PRE-LAW STUDIES
WHAT IS PRE-LAW?
There is no one major that will guarantee your placement in law school, and to a large degree, the term "pre-law major" is not entirely accurate. Law schools accept all kinds of undergraduate degrees. That said, law schools do look for students who elected to take a challenging course of study, one that is well-rounded and prepares them to think and communicate elegantly.
WHAT COURSES DO YOU NEED TO TAKE?
If you want to attend law school, choose a major in a challenging subject area you enjoy. Some common pre-law majors include political science, English, criminal justice, and psychology. Meet with your college or university's pre-law advisor early in your college career. They can clue you in to the letters of recommendation you'll need and help you prepare for the law school application processes. You can also choose classes to help develop skills that will serve you in good stead in law school and beyond. Classes that help develop your written and oral communication skills, analytical abilities, and knowledge about the world are good choices. Here are some ideas:
- Accounting
- American Government
- Expository Writing
- Introduction to Political Science
- Law, Politics, and Justice
- Logic
- Macroeconomics
- Principles of Economics
- Public Speaking
- Western Civilization/U.S. History
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A DEGREE IN PRE-LAW?
If you major in something about which you feel passionately, you will have career options whether or not you attend law school. Political science majors find jobs in government, business, and educational settings.
English majors become journalists, teachers, and editors. Environmental studies majors become consultants and park rangers. And, of course, many students gain admission to the country's great law schools.