Breaking Barriers: How Pre-Law Pipeline Programs are Leveling the Law School Admissions Playing Field
By Diego Andrades
Applying to law school is a daunting process. Your application begins long before you even sit down to write it, as there is much more beyond your written materials. Metrics like your GPA and LSAT score matter just as much — and perhaps even more — than other components of your application. As law school applications become increasingly competitive, it is essential that applicants come prepared with a refined list of schools and a strong application that positions them for success.
All things considered, law school applications were already very challenging. But the rise of private consulting has turned admissions into a pay-to-play game. Now, applicants have the ability to hire tutors to prepare for the LSAT and consultants to revise their applications. Many students are leveraging admissions consultants to get ahead. And who can blame them? As law schools continue to get more competitive, applicants should use every tool available to put together a strong application.
When these services become normalized, their use exacerbates existing barriers in the legal profession. Many applicants, who would otherwise compile a competitive application, are at a disadvantage because they do not have access to private admissions consultants. Even worse off are those who do not know where to begin, cobbling an application together by sheer force of will, not even realizing that such services exist in the first place.
This is where pre-law pipeline programs play a critical role in leveling the playing field. There’s a growing list of pipeline programs that expand access to admissions preparation, equipping law school applicants with the resources they need to be competitive. Often run by law schools, nonprofits, or other legal institutions, these programs offer structured programming to assist future applicants. Typically, these programs are structured around uplifting marginalized applicants who are first generation lawyers or from lower income families.
Common features of these programs include:
LSAT prep & test strategies
Law school admissions guidance, monetary support, & essay review
Introductory legal education (legal writing, constitutional law, analytical reasoning)
Mentorship from legal professionals & faculty
Professional development (resume workshops, networking, internships)
The legal field is notorious for its prestige and selectivity. Rankings influence outcomes, not just in law school admissions but throughout legal careers. These pipeline programs are a lifeline, bringing more diverse lawyers into the profession. They provide early skills training for those who may not otherwise have exposure to the legal field. And they’re delivering results. Across the board, many pipeline programs have reported an increase in LSAT scores, law school acceptance rates, and scholarships. Equally as important, these programs build confidence, showing applicants that they belong.
The Public Interest Law Association is proud to support the work that pre-law pipeline programs are doing to make the legal profession and access to law school more equitable. More information about these programs, including a detailed list of approximately 40 programs and their application details, can be found in the resources tab on our website.