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Inside Higher Ed · 1 day ago

Pre-Law Advisor

Columbia, SC

Full-time

Onsite

Mid Level

$49K/yr - $74K/yr

3+ years exp

The University of South Carolina is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through its education system. The Pre-Law Advisor supports undergraduates and alumni interested in law school or legal careers by providing personalized guidance, organizing events, and enhancing student engagement in the legal field.

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Responsibilities

Provide individualized and group advising for undergraduate students and alumni from all majors exploring law school and legal career pathways

Guide students through academic and professional preparation, including course planning, experiential learning, LSAT strategies, and law school application materials (personal statements, résumés, letters of recommendation, and Character and Fitness Questions)

Facilitate workshops, panels, and small-group advising sessions at various stages of the law school application process

Integrate pre-law advising with the Career Center’s broader career exploration and planning initiatives to help students connect their academic, professional, and personal goals with meaningful post-graduation outcomes, enhancing readiness for legal education and future careers

Provide inclusive advising and programming that address the diverse needs, backgrounds, and experiences of USC students

Maintain current knowledge of law school admissions trends, requirements, and best practices to provide informed, evidence-based guidance

Maintain subject matter expertise in pre-law advising and general awareness of related pre-professional areas (e.g., pre-health) to support holistic student guidance and collaboration within the Career Center

Design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive pre-law programming, including the annual Law School Fair, networking events, law school visits, and skill-building workshops. Collaborate as appropriate with Career Center colleagues and campus partners

Develop, expand, and maintain pre-law advising resources and online materials reflecting best practices in law school preparation

Lead a strategic communication plan to engage pre-law students and alumni through newsletters, social media, and digital platforms

Use student data and feedback to assess program effectiveness, identify trends, and inform continuous improvement

Benchmark and apply national best practices in pre-law advising and programming to ensure USC’s services remain innovative and impactful

Serve as the strategic liaison among academic advisors, departments, and pre-law student organizations to ensure consistency and alignment in advising and communication

Cultivate high-impact partnerships with key campus units—including Academic Advising, the Law School, and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions—to enhance pre-law visibility, recruitment, and student success

Collaborate with campus partners—including the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Visitor Center, Athletic Department, and Student Success Center—to support undergraduate recruitment and promote pre-law opportunities to prospective students

Build and manage external relationships with law schools, professional associations, and alumni in the legal field to expand networks, mentoring opportunities, and institutional reputation. Maintain active engagement with professional pre-law advising organizations such as APLA and PLANC through participation, leadership, and conference involvement to enhance expertise and elevate USC’s visibility in the national pre-law advising community

Provide professional development, resources, and strategic support to the university’s network of pre-law academic advisors

Represent the University and the Career Center at admissions presentations, orientation programs, and other recruitment and outreach events

Lead alumni and community engagement initiatives that promote mentoring, experiential learning, and access to the legal profession

Track, analyze, and apply pre-law student data, law school admission outcomes, and engagement metrics to guide strategic planning, assess program effectiveness, and inform resource allocation

Prepare regular updates for Career Center leadership and produce annual impact reports that contribute to institutional planning and continuous improvement

Contribute to the efficient operation and student service delivery of the Pre-Professional Advising satellite office, collaborating with the Pre-Med/Health Advisor and other team members to ensure coordinated, high-quality advising and programming

Provide vision and leadership for the development and continuous improvement of the university’s pre-law advising strategy, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and Career Center priorities

Lead campus-wide initiatives to strengthen undergraduate recruitment and engagement in pre-law programming

Establish and promote consistent advising standards and best practices across departments to ensure quality and equity in pre-law support

Serve as a thought leader and advocate for pre-law student success within the university and across the professional advising community

Participate in Career Center meetings, training, and collaborative initiatives that advance the Center’s strategic goals and promote an integrated, student-centered approach to career and pre-professional advising

Participate in and support divisional, departmental, and institutional initiatives such as committees, professional development meetings, move-in day, Orientation, Admissions events, Family Weekend, and other special projects

Qualification

Pre-law advisingEvent coordinationData assessmentLaw school admissions knowledgeHigher education experienceCommunication strategiesMaster's degreeJ.D.Student-centered approachRelationship buildingCollaboration

Required

Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience

Preferred

Master's degree from an accredited institution and/or Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or related advanced degree

3+ years of relevant professional experience in higher education or a legal setting

Knowledge of pre-law student development and the law school admissions process

Experience with event coordination (law fairs, speaker events), programming, recruitment/retention efforts, program assessment, and data reporting

Familiarity with advising and career systems such as Handshake, EAB Navigate or other applications related to student academic records and student support services