If becoming a lawyer sounds like a good way to ensure job security, earn a decent living, challenge your brain, and make a difference in the world, you might think that majoring in “Pre-Law” would be your best bet. Think again. There is no such thing as a “Pre-Law” major.
Although there is no Pre-Law major, the term itself is not meaningless. It refers to advising programs that support students in preparing for and applying to law school. These programs often have advisors who devote themselves to helping students understand different types of law, explore various legal careers, and manage the law school application process. Pre-Law advising programs often sponsor lecture series, job shadow opportunities, and internships.
So, what is the best major for applying to law school? The most common majors of law school applicants are: Political Science, History, English, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Economics. But this doesn’t mean that they’re the best choices. Majors with the highest acceptance rates into law schools include: Physics, Philosophy, Biology, Chemistry, Government Service, Anthropology and Economics. In truth, the best major for applying to law school is the major that most interests you.
The American Bar Association (ABA) has identified a list of “Core Skills and Values” which competitive law school applicants should possess. They include:
Analytical / Problem Solving Skills
Critical Reading
Writing Skills
Oral Communication/Listening Abilities
General Research Skills
Task Organization/Management Skills and
Public Service and Promotion of Justice
These skills can be developed and honed in almost any major you might choose.
Successful law school applicants should have broad understanding of history and the factors that have influenced the development of our society, and a fundamental understanding of political thought and the contemporary American political system. They should also possess mathematical and financial skills, such as an understanding of basic pre-calculus mathematics and an ability to analyze financial data. Knowledge of human behavior, social interaction, cultural differences, international institutions and issues, world events, and the increasing interdependence of the nations and communities within our world are also important.
If most of what you know about legal careers comes from watching Perry Mason or Law & Order reruns, you’re in for a huge surprise. Criminal trial attorneys account for only a small percent of practicing lawyers. Traditional legal career paths include private practice lawyer, government attorney, corporate lawyer, entertainment lawyer, and public interest lawyer. Most attorneys spend a tremendous amount of time researching matters and composing documents.
Many law school graduates never actually practice law. They view legal education as a useful foundation for a wide range of careers. Several bestselling authors, politicians, corporate business people, and entertainers have attended law school and have found that their legal backgrounds played a significant role in their success. Non-traditional careers for law school graduates include journalism, real estate, nonprofit management, entrepreneurship, and the arts.
Employment of lawyers is expected to grow by 10 percent through 2020. Because the number of law school graduates now is outpacing the number of openings at law firms, new lawyers are increasingly working in non-traditional careers, where legal education is desired but not required.
The median salary range for lawyers with less than one year of experience is $45,000 to $68,000 per year, according to a 2010 PayScale survey. The median annual wage of all lawyers that year was $112,760. Of course, many lawyers earn far in excess of these figures, depending on the field of law they practice.
Famous lawyers and their undergraduate degrees:
Hilary Clinton
(former) Secretary of State
Political Science
Ann Coulter
Radio Personality
History
John Grisham
Author
Accounting
Elizabeth Marston
Co-Creator of Wonder Woman
Psychology
Judy Scheindlin
Judge Judy
Government
Will Shortz
Puzzlemaster
Enigmatology
Resources
American Bar Association – http://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/pre_law.html
National Association for Law Placement –
http://www.nalp.org/prelaw
