Do law schools care what you major in?
Asked by: Josiah Graham | Last update: February 6, 2026Score: 5/5 (12 votes)
No, law schools don't mandate a specific major, focusing more on your GPA, LSAT score, and the critical thinking/writing skills developed in your major, but some "harder" STEM or rigorous humanities majors might offer a slight edge as tiebreakers, especially for specialized fields like IP law, though studying what you love and excel in is key. The ABA confirms no required major, emphasizing strong reading, writing, and analytical skills over subject matter.
Why does law school not care about majors?
Law Schools take students with any major, but they like to see that whatever you majored in developed strong habits of reading, writing, problem-solving, research, and oral communication. Political Science is the more usual major students choose for their Bachelors Degree.
What major goes to law school the most?
Common Undergraduate Majors for Pre-Law Students
- Political Science. According to LSAC data, about 18% of law school applicants major in political science, making it the single most common major by over 10 percentage points. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- English. ...
- Economics. ...
- History. ...
- Philosophy. ...
- Strategies for Choosing a Major.
What disqualifies you from law school?
What disqualifies you from law school often involves dishonesty, serious criminal history (especially crimes of moral turpitude like fraud), significant financial irresponsibility, or academic misconduct, all falling under the "character and fitness" evaluation, though a single minor issue usually isn't a bar if disclosed honestly and explained well; failure to disclose, lying on the application, or misrepresenting facts is often a more significant reason for denial or later disbarment.
Do law schools care what college you go to?
If you want to attend law school, the prestige of your undergraduate program matters very little as compared to the importance of GPA and LSAT scores. Similarly, if you want to attend medical school, the prestige of your undergraduate institution is relatively unimportant, while your GPA and MCAT scores are critical.
Best Undergrad Major For Law School (and College Degree)
Do law schools accept any major?
Unlike medical school, which requires certain prerequisite courses, law school doesn't require that you major in anything specific or take certain classes before applying. Your LSAT score and your GPA are the key determining factors in law school admissions.
Is a 3.8 GPA bad for law school?
Among the 191 ranked law schools that submitted grade data to U.S. News in an annual survey, the average median GPA of entering law school students in 2021 was 3.55. But at the 20 highest-ranked law schools, the average median GPA is much higher – 3.86.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
Is 27 too late for law school?
No, 27 is not too old for law school; in fact, life and work experience gained by that age are often seen as advantages, making you more focused and mature than many younger students, with many older students finding fulfilling careers and succeeding in law school. While the average student might be younger, a significant portion of law students are 30 or older, and your maturity, different perspective, and practicality can strengthen your application and your experience in law school.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
What majors do law schools like?
You may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science, economics or business, or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse as art, music, science and mathematics, computer science, engineering, ...
What is the hardest subject in a law degree?
The hardest law school subjects vary, but Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Property are consistently cited as top contenders, especially in the first year, due to abstract concepts, complex rules, and interconnected details. Advanced courses like Federal Courts, Tax Law, and Evidence are also known for their difficulty, involving dense statutory interpretation, complex codes, and intricate rules.
Does major GPA matter for law school?
For example, a number of law schools will add points to an applicant's GPA if the applicant has taken a major perceived by admissions officials to be relatively difficult. Nevertheless, you should not choose a major because it "looks good" to law school admissions committees.
Can I be a lawyer with bad grades?
Academic performance may be important during the first few years of your career, but as you gain experience as an attorney, employers care less and less about your grades and judge you on your work instead. It's unlikely you'll be asked much about your class rank or grades after about four years of law practice.
How rare is an A+ in law school?
For first-year courses: Tier 1 (A+, A, A−) between 14% and 22% of all grades, with a target of 18%; Tier 2 (B+, B, B−) between 36% and 54% of all grades, with a target of 45%; Tier 3 (C+, C, C−) between 24% and 36% of all grades, with a target of 30%; Tier 4 (D+, D, F) between 0% and 10% of all grades, with a target of ...
What did Obama get on LSAT?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
Is a 3.3 GPA too low for law school?
A 3.3 GPA isn't "bad" but makes getting into top-tier (T-14) law schools very difficult, as their median GPAs are much higher (around 3.7-3.9+), but it's often sufficient for mid-tier or lower-ranked schools, especially with a strong LSAT score, compelling personal statement, and relevant work experience, which can significantly boost your application by showing resilience and readiness.
How old is the youngest lawyer?
The youngest lawyer is generally considered to be Sophia Park, who passed the California bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother Peter's previous record, though she'll be sworn in and licensed in March 2025 after turning 18, as most jurisdictions require lawyers to be 18. She accelerated her education, starting law school at 13 while in junior high and graduating early.
What is the hardest year in law school?
Most law students agree the first year (1L) is the hardest due to the steep learning curve, new teaching methods (Socratic/Case Method), intense reading/writing, and high-pressure environment designed to build foundational skills, though 2L brings different stressors like career planning and internships. 1L is a "bootcamp" for thinking like a lawyer with unfamiliar concepts and high stakes for grades, making the transition from undergraduate studies particularly challenging.
Is law going to be replaced by AI?
No, AI won't fully take over law but will fundamentally transform it by automating routine tasks, increasing efficiency, and augmenting lawyers, making tech-savvy lawyers more valuable, while lawyers who don't adapt risk being left behind; AI handles data analysis, contract review, and research, but human judgment, contextual understanding, and complex argumentation remain essential for client counsel and strategic decision-making, shifting the focus to higher-value work and potentially changing billing models.
How much do the top 1% lawyers make?
The top 1% of lawyers earn well into the high six figures to millions annually, with top "Big Law" associates hitting $400k+ quickly, and partners/specialists (like patent attorneys) exceeding $500k-$1M+, depending heavily on location, firm size (Big Law pays most), and specialization (corporate, IP, tax). Entry-level salaries at top firms can start around $215k+, while partners in successful firms can earn $500k to over $1M.
Can a lawyer be wealthy?
The short answer is yes—many attorneys build seven-figure wealth by leveraging high-value cases, business ventures, and strategic legal marketing.
Has anyone got a 6.0 GPA?
Yes, a 6.0 GPA has been achieved by students, but it's extremely rare and only possible in high schools with specific, heavily weighted grading systems that assign extra points for advanced courses like AP or IB classes, effectively creating a scale that goes beyond the traditional 4.0 or 5.0, with some students even reaching over 10.0 on unique scales.
Can I get into Harvard with a 3.2 GPA?
Yes, it's possible to get into Harvard with a 3.2 GPA, but it's highly improbable and requires truly exceptional strengths in other areas, as most admitted students have much higher GPAs (average ~4.18), but Harvard's holistic review means stellar essays, extraordinary extracurriculars (like national-level achievements), unique talents, or compelling life circumstances can sometimes offset a lower GPA, though a 3.2 is generally considered too low to compete for undergraduate admission without extraordinary compensating factors.