Helpful Tips for Choosing a Pre-Law Major

If you have aspirations of practicing law someday, one of your primary concerns is probably your academic preparation. You may be under the assumption that "pre-law" is actually a college major, or that you have to earn a degree in political science in order to get into law school. This article will clear up a few misconceptions about pre-law majors and offer some suggestions for choosing the best major for your educational and professional goals.

Pre-Law is Not a Major!

The first thing you need to know is that "pre-law" is not an actual major; it is an academic classification. Students who indicate that they have an interest in law may be classified as "pre-law" and even be assigned to a pre-law advisor. However, pre-law students still have a major that they declare in preparation for law school. That major tends to vary from student to student.

Pick a Major that Suits You

"The ABA (American Bar Association) does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for a legal education. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline," states the Pre-Law Committee of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar (2010). It is recommended, however, that pre-law students study a broad range of subjects that will help them develop their critical thinking, research, writing, communication and problem-solving skills. These courses should be selected after a thorough planning session with an academic advisor. Overall, you should pick a major that suits your interests.

Consider "Hot" Specialties

If you already have an idea of what law specialties interest you, you can talk to your advisor about courses that are related to these specialties. The following are a few "hot" law specialties that have been identified by U.S. News & World Report (2010):

• Dispute Resolution

• Environmental Law

• Healthcare Law

• Intellectual Property Law

• International Law

• Legal Writing

• Tax Law

• Trial Advocacy

Other popular specialties include corporate, criminal and family law, to name a few.

The good news is that you will have plenty of time to narrow in on a law specialty. For now, the best thing you can do for yourself is to select a major that you feel passionate about and avoid choosing only "easy" courses that you can coast through.

The Pre-Law Handbook (2010) states that "The proper choice of major and courses should lead to a high GRADE POINT AVERAGE, a few strong LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION, a decent score on the LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST (LSAT), the acquisition of important SKILLS, VALUES, AND KNOWLEDGE that will provide a sound foundation for law school, and a Bachelor's degree in four years or less." Heed this solid advice, meet with your academic advisor and map out your steps to law school carefully in order to increase your likehood of success.

Sources:

Pre-Law Committee of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar (2010). Preparing for Law School. American Bar Association.

The Prelaw Handbook (2010). Prelaw Handbook. A Guide to Law School.

U.S. News & World Report (2010). Best Law Schools.