Should I choose Arizona State or Fordham for pre-law as an undergraduate?

For pre-law, Fordham makes more sense for the student who wants frequent access to legal internships, a more urban East Coast setting, and a campus culture where New York connections can become part of the undergraduate experience early. Arizona State fits better for someone who wants a larger university with a wider range of academic options, strong honors opportunities, and a more flexible, often more affordable path to building a law school application. Either can work well, but they set you up in different ways.

Fordham’s biggest advantage is location. Being in New York City can make it easier to find internships at law firms, courts, nonprofits, and government offices during the school year, not just in the summer.

ASU is especially appealing for the student who wants scale and options. It has a broad academic catalog, a large alumni network, and access to the resources of a major public research university. Barrett, The Honors College can be a real plus if admitted, since it offers a smaller academic community, strong advising, and enrichment that can make a big campus feel more personalized.

For law school admissions, GPA, LSAT, writing ability, and substantive experience matter more than a school having a formal “pre-law” label. So one practical question is where you are more likely to earn high grades while also taking on meaningful leadership, writing-intensive coursework, and internships. In that sense, ASU can be attractive if cost is lower and you can graduate with less debt, since saving money before law school is often a smart move.

Fordham is the more compelling choice for the student who knows they want dense access to legal and policy opportunities during college and is energized by city life. ASU is compelling for the student who wants a bigger campus ecosystem, potentially stronger value, and room to explore while still preparing seriously for law school. The better pre-law school is the one where you can build the strongest GPA, strongest résumé, and strongest day-to-day fit.