Pathway to Law School
If you’re considering a career in law, your undergraduate years are an important first step. While there’s no single formula for getting into law school, the choices you make about your major, college, and extracurricular activities can lay a strong foundation for success. Here's what you need to know.
Choosing the Right Major
The first question you may be wondering is, “do I have to study pre-law?” The answer is no! Law schools do not require or prefer specific majors. In fact, they value diverse academic backgrounds. You can study almost anything as long as you demonstrate strong academic performance and develop critical skills.
Some skills that law schools are looking for are:
Writing and Communication: Lawyers need to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively.
Analytical and Critical Thinking: Courses that challenge you to evaluate arguments and synthesize information are excellent preparation.
Research: A solid foundation in research methods will be valuable in both law school and your legal career.
While law schools may not prefer specific majors, some popular pre-law programs are:
Political Science
English or Literature
History
Philosophy
Economics
Business
Psychology
So ultimately, as you’re making your selection for your intended major, be sure that you’re choosing a subject that you’re passionate about because it will help you excel academically, which is crucial since your GPA is a key factor in law school admissions.
Picking the Right College
Now that you’ve decided on a major, there are a few things you should be looking for in a college or university that will help support and prepare you as you begin your journey to law school.
What to look for in a college/university:
Academic Rigor: Law schools look for strong academic performance. Choose a school where you can challenge yourself while maintaining a competitive GPA.
Pre-Law Advising: Some schools offer advisors or programs specifically designed to help aspiring law students choose courses, gain experience, and prepare for the LSAT.
Opportunities for Skill-Building: Look for schools with robust debate teams, mock trial programs, or legal studies clubs.
Internship Access: Schools that are near courts, law firms, or government offices can provide valuable hands-on experience.
Affordability: Law school can be expensive. Keep future law school costs in mind when evaluating tuition and financial aid options when choosing an undergraduate institution.
Gaining Experience During College
While grades and test scores tend to matter most, law schools also value well-rounded applicants with meaningful experiences.
To be sure you’re a competitive law school candidate consider:
Internships: Work at a law firm, government agency, or nonprofit organization.
Clubs and Organizations: Join debate clubs, mock trial teams, or student government to develop skills and show leadership.
Volunteer Work: Engage in community service to demonstrate commitment to social justice and public service.
Relationships: Get to know professors and mentors who can write strong letters of recommendation.
After Graduating
After completing your undergraduate degree there are a few more steps before you begin practicing law. We won’t go into specifics as you don’t need to worry about all this quite yet, but here’s a brief overview of what to expect.
Take the LSAT or GRE: The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is the standard for law school applications, though some schools now accept the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) as well.
Apply to Law School: Just like applying for an undergraduate degree, you’ll submit transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendations, and a personal statement.
Complete Law School (3 years): Law school typically consists of foundational courses, specialized electives, and internships or externships. You’ll graduate with a JD, which stands for Juris Doctor, the graduate-level degree that prepares students to practice law.
Pass the Bar Exam: After earning your JD, you must pass the bar exam in the state where you plan to practice.
Begin Your Legal Career: You can work in a variety of fields, such as corporate law, criminal defense, public interest law, or government.
So, as you’re preparing for your pathway to law school, it all starts with choosing the right undergraduate school, major and extracurricular activities. Thinking about all of these areas can make your journey smoother and more rewarding. And with thoughtful planning and dedication, you’ll be on your way to practicing law.
