts education and having the opportunity to attend a renowned law school at an accelerated pace.
Pre-law Advisors are available to help students plan and complete a course of study that will result in successful application to law school. They can also provide information and assistance to students in the application process for law school.
There are important things to keep in mind throughout your four years at HWS and planning ahead each year can help to make law school applications more successful.
While there are no required courses for the Pre-Law Program, the outline below is designed to help students stay on track.
Students participating or interested in the 3+3 program should follow an accelerated timeline and meet with the Pre-Law Advisors for more information.
First Year
Talk with a Career Services staff person and begin Pathways, a career development program
Attend the pre-law information session to meet the Pre-Law Advisors and gain information about preparing for law school
Get involved in activities that will develop skills looked for by law schools (leadership, writing, analytical thinking, etc.)
Focus on starting out with (and later maintaining) a high GPA
Sophomore Year
Explore careers within the legal field
Continue to stay involved in campus leadership activities, public service and work.
Keep up your GPA
Junior Year
Intern or shadow with a law firm or any law-related field of interest
Network with alums using the Career Network
Begin researching law schools that you may want to attend
Develop relationships with potential recommenders and open a Recommendation File to keep recommendations organized and available
Look into dates for the LSAT or register if taking summer LSAT
Begin studying for LSAT - Prep courses, review books (give yourself ample time to prepare)
Begin writing personal statement
Keep up your GPA
Senior Year
Take (or retake) the LSAT - December is the LATEST date you should take it for fall admission of the next year. If you only take the December test, make sure this is the last piece to complete in your application, and send applications in as soon as you receive your score.
Gather at least three letters of recommendation - academic sources are preferred by law schools
Finish personal statement, have it checked over several times
Apply early!! Those who apply in the fall/early winter hear back earlier and are more likely to be accepted
Review acceptances and make final decision on which school to attend
Turn in Financial Aid applications/forms
Belonging, Diversity and Equity
The Pre-Law program at HWS is committed to helping students gain access to law school. The HWS and Cornell Law Early Admissions Program helps make attending law school an affordable option by reducing the time required to gain a law degree.
Alum ImpactReady to Make a Difference
Anna Dorman '14 Harvard Law School Graduate
Anna's education and experiences, from working as a tutor and research assistant in the Environmental Studies Department to and intern in the Office of Sustainability, led her to Harvard Law School and beyond, focused on the protection of voters.
Joshua barclay '23 J.D. Candidate at George Washington University Law School
Looking to make a positive difference in his community, Joshua excelled at Hobart and William Smith and was accepted at many law schools, eventually choosing George Washington University to build a career in housing and criminal defense law.
Katelyn Oswalt '24 J.D. Candidate at The Ohio State University
As a co-president of HWS Votes, Katelyn was instrumental in bringing former U.S. Representatives to campus to increase student engagement in voting. This, along with an internship with Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), has inspired her to attend law school.
Internships play a large role for students enrolling in law school, providing experience and opportunities to gain further insight into the legal world. Students have previously interned in Geneva, New York City, Boston, Washington D.C. and Switzerland, just to name a few locations.
Previous internship placements include:
American Red Cross - Geneva, NY
Big Brothers Big Sisters - Geneva, NY
Brown, Gavalas & Fromm, LLP - New York City
Cefalo and Associates Law Firm - West Pittston, PA
Construction - Saratoga, NY
David Belfort '92 law firm - Boston, MA
Kenyon & Kenyon, LLP - New York City and Washington, D.C.
Kings County District Attorney's Office - Brooklyn, NY
Legal Assistance of the Finger Lakes - Geneva, NY
Maine Department of Conservation - Augusta, ME
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw - London
New York County Supreme Court - New York City
New York State Attorney General's Office - New York City
Onondaga County District Attorney's Office - Syracuse, NY
Oswego County District Attorney's Office - Oswego, NY
Pruell & Brady, LLP - Norwood, MA
Public Defender's Office - Rhode Island
Senator Charles Schumer - Albany, NY
U.S. Department of Justice - Washington, D.C.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Washington, D.C.
