Pre-Law Advising

Two Oxy students shake the hand of a judge who is visiting campus to lecture

Considering a career in law? Our Pre-Law Advising Office is here to help you explore law school options and pave the way to landing your dream job in the legal field!

Curious if a career in law is the right fit for you? Occidental’s Pre-Law Advising program provides personalized support to help you explore legal careers, connect with practicing attorneys and alumni across the country, and gain practical experience through internships and courses like “Lawyering for Social Justice” and “Legal Tools for Social Change.”

Why Choose Occidental for Pre-Law?

Occidental College’s liberal arts curriculum provides a strong foundation for a career in law by developing essential skills in critical thinking, writing, research, and analysis. Small class sizes and close faculty support foster thoughtful discussion and help students build strong arguments and communicate effectively—key abilities for future legal professionals.

With interdisciplinary courses in fields like politics, philosophy, history, sociology, and critical theory and social justice, students gain a broad understanding of the social and ethical contexts in which laws operate. Occidental’s focus on social responsibility and justice further prepares students to enter the legal field with both intellectual depth and a sense of purpose.

Experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, research projects, and community engagement, allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Occidental’s location in the heart of Los Angeles connects students to a vibrant network of legal professionals, public service organizations, and career-building internships.

Occidental College student Norah Ruvalcaba ’25 headshot

“Pre-law advising at Oxy is top-notch, giving students the tools to navigate the law school application process with confidence. [Pre-law advisor Leon]’s advice about honing in on what kind of law I want to pursue has been invaluable.”

Norah Ruvalcaba ’25
More about Norah

Career Pathways in Law

The Pre-Law Advising office provides students with an opportunity to hear from seasoned legal professionals through its “Legal Career Paths” speaker series. Students also have the chance to connect with Occidental alumni currently attending law school via the “Pathways to Practice” alumni panels. Through these events, Oxy students have engaged with attorneys dedicated to advancing climate justice, environmental protection, artists’ rights, children’s rights, civil rights, and who work for:

  • Big Law
  • State Government
  • Federal Public Defender
  • Assistant United States Attorney
  • Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Los Angeles Superior Court
  • Public Interest Law Firms
  • Legal Aid Organizations
  • Boutique Entertainment Law Firms
  • Non-for-profit Organizations
  • Universities
  • High-level Policy Making Bodies
  • Philanthropy

Getting Pre-Law Advising at Occidental

closer

The Pre-Law Advising office offers individualized support for current Occidental students and recent alumni interested in pursuing a legal profession. Interested students and alumni can schedule appointments with Pre-Law Advisor Marisol León, a full-time practicing civil rights attorney and visiting assistant professor with the Critical Theory and Social Justice Department. 

Professor León guides students and alumni throughout their law school application journey. From developing a list of appropriate target law schools, to crafting a compelling personal statement, to strategically selecting recommendation letters, Professor León meets with students and reviews their drafts, provides them with feedback, and keeps them abreast of requirements and deadlines.

In addition to personalized counseling sessions, the Pre-Law Advising office offers “Demystifying Applying to Law School” workshops, LSAT workshops, and hosts law schools on campus. These opportunities foster a deeper understanding of law school and the legal landscape. Email Professor León at mleon@oxy.edu to join the Pre-Law mailing list and receive notifications of upcoming events and workshops.

Schedule an advising appointment

Preparing for law school

Resources

Exclusive Pre-Professional Opportunities

Occidental’s Pre‑Law Advising offers students partnerships and structured programs that deepen legal readiness and professional growth. Students receive tailored support through faculty-guided curricula and access to competitive fellowships—complete with advising on internships, leadership development, and research opportunities. Courses like “Lawyering for Social Justice” or CTSJ’s “Social Justice Practicum” connect Occidental students with real-world internships and experiential learning environments, building hands-on experience in legal and policy settings.

Recommended Courses

There’s no required pre-law curriculum at Occidental, but many students find certain courses especially valuable in developing the core competencies valued by law schools—such as sharp analytical thinking, compelling written communication, and confident speaking abilities.

Explore Course Recommendations

Student and Alumni Outcomes

Occidental graduates have gone on to attend prestigious law schools across the country, including top-tier programs at UCLA, UC Berkeley, Yale, Columbia, and Stanford Law School. Our alumni are thriving in diverse legal careers, working in areas such as corporate law, public interest law, immigration advocacy, and domestic violence support. This success reflects the strong preparation and mentorship Occidental provides to help students pursue meaningful and impactful roles in the legal profession. The top five law schools Occidental students attend are:

  1. UCLA
  2. UCSF
  3. UC Davis
  4. UC Berkeley
  5. USC
Teagan

From Oxy to Law School: Teagan Langseth-DePaolis ’21

Northeastern University School of Law

“The close-knit community at Oxy enabled me to build close relationships with professors that I doubt I could have found elsewhere. These relationships eventually turned into research opportunities which got me engaged with my areas of interest on a whole different level.”

More Alumni Success Stories

FAQs

There’s no required major for pre-law students at Occidental. Many choose fields like politics, history, sociology, or critical theory and social justice because these disciplines sharpen analytical thinking and expose you to important social and ethical issues. Ultimately, pick a major that challenges you intellectually and allows you to develop strong reading, writing, and reasoning skills.

Get involved in activities that build your communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills. This could include student government, Oxy’s Pre-Law Society, volunteer work, internships in legal or advocacy organizations, and/or participating in social justice advocacy. Hands-on experiences like internships and community engagement are especially valuable for gaining insight into legal careers.

Take advantage of Occidental’s Pre-Law Advising Office for personalized guidance on law school selection, application strategy, and crafting your personal statement. Attend workshops, connect with alumni, gain practical experience through internships and relevant courses, and start preparing early for the LSAT. Staying engaged with these resources will help you submit a competitive application.

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