Our Interview with Cecilia Choy, President of the Pre-Law Society at UCLA

Cecilia Choy is the President of the Pre-Law Society at UCLA.

What's something this pre-law student society offers that students tell you genuinely made a difference for them? ‍

The UCLA Pre-Law Society is the oldest and largest pre-law society at our university. What makes us unique is our longstanding partnerships with law schools, law firms, LSAT prep companies, and law school admissions counselors, which allow us to connect students with valuable resources throughout their pre-law journey. As President, I hope to empower every member, from the beginning of their pre-law journey to the moment they receive their law school acceptance letter. Another aspect of our organization that I really value is its flexibility. We understand that pre-law students already have demanding schedules, so we make resources accessible to students at their own convenience without requiring additional meetings. Our goal is to make navigating the path to law school more approachable and manageable for everyone. 

What’s the biggest pressure pre-law students at your campus are facing right now that people outside the law school admissions process don’t fully understand? 

I believe one of the biggest pressures pre-law students face right now is preparing for the LSAT. Beyond the time and effort required to balance studying for both classes and the test, there is also a great deal of pressure surrounding scores and what they mean for law school admissions. It can be difficult to balance LSAT preparation with academics, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities, especially when students feel that a single score could have such a significant impact on their future. 

At UCLA Pre-Law Society, we recognize that every student has different learning styles and financial circumstances, which is why our members have access to discounts on a wide range of LSAT preparation programs. Additionally, our Winter and Spring quarters are packed with free LSAT lessons through partnerships with Kaplan, LSAT Lab, TestMasters, and more. We hope these resources help students explore different study methods and ultimately find what works best for them. 

If you could remove one expectation placed on pre-law students, what would it be? 

I would remove the expectation that students need to score above a 170 on the LSAT to be considered successful applicants. While a strong LSAT score can certainly open doors, there is no single score that defines a student's potential to become a great lawyer. I think pre-law students would benefit from focusing less on this test score and more on finding the schools that align with their goals, strengths, and aspirations. Personally, I find it helpful to ground myself throughout the admissions process by remembering why I want to pursue law school in the first place. 

Are students becoming more open about burnout and mental health, or is there still pressure to push through silently? 

I think students are becoming more open about burnout and mental health, and there is a growing recognition that taking care of yourself is just as important as achieving your academic goals. That said, the pressure to keep pushing through is still very present in pre-law culture. When students are constantly surrounded by conversations about grades, LSAT scores, and law school admissions, it can be easy to feel like taking a break means falling behind. It is imperative to create spaces where students feel comfortable being honest about their struggles and understand that prioritizing their well-being does not make them any less ambitious. 

Many students also find themselves wondering whether taking a gap year, or even multiple years, is the right decision for them. In response to these conversations, UCLA Pre-Law Society plans to host an event later this year focused on helping students recognize when they may need a break and how to navigate that decision. I believe learning to recognize your limits and prioritize your well-being is an essential skill to develop before entering law school, where the academic demands can be even more intense. Taking time for yourself should not be seen as falling behind, but rather as an opportunity to approach the next stage of your education with greater clarity and confidence. 

How has social media changed pre-law culture, particularly around comparison, productivity, and self-worth? 

Social media often highlights people's successes without showing the challenges, setbacks, or uncertainty behind them. As a result, it can be difficult not to compare yourself to students who appear to be studying for the LSAT consistently, earning exceptionally high scores, or accomplishing everything at once. That kind of comparison can create unrealistic expectations about what the pre-law journey should look like. At the same time, I do think social media has its benefits because it makes information about the LSAT, law school admissions, and different career paths much more accessible. Ultimately, I think the key is learning to use social media as a resource rather than a measure of your own progress or self-worth.

What's the financial reality of being pre-law that you wish more people talked about? 

I wish more people talked about how to find and apply for scholarships and grants outside of the financial aid offered directly by law schools. While many law schools offer scholarships or financial assistance upon admission, there are also external scholarships, grants, and other funding opportunities that students may not know exist. The cost of pursuing a legal education extends beyond tuition to include LSAT preparation, application fees, and other expenses throughout the admissions process. I think making students more aware of these additional funding opportunities is important because financial barriers should not prevent someone from pursuing a legal education.

Cecilia Choy was interviewed by Arush Chandna, the co-founder of Juris Education, a law school admissions consulting company.