A membership form can get you into a pre-law society this week. A law journal or trial team may ask for a separate application. Start with the work you want to do: learn how law school admissions work, write, practice advocacy or meet people in a field of law. The Law & Pre-Law directory has 87 groups, but useful options also appear elsewhere in the directory.
Pre-law societies help with the application path
Pre-Law Society hosts law school representatives, organizes the Law Forum and offers counseling to undergraduates considering law school. Students in any major can use its membership form. If you want a smaller circle with a particular focus, Latinx Pre-Law Association offers information sessions and mentorship; general membership is free through its form. Pilipinx Pre-Law Pipeline connects prospective Filipino lawyers through mentorship and networking. It asks newcomers to fill out an interest form and join its GroupMe.
Legal Connection focuses on students without easy access to law school resources, including first-generation students. Its events cover the LSAT, admissions and internships; the GroupMe carries meeting updates. First Generation Pre-Law Association also offers LSAT and application guidance. Its general membership form is separate from its peer mentorship application. If mentorship is your reason for joining, check that second form before assuming general membership places you with a mentor.
You can also begin by going to a meeting. Innovation Pre-Law Society lists Thursdays at 6 pm in Mathematical Sciences 5147; its interest form and GroupMe carry updates. Legal Underground offers free LSAT tutoring and social events. It says general membership has no recruitment process, though it still asks students to submit a member form and join its GroupMe. For transfer students, Pre-Law Transfer Society has a free attendee option for panels and information sessions. Its paid verified option adds mentorship and LSAT prep savings.
Writing groups have a separate door
Joining a pre-law community does not automatically put you on its publication. Armenian Pre-Law Student Association uses a member form and GroupMe, while its undergraduate law journal has a separate application with an October 11 priority deadline. Persian Pre-Law Association shares updates through GroupMe and has a separate law review application. Middle Eastern Pre-Law Student Association offers workshops and panels; prospective journal writers use its writer interest form. Its society also welcomes students interested in Middle Eastern policy who are not of Middle Eastern descent.
For a publication centered on writing itself, UCLA Undergraduate Law Journal takes writers and editors through separate applications. Its articles give undergraduates a chance to work on legal writing together. Undergraduate Journal of International Law recruits writers, editors and interns through its applications. Pick a topic you would want to research before applying; the role is more concrete than a general interest in law.
Advocacy and fraternities use selection processes
Pre-Law Litigation Club focuses on the practical workings of legal proceedings. Its general member application is distinct from applications for its trial teams and other teams. Debate Union teaches British Parliamentary debate and posts a fall application. Its description says anyone may join, with more practice and research expected of members who travel to tournaments. Check the application and its Discord for the current way in.
For a fraternity, Kappa Alpha Pi takes undergraduates of any major through selective fall rush. You must attend at least one rush night before an invitation to coffee chats. Phi Alpha Delta's pre-law chapter also uses rush and has recruited in both fall and spring. LeGal, which connects members with law school representatives, law students and internship recruiters, takes general members by application. Its community list is another way to hear about events. An event list, a rush application and a member seat serve different purposes.
Law students can start with a society
The School of Law has its own student organizations. Student Bar Association describes its role as serving students and liaising with the administration, but its page does not give a join process. Entertainment Law Association works around entertainment law and business practice. Its new member mailing list and GroupMe offer an immediate connection; mentorship uses a separate application.
If you want appellate advocacy, Moot Court Honors Program runs an intramural competition for second- and third-year law students. Members are chosen from fall and spring competition scores. Its join note also lists oral advocacy boot camps on October 13 and 14. For research and editing, Journal of Law and Technology describes work for law students on intellectual property and technology, including leadership opportunities for 2Ls, 3Ls and LLMs. Its page does not explain how to join, so ask the journal directly before planning around a presumed application window. The graduate-student guide has more on law school groups.
Choose one next step this week
- For admissions help, submit a society's general membership form or join its update channel, then attend an event before adding another group.
- For writing, open the writer or editor application itself. The Armenian journal's October 11 priority deadline makes that one worth checking now.
- For advocacy, distinguish a general member application from a trial team application. Look for a practice commitment before putting a competition on your calendar.
- For law school organizations, use a posted list or meeting invitation first. Ask about journal membership when the page gives no process.
Keep the first move small and specific. One meeting, one form or one conversation about a role will tell you more than collecting club names. The joining guide explains the common ways in if a page uses unfamiliar language.