3 answers
Bo
Student
Ann Arbor, Michigan
1
Question
Updated
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How do I know if majoring in political science will benefit me most I want to become a real estate attorney?
I am a high school student from Ann Arbor, Michigan. I will be attending the University of Michigan and I'm just not certain if what I am studying is the right choice for me.
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3 answers
James Hernandez
Account Manager
29
Answers
Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
Updated
James’s Answer
Majoring in political science is a great way to become a real estate attorney. It equips you with critical thinking, research, and communication skills needed for law school and legal practice. To decide if it's the best path for you, think about whether you're interested in the political and regulatory aspects of real estate or if you're more drawn to business and finance.
Here's how to see if political science is right for you:
1. It's a Good Fit If You:
- Want to focus on Real Estate Development and Land Use: Political science helps you understand zoning laws, urban planning, and how to work with government agencies.
- Need to improve legal analytical skills: You'll learn to analyze legal issues and build strong arguments, which are useful in law school.
- Are interested in a "Pre-Law" Focus: Many programs offer courses in constitutional, civil, and criminal law.
2. Consider Other Majors If:
- You're more interested in finance than theory. Business or finance might be better if you want to specialize in Commercial Real Estate Transactions, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), or Finance.
- You want to focus on market trends and investment opportunities, which are key in investment-focused real estate law. Economics might be a better choice.
3. How to Make the Most of a Political Science Major:
- Focus on Public Policy: Take classes in urban and environmental policy.
- Get Specialized Internships: Look for opportunities with government planning departments or real estate firms.
- Build Strong Writing Skills: Use your coursework to develop your legal writing abilities.
In summary, political science is an excellent choice if you want to work with government regulations and land use in real estate law. But if you're aiming for a career in transactional or investment-heavy law, consider business or finance.
Here's how to see if political science is right for you:
1. It's a Good Fit If You:
- Want to focus on Real Estate Development and Land Use: Political science helps you understand zoning laws, urban planning, and how to work with government agencies.
- Need to improve legal analytical skills: You'll learn to analyze legal issues and build strong arguments, which are useful in law school.
- Are interested in a "Pre-Law" Focus: Many programs offer courses in constitutional, civil, and criminal law.
2. Consider Other Majors If:
- You're more interested in finance than theory. Business or finance might be better if you want to specialize in Commercial Real Estate Transactions, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), or Finance.
- You want to focus on market trends and investment opportunities, which are key in investment-focused real estate law. Economics might be a better choice.
3. How to Make the Most of a Political Science Major:
- Focus on Public Policy: Take classes in urban and environmental policy.
- Get Specialized Internships: Look for opportunities with government planning departments or real estate firms.
- Build Strong Writing Skills: Use your coursework to develop your legal writing abilities.
In summary, political science is an excellent choice if you want to work with government regulations and land use in real estate law. But if you're aiming for a career in transactional or investment-heavy law, consider business or finance.
Anuj Gupta
Software Engineering
330
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Anuj’s Answer
To know if Political Science is the absolute best fit for your goal of becoming a real estate attorney, you have to look closely at what law schools actually care about.
Here is a direct, genuine look at how a Political Science major at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) fits into your plan, along with some great alternative options to consider before you register for classes.
1. How Political Science Benefits You
Law schools do not require a specific "Pre-Law" major. They accept students from all backgrounds, judging them almost entirely on two metrics: GPA and LSAT score.
A Political Science major at UMich benefits a future lawyer because it trains you in:
Dense Reading: You will analyze hundreds of pages of supreme court rulings, government policies, and legal theories weekly.
Analytical Writing: You will learn to construct airtight arguments, which is exactly what lawyers do daily.
Structuring Arguments: Political science teaches you how systems and rules operate, which mimics the structure of statutory law.
2. The Missing Piece for Real Estate Law
While Political Science is great for general law, Real Estate Law is heavily transactional and finance-oriented. It deals with property deeds, commercial contracts, tax laws, zoning codes, and massive financial investments.
Because of this, Political Science will not teach you the business and financial side of real estate.
3. Alternative UMich Majors to Consider
If you are uncertain about Political Science, look into these alternative paths at UMich that might align much better with real estate law:
Option A: The Business Route (The Gold Standard)
The Major: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at the Ross School of Business or a Minor in Real Estate.
Why it fits: Real estate attorneys spend their days reviewing financial contracts and property valuations. Understanding accounting, finance, and corporate strategy will give you a massive advantage in law school and your future career over a pure political science student.
Option B: The Urban/Community Route
The Major: Urban Technology or courses within the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Why it fits: Real estate law revolves around zoning laws, land use regulations, and urban development. Learning how cities are built and regulated provides highly practical, direct knowledge for a future real estate attorney.
Option C: The Economics Route
The Major: Economics (BA) in the College of LSA.
Why it fits: It provides the rigorous logical framework that law schools love, while giving you a strong foundation in market dynamics, property pricing, and financial data.
The Ultimate "Next Step" Test
Don't stress about changing your major immediately. Since you are entering UMich, your first year is highly flexible. Test your interests this fall by enrolling in:
An introductory Political Science class (to see if you enjoy the reading/writing load).
An introductory Economics or Accounting class (to see if you enjoy working with financial and market data).
Whichever class you get the highest grade in while genuinely enjoying the material is the one you should major in. Remember: Protecting your GPA is your #1 priority for law school.
Here is a direct, genuine look at how a Political Science major at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) fits into your plan, along with some great alternative options to consider before you register for classes.
1. How Political Science Benefits You
Law schools do not require a specific "Pre-Law" major. They accept students from all backgrounds, judging them almost entirely on two metrics: GPA and LSAT score.
A Political Science major at UMich benefits a future lawyer because it trains you in:
Dense Reading: You will analyze hundreds of pages of supreme court rulings, government policies, and legal theories weekly.
Analytical Writing: You will learn to construct airtight arguments, which is exactly what lawyers do daily.
Structuring Arguments: Political science teaches you how systems and rules operate, which mimics the structure of statutory law.
2. The Missing Piece for Real Estate Law
While Political Science is great for general law, Real Estate Law is heavily transactional and finance-oriented. It deals with property deeds, commercial contracts, tax laws, zoning codes, and massive financial investments.
Because of this, Political Science will not teach you the business and financial side of real estate.
3. Alternative UMich Majors to Consider
If you are uncertain about Political Science, look into these alternative paths at UMich that might align much better with real estate law:
Option A: The Business Route (The Gold Standard)
The Major: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at the Ross School of Business or a Minor in Real Estate.
Why it fits: Real estate attorneys spend their days reviewing financial contracts and property valuations. Understanding accounting, finance, and corporate strategy will give you a massive advantage in law school and your future career over a pure political science student.
Option B: The Urban/Community Route
The Major: Urban Technology or courses within the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Why it fits: Real estate law revolves around zoning laws, land use regulations, and urban development. Learning how cities are built and regulated provides highly practical, direct knowledge for a future real estate attorney.
Option C: The Economics Route
The Major: Economics (BA) in the College of LSA.
Why it fits: It provides the rigorous logical framework that law schools love, while giving you a strong foundation in market dynamics, property pricing, and financial data.
The Ultimate "Next Step" Test
Don't stress about changing your major immediately. Since you are entering UMich, your first year is highly flexible. Test your interests this fall by enrolling in:
An introductory Political Science class (to see if you enjoy the reading/writing load).
An introductory Economics or Accounting class (to see if you enjoy working with financial and market data).
Whichever class you get the highest grade in while genuinely enjoying the material is the one you should major in. Remember: Protecting your GPA is your #1 priority for law school.
Jeffrey Smith
Accounting, Audit and Real Estate
9
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Jeffrey’s Answer
Bo, that's a great question! I studied political science and found it really helpful for learning a wide range of skills. If you want to be a real estate attorney, you'll need to go to law school after your bachelor's degree, so don't stress about that part yet. A Bachelor of Arts degree, like political science, helps you improve your logic and writing skills, which are important in real estate. Good luck!