What majors get into Harvard Law?

Asked by: Anastacio Reynolds IV  |  Last update: June 2, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (47 votes)

Harvard Law School (HLS) accepts students from virtually any major, focusing more on high grades, strong LSAT/GRE scores, compelling essays, and diverse experiences, though common undergraduate fields include Political Science, History, Economics, English, and STEM. The key is deep learning in any chosen field, demonstrating strong analytical skills, rather than taking specific pre-law courses, with many successful applicants coming from sciences, humanities, and social sciences.

What majors does Harvard Law School offer?

Current Programs of Study

  • Criminal Law and Policy Program of Study.
  • International and Comparative Law Program of Study.
  • Law and Business Program of Study.
  • Law and Government Program of Study.
  • Law and History Program of Study.
  • Law and Social Change Program of Study.
  • Law, Science, and Technology Program of Study.

What degree do you need to get into Harvard Law?

Do you need to get a particular undergraduate degree to get into Harvard Law? HLS does not require applicants to pursue any particular undergraduate degree program. Instead, the school accepts students from all different undergraduate degree programs.

What did Barack Obama get on the LSAT?

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. 

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.

Law School Admissions Myths Debunked by Yale Dean | Becoming the Main Character Ep. 2

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What major to pick for law?

“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,” their website says, “or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse as art, music, science and mathematics, computer ...

Is a JD closer to a Masters or PhD?

A J.D. is a professional doctorate, it is not at all a master's degree or similar to one. It is more akin to a Ph. D. It is literally a doctorate, as is a Ph.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

That said, the question about what the “Kim Kardashian LSAT score” was, or if she even took the LSAT ends in a resounding no. This unconventional choice has sparked conversations about making legal education more accessible and exploring diverse paths in the legal profession.

Is a 3.7 GPA good for Harvard law?

A 3.7 GPA is generally considered low for Harvard Law School (HLS), as admitted students usually have GPAs around 3.9 or higher, placing a 3.7 below the typical range (25th percentile is around 3.82). However, acceptance isn't impossible; you'd need an exceptional LSAT score (likely 174+) and a compelling personal story or unique qualifications to compensate, as HLS values a strong GPA but also considers the overall applicant profile, especially the LSAT. 

What rank was Joe Biden in law school?

In 1968, Biden earned a Juris Doctor degree from the university's College of Law, ranked 76th in his class of 85 students. He was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 and practiced as a lawyer before running for political office.

Does Harvard Law like stem majors?

As Harvard Law School admissions officers finalize next year's class, they do so with an eye toward a group of fields that deviate from the traditional path to legal studies: STEM.

What extracurriculars look good for law school?

Extracurricular Opportunities That Enhance Law School Admissions

  • Mock Trial and Moot Court. ...
  • Debate Club or Speech & Debate. ...
  • Model United Nations (Model UN) ...
  • Student Government and Leadership Roles. ...
  • Community Service and Public Service Projects. ...
  • Interning at Law Firms or Legal Organizations.

Is an A+ A 4.3 for law school?

UC Irvine School of Law grades on a scale of A+ (4.3) to F (0.0).

How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?

To earn $500,000+ as a lawyer, you need to specialize in high-value areas (corporate, IP, high-stakes litigation, medical malpractice) or join a "Big Law" firm, become an equity partner, develop a strong reputation, or build a large practice in fields like plaintiff's personal injury on contingency, often requiring strategic marketing, a scalable firm model, and diverse income streams beyond billable hours. 

What are the top 3 majors at Harvard?

Harvard's top majors consistently include Economics, Computer Science, and Government (Political Science), often followed closely by Biology/Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, and Applied Mathematics, reflecting strong interest in quantitative social sciences, technology, and life sciences, though exact rankings vary slightly by source and year. Economics, often listed as the #1 concentration, leads in student enrollment, alongside growing interest in CS.
 

What is the #1 law school in the world?

While rankings vary slightly by source, Harvard University and Yale University consistently rank as the #1 or #2 law schools globally, often trading places with University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Stanford University, depending on the specific ranking methodology (like QS, THE, or U.S. News). Harvard often leads in overall reputation and resources, while Yale excels in selectivity, and UK universities like Oxford and Cambridge are top contenders. 

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. 

What did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?

Elle Woods scored a 179 on the LSAT, just one point shy of a perfect 180, after initially scoring a 143 on a practice test, a massive jump that helped her get into Harvard Law School. This near-perfect score, combined with a 4.0 GPA and strong extracurriculars, made her a competitive applicant, though her rapid improvement from a low practice score is often noted as a highlight (and a bit unrealistic) of her journey in Legally Blonde.
 

Can I get into Harvard law with a 170?

What LSAT Score Do I Need to Get Into Harvard Law? Applicants to Harvard Law should have an LSAT score of 170 or above.

How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?

Michelle Obama took the Illinois bar exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a fact she openly discussed in her memoir, Becoming, noting it as a humbling but ultimately insignificant setback. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1991 after this success.
 

Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?

Yes, recent reports from late 2025 indicate that Kim Kardashian has surpassed Taylor Swift in net worth, with Kardashian estimated at around $1.9 billion due to her Skims brand, while Swift was valued at about $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. 

Who has the highest LSAT score?

Sarah Boyle, a member of The University of Scranton's Class of 2024, scored a perfect 180 on her Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

Can a JD be called a Doctor?

You can call someone with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree "Doctor," as it's a professional doctorate, but it's less common in professional practice than for M.D.s or Ph.D.s, with many lawyers preferring "Attorney" or "Counselor," though some law schools encourage using "Doctor" for J.D. faculty. It's a matter of convention and professional setting, with different rules and customs in the U.S. versus other countries. 

Has anyone passed the bar without going to law school?

Yes, people have passed the bar exam without going to law school, but only in a few specific states (California, Vermont, Virginia, Washington) through a structured legal apprenticeship program, which is rare, difficult, and has significantly lower pass rates than law school graduates. While historical figures like Abraham Lincoln did it, today it's much harder, with low pass rates (around 27% for apprentices vs. 80% for law grads) and potential limitations in job prospects and interstate practice. 

What's higher than a law degree?

A Master of Laws is an advanced degree that allows individuals that already have their JD to specialize in a particular area of law. Lawyers who were trained outside of the U.S. may also pursue this degree to take the bar exam (in certain states) or enter into a law-adjacent career in the U.S.