Why should I do Lex instead of a paid internship?

Understanding the legal world becomes increasingly important when you are determining whether to make an investment in law school. Often, traditional internships, although paid, are marked by lower-level administrative work that does not give you a clear understanding of the law and its different fields of practice. Lex is intentionally designed to guide students toward a better understanding of the legal field while preparing them for their first year of law school.

Who is eligible to apply for the Lex Fellowship?

We accept current undergraduates at four-year institutions, those about to enter undergrad in the fall, and those who have just graduated within the last six months. Fellows are usually between 19 - 22 years old.

How competitive is the application process

There is no finite number of students we accept. As an educational program, we hope to include as many students as possible. Therefore, we accept all qualified persons, meaning that you compete only against yourself. So long as an applicant is professional, serious about law, and rightly motivated to participate in the Fellowship, he/she has a strong likelihood of being accepted.

Do I need to speak the language?

No. The professionals with whom we interact are conversational, if not fluent, in English.

What is housing like?

Housing varies by location and session. Depending on your Fellowship selection, you may stay in a university dorm, an apartment, or international student housing. You may be in the city center or in the outskirts. Fellows can expect to have at least one roommate of the same gender.

Why would I go abroad when I plan on studying in the U.S.?

The structure and exercise of the legal profession follows similar patters world-wide. While the legal systems in Europe and America are different, Fellows delve deeply into the study of legislative applicability, legal analysis, and the skills needed to work with a legal mindset. The international environment provides an opportunity for global perspective building and comparative analysis.

Will I be studying American law abroad?

When working in the partner firms, you will be analyzing past cases that played out in the context of the law of the country you are in. However, even though the law itself might be different, the way you analyze the case is going to be the same. In the same way, just because laws will differ even across different states in the U.S does not mean that it doesn't make sense to study a court case that took place in a different state.

How does the networking work?

Lex Fellows have the opportunity to meet with lawyers throughout the entire Fellowship at firm visits, networking lunches, and elsewhere. Fellows are encouraged to obtain business cards and follow up.

By when do I have to apply?

Our admissions process is rolling; thus, the answer to this question depends on the Fellowship you wish to attend, and when you requested your application. Visit the Dates & Fees page to find out more about our program dates.

Finances are tight. How can I afford the program?

While we don't offer scholarships directly, we have received feedback from past Fellows about resources that worked well with helping them raise funds to participate in our program. Additionally, many Fellows pursue a paid opportunity for the part of the summer when they are not overseas with us. Consider the following options: - Speak with both the study abroad and financial aid offices on campus to see what resources they can provide or point you towards. - Talk with your family and support system about the Lex Fellowship to see what financial support may be available for them. - Write support letters to your network explaining why you are pursuing this opportunity and what types of support would be helpful to receive from them. - Partner with a local restaurant to host an event where part of the proceeds go towards your trip. - Reach our to local law firms or lawyers requesting sponsorship.

Begin the process by visiting our Apply page, and completing the Application Request form.

What visa will I need?

U.S. citizens enjoy a 90-Day travel privilege within the EU; therefore, no visa is required. For non-U.S. citizens, visas may be required.

What if I have conflicts with the dates?

Our team works alongside Fellows; if need be, Fellows may defer to later dates. Please contact our team to assess your situation.

FAQ | Pre Law Study Abroad — The Lex Fellowship

College is the perfect time to explore new cultures before other responsibilities kick in. Shadowing over break means you’re utilizing your breaks to their utmost potential.

From Rome to Madrid, or Barcelona to Washington D.C., you can shadow in several countries back-to-back and then use your free weekends to explore practically anywhere in Europe. View Locations & Dates here.

Most study abroad programs are only somewhat valuable for your pre-law journey, in that they develop your cultural understanding but don’t give you an in-depth understanding of the legal field. Lex does both at once.

Lex provides legal training sessions and extended learning opportunities instructed by a U.S law student or J.D. graduate. These lectures introduce basic 1L concepts + vocabulary and provide insight on the law school admissions process. Read about Legal Associates here.

Lex helps students strengthen skills that enable you to work as part of a team and to build relationships with others. The interpersonal skills gained also help in legal settings and prepare students for law school socialization.

We have seen alumni get high quality internships and experience after studying abroad with us, positions that set them apart in law school application pools as some of the very few people bridging international legal systems.

From presenting your case analysis to the attorneys, to mock oral arguments, Lex fellows engage in numerous public speaking practices. This prepares students for the Socratic method which is used in U.S. law schools, and helps them build the confidence needed to make their presence felt in intimidating legal environments.

Even if you already have an idea of what practice area suits you and have been gaining experience in that area, Lex allows you to expand your experience and knowledge even further, giving you a more comprehensive understanding of the legal field and more diverse areas of practice.

You’ll make many new friends to spend time with in the evenings and on free weekends during your program, and Lex students often stay in touch with their fellow participants long after their program ends. This is also an opportunity to obtain a broader and more geographically diverse pre-law peer network. As you later go through law school applications (and beyond) everyone can benefit from this.

Lex alumni hail from 500+ universities and go on to pursue J.D.s and many other legal careers. Many have gone on to attend top law schools, including Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Cornell and more. View more Alumni Outcomes here.

Many of the cases that students work on are extremely unique and not seen during basic pre-law based courses or U.S. internship opportunities. Lex exposes students to international law cases that they wouldn’t otherwise see, thus providing a unique legal perspective.

Students study abroad for 1-9 weeks weeks while rotating through various law firms and legal settings. With a minimum of 3 firms visted per week spent inside firms, you’ll have no shortage of stories or experience.

The Legal Training Sessions and Extended Learning Opportunity curriculum aims to enhance students' legal research and writing abilities. Case analysis assignments shed light on the thought process that goes into legal research. Students also participate in legal writing exercises and get feedback from someone with a U.S. J.D. background.

Many pre-law students focus so much on extracurriculars that it impacts their GPA and LSAT scores. Participating in Lex during college breaks allows students to focus on their grades during semesters, without worrying about having a scarcity of extracurriculars on their resume.

Programs range from 1–10 weeks long, and students generally rotate between various types of law firms everyday. Examples include criminal, civil, mergers & acquisitions, employment, family law, and more. Although not every specialty may be one that you’re interested in, it can be guaranteed that Lex students visit enough law firms to get a comprehensive idea of what a legal system looks like and how it works. This exposure often helps students narrow down their choices for post-law school areas of interest and practice as well.

Our alumni in top law schools have said that,”having Lex on my resume lent some credence to my claims that I had interest in international law” (Camille Brunetti, Harvard Law School ‘25).

The Lex Fellowship provides great opportunities in comparison to traditional study abroad programs. With apartment style housing and a site manager who is often from the area you’ll be studying, students truly get to immerse themselves into the cultural experience of their program location and live like locals. The lunches provided by Lex are often catered at the law firms after the coursework for the day is completed; students get to enjoy a networking focused lunch where they can ask for advice, gain knowledge, and build professional connections all at the same time.

Lex helps you envision your own future and determine where your passion lies – whether that is in law or not. The time will be well spent as you discern your vocation and develop confidence in your career path.

Lex gives you firsthand knowledge of international law to bring to interviews. Many law school blogs talk about ways in which the U.S. legal system could improve in comparison to other countries. Lex fellows get direct experience with other legal systems. This makes you an even more competitive candidate during the law school application process and prepares you for law school with a global perspective.

Overall, 81% of Lex Fellows reported that they progressed in [American Bar Association core competency][1] areas. These competencies include problem solving, critical reading, writing and editing, oral communication and listening, research, organization and management, public service and promoting justice, and relationship building and collaboration.

Aside from the firm visits, students observe other unique legal settings. For example, Lex fellows may sit in and observe court sessions or visit legal associations like the Madrid Bar Association or the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

With a bit of intentionality, you can certainly ask the lawyers you shadow or your legal advisor for for recommendation letters – this opportunity arises all the time at Lex , and we think you’ll find that said individuals are very happy to help. They want you to succeed! However, keep in mind the advice you have already received on letters of recommendation: they are only worthwhile when you have really met the person in question at a significant level.

Law schools look for ability and passion. With lawyer burnout on the rise, it’s not enough to demonstrate your skills with a high GPA and LSAT scores. You need experiences that show a love and dedication to the legal field.

Gain an understanding of diverse cultures within and beyond the United States, of international institutions and issues, of world events, and of the increasing interdependence of the nations and communities within our world, just as the American Bar Association recommends.

Lex costs a small percentage of the cost of college and graduate/professional school, but it’s a great resume booster and has a significant impact on you being accepted into law school.

25 More Reasons To Do It