4 answers
Leeyah
Student
Freeport, Florida
2
Questions
Asked
3911 views
I want to become a constitutional lawyer one day. I'm a rising 11th grader and 100% dual enrolled in college classes. My pre-law goal right now is the attend ucla to major in history and minor in professional writing. Is there any ways I can make this general idea better or get ahead on preparations now?
My favorite classes are history, english and science. I'm very good at math, but find it daunting. My top major choices right now are history, english, or biology. I love musical theater, writing, reading, and plays trombone for marching and concert band. I've already got 110 volunteer hours, and have no idea what to do next to avoid getting behind in the college planning process.
4 answers
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
230
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Leeyah: Both Kim and Michelle have given great advice. So let me get down to basics.
Constitutional Law is a philosophical question as to someone - or somethings -constitutional rights being violated. Eg - was an arrested person read his/her rights? Does Allegator Alcatraz violate due process laws. Does Congress have the right to restrict gun use? These are Constitutional questions. As an 11th grader in Florida I'd suggest you go to a Federal Court and watch a case or two. If you can get to a Federal Appeals Court I'd suggest you sit in on an argument or two. If you can make your way to Washington DC I'd suggest you sit in a Supreme Court argument or two. This will give you a practicle understanding of what Constitutional Law involves.
Next, I note you like to write. Great! Write write and write some more. That's what most lawyers do all the time.
Now attending UCLA or the University of Florida is a decision for you and your parents. Lots of factors - like cost and missing home. Picking a college is like picking a new outfit - it has to fit. Go visit schools and find the one that fits you. There are plenty to choose from.
Remember, Life is a journey. Enjoy the trip!
Constitutional Law is a philosophical question as to someone - or somethings -constitutional rights being violated. Eg - was an arrested person read his/her rights? Does Allegator Alcatraz violate due process laws. Does Congress have the right to restrict gun use? These are Constitutional questions. As an 11th grader in Florida I'd suggest you go to a Federal Court and watch a case or two. If you can get to a Federal Appeals Court I'd suggest you sit in on an argument or two. If you can make your way to Washington DC I'd suggest you sit in a Supreme Court argument or two. This will give you a practicle understanding of what Constitutional Law involves.
Next, I note you like to write. Great! Write write and write some more. That's what most lawyers do all the time.
Now attending UCLA or the University of Florida is a decision for you and your parents. Lots of factors - like cost and missing home. Picking a college is like picking a new outfit - it has to fit. Go visit schools and find the one that fits you. There are plenty to choose from.
Remember, Life is a journey. Enjoy the trip!
Thanks Dennis! If I may add to your suggestion - the Supreme Court has a wealth of info on its website, including oral arguments and relevant documents. Some other courts do as well. Very enlightening to watch/listen to these cases!
Kim Igleheart
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1832
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Leeyah,
Constitutional Law is a VERY broad field.
Do you have it narrowed down? Police Misconduct? Free Speech?
Aside from the educational goals, I would encourage you to get involved! Become a part of society! This doesn't mean civil disobedience type events, but, there is so much going on all around us. Become a part of it and learn it from a grass-roots perspective. It's also an opportunity for networking.
Also keep your eye on opportunities. One that I literally just learned about is a group called FIRE: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. They handle numerous cases around the country "pro bono" (for free). And they understand how the littlest of infringements leads to greater and greater infringements. Their student internship is available to college Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. You can see they want people who have demonstrated a commitment to the cause. If this is something you can find a way to do, that would be really awesome! I'm sure there are others as well. https://www.thefire.org/careers/summer-internship-program
As to college, major doesn't matter much. But definitely use that time to Learn! Understand what the Founding Fathers were thinking when they wrote the various Constitutional provisions. Understand language and the parts of speech - I've seen more than a few cases that hinged on the interpretation of sentence clauses and parts of speech. Take a Logic class. And Latin vocabulary. Challenge yourself to think, rather than just recite facts. Take speech. And debate. Stay current with technology. Learn to put together a good presentation. Don't isolate yourself with like-minded thinkers. Learn how others think. Try to understand the rationale behind their thought processes. Doesn't mean you have to believe in it, but the more you can understand different perspectives, the better off you will be.
Don't bounce all over the place. Don't join a bunch of groups just so you can say you belonged. Join a few and really commit to them.
Stray away from campus. Go to city council or school board meetings. (occasionally!) Learn about power dynamics in government. If available, follow a police misconduct case and see how it gets investigated/resolved. Invite people from the community to speak at your campus. The more "real world" exposure you have prior to taking classes, the greater your takeaway is from those classes.
Best of luck to you !
Constitutional Law is a VERY broad field.
Do you have it narrowed down? Police Misconduct? Free Speech?
Aside from the educational goals, I would encourage you to get involved! Become a part of society! This doesn't mean civil disobedience type events, but, there is so much going on all around us. Become a part of it and learn it from a grass-roots perspective. It's also an opportunity for networking.
Also keep your eye on opportunities. One that I literally just learned about is a group called FIRE: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. They handle numerous cases around the country "pro bono" (for free). And they understand how the littlest of infringements leads to greater and greater infringements. Their student internship is available to college Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. You can see they want people who have demonstrated a commitment to the cause. If this is something you can find a way to do, that would be really awesome! I'm sure there are others as well. https://www.thefire.org/careers/summer-internship-program
As to college, major doesn't matter much. But definitely use that time to Learn! Understand what the Founding Fathers were thinking when they wrote the various Constitutional provisions. Understand language and the parts of speech - I've seen more than a few cases that hinged on the interpretation of sentence clauses and parts of speech. Take a Logic class. And Latin vocabulary. Challenge yourself to think, rather than just recite facts. Take speech. And debate. Stay current with technology. Learn to put together a good presentation. Don't isolate yourself with like-minded thinkers. Learn how others think. Try to understand the rationale behind their thought processes. Doesn't mean you have to believe in it, but the more you can understand different perspectives, the better off you will be.
Don't bounce all over the place. Don't join a bunch of groups just so you can say you belonged. Join a few and really commit to them.
Stray away from campus. Go to city council or school board meetings. (occasionally!) Learn about power dynamics in government. If available, follow a police misconduct case and see how it gets investigated/resolved. Invite people from the community to speak at your campus. The more "real world" exposure you have prior to taking classes, the greater your takeaway is from those classes.
Best of luck to you !
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Leeyah !
I am impressed with everything you're doing and it's great that you are seeking new experiences that will help you as a pre-law student and then Law School to become a Constitutional Attorney ! Super awesome !
There is a way that you can benefit from activities and a consideration of a different major for college before law school. You've done so much and have so many interests and as I always say - it's not necessary to major or minor in all of them. You'll want to prepare yourself for a seven year Law path and the best way to do that is to Major in Political Science or Government for your Bachelors Degree. You can always learn History and Writing in your spare time, take them to fulfill your General Education courses in college or take free courses online in your spare time. Majoring in Political Science or Law will help pave a smooth path for you for Law School. Degrees in History or Writing/English do not focus on a career.
Activities that you can do in 11th and 12th grade will greatly hone your skills and knowledge in becoming an attorney in the future. You can run for student office, join the debate team and see if your high school does simulated court trials. You can also visit to observe real courtroom activity at your local courts which are open to the public. It would be like captive Shadowing. Most Florida Courts let you sit in on cases so find out which courts are closest to where you live.
Start taking orientations and tours of UCLA and colleges in your nearby area in case you change your mind about UCLA. It is said that the GPA requirement for UCLA for out of state students is 3.4, but in general, incoming freshman as a whole need a higher GPA than that. So focus on getting good grades on your high school courses and the ones you're taking in college with "100% Dual Enrollment" - not sure what that is. Keep in mind that the courses you take for dual enrollment may or may not transfer over to UCLA as UCLA's Lower Division courses may be more demanding than a community college out of state. These are all things you should consider if you really want to attend UCLA. It's a huge, enormous, beautiful campus in an expensive area. I was very impressed with it when I visited the campus once - it's in Westwood, CA.
For undergraduate school, it seems as though you've participated in lots of activities and I do not believe that that will be an issue, but you may want to start focusing on law and politics right now just as a foundation for what you'll need to know for your law career. It's totally up to you, though. You can also volunteer at a constitutional law attorney's office or at a local politicians office. The thing UCLA will care more about will be your GPA, and reference letters. Take the SAT exam in 11th grade regardless that you are in dual enrollment. UCLA will NOT want your SAT scores (they do not require SAT or ACT exam scores), but things may change or you may change your mind and another college will require the score, so cover yourself and take the SAT exam in 11th grade.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
I am impressed with everything you're doing and it's great that you are seeking new experiences that will help you as a pre-law student and then Law School to become a Constitutional Attorney ! Super awesome !
There is a way that you can benefit from activities and a consideration of a different major for college before law school. You've done so much and have so many interests and as I always say - it's not necessary to major or minor in all of them. You'll want to prepare yourself for a seven year Law path and the best way to do that is to Major in Political Science or Government for your Bachelors Degree. You can always learn History and Writing in your spare time, take them to fulfill your General Education courses in college or take free courses online in your spare time. Majoring in Political Science or Law will help pave a smooth path for you for Law School. Degrees in History or Writing/English do not focus on a career.
Activities that you can do in 11th and 12th grade will greatly hone your skills and knowledge in becoming an attorney in the future. You can run for student office, join the debate team and see if your high school does simulated court trials. You can also visit to observe real courtroom activity at your local courts which are open to the public. It would be like captive Shadowing. Most Florida Courts let you sit in on cases so find out which courts are closest to where you live.
Start taking orientations and tours of UCLA and colleges in your nearby area in case you change your mind about UCLA. It is said that the GPA requirement for UCLA for out of state students is 3.4, but in general, incoming freshman as a whole need a higher GPA than that. So focus on getting good grades on your high school courses and the ones you're taking in college with "100% Dual Enrollment" - not sure what that is. Keep in mind that the courses you take for dual enrollment may or may not transfer over to UCLA as UCLA's Lower Division courses may be more demanding than a community college out of state. These are all things you should consider if you really want to attend UCLA. It's a huge, enormous, beautiful campus in an expensive area. I was very impressed with it when I visited the campus once - it's in Westwood, CA.
For undergraduate school, it seems as though you've participated in lots of activities and I do not believe that that will be an issue, but you may want to start focusing on law and politics right now just as a foundation for what you'll need to know for your law career. It's totally up to you, though. You can also volunteer at a constitutional law attorney's office or at a local politicians office. The thing UCLA will care more about will be your GPA, and reference letters. Take the SAT exam in 11th grade regardless that you are in dual enrollment. UCLA will NOT want your SAT scores (they do not require SAT or ACT exam scores), but things may change or you may change your mind and another college will require the score, so cover yourself and take the SAT exam in 11th grade.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Perry Chen
Director
1
Answer
Long Beach, California
Updated
Perry’s Answer
Thanks for your question! As a former lawyer who has now been in 7 different sectors and careers across many years - I encourage you to stay open to exploring all the things you could do with your education (and if it fits, your legal education). Echoing the other advice here to find a few things that you really care about and focus on developing those interests. Constitutional law is a broad field - if you are interested in the academic part of that, you might explore becoming a scholar who takes some cases to practice. In terms of law school - here are some tactical tips to think about:
* Grades, Activities, Testing, Rankings: Unfortunately, law school is a fairly quantitative process that requires strong grades, test scores, etc. Again, unfortunately, school rankings do affect your first opportunities out of school - i.e., the higher ranked schools help to ensure that students have employment after graduation. I often ask students to really think about law and the legal field before they apply and commit 3 years and tons of money to a path that "might just be because I don't know what I want to do, just do more school." Taking on a lot of debt is a big deal - you want to be able to give yourself opportunities and flexibility (not trapped by loans to work in a job you don't like).
* Talking to Lawyers AND Ex-Lawyers: It's important to talk to practicing attorneys to hear what the job is like and what you might want to do. It's equally important to talk with former lawyers who left law and understand why they didn't stay in the field. I think you get a much more balanced picture that is super helpful, especially when you are early in your exploration and decisions.
* Legal Education can Do a Lot: People always say that you can do a lot with a legal education - but most stay in a very narrow lane. I hope that people do more to make this cliche a reality - go through law school but do a ton of different and interesting things with your life!
* Math and Law: High school students have said to me that they want to be a lawyer and they love writing, debate, social studies, etc. Often they say they hate math and science. I always question and challenge this - because everything is valuable and the best lawyers don't exclude things. And the MOST valuable class I ever took for law school and legal education is: Geometry. Math! Geometry is all about proofs and logic and precedent - if you know how to do mathematic proofs, you know how to read cases and apply case law. It is by far, the most important and valuable training that I got in high school for law school!
Good luck!
* Grades, Activities, Testing, Rankings: Unfortunately, law school is a fairly quantitative process that requires strong grades, test scores, etc. Again, unfortunately, school rankings do affect your first opportunities out of school - i.e., the higher ranked schools help to ensure that students have employment after graduation. I often ask students to really think about law and the legal field before they apply and commit 3 years and tons of money to a path that "might just be because I don't know what I want to do, just do more school." Taking on a lot of debt is a big deal - you want to be able to give yourself opportunities and flexibility (not trapped by loans to work in a job you don't like).
* Talking to Lawyers AND Ex-Lawyers: It's important to talk to practicing attorneys to hear what the job is like and what you might want to do. It's equally important to talk with former lawyers who left law and understand why they didn't stay in the field. I think you get a much more balanced picture that is super helpful, especially when you are early in your exploration and decisions.
* Legal Education can Do a Lot: People always say that you can do a lot with a legal education - but most stay in a very narrow lane. I hope that people do more to make this cliche a reality - go through law school but do a ton of different and interesting things with your life!
* Math and Law: High school students have said to me that they want to be a lawyer and they love writing, debate, social studies, etc. Often they say they hate math and science. I always question and challenge this - because everything is valuable and the best lawyers don't exclude things. And the MOST valuable class I ever took for law school and legal education is: Geometry. Math! Geometry is all about proofs and logic and precedent - if you know how to do mathematic proofs, you know how to read cases and apply case law. It is by far, the most important and valuable training that I got in high school for law school!
Good luck!
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