Is philosophy a good major for law school?
Asked by: Dr. Nellie Heller V | Last update: January 22, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (61 votes)
There can be little doubt that the philosophy major provides the best preparation for an
Do philosophy majors do better on the LSAT?
Philosophy majors tend to do better on the LSAT — which is the law school entrance exam — than students in many other popular majors.
What percent of philosophy majors go to law school?
Business and criminal justice majors had lower LSAT scores and GPAs overall.” Philosophy majors scored sixth best in terms of LSAT and GPA scores. They were also admitted to law school at a higher percent than any other major — 75 percent, according to an analysis of data provided by Muller.
What is the best major for law?
When it comes to top-notch undergrad majors for law school, political science and pre-law often take the lead. These majors lay a sturdy groundwork in the basics of law, legal procedures, and the political landscape where laws are born and enforced.
Is psychology or philosophy better for law school?
It is easy to see why admissions committees at law schools tend to favor philosophy majors. Perhaps more than anything else, law students and attorneys need to be skilled at evaluating the strength of arguments and counterarguments.
10 Signs You Should Become A Lawyer
Can you become a lawyer with a philosophy degree?
Yes, philosophy is a great choice for pre-law. A significant number of students in philosophy are interested in law school, as this career choice is a natural fit. In fact, philosophy is one of the best majors for law school prep—but there is no one universal pre-law major.
Who does the best on the 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.
What branch of law pays the most?
- Trial lawyer: $134,000.
- Tax attorney: $122,000.
- Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
- Medical lawyer: $113,000.
- Real estate lawyer: $98,000.
- Family lawyer: $93,000.
- Criminal defense lawyer: $86,000.
- Immigration lawyer: $83,000.
What is a philosophy major like?
Embarking on a philosophy degree journey is both challenging and rewarding. It requires a dedication to exploring complex ideas and developing a nuanced understanding of human thought. While it can be intellectually demanding, the skills you gain in debating, writing, and critical thinking are invaluable.
Is philosophy a good law major?
Obtaining a Philosophy Degree Could Also Be Helpful for the GRE and GMAT. Additionally, EDsmart lists philosophy as one of the top options sought at law schools. But if you look at the LSAT scores for the 10 most popular majors listed on the site, philosophy has the highest score.
Where do most philosophy majors end up?
Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy
These highly critical, analytical, and argumentative skills that are developed often lead students to pursue legal studies, MBA programs, or seminaries. Jobs for philosophy majors include a lawyer, systems analyst, cultural affairs officer, technical writer, and a critic.
Is philosophy a respected degree?
Philosophy is a very useful and respected degree, and certainly one with which you can make money. Philosophers turn their attention to more than just the history of philosophy.
What major has the highest LSAT score?
- Mathematics/Physics: 160.0.
- Economics/Philosophy/Theology: 157.4.
- International Relations: 156.5.
- Engineering: 156.2.
- Government/Service/Chemistry: 156.1.
- History: 155.9.
- Interdisciplinary Studies: 155.5.
- Foreign Languages: 155.3.
Do philosophy majors read a lot?
Philosophy students do a lot of reading. And most philosophy books are quite thick. But that doesn't mean you will read entire piles of books in a single semester. You will actually do a lot of selective reading on key concepts.
Is a philosophy minor useful for law school?
Philosophy majors, on average, perform better on the LSAT than any other Liberal Arts major, including those in criminal justice and political science. In fact, according to The National Jurist (2014), a higher percentage of philosophy majors are admitted to law school than any other major.
What is the lowest paying law field?
We find that within the legal industry, certain segments are known to offer lower compensation. Typically, public defenders, legal aid attorneys, and lawyers working for nonprofit organizations are among the lowest paid.
What type of lawyer is the richest?
Corporate and tax lawyers tend to be the highest earners, with patent and IP lawyers not far behind. Trial lawyers also pull down a lot of money, particularly in the civil litigation field. Other lawyers are more motivated by getting justice for their clients than by collecting the largest possible paycheck.
What field of law is most in demand?
- Intellectual property law. ...
- Family law. ...
- Immigration & naturalization law. ...
- Real estate law. ...
- Contract management. ...
- Compliance. ...
- Labor and employment. ...
- Corporate transactions. Also known as mergers and acquisitions, or M&A, this work navigates the buying and selling of companies and their assets.
Is law or doctor harder?
Each path demands extensive education and a commitment to rigorous training before becoming a qualified professional. Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.
What is the hardest year in law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
What is the most prestigious law degree?
Stanford University Law School
Stanford University Law School is in Stanford, California. Along with being California's top law school, Stanford is also the nation's top-ranked law school. Stanford Law School has a competitive acceptance rate of 6.88%. Stanford Law School is known for its collegial culture.
Why do philosophy majors do well on LSAT?
The study of philosophy requires analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension—skills all evaluated by the LSAT. Philosophy study provides training in argument presentation via the manipulation of language, a core ability required for the study of law.
How rare is a 170 LSAT?
170 score: Scoring a 170 on the LSAT is almost always considered a good score — that means you are in the 2-3% of test-takers.
Is your GPA or LSAT more important?
Most law schools tend to give LSAT scores a bit more weight, but some schools care more about grades. The admissions process is inevitably subjective, and some admissions officers might be more forgiving of a gap than others.