4 answers
Georgia
Student
Salisbury, Massachusetts
1
Question
Updated
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Do law schools prefer you to major in something law related?
I have read that law schools prefer students to have a degree in something that isn’t law related but I want to confirm the accuracy of this. I have chosen to pursue a degree in Computer and Information Sciences. I am interested in learning about this and think I will be able to maintain my high gpa.
I originally wanted to go to school for law a little over 17 years ago but I got pregnant and had my first son when I was 17. At that age the amount of time it would take to become a lawyer seemed so long that I thought i couldn’t possibly stay on that path and provide for my son. Now that him and his brother are older I am ready to go back to school and have came to the realization that 7 years goes by so fast that if I blink I miss too much of it. I really just want to make the best informed decision to help my chances of getting into law school when that time comes
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4 answers
Brian O'Connell
Legal Director (Negotiate Software Contracts)
4
Answers
Herndon, Virginia
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hi Georgia -
Most of the time, law schools don't have a huge preference one way or another. I applied about 13 years ago, but I dont think things have changed too much since then in the fact that law schools are first and foremost focused on GPA and LSAT, in most instances.
That said, those two are not the sole determining factors. They might look at major (did you have a particularly hard major that might explain a slightly-lower-than-average GPA, or do you have something non traditional, like music or engineering?). They will probably also take background into consideration: for example, they may consider a "non-traditional" student (someone not right out of undergrad or only a couple years removed), or someone who has already had a career in another field, to have qualities that would make a good student. For example, someone like yourself who has kept a desire to go to law school for over 17 years since having kids may tell them you're serious about it, not someone who's just going because they don't know what else to do.
Out of law school, major can sometimes play a role depending on the field you want to get into. For example, IP attorneys often have a background in STEM. But often, your major isn't going to be a determining factor for most things (there's probably niche examples I'm not aware of, so I can't say it would never be a determining factor).
The best thing you can do for yourself is to choose a major you enjoy and think you'll do well in. Don't pick a major just because you think it'll look good on your application. Because even if it does, and you don't enjoy it and don't do well, that'll negate any advantage the major itself gives.
Most of the time, law schools don't have a huge preference one way or another. I applied about 13 years ago, but I dont think things have changed too much since then in the fact that law schools are first and foremost focused on GPA and LSAT, in most instances.
That said, those two are not the sole determining factors. They might look at major (did you have a particularly hard major that might explain a slightly-lower-than-average GPA, or do you have something non traditional, like music or engineering?). They will probably also take background into consideration: for example, they may consider a "non-traditional" student (someone not right out of undergrad or only a couple years removed), or someone who has already had a career in another field, to have qualities that would make a good student. For example, someone like yourself who has kept a desire to go to law school for over 17 years since having kids may tell them you're serious about it, not someone who's just going because they don't know what else to do.
Out of law school, major can sometimes play a role depending on the field you want to get into. For example, IP attorneys often have a background in STEM. But often, your major isn't going to be a determining factor for most things (there's probably niche examples I'm not aware of, so I can't say it would never be a determining factor).
The best thing you can do for yourself is to choose a major you enjoy and think you'll do well in. Don't pick a major just because you think it'll look good on your application. Because even if it does, and you don't enjoy it and don't do well, that'll negate any advantage the major itself gives.
Alexandra Grashkina-Hristov
International Tax Professional
188
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Alexandra’s Answer
Hi Georgia, law schools mostly look at your GPA and LSAT score. They will also consider where you went to school and will look at your application essay and letters of recommendation. However, there isn't really a major that will give you an advantage, or that will hurt your application. While many law school applicants have a social studies background (for example, they majored in history or political science), many lawyers come from science backgrounds as well and can go into fields such as patent law, technology law or healthcare law. If you chose a major with the intent to go to law school, you can say that in your application essay. For example: "I majored in biochemistry because I want to work in intellectual property/patent law for life science companies." Or: "I majored in international relations because I want to pursue international humanitarian law." But it is entirely acceptable for you to have chosen a major without thinking about whether or not you will go to law school. Popular majors, such as economics or psychology, are often the choice of students who are thinking about law school and/or an MBA, or possibly a PhD program. You are not "married to your major," so to speak. But I do encourage you to think about:
- what kind of law you would like to practice
- what type of field/major you are interested in
- what are your strong sides and what about yourself you would like to develop/improve
This can help choose your major. You could also change your major, or you could end up not working in a field strictly related to your major.
- what kind of law you would like to practice
- what type of field/major you are interested in
- what are your strong sides and what about yourself you would like to develop/improve
This can help choose your major. You could also change your major, or you could end up not working in a field strictly related to your major.
Jaime Freed
Legal Editor
6
Answers
Northport, New York
Updated
Jaime’s Answer
Hi Georgia!
It’s been a while since my admissions process, but I was an English major and sociology minor, and my sense was that my choice of major/minor wasn’t a huge factor. Unless you want to practice an area of law that requires some background/degree (like patent lawyers), most majors will keep the door open to law school. So choose a major based on what you enjoy and can do well in!
Best,
Jaime
It’s been a while since my admissions process, but I was an English major and sociology minor, and my sense was that my choice of major/minor wasn’t a huge factor. Unless you want to practice an area of law that requires some background/degree (like patent lawyers), most majors will keep the door open to law school. So choose a major based on what you enjoy and can do well in!
Best,
Jaime
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
224
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
No Georgia: Law schools could care less about your major. Lawyers come in all sizes and shapes. Your major should be something that fits you - not something you think might help. Go out and have fun, get good grades and it will all work out!