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 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 doing a Pre-Law organization 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!  

See below for a few examples of student organizations you can get involved in. 

  • 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.  Visit 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. Visit here for more information.

    Latino Students in Law

    Latino Students in Law is a student-run organization that aims to expand Latino 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.  Visit 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 diverse, law-oriented members through panel discussions, philanthropy work, and event programming.  Visit 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. We hold professional development workshops, plan speaker events/panels that spotlight different areas of the law, and organize bonding events to help create a supportive community. Visit 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 the context of appellate-style litigation in an effort to prepare them 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.  Visit 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. Visit 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.  Visit 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. Visit here for more information.

  • 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. Visit 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. Visit 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. Visit here for more information. 

    American Marketing Association at USC

    The purpose of this organization is to provide a resource for networking and academic development for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in the field of marketing. The AMA at USC Chapter aims to bring national AMA resources to USC students, which may include but are not limited to the following: training workshops, professional speaker events, company tours, service and networking events, case competitions and consulting projects. Visit 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. Visit here for more information.

  • 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 are committed 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. Visit here for more information. 

    Troy Camp

    Troy Camp is a long-term mentorship organization committed to 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. Visit 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. Visit 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. Visit here for more information.

  • 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. Visit 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. Visit 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! Visit 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. Visit here for more information.

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