Why get involved?
Involvement is an important part of the law school application process. It helps give your college years a voice and tells the story of your experiences outside of the classroom. While the type or number of organizations you are involved in does not matter, the quality of your work within the organization does make a difference!
USC has over 1,000 student organizations that you can choose from, and also offers a number of pre-law related student organizations. Pre-law related student organizations provide students with the chance to connect with other students who are also on the path to law school. However, keep in mind that most law school applicants come from a diverse range of majors and backgrounds. So, participating in pre-law related student organizations is not a requirement for law school. Whether it is a student organization that focuses on what you are majoring in, community service, pre-professional skills, or social life, get involved in the ones that interest you the most!
Visit engageSC to explore the complete list of student organizations available on campus. After logging in with your USC NetID, you can click on the “Explore Clubs and Orgs” on the left side bar and filter the student organizations by different categories (e.g., pre-professional, ethnic/cultural, social, service). Once you find a student organization you would like to get involved in, try to get on their email list or follow them on social media to stay up to date on their events!
We have provided a few examples below of organizations to consider getting involved with- there are MANY more in engageSC!
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Black Pre-Law Association
The Black-Pre Law Association is a student-run organization that provides comprehensive resources, including scholarships, internships, and mentorship opportunities, alongside valuable development programs such as community service projects, professional panels, and LSAT preparation. Our aim is to increase access to the legal field and we are open to all undergraduate students. Instagram
Blackstonians Pre-Law Honor Society
Founded at the University of Southern California in 1923, Blackstonians is a pre-law honor society that recognizes academic excellence in undergraduate students and strives to expand their knowledge and perceptions of the legal profession. Click here for more information.
Corporate Law and Financial Regulation Association(CLFRA)
Corporate Law and Financial Regulation Association(CLFRA) is a student-led organization at the University of Southern California. CLFRA serves as an opportunity for students interested in careers in business, finance, and law to come together, learn skills, network, and hear directly from alumni and speakers in the industry. Click here for more information.
Journal of Law and Society
The University of Southern California Journal of Law and Society is a student-run, interdisciplinary Journal that promotes outstanding undergraduate scholarship. Click here for more information.
Kappa Alpha Pi (KAPi)
Kappa Alpha Pi is dedicated to providing interested students with information about the law school application process, law school, and a wide range of legal careers. Kappa Alpha Pi aims to facilitate interaction between members, individuals within the law profession, and the USC community as a whole. Our fraternity is designed to educate about the field of law, but also strives to provide the most essential professional skills for its members. Our programming ranges from the development of pre-professional skills to preparation for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Instagram
Latino Students in Law
Latino Students in Law is a student-run organization open to all students that aims to expand representation in the legal field through panel discussions with law school admissions officers and practicing lawyers, mentorship opportunities with current law school students, and LSAT tutoring. LSL leads with one primary focus: preparing the next generation of resilient and passionate lawyers to advance diversity in the legal field and leave a mark in their communities. Click here for more information.
Phi Alpha Delta(PAD)
USC Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) is a professional, pre-law fraternity focused on exposing students to different careers in law, connecting students with professionals in the field, and providing them with a space to grow professionally. The organization seeks to foster a tight-knit community of engaged, law-oriented members through panel discussions, philanthropy work, and event programming. Click here for more information.
Society of Women in Law
Society of Women in Law is USC’s first and only Women’s Pre-Law Society. Open to all students, the organization holds professional development workshops, plans speaker events/panels that spotlight different areas of the law, and organize bonding events to help create a supportive community. Click here for more information.
Southern California Moot Court
The purpose of this organization is for members to better their oral and written advocacy skills in appellate-style litigation. This work helps prepare members for law school and for a career as an advocate. The program is intended to be accessible to all undergraduate students who are interested in a career in the legal profession. Click here for more information.
Trial Advocacy (Mock Trial)
The USC Trial Advocacy program competes on the American Mock Trial Association circuit. Our program is open to all undergraduate students at USC, regardless of Mock Trial experience or major. Under the coaching of skilled trial attorneys, team members learn how to hone their craft in order to argue objections, present speeches, conduct witness examinations, and portray witnesses effectively. Click here for more information.
Trojan Debate Squad
The Trojan Debate Squad (TDS) is devoted to teaching argumentation and analytic thinking skills to students through academic debate. The TDS is one of the nation’s leading collegiate debate programs and focuses on competitive policy debate, research on the digital transition in debate and expanding debate in Los Angeles public schools. Click here for more information.
Trojan Review
The mission of the Trojan Review is to promote and incentivize a greater awareness of the complexities posed by pertinent legal issues, as well as help develop the next generation of lawyers by providing a foundation for legal writing and research. Click here for more information.
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Check out EngageSC for MANY MANY MORE!
Trojan Research Association
Trojan Research Association introduces USC students to various facets of academic research in many disciplines, offer research-related workshops, and match motivated individuals with willing faculty members for mentored research. Click here for more information.
LavaLab
LavaLab is USC’s premiere, student-run startup incubator. Every semester, we invite a new cohort of the school’s best designers, engineers, and product managers to join our community, craft innovative products, and find their cofounders. Click here for more information.
180 Degrees Consulting
180 Degrees Consulting is the world’s largest nonprofit consultancy with over 150 branches across 35 countries. USC’s chapter provides consulting services to nonprofits, professional training for the USC community, and social events for its members. Click here for more information.
Model United Nations of Southern California
This team travels all around North America to compete in conferences with other universities, as well as hosts two of our own conferences: the prestigious SCMUN for middle and high school students, and intercollegiate TrojanMUN, ranked the top Fall conference on the West Coast by Best Delegate. Model UN not only gives newfound knowledge on global affairs, but it improves critical thinking, writing, communication, public speaking, and diplomacy skills. Click here for more information.
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Check out EngageSC for MANY MANY MORE!
Los Angeles Community Impact (LACI)
LACI is the University of Southern California’s premier social impact consulting organization. Our members come from a diverse array of academic backgrounds and commit to helping nonprofits, social enterprises, and other socially-impactful companies serve Los Angeles populations (cited directly from LACI’s website). Learn more here.
Trojan Shelter
The purpose of Trojan Shelter is to manage the funding and operation of a college enrolled student housing in Los Angeles, run entirely by USC students, to discuss, develop, and promote solutions that advance the alleviation of homelessness in Los Angeles, to bring together USC and other universities, faith community groups, civic leaders, and community service non-profit organizations to provide homelessness assistance, and to foster and develop emerging student leaders attending USC as stewards of social justice, philanthropy, and community service. Click here for more information.
Troy Camp
Troy Camp is a long-term mentorship organization serving the youth of South Los Angeles. Throughout the school year, they build relationships with local youth spanning from 3rd-12th grade, all of whom have attended our week-long summer camp previously. Click here for more information.
Remedy Through Music
Remedy Through Music is a student-run volunteer and outreach club aiming to bring all forms of music to the surrounding community, including hospitals, retirement homes, and family centers. Click here for more information.
Trojan Dance Marathon
Trojan Dance Marathon is a student organization that does year-round fundraising for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. They raise awareness for pediatric health through campus wide events, activities, and engagement. Click here for more information.
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A well-rounded college experience is important! Law schools like to see involvement in more than just academics. See below for some social student organizations.
There are many more in engageSC– these are just a few to get your ideas started!
Peaks and Professors
Peaks & Professors is a student organization and registered 501(c)(3) at the University of Southern California that aims to unite top USC professors and students by organizing outdoors adventures in the Californian wilderness, with activities ranging from day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips. Click here for more information.
SC Garden Club
Are you interested in food justice and/or urban gardening? Join the SC Garden Club! They meet weekly for gardening hours to work at the garden, hold events throughout the year, and have an active Discord platform for anyone interested in gardening or plant care. Click here for more information.
ImprovSC
USC’s premier recreational improv group. They welcome people of all improv experiences to learn, perform, and have fun together! Click here for more information.
USC Photography Club
Collaborate with fellow creatives, explore beautiful places, and foster your inner artist with us. Their members come from all different corners of USC with the intent of joining a tight-knit and welcoming group. Click here for more information.