Thinking seriously about going to law school? Whether you are destined for a courtroom, nonprofit or a boardroom, applying to law school can be an exciting – and daunting – task.

Don’t despair! We want to take the anxiety out of planning your future career in law. 

Become a part of Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholars Program (PSP). Why? Because our law firm wants to help individuals hurdle obstacles in the way of pursuing a law degree.

Here’s how it works:

Students who are interested in law school apply to be a Prelaw Scholar. We cover the cost of taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and the LSAT prep course.  After you have successfully taken the LSAT, we help you offset the cost of your applications to law schools by providing funds for a credential assembly service to help you gather, organize, and present application materials. The program also provides attorney mentors to help guide you through law school. Below are requirements and next steps:

Applicants Must

• Be a college junior, senior or graduate from an accredited college whose background, experience, personal attributes, and characteristics contribute to Barnes & Thornburg’s diversity, equity and inclusion commitment and goals
• Demonstrate excellent academic and personal achievement
• Be planning to take the LSAT in the next 12 months
• Demonstrate financial need

How To Apply

• Application opens December 2024 – Apply here
• Provide resume and two letters of recommendation
• Provide transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Submit a personal statement describing how you meet the listed criteria
• Submit copy of most recent FAFSA or Student Aid Report from undergraduate school
• All files must be submitted in pdf format

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

When is the deadline to apply?

Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on January 31, 2025.

Do transcripts need to be certified/official?

No, unofficial transcripts are fine.

What if I do not have all of the requested documents?

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please have all documents uploaded by the deadline.

How long should my personal statement be?

While there is no minimum required word count for your personal statement, it should be no more than three pages double-spaced with one-inch margins and in 12-point font.

Is the program restricted to first-time test takers?

No. There is no restriction that applicants be first-time test takers.

When will I know if I am selected?

All applications will be reviewed and top candidates will be contacted in February to schedule interviews with the selection panel. Scholarship recipients will be notified in March.

What do I get if I am selected?

Scholars are eligible to receive up to $2,500 to help pay for their LSAT application, LSAT study course, credential assembly service, and law school application fees. Scholars are also paired with attorney mentors to help guide and provide support and advice throughout the law school application process and in law school.