What should I major in to be considered "pre-law"?
Pre-law is not a major but generally means that a person is interested in attending law school and is taking steps to prepare themselves for the legal profession. While there are no specific majors or course requirements, law schools are looking for applicants with a rigorous, well-rounded education, and there are important skills and knowledge that you should acquire prior to attending law school. These will provide a solid foundation for your legal education. Experience in leadership, community service and other extracurricular activities is also highly desired.
What is a J.D.?
A J.D. degree stands for "Juris Doctor" degree, which is the professional degree required to become a licensed attorney in the United States. The J.D. degree typically takes three years to complete, and it involves a rigorous course of study in a variety of legal subjects, including contracts, torts, criminal law, property law, civil procedure and constitutional law. Students in a J.D. program also typically have opportunities to gain practical legal experience through internships or clinics.
Upon completing a J.D. program, graduates must pass a bar exam in order to be licensed to practice law in their state. The J.D. degree is widely recognized as a rigorous and prestigious degree, and it can lead to a variety of careers in the legal profession, including practicing law, working in government or public interest organizations or pursuing academic and/or research positions.
Law school requires a diverse set of skills
Students must be able to analyze complex legal concepts and cases, evaluate arguments and evidence, and communicate their arguments clearly and persuasively in written and oral form. Attention to detail and ethical principles are also critical to ensure the accuracy and integrity of legal work.
- Critical thinking: Law school requires students to analyze complex legal concepts and cases, evaluate arguments and evidence, and make logical deductions and inferences.
- Analytical skills: Law students must be able to identify and evaluate legal issues, research relevant laws and cases, and apply legal principles to solve problems.
- Writing skills: Law school involves a lot of writing, including case briefs, legal memos and legal briefs. Students must be able to communicate their arguments clearly and persuasively.
- Reading comprehension: Law school involves reading a lot of dense, technical legal material, such as cases, statutes and regulations. Students must be able to read and understand this material thoroughly.
- Time management: Law students must balance multiple assignments, classes and extracurricular activities, so good time management skills are essential.
- Oral communication: Law students must be able to articulate their arguments and ideas clearly and persuasively, both in class discussions and in oral presentations.
- Interpersonal skills: Lawyers often work in teams, so law students must be able to collaborate effectively with others, communicate clearly and resolve conflicts.
- Attention to detail: Law school requires students to pay close attention to details, such as legal terminology, case law and procedural rules.
- Emotional intelligence: Law students must be able to navigate the emotional demands of legal practice, such as dealing with difficult clients or opposing counsel.
- Ethics: Law students must understand and adhere to ethical principles in legal practice, such as client confidentiality, conflicts of interest and professional responsibility.
Law School Admission requirements, Process and preparation
- Complete your undergraduate degree: To apply for law school, you will need to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a strong cumulative grade point average (GPA). There is no required major or minor to attend law school, but a degree in a related field, that provides the skills listed above, may be helpful. Many different majors and minors can provide these skills such as Political Science, Justice Studies, Philosophy, History, Communications, English and Economics. Law schools also appreciate STEM majors such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Psychology.
- Prepare for the LSAT: The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is an important factor in the law school admissions process. The LSAT can increase your admission prospects and also determine scholarship awards. Take the proper time to prepare for the LSAT by taking practice tests, attending a prep course or hiring a tutor. The financial and time investment can truly pay off. Some law schools are now accepting the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in place of the LSAT. If you would prefer to take the GRE, reach out to the schools you're interested in applying to see if this is acceptable.
- Research law schools: Look into different law schools and their admissions requirements. Consider factors like location, cost and reputation. Also, look into the culture at each school. Is it competitive or collaborative?
- Write a personal statement: A law school personal statement serves as a tool for law school admissions committees to gain insight into an applicant's character, personal experiences, motivations and goals, in order to evaluate their potential as a law student and future legal professional. It is an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their writing skills, showcase their unique perspective and explain why they are a good fit for the law school program they are applying to. The personal statement can also serve as a way for applicants to address any weaknesses or gaps in their application, and highlight any experiences or achievements that may not be evident from other parts of their application. Learn more about writing personal statements.
- Request letters of recommendation: Law schools typically require letters of recommendation from professors or other professionals who can speak to your academic abilities and character. Ask for these letters well in advance of your application deadline. You will need one to three letters depending on the school. Learn more about requesting letters of recommendation.
- Additional materials: Some law schools may require additional materials, such as a resume, writing sample or addendum to explain a less-than-average GPA, LSAT score or other discrepancies in your application. It is important to research and carefully consider the requirements and expectations of each law school you plan to apply to. Though rare, some law schools may require an interview.
- Gain practical experience: Volunteer or intern in a legal setting to gain practical experience and get a sense of what working in the legal field is like. While this is not required, you will find it beneficial to get this exposure before making the decision to go to law school.
- Work on your writing skills: Law school involves a significant amount of writing, so it's essential to hone your writing skills before starting. Consider taking a writing course or courses that require strong writing ability.
- Prepare financially: Law school can be expensive, so it's important to plan financially. Consider applying for scholarships or loans, and budget accordingly. All law schools automatically consider you for merit scholarships based on your GPA and LSAT scores. If accepted, the school will usually make you aware of any scholarships you've been awarded.
- Develop good study habits: Law school is rigorous and demanding, so it's important to develop good study habits early on. Practice time management, take good notes and stay organized.
Legal Specialties
Law is a broad field with various specialties. While the first year of law school typically covers foundational topics, students can focus on specialties in their later years. Students will have opportunities to receive training in specific specialties through elective course, clinics, internships/extenships, research, mootcourt, specialized programs, and networking. Some common areas include:
- Criminal Law
- Civil Law
- Family Law
- Corporate Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Environmental Law
- Labor and Employment Law
- Tax Law
- Real Estate Law
- International Law
- Constitutional Law
- Bankruptcy Law
- Health Law
- Entertainment Law
- Sports Law
- Consumer Protection Law
- Insurance Law
- Immigration Law
- Privacy Law
- Negotiation and Mediation
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Civil Rights Law
- Cyber Law (or Internet Law)
- Education Law
- Military Law
- and more
These areas can further specialize into subfields and new specialties can emerge as societal needs and technologies evolve.
