Legal Studies

Pre-Law Advising

Vanderbilt’s Pre-Law Advising is housed at Vanderbilt Law School with support from both the undergraduate minor in Legal Studies and the Vanderbilt Career Center.

Law school building attrium
Section Contents

Introduction

Pre-Law Advising serves to prepare undergraduate students for a future in legal studies. There is no formal pre-law declaration at Vanderbilt, and students generally do not need any specific curriculum to be eligible to apply for law school. Vanderbilt students can enroll in Legal Studies courses at Vanderbilt Law for their own benefit and educational experience, but this is not required to utilize Pre-Law Advising services or events!

Meet the Pre-Law Advisor

Sarah Barnard serves as Vanderbilt University’s Pre-Law Advisor and serves undergraduate students and recent undergraduate alumni (>2 years since graduation) in Pre-Law Advising. Current Master of Legal Studies students may also utilize advising services. Sarah has over 15 years of experience in various industries including legal recruitment, talent acquisition, human resources and previously was a practicing attorney. She earned a bachelor's in history from The University of Texas, an LL.M. in taxation from Boston University School of Law, and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.

Sarah’s office is located in 230C in the Law School building, in the second-floor Legal Writing Office suite.

Email Advising

Office Hours and Appointments

  • Pre-Law Advising Drop-In Hours

    During the Fall 2025 semester, Pre-Law Advising drop-in hours are 9:30 am – 11:00 am, every other Friday, in the Law School. Check AnchorLink and Handshake for additional details and come by for a breakfast treat and advice on all things Law School.

  • 1:1 Advising Appointments

    Make a 1:1 Pre-Law Advising appointment with Sarah Barnard using your Handshake login – appointment hours are offered most days throughout the academic year. Appointments are in person or via Zoom.

Programming

Continue to check current schedules for Legal Studies and Pre-Law Advising via AnchorLink and Handshake.

Regular programming includes the Law School Admission Fair every fall, personal statement writing workshops, legal employer visits to campus, information sessions from top law schools across the country, and exclusive opportunities with organizations to support your law school educational journey.

Pre-Law Advising’s strong partnership with Legal Studies and Vanderbilt Law School allows undergraduate students to participate in select workshops and keynote talks. You do not need to be declared in the Legal Studies minor to take advantage of these offerings.