what should i do for undergrad if i want to be a lawyer

If you want to be a lawyer, concentrate on working hard to maintain an excellent academic record while in college for your undergraduate degree. Next, focus on getting a legal education and preparing to take the bar exam.

Full Answer

What are the best undergrad courses to take to become a lawyer?

The ABA recommends no specific majors or courses for undergraduates; instead, it recommends following your interests across a broad range of challenging courses, which will best develop the various skills required to become a lawyer. Southern Utah University: Do Economists Make Better Lawyers?

How to become a lawyer?

Becoming a lawyer is a long process and requires lots of study, patience, and diligence. Each exam, from the LSAT to the Bar requires all the attention you can give it. Start preparing in undergraduate school. Meet with your prelaw advisor, take the appropriate courses, and start getting ready for the LSAT.

What can you do with a degree in law school?

Graduates go on to be judges, prosecutors, professors, legislators, mediators, and so much more. But getting into law school is no easy matter. Want to know the best majors for law school?

How do I choose the best law school?

Select a rigorous, well-respected school or program. Both your college GPA and the rigor of your course load will be considered when you apply to law school. For that reason, it is important to prioritize academics during your undergraduate years. Pursue a program that strengthens your critical reasoning and attention to detail.

What undergraduate degree is best for lawyers?

The Best Majors for Aspiring LawyersBusiness. A business major is a great option for those who are entrepreneurial-minded. ... Criminal Justice / Criminology. Criminal justice is the identification and explanation of criminal behavior patterns. ... Economics. ... English. ... Philosophy. ... Political Science. ... Psychology.

What should I do in undergrad to prepare for law school?

5 Smart Ways to Prepare for Law School in UndergradChoose a major and courses for your academic and professional goals. ... Develop your writing skills. ... Join a pre-law group. ... Build relationships with your professors. ... Start studying for the LSAT well in advance.

What is the best major for a law student?

Political science is the most popular major for those planning to head to law school for good reason. As a political science major, you'll study the theory and practice of government and its link to the legal system.

What majors do lawyers most?

The most popular major of law school candidates is political science. There's a reason why many successful politicians are lawyers—the link between law and political theory is very strong. Political science is the study of government systems, political behavior, and how the judicial system works.

What is undergraduate pre-law?

In the United States, pre-law refers to any course of study taken by an undergraduate in preparation for study at a law school. The American Bar Association requires law schools to admit only students with an accredited Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent depending on the student's country of origin.

What grades do law schools look at?

Keep in mind that law schools look at your application in full — not just your score and grades. An upward grade trend can offset a mediocre or poor GPA, as can a strong LSAT score. Similarly, consistently outstanding academic performance and a strong GPA can offset a less competitive LSAT score.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

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.

What GPA do you need to get into law school?

Obtain High GPA & LSAT Scores It's also worth remembering that getting into a top law school requires outstanding grades, not just good ones. According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools.

What subjects are needed for law?

You need to have done the following subjects as an undergraduate: 1, law (including the law of succession); 2, equity; 3, law of torts; 4, law of contracts; 5, criminal and constitutional law.

Is it better to go straight to law school?

Law schools do not categorically prefer applicants who take time versus those who go straight to law school. However, law schools do prefer for each applicant to carefully evaluate whether it would be in his or her best interest to wait to apply to law school.

Which subject is best for lawyer?

Here are the most useful high school subjects for future lawyers:English. ... Public speaking. ... Social studies. ... Science. ... Mathematics. ... Statistics and data science. ... American history and government. ... Communication.More items...•

What do lawyers study in college?

Key SkillsKnowledge of legal matters, policy, theories and case studies.Understanding of contemporary business, politics, sociology and ethics/morality.Professional expertise in law, including command of technical language.Experience and skills in mooting.Ability to draft legal documents.More items...

What are the skills required to become a lawyer?

When you get to law school, you will quickly see that reading and writing are the two most important skills for a good attorney. You will be asked to read through cases and other secondary sources. You will be asked to write for a host of different audiences.

What do lawyers study?

The cliche that all roads lead to the legal field is mostly accurate. The attorneys rolls are full of people who studied many different things in college. This means that even if you are not able to choose the perfect major, you still have an opportunity to be a great jurist. Lawyers might study engineering in order to learn analytical skills. They might study English to learn the basics of reading and writing. They might also study something like history in order to hone their research skills. Lawyers might even come from the medical side, having studied a hard science. Each of these things can make you an effective attorney.

1. Is This What You Want?

Luckily, with a career in law, you have time to change your mind if you decide it is not the correct route for you. With several years of school ahead of you, and undergraduate school first, you have time to really give thought to this position. You may find another subject or field calls to you as you attend college over the next four years.

2. Apply For and Attend Undergraduate School

Before you can attend law school, you have to get your Bachelor’s degree. You may want to attend a college that has a law school available, but you don’t have to. Applications should be ready to go out during your senior year, so make sure you’re ahead of the game and getting your paperwork in before each individual school’s deadline.

3. Choose a Major

You don’t have to take any specific courses to apply to Law School, but you may want to consider the popular choices like English, History, and Business. There are a few others, so make sure to research your desired path and consider your interests.

4. Prepare for and Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is an extremely difficult test. It scores between 120 and 180. If you’re looking to get into a top school, you should be aiming for over 160, but the average score tends to be around 150.

5. Apply For Law School

You’ve no doubt given thought to which law schools you’d be interested in attending and should have discussed this with your prelaw advisor in college. Now it’s time to create your LSAC.org account. This will keep all your records, scores, transcripts, and more for an easier application process.

6. Attend Law School

Law school is generally another three years of education. In total, you can expect to spend seven years between your bachelor’s degree and these courses. You’ll be taking classes on civil procedure, contracts, legal writing, and more.

7. Take the Bar Exam

The Bar Exam is the test you need to take to practice law. Without it, you cannot get a license. If you pass, you will be admitted to the bar. It’s a six-hour test with two hundred questions and covers a large majority of things you learned in law school. Studying and prep work are absolutely required.

What is the best language for pre-law students?

English is another famous choice for pre-law students, since so much reading and writing is required to perform well in this field. Learning to synthesize a lot of content and becoming sensitive to careful word choice will make you a stronger applicant and a better lawyer. 4. History. Admitted Students: 2,657.

Why is it important to prioritize academics during your undergraduate years?

For that reason, it is important to prioritize academics during your undergraduate years. Pursue a program that strengthens your critical reasoning and attention to detail. Certain fields, such as Classics, Linguistics, and Mathematics, demand more critical reasoning and attention to detail than others.

What does "pre-law" mean?

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. While there is no pre-law major or set of required classes, you can still prepare for law school while in college. Here are just a few ways you can do that:

Is it easy to get into law school?

Graduates go on to be judges, prosecutors, professors, legislators, mediators, and so much more. But getting into law school is no easy matter.

Is there a law school major?

Beyond taking these steps, there is no single best major for law school. You can major in absolutely anything and apply to law school. However, there are schools and programs that do a better job of preparing you for graduate study.

What is the closest thing to law school?

Political Science. Of all majors, this may be the closest to a "law school" curriculum as you can get. In this major, you'll study political systems, public policy, international relations and the relationship between government, the law, and individual rights, among other things.

What do philosophy majors study?

Philosophy majors delve deep into the study of logic, ethics, and morality —areas of thought that also happen to be the cornerstones of law. You'll debate with classmates, present arguments and do a lot of research to support your case, which is not all that different from what lawyers do to prepare for court.

Does it matter what you study as an undergraduate?

If you have your heart set on landing a legal gig, it's important to know that it doesn't necessarily matter what you study as an undergraduate. This is truly a profession suited to those coming from vast educational backgrounds.

Is business a good major?

A business major is a good option for those who plan to go into corporate law. That said, be sure to supplement business fundamentals with humanities and liberal arts electives so you can train your analytical and critical thinking muscles, as well as practice research and writing, too.

What is a prelaw degree?

An undergraduate degree in criminal justice or prelaw can prepare a student for the practical effects and implications of the legal system. Prelaw degrees, which focus exclusively on law school requirements and preparation, are uncommon but are still offered by some schools, such as Washington State University.

What is a philosophy major?

Philosophy majors receive training in critical thinking, logic and problem-solving skills. Lawyers use these skills to craft or refute legal arguments and to understand and use case studies as evidence. A philosophy degree also demands a high quantity of critical reading across various texts, and critical reading and understanding is a large component of a law school workload.

Does the ABA recommend a major for undergraduates?

The ABA recommends no specific majors or courses for undergraduates; instead, it recommends following your interests across a broad range of challenging courses, which will best develop the various skills required to become a lawyer.

What degree do I need to become an attorney?

Students earn a bachelor’s degree, complete the required testing to apply to law school, and earn a degree called a Juris Doctor (J.D.). However, aspiring attorneys have a number of decisions to make, including what subject to major in as undergraduates and what types of law they may wish to specialize in during law school.

What is the path to becoming a lawyer?

Though the path to becoming a lawyer isn’t simple, it ultimately leads to a career that is rewarding financially and professionally. From the first class a freshman student takes, a lawyer’s education is primarily about developing the core capabilities that make a person an analytical thinker and a compelling, persuasive communicator.

What is the bar exam?

To legally practice law in any state, prospective lawyers must pass the licensing exam commonly referred to as the “bar exam.”. Passing this exam means the individual is admitted to that particular state’s bar association. Some states require that multiple exams are successfully completed.

How much do lawyers make in 2020?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for lawyers is $126,930, as of May 2020. The bottom 10% of lawyers earn $61,490, with the top 10% bringing in $208,000. As with other occupations, industry matters.

How many standardized items are required for a bar exam?

The most common bar exam consists of a two-day test with 200 standardized items covering six areas of law, including constitutional law, contract law, evidence, real property law, and torts.

What do you learn in law school?

During their law school education, students will learn how to write legal documents and how civil procedures are conducted. They will also learn various types of law, including tax law, constitutional law, corporate law, property law, and labor law. They must then pass their state’s bar exam, a written test, to be admitted to ...

What percentage of law school applicants are philosophy majors?

In fact, philosophy majors had the best numbers, with 82 percent of law school applicants admitted.

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

To begin practicing as a lawyer, you'll first need to pass the MPRE, a 60-ques tion test that lasts two hours, to take a state bar examination. The bar exam is a rigorous assessment that tests a law school graduate's legal knowledge and competency.

What do you learn in law school?

Earning your law degree means a commitment to at least two and often three more years of school. During your first year in law school, you'll take courses on legal methods, laws and civil procedures. You'll also learn about torts, which are the acts that constitute a crime. Law students spend time studying constitutional law and the rights of individuals.

What is the role of a law firm?

Most firms offer guidance and mentoring to new lawyers as they begin their careers. Working in a law firm allows lawyers beginning their practice to train with experienced legal professionals. Firms may also provide the training mandated by some states.

How do lawyers find small details?

Finding small details through analysis and reasoning might change the outcome of a legal proceeding for a client. Lawyers need to pay attention to the most minute details as they prepare a case.

What does a lawyer do?

A lawyer often acts as an advisor, giving legal counsel to clients and listening to their concerns. They need to show empathy and communicate complicated legal policies and procedures, making them easy for a client to understand.

What are the different types of law?

Here are a variety of law fields you can pursue as a lawyer: 1 Family law: Lawyers who practice family law are involved in the legal proceedings of child custody, adoption and family relationship issues such as divorce. 2 Constitutional law: This type of law is about interpreting both state constitutions and the federal constitution as it is applied to the legal rights of individuals and groups. 3 Business law: A lawyer specializing in business law (also known as commercial and corporate law) is concerned with the rights and regulations of trade and commerce. 4 Criminal law: Criminal lawyers determine the consequences for individuals who commit crimes. 5 Health law: Those involved in health care law work with regulatory laws for health care providers. They ensure patient rights and protection for medical issues. 6 Environmental law: An environmental lawyer helps provide protection and upholds laws regarding how people and businesses interact with the environment. 7 Intellectual property law: This type of law protects the work of artists and creators of various mediums. Intellectual property lawyers are concerned with trademarks, patents and copyrights. 8 Employment law: Also called labor law, lawyers working in this specialization are involved in legal issues related to the relations between employers and their employees. 9 Admiralty law: Otherwise known as maritime law, lawyers working in this jurisdiction study and defend the rights of ocean vessels and their trade routes.

Do lawyers work during the day?

Lawyers work for billable hours and may need to perform duties throughout the day and into the evening or even during weekends, which is well past normal work hours for many other jobs.

Business

A business major is a great option for those who are entrepreneurial-minded. Students interested in corporate law might find that classes in management and economics are well-suited to their postgraduation career needs. Word of warning, business majors should be careful not to focus solely on the fundamentals.

Economics

An economics major spends a lot of time summarizing large amounts of quantitative data. This is great training for law school as an econ major will be well-prepared to sort information and evidence in order to build a case backed by evidence.

English

Lawyers must be well-versed with the English language as they spend a lot of their time researching, writing, and speaking in court. English majors will learn how to analyze and synthesize large bodies of text, developing a command of written and verbal language (sometimes more than one).

Philosophy

Is there a more “prelaw school” major than philosophy? It’s no surprise that students majoring in philosophy dive deep into logic, ethics, and morality, which are all big, existential questions relevant to the study and practice of law.

Political Science

Political science majors should be prepared to study political systems, public policy, and the relationship between types of government and the law. This major is probably the closest to a law school curriculum in undergrad that a student will find.

Psychology

Psychology is the study of human behaviors and this major gives students insight into the human psyche. For instance, students might apply their psych studies to criminal cases, questioning how human error could possibly lead to wrongful convictions or how innocent people sometimes make incorrect judgments.

Bottom Line

For students considering a career in law, some majors are a reliable source of the skills and knowledge central to the profession. However, no major will guarantee a law school acceptance letter — and no major will disqualify a student, either.

How We Made This List

Sociology

Arts & Humanities

Philosophy

Criminal Justice

Economics

English

• Admitted Students:2,564 Average LSAT Score:155.3 English is another famous choice for pre-law students, since so much reading and writing is required to perform well in this field. Learning to synthesize a lot of content and becoming sensitive to careful word choice will make you a stronger applicant and a better lawyer.

See more on blog.collegevine.com

History

Miscellaneous

Psychology