One thing USF is not known for is its program for pre-law students.

Coming to USF, I knew there was no specific pre-law major. Only a few universities in the U.S. offer pre-law as a major. And law schools do not require a specific major when applying, so anyone is permitted to apply after undergrad. 

USF, however, does have a pathway that allows students from all majors to follow. 

As a first-generation aspiring lawyer, I had no idea what the process of getting into law school entailed. All I knew was I had to maintain a decent GPA and take a giant life-altering test, the LSAT, which is currently at the top of my “who I have beef with” list. 

I decided that I needed to try and explore my options at USF because TikTok videos of “Law school applications” weren’t cutting it.

Related: OPINION: The verdict on USF pre-law: Guilty, but could do better

So what does USF have to offer for pre-law students?

USF does have a legal studies minor. This minor has courses such as law and business, criminal law and constitutional law to name a few. This minor is a great addition to your major if you are curious about the law field. 

Though with the flexibility of being able to apply to law school with any major. I had more of an interest in international affairs so I minored in international studies. This is another minor that follows along with the typical major of pre-law students, political science. 

One of the most basic, but most important resources is the pre-law advisers at USF. Although there is not a dedicated pre-law major, we do have an advising department that holds a lot of meetings curated for all undergraduate students.

These meetings are divided between first and second year undergraduates and then a following group of third and fourth year undergraduates. This allows students to have a guideline on where to start when looking at a future in the law field. 

I started out my pre-law journey by attending these meetings and personally meeting with advisors. 

Although these seem like a pretty good start to defining how to attend law school, I was lost. USF does not have a straightforward path or prominent guidance for law students. 

I truly didn’t even know how to apply to law school or the pathway to get me there. 

It felt like I was all alone in the process, and the advising meetings weren’t cutting it. I needed people who were in the same boat as me. Being a first-generation aspiring lawyer didn’t give me a ton of guidance from my parents or family members.

Then I started going to student-led groups that advocated for pre-law students at USF.

I found my community at many of these clubs on campus. These clubs allow opportunities for pre-law students to expand their knowledge on law school and practice real-world interests such as debate. These clubs include the Mock Trial Club, the Moot Court Club and the Minorities in Pre-Law at USF. 

I am active in the Future Attorneys of America and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity at USF. These two clubs hold meetings with law schools such as Harvard and UConn. 

They also collaborate on things such as personal statement workshops, how to use LinkedIn and networking events. I have also gone to a bunch of their LSAT study sessions where they offer practice tests and free classes. 

Then I created a timeline for myself, such as when to apply, what year to take my LSAT, and how to start applying to law school.

Related: How the USF community can have a voice in presidential search

One of the most helpful things you can do is form a community of people that have the same interests (and struggles) as you. 

Law school is an entirely different hurdle to jump through, so it is important to feel as though you have some understanding of how to achieve this goal.

The process I had to endure trying to find these clubs and groups of people who had similar goals as me took a long time, but was so worth it in the end. USF pre-law students have done a great job at advocating for themselves and creating spaces where they can come together. 

Planning on going to law school can be extremely overwhelming. 

It is important to know your options so that your “Legally Blonde” dreams can come true.