Should I double major before law school?

Asked by: Dr. Mitchel Stiedemann  |  Last update: September 30, 2023
Score: 4.7/5 (1 votes)

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.

What major is best before law school?

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, ...

Can I double major in pre law?

You don't necessarily need to double major—you could simply do one major in electrical engineering. However, if you also have a strong interest in one of the more classic pre-law majors, it can be a great way to combine both interests.

Does it look better to double major?

In some fields, having a double major on your resume can give you a leg up on the competition and offer the potential to earn a higher salary. But this isn't true for all fields — some employers may not notice or care that you took the time to double major.

Do law schools care more about major GPA?

Some people do well in their major GPA but have a low overall GPA because they performed poorly in their required general education courses. Unfortunately, law schools largely care about your overall GPA.

9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Double Majoring In College

18 related questions found

What is a good law school GPA 1L?

The list. No mandatory curve; 3.1 to 3.3 mean for 1L courses, except First-Year Rhetoric. 3.25 to 3.45 mean for most upper-level courses.

Do law schools value LSAT or GPA more?

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.

Do double majors get paid more?

According to a 2021 paper in the Columbia Economic Review, pursuing a double major almost always predicts greater earnings than pursuing either major alone. A combination of business and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), two business majors or two STEM majors will be the most lucrative.

Is it stressful to double major?

Cons of Double Majoring

If you decide to try to complete your double major within four years, you could experience added stress. To double major without increasing your costs, you need to load up on classes, which can reduce free time and be stressful.

How valuable is a double major?

As you study across two subjects, you gain extensive knowledge, as well as valuable skills that prepare you for a wide variety of careers. Students who double major often experience more career opportunities and higher earning potential than those with a single major. Your resume will stand out to potential employers.

What majors are easiest for pre-law?

Below we list the 13 most common undergraduate majors for students who applied to law schools approved by the ABA, according to LSAC data.
  • History. There were 3,366 history majors who applied, and 77.5% were admitted. ...
  • Economics. ...
  • English. ...
  • Philosophy. ...
  • Political Science. ...
  • Finance. ...
  • Arts and Humanities. ...
  • Communications.

Is pre-law a BA or BS?

However, there are no specific "pre-law" degree or majors, and unlike pre-med, an undergraduate student seeking legal education in the United States is not required to take a set of prerequisites in order to apply.

Do law schools look at minors?

They do care that you took interesting courses and did well in them; they don't want to see a transcript overly full of intro level electives. But the actual completion of requirements for a minor makes no difference (nor does a double major.).

What major scores highest on LSAT?

For an updated look at this analysis, here are the LSAT scores and GPAs by major for 2017-2018 law school applicants based on numbers reported by the LSAC. The general trends identified by Muller remain the same with one notable difference—Math majors' LSAT scores and GPAs are now the highest among all the majors!

What is the toughest year of law school?

Most students consider the first year of law school to be the most difficult. The material is more complex than they're used to and it must be learned rapidly. What's more, the way students are taught and tested is very different from high school or undergrad.

Which year of a law degree is the hardest?

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.

Is it better to double major or single major?

With a double major, you may have broader career options when you graduate, as well as a higher earning potential over time. A 2003 study using data from the National Survey of College Graduates found that double majors made 2.3 percent more than those who chose a single major.

How much harder is double majoring?

How hard is it to double major? Adding significantly more credit hours and studying to your course load means that you are going to have to carefully juggle your classes and study time. Time management will be critical. You may need to sacrifice time with friends or even holidays you might usually spend at home.

Do you get 2 degrees from a double major?

Double majors within a single college are reflected on a single diploma. If one of the majors normally results in a Bachelor of Science and the other in a Bachelor of Arts, the diploma reflects the degree of Bachelor of Arts and Science.

Are employers impressed by double majors?

Advantages of a Double Major

When employers review your background, they are likely to be impressed by your strong work ethic. Tackling more than one subject at once will give you exposure to different industries and opportunities, making it easier to decide what you want to do down the line.

What are the pros and cons of double majoring?

Top 6 Pros and Cons of Double-Majoring in College
  • Pro #1: You'll be qualified for more roles. ...
  • Pro #2: You'll have more career paths to follow. ...
  • Pro #3: You can explore your interests more deeply. ...
  • Con #1: It could dictate the classes you take. ...
  • Con #2: You may not graduate on time and could end up paying more.

Does double major affect GPA?

The undergraduate GPAs are unaffected by multiple majors. The only difference is there are multiple GPAs that are calculated the same way as a single major. All the course grades are used in the calculation for an overall GPA, and only the major upper divisions courses are used in the calculation of the major GPA.

How do you get a 170 on the LSAT?

Despite what many people believe, there is no trick or shortcut to getting a 170 or more on an LSAT score. Very few people can walk into the room on test day with very little or no practice and be able to score that highly. It takes a lot of hard work to be able to score up to 170 or higher.

Is a 163 a good LSAT score?

Anyone who successfully completes the LSAT receives a score between 120 and 180. "In general, scores in the high 160s and 170s are usually considered very competitive," she says.

What is a respectable law school GPA?

DO raise that GPA, if it's not too late. You'll need a 3.8 or better to be above the median for a top 14 law school, and a 3.6 or better to be above the median for the top 50.