What major is most accepted to law school?
Asked by: Bernice Wilderman | Last update: March 31, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (25 votes)
The most common major for law school is Political Science, followed by History, English, and Economics, as these humanities and social science fields build crucial skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing. However, law schools accept students from virtually any major, valuing strong GPAs and skills from diverse backgrounds like STEM (for patent law) or Philosophy, as long as you can demonstrate analytical and communication abilities.
What is the most popular major for law school?
The most common undergraduate major for law school applicants is Political Science, followed by other popular choices like History, English, Psychology, Economics, and Criminal Justice, all of which build strong critical thinking, reading, writing, and analytical skills. While these majors are popular due to their relevance, law schools accept students from virtually any field, emphasizing high grades and strong LSAT scores over a specific major.
What major has the highest acceptance rate to law school?
Top 10 Most Popular Undergraduate Majors for Prospective Law Students
- History. ...
- Philosophy. ...
- English. ...
- Finance. ...
- Arts & Humanities. Percentage of Students Admitted: 72.8% ...
- Psychology. Percentage of Students Admitted: 71.8% ...
- Communications. Percentage of Students Admitted: 70.6% ...
- Sociology. Percentage of Students Admitted: 67.1%
What should I major in if I want to go to law school?
Business, psychology, communication, criminal justice, legal studies, and history are some of the most common. In theory, as long as it's a bachelor's degree, the major isn't important.
What major scores best on LSAT?
Top 5 College Majors by Average LSAT Score
- Physics/Math, 160.0.
- Economics, 157.4.
- Philosophy/Theology, 157.4.
- International Relations, 156.5.
- Engineering, 156.2.
Best Undergrad Major For Law School (and College Degree)
What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score.
Do law schools care about your major?
The American Bar Association (ABA) states that they do not recommend any specific major for undergraduates or coursework to prepare for law school.
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 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.
What are the best pre-law majors?
Here are some of the best pre-law majors that you should keep your eye on.
- English. English is more than grammar and reading a lot of classics. ...
- History. ...
- Political Science. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- Economics. ...
- The Social Sciences. ...
- Liberal Arts. ...
- Consider a Liberal Arts Degree from Dean College.
Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?
Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.
What degree do most lawyers get that do well on the LSAT?
As unlikely as it may seem, the top law schools in the US are big fans of students that major in mathematics. Students with a math degree excel at critical thinking and logical reasoning, which is why they tend to have high LSAT scores — well above 160, on average.
Is a pre-law degree worth it?
The American Bar Association “does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for legal education.” And although the ABA falls short of saying that a pre-law bachelor's degree shouldn't be pursued, they also stress that the legal field values the diversity of viewpoints and opinions that ...
What majors prepare you for LSAT?
These majors not only provide a solid foundation but also contribute to higher LSAT scores, reflecting the development of skills necessary for the test.
- History. ...
- Political Science. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- English. ...
- Economics. ...
- Philosophy. ...
- Sociology.
Which bachelor's degree is best for a lawyer?
There's no single "best" undergraduate major for law school; the American Bar Association (ABA) emphasizes strong reading, writing, analytical, and research skills, regardless of major. Popular choices like Political Science, History, English, Philosophy, and Economics are common due to their focus on critical thinking, but majors in STEM, Arts, or Business also lead to successful law school admission, especially if they align with a student's interests and future legal focus (e.g., Technical majors for patent law). Focus on a challenging major you enjoy, excel in (for GPA), and that develops strong communication and logic.
Is a JD closer to a Masters or PhD?
In the United States, the JD has the academic standing of a professional doctorate (in contrast to a research doctorate), and is described as a "doctor's degree – professional practice" by the United States Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics.
What is the lowest paid lawyer?
There's no single minimum salary for lawyers, as pay varies wildly by location, firm size, and specialization, but entry-level salaries range from around $50k-$70k in public interest/small firms to over $200k at big corporate firms, with overall averages often near $100k-$120k. The lowest earnings are typically in public service, while high-paying areas include corporate law, IP, and big cities like NYC or D.C.
How difficult is 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.
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.
Is $400 an hour a lot for a lawyer?
Yes, $400 an hour is a significant rate for a lawyer, often reflecting experience, specialization, and location, falling at the higher end of average rates ($100-$400+) but can be standard or even considered a "deal" for highly specialized work in major cities, while being quite expensive in other areas or for less complex cases. Factors like the firm's size, location (big city vs. rural), the lawyer's expertise (e.g., corporate, IP vs. family law), and case complexity greatly influence this rate.
What LSAT score will get you a full ride?
To get a full law school scholarship, aim for an LSAT score significantly above the school's median, generally in the mid-160s to 170+ range, especially for higher-ranked schools, as schools use high scores to award significant aid, but remember your GPA and other factors (leadership, experience) matter, with top schools often requiring scores above 170.
What percent of people quit law school?
Law school dropout rates vary significantly, but recent data for ABA-approved schools shows low overall attrition (around 1.66%), with higher rates (over 6% for 1L) at less selective or unaccredited schools, especially for students of color, driven by academic pressure, mental health, and finances, with first-year attrition being most common. More selective schools with higher GPA entry requirements tend to retain students better.
What is a good pre-law major?
The best pre-law majors focus on developing critical reading, writing, and analytical skills, with popular choices including Political Science, History, English, and Philosophy. Other strong options are Economics, Psychology, and Business, while STEM fields like Engineering can also prepare you for specialized areas like intellectual property law, highlighting that a strong GPA and LSAT score matter more than the specific major.
Is LSAT or GPA more important?
In general terms, it can be said that law schools value LSAT scores more than they do your undergraduate GPA. However, just how much weight your LSAT score carries will vary between law programs and depends entirely on the preference and acceptance practices of each specific institution.
Do employers care what law school you went to?
Choosing which law school to attend is probably the most important decision you will make regarding your legal career. And this matters a lot. As a recent law school grad looking for your first job, it is commonly accepted that the school on your resume carries a lot more weight.