If I want to go to law school, what should I major in during college?

Answer 1

I'm graduating from law school next week, and my advice to you is this: Double-major. Choose rigorous majors like math, science, philosophy BUT learning to write well is important, so if you're a math major, at the least, minor in literature or philosophy or a subject that requires a lot of writing. If you want to go to law school, ESPECIALLY if you want to be a litigator like I will be, get used to outworking everyone around you.

If you add the credits you need to graduate, there are more than enough elective credits to choose 2 majors and still have elective credits left over. It looks much more impressive on your resume. Remember, you are competing against Type A personalities - very competitive people who get a thrill from winning. They want to beat you, so prepare yourself now. I wasn't a "gunner" but I enjoyed debating students and professors in law school.

Many law students double-major and/or have 2 degrees before law school, so it would be an advantage to double-major at the least. In my group of friends, I double-majored in political science and philosophy with concentrations in political philosophy and ethics. One friend has an MBA, another an MD, the other a PhD, and the last friend double-majored in French and History. We have worked as professional actors, financial analysts, emergency room doctors, college professors, and journalists.

Law school is a very competitive program with super over-achieving students. The more critical thinking education you can add to your resume the better, and not just for pretense: during law school, I used every ounce of my undergrad education. Philosophy was the most helpful and it gave me every advantage in spotting legal issues in class and during exams. Philosophy also made reading and understanding statutes extremely easy. But poli-sci helped somewhat also since it teaches government structure, although admissions counselors say there are too many poli-sci majors applying to law school.

I think what I'm trying to say is: Law school teaches you a METHOD of thinking. That is the point of the education. It is easier to learn one method if you have experience with learning other methods. So, math majors have an advantage, philosophy majors have an advantage, science majors have an advantage. These disciplines instruct in methodology. Most of the majors will not hurt your chances, but many will help immensely.

Do NOT major in pre-law or criminal justice - if you read any "how to get into law school" books, or speak to law school admissions counselors, they actively discourage those majors. Criminal justice is not rigorous, and pre-law leads students to believe that they're learning what people learn in law school. My school had one pre-law minor/graphic arts major: he received the lowest grades 1st semester in all of his classes. Don't be like that guy. Prepare.

Answer 2

It doesn't matter much, but be sure you're ready to do a lot of reading and writing once you get to law school. Style doesn't matter, they'll teach you that, but you MUST be organized and able to grasp what you read efficiently.

Most law schools look for a variety of majors. I think the only major that wasn't represented in my class was Pre-Med. We even had a professional musician.

The LSAT is generally the prime determinant for admission.

Answer 3

Coming from a business or science background will be your best bet. I came from a business degree- as an accounting major. Besides that they show good logic, the number of business and scientific issues in court is increasing so having a background in it can only help you more!

Answer 4

Generally it's pre-law or Poly Sci, but technically any 4 year degree generally qualifies you for law school in most states.

Answer 5

Philosophy's a good background. The whole aim is to make your arguments logical and persuasive, improve your analysis of other people's arguments, and enable you to win by changing the framework of the debate. It won't help or hurt your admission chances, but it is very helpful to doing well in law school and to the actual practice of law.

Answer 6

you're approximately to graduate with honors and have accomplished criminal internships you may not be afflicted to Google the standards of having right into a preppy regulation college or asking a professor or somebody you have met alongside the way approximately it? I Googled the solutions in all of two minutes and that i'm no longer even chasing your dream.

Answer 7

Anything you want.