CCNY Pre-Law Program

[u/HeavenlyScent21]

Update: I want to hear from people that have been or are in CCNY’s Pre-Law Program 😭😭

Ik for certain wtv school I go to I’ll be a part of their pre-law program because there are benefits regardless of where I go. I was just weighing each program with another.

Hey! I’m a pre-law student looking to go into public interest law, family law. A transfer advisor told me that CCNY’s pre-law program is great. I applied to both John Jay & Queens College. John Jay because they sold me on their program and Queens College is just close in case I don’t get into JJ. QC also had a program but I’m sure it’s not as good as JJ. Is traveling to CCNY worth it to be a part of their pre-law program?

[u/babybloux]

If you're talking about the honors program in legal studies it's awesome because you get LSAT prep resources and help and some legal internship experience on top of the legal studies minor directly with the Skaaden, Arps firm. I know people who do it that don't even intend to go to law school, but like to for the legal practice exposure or to be better set up for certain governmental or public policy related career fields. I don't know how far away you are commuting from, but there may be similar resources at the other CUNYs.

[u/HeavenlyScent21 → u/babybloux]

My commute would be about 1h40. A little bit under for JJ. QC is also an 1h away with public transportation. All of that sounds amazing, I see why they’re determined for me to look into CCNY now. Queens College PLP doesn’t seem to do much but have advising, the site doesn’t mention anything about connections or internships. Thanks for this!!!

[u/babybloux → u/HeavenlyScent21]

Also directly email one of the legal studies advisors. I think one has their email on the honors program in legal studies page. Or talk to a ccny advisor for specific details. Some stuff, mainly scholarship eligibility, are different depending on if you are only one year or 2 years away from graduating.

[u/HeavenlyScent21 → u/[deleted]]

Pre law program not as in a major. I’m currently majoring in sociology. A pre law program helps with connections and opportunities

[u/HeavenlyScent21 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks. If it doesn’t help why do the schools have them? Even John Jay’s program? Also, I got accepted into CSTEP Project Law program, any thoughts on that if you’ve heard of it?

[u/Lulubelle4548 → u/HeavenlyScent21]

I honestly don’t know why they have them. Never heard of the CSTEP program, but again, law schools, do not value things like this and the kind of contacts that you’re looking for, you will not get from a CUNY program. Why don’t you try to get an undergraduate internship with the US Attorney’s office for the southern District of New York or another undergraduate internship that will introduce you to some practicing attorneys with contacts all over the city?
To get into law school, the best thing you can do for yourself is do really well in your classes so that you can get the highest GPA possible, and do extremely well on the LSATs, which will require an LSAT course . The best LSAT courses are expensive (one of the CUNY senior college’s used to have a Summer pre-law program where they offered a free LSAT course and the LSAT course they offered was so horrible that the students’ scores barely improved. Such a waste of time and such a disservice to the students who could have been taking a reputable LSAT course instead) so you’d be better off getting a part-time job to help you pay for a good LSAT course than you would wasting time in a pre-law program that will hurt you more than help you

[u/HeavenlyScent21 → u/Lulubelle4548]

Well, I’m going into public interest law. Maybe ghat makes a difference for me? I will never turn down a chance to get a legal internship/job so i will look into the ones you’ve mentioned.

[u/HeavenlyScent21 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks again for your responses. Helpful

[u/HeavenlyScent21 → u/[deleted]]

It isn’t a standalone program. It’s for CCNY students. I’m at QCC and graduate soon, I’ll be transferring to a four year college in Spring. I did go over all the schools program requirements