Do majors matter for law school?
Asked by: Dr. Deondre Boyer I | Last update: November 16, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (74 votes)
Not having to choose a certain major to get into law school doesn't mean that the major itself doesn't matter at all. Instead of selecting what you think will impress the law schools, choose a major that you're passionate about.
What is the most useful major for law school?
- Criminal Justice. This may be an obvious choice, but this is one of the best majors for law school. ...
- Political Science. This degree tends to be very common for pre-law students. ...
- History. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Philosophy. ...
- Linguistics. ...
- Communications. ...
- Mathematics.
Can I go to law school with any major?
Do you need to study pre-law to go to law school? While some universities may offer pre-law majors and programs, there is no specific undergraduate degree required for law school. Students have been admitted to law school from nearly every academic discipline, according to the ABA.
Do law schools care if I double major?
In summary, double-majoring can be looked upon favorably if you maintain a strong academic record and can make a compelling case for how it has prepared you for the rigors of law school. However, don't pursue a double major just for appearances--it should genuinely align with your academic interests and career goals.
What matters most to get into law school?
Each law school combines your cumulative GPA with your LSAT score to come up with an index score. This index score is the most important admissions factor, and it is used to benchmark you initially against other applicants.
The BEST College Degrees For Law School (Spoiler: NOT Political Science)
Which GPA do law schools look at?
When it comes to the primary GPA that law schools look at, it's your undergrad GPA. A grad GPA is nice, but it doesn't replace or get combined with the UGPA. A low UGPA will not be bolstered by a high grad GPA.
Do law schools take majors into account?
In one word, NO. Law schools care about many things: your GPA, your LSAT, the story you tell, the obstacles you've overcome. But if there is one thing law school admissions committees care least about, it may be your major.
Does your major affect law school admission?
Do law schools really care about your 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.
What double major is best for law?
- Benefits of a Double Major for Law School. ...
- Political Science and Economics. ...
- English and Sociology. ...
- Economics and Psychology. ...
- Psychology and Criminal Justice. ...
- Accounting and Business.
Can I get into law school with a 2 GPA?
Yes, it is possible to get into law school with a low GPA if your other application components, such as your extracurriculars, high LSAT score, and stellar essay, overshadow it. However, you should improve your GPA to improve your odds of getting into your top law schools.
What type of lawyer makes the most money?
Patent Attorney Salary
Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.
Does major GPA matter law school?
Your major GPA matters, especially if it aligns with your intended field of study in law. Law schools may place more weight on it.
Which subject is best for a lawyer?
Gaining knowledge in subjects such as psychology, sociology, or anthropology can provide insights into human behavior and societal dynamics that prove beneficial when interacting with clients and handling difficult legal matters. On a related note, foreign language skills can also be critically helpful.
What degree do most lawyers need?
A lawyer needs a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Prospective lawyers can begin by earning a four-year degree in a program that offers critical thinking skills and a broad range of professional studies to help them succeed in their careers.
What degree is best for pre-med?
- Biological sciences (such as biology, biochemistry, microbiology, neuroscience, or biomedical engineering)
- Physical sciences (such as chemistry, physics, environmental science, or geology)
- Social sciences (such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, or economics)
What major does best on LSAT?
Statistics majors had the highest median LSAT at 168 out of a possible 180, followed by math majors at 167. Biophysics and computer science majors tied for No. 3 with median scores of 165 with biomedical majors not far behind.
What is the hardest law degree to get?
The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%. Followed by: Stanford Law School: 7% acceptance rate. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School: 3.8% acceptance rate.
Do law schools look at double majors?
Law schools typically consider all application materials holistically, taking into account all of your experiences and qualifications. However, no particular additional weight is given to a second major. As a general rule, is more effective to have a higher GPA with one major, than to have a lower GPA with two majors.
Which law degree has highest salary?
Ans: Corporate law and international law often offer the highest salaries.
What GPA do law schools want?
Obtain High GPA & LSAT Scores
According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools. However, that is the bare minimum, and you should aim higher if you want to increase your chances of getting into the top 3.
Do law schools look at dropped classes?
However, from a law-school-admissions perspective, it is a good idea to think carefully about the decision to withdraw from a course. Law school admission officers look beyond your GPA to carefully scrutinize your undergraduate transcripts. One or two withdrawals typically do not present much of an issue.
What is the best major for law school?
- English. Regardless of their niche, the cornerstones of every successful lawyer are exceptional reading comprehension and persuasive writing. ...
- Classical Studies. ...
- Environmental Sciences. ...
- Literature. ...
- Policy Studies. ...
- Industrial Relations. ...
- History. ...
- Math.
Is LSAT or GPA more important?
In general terms, it can be said that law schools value LSAT scores more than they do undergraduate GPA, but whether or not this statement applies to a given institution and how by much depends on the school.
Can I get into law school with a 2.0 GPA?
A strong LSAT score can often make up for a weak GPA, but there are some limitations. If you have a 2.0 GPA and a 178 LSAT score, you still might have a hard time getting into Yale, for example.
Can you get into law school with any major?
The ABA 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.