display: none !important; Common undergraduate majors among non-patent IP law students include history, political science, sports or business … 1. } Pick a writing-heavy major. After completion, students will need to sit the equivalent of the USA bar exam to become certified to start practicing law. heap.track( It’s also a long and difficult path to tread before you can start practicing. Having an understanding of the types of law degrees available will allow students to make practical, informed decisions about whether or not to pursue a career in legal services and law. This group of majors tends to be fairly writing-heavy and attracts students with the focus to spend hours reading. Learning to synthesize a lot of content and becoming sensitive to careful word choice will make you a stronger applicant and a better lawyer. Additionally, to learn more about the steps you can take to build a successful law career, visit our post on How to Become a Lawyer: Steps to Take from High School. 'name': 'College Application CTA Middle of Post', As such, there’s also a lot of room for your salary to grow as well – lawyers are some of the highest paid professionals in the world. Possibly in securities, sports, tax? The more you know about how legislation is approached in the United States and abroad, the better prepared you will be for your first day of law school. .d-md-none { This category is a catch-all for niche majors not commonly represented among law school applicants. You have to major in an academic subject, such as Political Science, Math, Philosophy, and so on. Look for schools that offer pre-law advising. Pursue a program that strengthens your critical reasoning and attention to detail. Beyond that, pick a field that interests you and work hard in it. This group of majors tends to be fairly writing-heavy and attracts students with the focus to spend hours reading. A J.D. Similarly, entertainment and international law rely on an extensive understanding of media and current affairs, respectively. So if you do want to keep your degree options open, be sure to check the entry requirements of specific courses. For those in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, it’s possible to study a Bachelor of Law in your undergraduate studies. Calculate your chances at your dream schools and learn what areas you need to improve right now — it only takes 3 minutes and it's 100% free. display: block !important; Similarly, entertainment and international law rely on an extensive understanding of media and current affairs, respectively. Initially, students get their bachelor’s degree from a college or a university. Different law schools have varying requirements for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores of their potential students, but one thing is for sure: you will have to take the LSAT in order to be accepted to law school.   Simply make a point of attending office hours regularly to foster relationships with your professors and teaching assistants. However, it is not possible to major in pre-law. How We Made This List Sociology Apart from this, you may need to take the LSAT exam. Want to know your chances of getting into the best colleges for future lawyers? Law schools generally require that applicants possess bachelor's degrees. If you want to major in a subject with large lectures, that is okay too. Admitted Students: 2,373 Search for a degree course or subject now to get a good grasp of what you might need to satisfy. I will never recommend anything that I haven’t used. Graduates go on to be judges, prosecutors, professors, legislators, mediators, and so much more. Both your college GPA and the rigor of your course load will be considered when you apply to law school. 10. Small class sizes make it easier for your professor to get to know you. Criminal Justice  I feel like the blind man and the elephant here; there is a kernel of truth in each of the other answers. This is a great major for students eager to pursue a legal career.   Most states in the United States will require you to have obtained a law degree from an accredited law school and most employers will also look at where you went to school. Lawyers must have a strong command of logic and the written word. Entry requirements range from BCC to AAA, with the universities and colleges most commonly … Economics offers the perfect blend of quantitative and qualitative experience. Sign up for your CollegeVine account today to get a boost on your college journey. Barristers are the ones who defends or advocates for someone within the court – they need to sit the Bar Professional Training Course.   According to the Law School Admissions Council, 3,472 law school applicants in 2016 and 2017 held a 4-year degree in history. } This article is for students thinking about how their choice of major can set them up for success later, when they apply to law school. I will only have affiliate links to quality products and service that I actually think you will want to use. Recruiters see the law conversion route as completely equal in value to a law degree. Additionally, all liberal arts curricula are designed to foster these traits. 'element_id': 'essaybreakdown-app-2', None of the articles on this website should be taken as financial advice. If you want to major in a subject with large lectures, that is okay too.   Simply make a point of attending office hours regularly to foster relationships with your professors and teaching assistants. hbspt.forms.create({ Both your college GPA and the rigor of your course load will be considered when you apply to law school. Attending law school opens so many doors for someone interested in the justice system. Many very successful lawyers did not study a first degree in law and, in fact, around half of newly qualified lawyers have a non-law degree. However, there are schools and programs that do a better job of preparing you for graduate study. Whether you've obtained a degree in English, philosophy, communication, history, political science or business, any major you've chosen will be considered by your chosen law school. The more internship opportunities you pursue in your field, the better sense you will have of what type of law you want to pursue. Sociology majors have to be comfortable scrutinizing data and writing long papers. What Does It Really Take to Get Into Stanford? Overall, to become a lawyer all that you really need is an undergraduate degree in law. ); Certain fields, such as Classics, Linguistics, and Mathematics, demand more critical reasoning and attention to detail than others. If you love to be hands-on with the justice system, this may be the major for you. Below, you can find a ranked list of the ten most popular majors for law students. heap.track(   You can major in absolutely anything and apply to law school. If you don’t care about prestige and just want to get as much experience as possible, it’s a great fit. You'll need a four-year undergraduate degree followed by three years of law school and a juris doctorate (J.D.) 5. Admitted Students: 2,220 'element_id': 'platformcta1', So much of politics is high-quality legislation that it is no wonder this field tops our list of most popular majors for law school students. The aim is to ensure that all lawyers are staying up to date with the latest changes in the field and continue to expand their legal knowledge. Many students talk about pursuing a pre-law track as undergrads. Want to know the best majors for law school? In the USA and Canada, after you’ve graduated law school then you’ll need to pass the bar exam. You must then pass the bar examination. There are thousands of ways to practice law, from supporting large companies as a corporate lawyer to defending asylum-seekers with a non-profit organization. Traditionally, philosophy is considered the ultimate pre-law major. The first step to becoming a lawyer is to get your undergraduate degree. 7. LL.B. The student’s university grades and LSAT score will determine whether they get into the law school of their choice. degree. Law students have many papers to write, as well as exams that include long written responses to questions. To receive great letters, it is important to cultivate strong relationships with your instructors. To receive great letters, it is important to cultivate strong relationships with your instructors. Keep reading! MoneyMiniBlog does not claim to be a financial counseling service. } This is usually a 3-year degree, and although you need to have an undergraduate degree to enter, this isn’t a postgraduate degree – it’s another undergraduate. Law students have many papers to write, as well as exams that include long written responses to questions. If you know you want to be a lawyer but are still deciding which major to choose, you cannot go wrong with Political Science. Most lawyers start out by obtaining an undergraduate degree. Sometimes I use affiliate links on this website, which means that on those links I earn a commission if you click and buy a certain product or service. Simply make a point of attending office hours regularly to foster relationships with your professors and teaching assistants. Consider this major if the social dynamics of groups interest you, and you enjoy both quantitative and qualitative reasoning. Average LSAT score of admitted students (out of 180): 150.7 Since just about every industry needs good lawyers, your field-specific knowledge may become quite valuable as you further specialize your legal practice. Small class sizes make it easier for your professor to get to know you. Seek out schools and programs with smaller class sizes. Juris Doctor degrees are also available in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Similarly, if you want to support a particular population, now is a great time to learn a foreign language that will be useful when you practice. Economics offers the perfect blend of quantitative and qualitative experience. We put together this list based on 2 important main types of data: the number of students admitted to law school with a certain major, and the average LSAT score of the students with that major. After finishing high school, continue on to higher education (post-secondary) studies. Certain fields, such as Classics, Linguistics, and Mathematics, demand more critical reasoning and attention to detail than others. Some schools prefer to emphasize learning for the sake of learning, while others help students plan ahead for their careers. Political Science offers an invaluable framework for the laws you will be studying in graduate school. Of those, 85 percent were admitted to law school. The fact that this category has the third highest number of students accepted shows that you can successfully apply to law school from any major. Gravitate towards schools and programs that prioritize these skills. Is Pre-law a Major? Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Gold Prices Trend Up During Covid-19 Shutdowns, Is Robert Kiyosaki a Fraud? Certain fields, such as Classics, Linguistics, and Mathematics, demand more critical reasoning and attention to detail than others. This article is for students thinking about how their choice of major can set them up for success later, when they apply to law school. In order to practice law, students must typically complete an undergraduate degree, earn a Juris Doctor (JD) diploma, and pass their state’s bar examination. 'View - Blog CTA', { } Keep reading! Most law schools do not require specific major prerequisites. Build your stamina and polish as a writer by choosing a major that assesses written content regularly. Once you’ve completed all the steps above, congratulations, you can officially start working in the law field. Here are a few tips for how to approach your school, major, and course selection as an undergraduate: ); See how your profile ranks among thousands of other students using CollegeVine. No field of study gives you more exposure to law prior to law school. For industry-related law, take classes on your industry. is awarded by law schools that are accredited by the American Bar Association. In this article, I'll tell you about the best pre-law majors and explain what you need to do to get into the law school of your dreams. Admitted Students: 1,858 That is not required, however, for other types of IP law (including IP litigation or entertainment, sports, copyright, or trademark law). 4. Additionally, to learn more about the steps you can take to build a successful law career, visit our post on How to Become a Lawyer: Steps to Take from High School. Regardless, make sure you choose something that improves your writing and critical reasoning. It is not considered as academically rigorous as theoretical disciplines. Psychology is the third social science to make an appearance on this list, and that is no surprise. 'name': 'College Apps Bottom Form', Final Thoughts In Australia, it’s the Practical Legal Training course, and in New Zealand, it’s known as the Professional Legal Studies course. Doing so isn't cheap. Understanding the past is critical for interpreting law for two reasons. We sincerely want to help and we think we can, but if you have serious financial concerns, please consult a professional. It’s a tough road to become a lawyer, but an incredible achievement to start off what can be a very rewarding career. A levels – To get on to a law degree you will usually require a minimum of two A levels, with three A levels and A grades needed for the most popular courses. Admitted Students: 1,496 This field blends history, reading, writing, and quantitative analysis together, making graduates in this field well-equipped to approach law from almost any angle. However, there are schools and programs that do a better job of preparing you for graduate study. .d-none { The term “pre-law” refers to any course of study by an undergraduate college student to prepare for law school. Students must show a strong command of the English language through writing, reading, and speaking. Attending law school opens so many doors for someone interested in the justice system. She currently lives in Cambridge, MA and is writing her debut novel. Psychology 'template_id': '1309' This category is a catch-all for niche majors not commonly represented among law school applicants. Receiving strong letters of recommendation from professors will go a long way towards setting you apart in your law school application. Small class sizes make it easier for your professor to get to know you. As a lawyer, there’s a large amount of room to grow in your career, and plenty of areas to specialize in. Here are just a few ways you can do that: Veronica is an alumna of Harvard College, where she earned her A.B. Show me what areas I need to improve Some schools prefer to emphasize learning for the sake of learning, while others help students plan ahead for their careers. Similarly, if you want to support a particular population, now is a great time to learn a foreign language that will be useful when you practice. From corporate law to intellectual property, there’s an incredible breadth of challenging directions to head in. Top 10 Most Popular Undergraduate Majors for Prospective Law Students Remember, the right major for you may be different than for someone else, depending on your interests and strengths. Gravitate towards schools and programs that prioritize these skills. No matter where you live, law is a highly respected field. Gravitate towards schools and programs that prioritize these skills. Your undergraduate years are a great time to build a foundation in the field in which you hope to practice law. Do you need a law degree to become a lawyer? What should you be doing in your undergraduate years to make yourself the most competitive applicant? Consider becoming a Psychology major if you are fascinated by how people tick. A: To become a lawyer you need to earn a law degree and a license to practice law. Terms and conditions. First, it establishes precedent, and knowing how legal cases have been resolved in the past is central to our understanding of how to decide current cases. Sociology majors have to be comfortable scrutinizing data and writing long papers. Students interested in intellectual property law may benefit from an undergraduate degree in math or technical science to prepare for the patent bar examination. To receive great letters, it is important to cultivate strong relationships with your instructors. Want to know the best majors for law school? Keep reading! Average salary: $141,890 / £69,180 The obvious go-to career choice for anyone who graduates with a law degree is that of a lawyer.Students generally have an idea of what they want to specialise in before they graduate, but there is always the option of working or owning a general practice that permits you to handle a diverse array of cases. To become a lawyer, individuals need to spend seven years in school. } Admitted Students: 2,904 Some schools prefer to emphasize learning for the sake of learning, while others help students plan ahead for their careers. While pre-law majors do exist, it is not necessary that an aspiring lawyer earn their undergraduate degree in law; majors as diverse as government, mathematics, English, and history are all common among law students. 10 Things You’re Doing Wrong, 24 Stupidest Things the U.S. Government Spends Money On, 75 Must-Read Books on Personal Finance – The Ultimate List, 24 Things That Are More Likely to Happen Than Winning the Lottery, How to Start Your Own Taxi Business With Under $15,000, 8 Ways to Give Directly to People in Need Without “Enabling” Them, The Importance of Budgeting – What You Need to Know, Exploring the Case for and Against the Timothy Sykes Scam Debate. portalId: "2416790", Patent lawyers require a firm grasp of the natural sciences in order to practice. You get the best money & productivity articles, 3. Since just about every industry needs good lawyers, your field-specific knowledge may become quite valuable as you further specialize your legal practice. When people say “pre-law,” they simply mean that they approached college with the plan that, after graduating, they would one day apply to law school. But getting into law school is no easy matter. formId: "dbfc13e4-8f32-4c28-95f3-672c39980544", Any undergraduate degree is good preparation for law school, e.g. Average LSAT Score: 157.5 'name': 'app.collegevine.com CTA', Want to know the best majors for law school? } English is another famous choice for pre-law students, since so much reading and writing is required to perform well in this field. Additionally, all liberal arts curricula are designed to foster these traits. Understanding capital is vital for understanding large portions of tax law and federal regulation. While there is no pre-law major or set of required classes, you can still prepare for law school while in college. On our college applications platform, you can use our chancing engine, build a best-fit school list, and learn how to improve your profile—all for free. Your undergraduate years are a great time to build a foundation in the field in which you hope to practice law. Your extracurricular activities will help you cultivate these qualities and make applying to law school that much easier. Political Science offers an invaluable framework for the laws you will be studying in graduate school. While not necessary to practice law, if you’re looking to specialize in a certain area of law, then a master’s degree is a great option. What Does it Really Take to Get into Harvard? There are thousands of ways to practice law, from supporting large companies as a corporate lawyer to defending asylum-seekers with a non-profit organization. Students enter law school from a wide array of disciplines, and law schools typically don't require students to have completed any specific courses for admission. Average LSAT Score: 158.9 Even before you enroll in college, you can take steps to make yourself a stronger candidate for law school. Graduates go on to be judges, prosecutors, professors, legislators, mediators, and so much more. This is a standardized admission test. Both the critical thinking and writing skills that this major cultivates can be leveraged in law school. However, there are benefits and drawbacks to entering the legal profession with a non-law degree. Build your stamina and polish as a writer by choosing a major that assesses written content regularly. You do not have to take law courses or get a degree in law or criminal justice, but since law schools are so competitive, they will look carefully at your undergraduate grades. Seek out schools and programs with smaller class sizes. Average LSAT Score: 156.2 It’s a great pick if you love art and literature but also want to prepare yourself for a legal career. Additionally, all liberal arts curricula are designed to foster these traits. Below, you can find a ranked list of the ten most popular majors for law students. Take classes on law and legal history. In the UK, once you’ve got your law degree, you need to decide whether you’re going to become a barrister or solicitor, as there are two different tests. Average LSAT Score: 145.9 Additionally, to learn more about the steps you can take to build a successful law career, visit our post on, How to Become a Lawyer: Steps to Take from High School. Philosophy   Beyond taking these steps, there is no single best major for law school. No matter where you live, law is a highly respected field. When people say “pre-law,” they simply mean that they approached college with the plan that, after graduating, they would one day apply to law school. Q: I need information about professions available for a law student with an undergraduate degree in accounting. Will have a strong command of logic and reasoning as you further specialize your legal practice law school test! If you want to know your chances of getting into law school product or recommended. 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