What to Major in to Become a Lawyer
The 10 Best Immigration Law Schools in the US
Yale Law SchoolTop 50 Law SchoolsUSNWR RankLaw SchoolMedian LSAT1Yale Law School1732Harvard Law School1733Stanford Law School1714Columbia University Law School17146 more rows
A career in law starts with finding the school that fits you best. With the U.S....Here are the best law schoolsYale University.Stanford University.University of Chicago.Columbia University.Harvard University.University of Pennsylvania (Carey)New York University.University of Virginia.More items...
1. Harvard University (Harvard Law School)
Here's the irony. On the U.S. News ranking, Yale and Stanford both received the second-highest assessment scores from judges and attorneys and the highest scores from their academic peers. The University of Chicago, Duke, and Cornell also notched scores from these segments consistent with their overall rank.
In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.
Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.
In median LSAT scores, Yale Law's 173 tied Harvard Law and bested Stanford Law (171). Yale Law also boasted a decisively higher bar passage rate in its jurisdiction than Stanford Law (98.0% vs. 90.4%) and a far better student-to-faculty ratio than Harvard Law (4.3:1 vs.
Harvard UniversityTop 10 Law Schools in the World Based on the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020RankName of InstitutionLocation1Harvard UniversityUnited States2University of OxfordUnited Kingdom3University of CambridgeUnited Kingdom8 more rows
program is expensive. Tuition for the 2022-2023 academic year is $70,430; in addition, health insurance and health services fees, the LL....2022-2023 Academic Year Tuition & Fees – Estimated Budget.Tuition$70,430Other (books, travel, and incidentals)$36,920TOTAL$107,3503 more rows
Kardashian first announced her decision to become a lawyer in April 2019 and is currently set to take the bar exam this year.
In fact, many prestigious law firms have "hard" GPA cutoffs for hiring law students during the summer: the most elite firms are looking for candidates with 3.7 GPAs and higher; firms right behind them are looking for candidates with 3.5 GPAs or higher.
It's generally accepted that the school on your resume carries a lot more weight when you've just passed the bar and you're looking for your first position. It will matter less years down the road. Eventually, you'll add experience and an impressive track record to your credentials, and that can be more important.
Find out which schools offer the most financial aid and which are the priciest.
Are you considering a legal career? Determining whether you should apply for law school is a big decision, but U.S. News is here to help.
A full-time Juris Doctor program usually lasts three years, while part-time programs stretch into four years or more. Accelerated programs can be completed in as little as two years.
Admission to the programs that top U.S. News’ Best Law Schools tends to be competitive.
Law students learn how to think like lawyers. They can expect to study complex cases that involve gray areas of the law, allowing arguments to be made for both sides.
Law school may be worth it for you if you can’t imagine doing anything other than practicing law in some form. But other factors at play include the perceived value of a legal education: How well does law school prepare you for your career, and what’s your financial investment in a J.D.?
Like with other higher education programs, the cost of law school can vary depending on whether a school is private or public and whether you’d be paying in-state or out-of-state tuition.
Here is a list of the 15 top law schools you might consider: 1. Yale University. According to Yale University, students can participate in a historic law program yet have the flexibility of a more modern approach to curriculum. Yale doesn't provide traditional grades. Instead, professors give marks of honors, pass, low pass, credit or fail.
2. Stanford University. Stanford University complements its law curriculum by making available course offerings from a variety of other departments. According to Stanford's website, it also offers joint programs for earning additional master's or doctoral degrees while studying law.
Northwestern University introduces students to the core parts of legal work, such as writing, reasoning and analysis, during their first year. They also partake in moot courts and prepare to apply for positions with one of the law school's many journals. According to Northwestern's website, during second and third years, students can take electives in areas such as estates and trusts, comparative law and federal jurisdiction. Northwestern offers six concentrations for specialization and extensive options for clinic work in trial advocacy and negotiation and mediation. Additional advantages of Northwestern University's program include:
UCLA prepares students for their educational and professional futures with rigorous instruction in legal research and writing. The program offers unique training for working with clients through its Lawyer-Client Relationship course. According to the program website, specializations include critical race studies, public interest law, philosophy and media and entertainment. UCLA also hosts a large variety of research centers where law students can study fields such as public law and quantitative research. Additional advantages of UCLA include:
New York University introduces students to the legal profession through its first-year Lawyering Program, where students practice legal research and then simulate interviews, counseling and trials. According to New York University's website, it offers joint degrees with its Stern School of Business and with other institutions, such as the Harvard School of Government. The law program also features colloquia, where students and professors collaborate to study specific topics in-depth. Several other advantages of New York University include:
According to its website, Harvard requires students to provide pro bono services for a minimum of 50 hours before graduation.
Established in 1817, Harvard University is the oldest law school in the United States and the best law school in the world. The prestigious school has one of the largest student bodies and large class sizes. They offer a three-year JD program that leads to an initial law degree, a one-year advanced degree ( LLM) for students who have their first law degree, and an SJD (doctoral of juridical science). This advanced law degree is designed for aspiring legal academics pursuing independent study, research, and writing. Notable Harvard Law School graduates include Barack and Michelle Obama and eight sitting US senators.
Cambridge University is home to the Cambridge University Law Society , the largest student-run law society in the UK and among the largest in the world. This organization founded the Cambridge Law Journal in 1921, and the publication is now the longest-running university law journal in the United Kingdom.
LSE Law is a vibrant and inclusive community of world-class students, staff, and alumni committed to bringing an international and interdisciplinary outlook to teaching and research. Established in 1895, the LSE Law Department seeks to understand the causes of things.
Established in 1835, they offers JD, LLM, and JSD degrees. Rated best overall law faculty in the United States, NYU Law also has the highest number of judges at international courts of justice and an impressive number of Nobel laureates.
Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge initially focused on civil law (the law of ancient Rome) and the Canon law of the Church. The Regius Professorship of Civil Law was founded by Henry VIII in 1540. As one of the world’s oldest law schools, it’s known for its cutting-edge legal research in international law and criminology.
Stanford Law is one of the most research-oriented universities in the world, specializing in practical clinical education with a global perspective . Unlike many top law schools in the world, Stanford emphasizes student collaboration more than independent learning.
About Oxford Law. Oxford University is considered one of the best universities in the world. Founded in 1096, this prestigious school has taught law for more than 800 years. They began offering a degree in English law ( BA in Jurisprudence) in the 1870s.
From superb professors and lively class discussions to the right balance of theory and practice, these ten schools have it all.
With challenging workloads and ambitious student bodies, find out which schools will put you through your paces.
If you’re looking for a school with a great location and vibrant social life, start your search with these ten schools.
Politically conservative applicants will find a like-minded student body at these ten schools.
If you prefer a student body with a liberal political outlook, check out this list.
These schools report the highest percentage of graduates obtaining federal clerkships.
Check out our complete list of 168 law schools, based on surveys of 15,000 students and administrators.
Bachelor’s in Economics . Economics is an excellent major for aspiring lawyers, especially for those intending to work in corporate law, intellectual property, or another niche where an understanding of economic theory and the levers that drive capitalism can be useful.
Approximately 12,000-13,000 pre-law students choose political science as an undergraduate major, making it the most popular major by a wide margin. One in five applicants has a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Because the criminal justice and legal systems are so intertwined, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice serves as an excellent undergraduate major in preparation for law school. Those considering work as a prosecuting or defense attorney may find the degree especially helpful, as the coursework and internships will give students a strong familiarity with the criminal justice system. Potential law students can also form helpful relationships with current lawyers that can provide insight into what it’s like to work in the criminal justice system. Helpful courses include criminology, criminal psychology, law & the criminal justice system, and social science research.
Courses such as business law, contract negotiations, and public speaking are just a few that have proven to be helpful.
Laws have material consequences on every person and structure. They influence outcomes across the life course, making the field extremely important to the stability and progress of society. The work done by law professionals is competitive and pays well. Because of these things, students wishing to pursue a career in law are faced ...
These skills are not only helpful in the field but serve as excellent preparation for entrance exams like the LSAT. Research shows that students who major in linguistics, a similar discipline to English, score exceptionally high on the LSAT and are admitted at rates higher than any other major at approximately 90%.
Philosophy is not a major that undergraduates generally pursue when thinking about a pathway to law school. In recent years, data shows that it is gaining ground among law school applicants, given the philosophical nature of law and the aspect of it that relates to ethics, human nature, and metaphysics. Philosophy majors learn how to construct arguments and ponder difficult questions using various philosophical theories developed by some of the greatest thinkers in human history. Helpful courses include contemporary philosophy, ethics, individual & society, and philosophy of law.
A degree in political science prepares you for success in law school and in a professional capacity by improving reading, writing and public speaking skills. In-depth knowledge about the Constitution and its founding principles as well as the development of the court system also provide strong benefits. 6. Economics.
Business. Majoring in business, such as in business administration or corporate business, may be a smart path for some pre-law students to follow. Business degree plans are often rigorous, which may make business majors more appealing to law schools.
Philosophy often falls into this group. According to LSAC statistics, 2,294 law school applicants majored in philosophy.
Their average LSAT score was 152.5, and 78 percent of applicants were admitted. An undergraduate-level education in psychology provides several benefits for students in law school and for legal professionals. In many areas of the law, lawyers must work directly with social services, such as social workers.
Leading law schools have an acceptance rate well below 20 percent with an average GPA of admitted applicants close to or higher than 3.8. Your undergraduate-level education directly impacts your ability to get ...
These areas of study provide students with a strong background that can be essential for success in various legal niches. For example, chemistry studies may be essential for a successful career in pharmaceutical law. Ecology coursework is beneficial for pre-law students who intend to focus on environmental law.
While a business degree may be well-suited for many potential law school applicants, the coursework may be most relevant for those who intend to pursue a career in corporate law or other similar areas. The specialized business degree obtained may make this major more or less relevant.