Keith Mack
Law school is a highly competitive academic program with rigorous entrance requirements. While there are no prerequisite courses or specific majors required for admission, your choice of major can still be a factor in the admissions process. Law schools tend to prefer students with a variety of courses, and certain subjects can help prepare you for the rigors of law school better than others. For instance, arts and humanities majors involve a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking, all of which are essential skills for lawyers. Similarly, courses in history, English, philosophy, political science, economics, and business are considered traditional preparation for law school. However, the American Bar Association (ABA) does not recommend any specific major, and admissions counselors advise students to pursue a major that interests them and take challenging classes that can help develop the skills needed for a legal career.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Required courses | No specific courses are required |
| Prerequisites | No prerequisite courses |
| Recommended skills | Research, writing, public speaking, presentation, critical thinking, reading complex texts, creating cogent arguments, organisation, and management |
| Recommended subjects | History, English, philosophy, political science, economics, business, finance, mathematics, physical sciences, humanities, social sciences |
| Extracurricular activities | Internships, debate team, newspaper and writing clubs |
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What You'll Learn
There is no prerequisite major for law school
Unlike medical school, law school does not require prerequisite courses or a specific major. Your LSAT score and GPA are the key determining factors in law school admissions. The American Bar Association (ABA) does not recommend any specific major for undergraduates or coursework to prepare for law school.
However, this does not mean that the major itself does not matter at all. Admissions counsellors recommend that students pursue a major that interests them, as they are more likely to do well in courses that pique their interest. Taking challenging classes that help prepare students for law school is also important. Law schools tend to prefer students with a variety of courses, and a liberal arts degree provides that opportunity.
Certain majors are considered traditional preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science, economics, and business. These majors can help prepare students for the LSAT and law school by developing their research, writing, and critical thinking skills. For example, history provides context for legislation and an understanding of how important legal systems and precedents were created. English refines grammar, critical thinking, and communication skills, and helps develop a sophisticated knowledge of culture and society. Economics and philosophy majors tend to score highly on the LSAT, and philosophy deals with subjects that are relevant to law school, such as logic and reasoning.
Extracurricular activities, such as interning at a law office and joining the school debate team, can also help prepare students for law school and make their applications more competitive.
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The American Bar Association (ABA) recommends focusing on growing in certain areas
While there is no requirement to major in a specific subject to get into law school, the American Bar Association (ABA) recommends focusing on growing in certain areas. The ABA emphasizes the importance of developing strong research and writing skills. This can be achieved by taking a broad range of challenging courses that refine your ability to parse complex information and create structured arguments.
One way to achieve this is by pursuing a major that interests you and challenges your critical thinking skills. Popular choices for pre-law students include history, English, philosophy, political science, economics, and business. A history major, for example, provides context for legislation and an understanding of how legal systems and precedents were created, while also requiring research, writing, and comprehension of complex texts—all valuable skills for law school.
English is another major that can help refine your grammar, critical thinking, and communication skills, as well as provide a broader understanding of culture and society. Philosophy is also a rigorous intellectual pursuit that deals with logic, reasoning, ethics, and moral and political issues—all of which are highly relevant to law school and can help prepare for the logic tests on the LSAT.
Additionally, economics and business majors can provide a strong foundation for understanding economic conditions that influence legal reform, and they tend to score highly on the LSAT. If you are interested in a specific area of law, such as corporate law or banking and finance law, an economics or business major can be a strategic choice.
Beyond traditional academic subjects, the ABA also recommends participating in extracurricular activities that foster public speaking and presentation skills. Internships with law firms, courts, or legal organizations, as well as joining debate teams or writing clubs, can provide valuable experience and help cultivate important skills for law school.
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Law school applicants tend to be drawn to political science
While there is no prerequisite major for getting into law school, law school applicants are often drawn to political science as an undergraduate major. This is due to the close relationship between politics and legislation. Lawyers need to have a good understanding of how the government and judicial systems work, and political science provides this knowledge. Additionally, political science students can complete a thesis or research project that strengthens their research and writing skills, which are essential for law school.
Political science is also a common major among law school applicants because it is a traditional pre-law field of study. Other traditional pre-law majors include history, English, philosophy, economics, and business. These majors can provide valuable knowledge and skills that can be beneficial for law school and the practice of law. For example, history can provide context for legislation and an understanding of how important legal systems and precedents were created. Similarly, philosophy encourages the development of logic and reasoning skills, which are crucial for lawyers when interpreting events or materials and constructing arguments.
English is another major that can be attractive to aspiring law school students as it hones reading and writing skills, which are heavily emphasised in law. Moreover, English majors gain sophisticated knowledge of culture and society, enhancing their understanding of the societal context of legal practices. Economics is also a popular choice for pre-law students as it deals with economic conditions that can influence legal reform. Furthermore, economics majors tend to score highly on the LSAT, which is a key factor in law school admissions.
While the choice of major can be a factor in the law school admissions process, it is not the only consideration. Law schools tend to favour applicants who have taken challenging classes and demonstrated a commitment to cultivating essential skills. Therefore, it is important for aspiring law students to focus on developing their research, writing, and critical thinking abilities, regardless of their major. Additionally, extracurricular activities, internships, and volunteer work can enhance an applicant's profile and demonstrate their passion for law. Ultimately, the best major for law school is one that the student is passionate about and that provides them with the skills and knowledge to excel in their legal studies.
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A unique major can make you a more well-rounded candidate
While there are no prerequisite courses or specific majors required to get into law school, choosing a unique major can make your application stand out and demonstrate your ability to take on challenging classes. Law schools value students who have a broad range of interests and skills, and a unique major can showcase your intellectual curiosity and well-roundedness.
For example, if you are interested in corporate law, you could consider majoring in business or finance. Alternatively, if you are drawn to the intersection of law and technology, a Computer Science major could be a unique niche that sets you apart from other candidates. A unique major can also provide you with valuable skills and knowledge that can complement your legal education. For instance, a Computer Science major could open up opportunities in the front-end corporate sector of technology, offering a fallback option if you ever decide against a career in law.
Additionally, certain unique majors can help you develop critical skills for law school and the practice of law. Economics and Philosophy majors, for instance, tend to score highly on the LSAT due to their emphasis on analytical and quantitative thinking. Similarly, English majors can refine their grammar, critical thinking, and communication skills, which are essential for the heavy reading and writing demands of law school.
Ultimately, the best major for law school is one that you are passionate about and that challenges you to cultivate essential skills such as research, writing, and critical analysis. By choosing a unique major that aligns with your interests and develops your abilities, you can become a more well-rounded and competitive candidate for law school admissions.
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Extracurricular activities can help your application
While there is no requirement to major in a specific subject to get into law school, extracurricular activities can help your application stand out. Law school admissions teams will be looking for students who take challenging classes and show dedication to their interests outside of the classroom.
Extracurricular activities are a great way to develop and showcase your skills, passions, and interests. Colleges want to see what makes you unique, and extracurriculars allow you to demonstrate your commitment to learning and developing yourself beyond the standard curriculum. These activities can also help you learn more about yourself and your goals, fostering new interests and helping you discover your passions.
When choosing extracurriculars, it's important to select activities that align with your interests and passions. This could include academic clubs, competitions, or research projects, which show your commitment to learning and your initiative to go the extra mile. Leadership activities, such as starting your own club, can also make your application more interesting and showcase your strengths.
Creative and artistic pursuits, such as drama, music, painting, or drawing, demonstrate your creativity and imagination. Meanwhile, internships or part-time jobs can show admissions officers that you are serious about a particular field and have the ability to balance work with your studies, demonstrating good time management skills.
Remember, it's not just about joining many different groups or the most prestigious clubs. Focus on the extracurriculars that spark your talents and interests, and don't be afraid to start your own club if you can't find what you're looking for. By choosing activities that you're passionate about, you'll be able to showcase your unique strengths and perspectives, which is what colleges are looking for.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you can major in any academic subject and still apply to law school. However, certain courses can better prepare you for law school, such as political science, history, economics, philosophy, and English.
Useful skills for law school include research, writing, critical thinking, and public speaking. It is also important to be able to organize large amounts of information, identify objectives, and create structures for applying information.
It is recommended to take classes on law and legal history, join debate, writing, and newspaper clubs, and seek out internships with law firms, courts, and legal organizations.
