What should I major and minor in if I want to be a lawyer?!?

Question

Ive always been told that I should minor in Spanish because a lawyer who can speak more than one language will a) make more money and b) have more job opportunities.

Any lawyers who could tell me what they majored and minored in would be great appreciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

Honestly it really doesn’t matter. My undergraduate degree was in Agriculture and I didn’t even have a minor. I got into a top tier law school.

Getting into law school is all about the LSAT, nothing else. Of course you want to keep your GPA up, but the higher the LSAT score the better your chances of getting into a top tier school.

As for pre-law, honestly I’d stay away from it. Pre-law majors and minors are a dime a dozen. Top tier law schools like accepting diverse majors and pre-law is no guarantee. English and engineering are hot degrees right now.

Answer 2

It doesn't matter a whole lot, though lawyers often major in some social science, such as political science, economics, sociology. History is another popular major. You might want to look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics web site on law as a profession.

Here is a link to the page on lawyers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos053.htm

I quote from that page:

"Although there is no recommended �prelaw� undergraduate major, prospective lawyers should develop proficiency in writing and speaking, reading, researching, analyzing, and thinking logically—skills needed to succeed both in law school and in the law. Regardless of major, a multidisciplinary background is recommended. Courses in English, foreign languages, public speaking, government, philosophy, history, economics, mathematics, and computer science, among others, are useful. Students interested in a particular aspect of law may find related courses helpful. For example, prospective patent lawyers need a strong background in engineering or science, and future tax lawyers must have extensive knowledge of accounting."

You might find this blogpost valuable as well:

http://bkriplur.blogspot.com/2006/12/bes...

It encourages students to select a pre-law major that sets them apart from their future law school applicant cohort. Also think about the kind of law you want to practice (if you know already). A background in that field (as the OOH notes) is invaluable.

Answer 3

I'd minor in Spanish, yes, but the answer is pre-law.

Answer 4

Major in political science or economics and minor in the other./