What to do in high school to prepare for law school?

Asked by: Arvid Weissnat | Last update: May 12, 2026

Score: 4.5/5 (6 votes)

To prepare for law school in high school, focus on developing critical thinking, reading, and writing through challenging English, History, and AP/Honors classes, while joining Debate, Model UN, or Mock Trial to hone public speaking and analysis. Stay informed on current events, explore legal environments via volunteering, and balance academics with healthy habits, remembering college success is the immediate priority for a strong foundation.

What do I need in high school to become a lawyer?

Close analysis of text is not only essential to law, it is crucial to mastering the LSAT. Many aspiring lawyers hone their reading and writing skills in college classes, but it's a good idea to start strengthening these skills in high school.

Which subject is best for a lawyer in high school?

Shaping academic pathways – The high school subjects needed to study law in South Africa directly influence eligibility for university admission. Building strong foundations – Subjects like English, Mathematics, and History strengthen skills that are essential for legal studies.

Is a 3.3 GPA too low for law school?

A 3.3 GPA isn't necessarily "bad," but it makes getting into top-tier (T14/T20) law schools very difficult, though not impossible, requiring a very high LSAT score and strong essays; it's more feasible for mid-tier (Top 50) or lower-ranked schools, where a strong LSAT, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and work experience can significantly boost your chances, even securing scholarships. The key is balancing it with your LSAT score and the specific school's median stats, as many schools have medians above 3.7 for their entering classes.

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.

Start Preparing for Law School as early as High School

32 related questions found

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially partners at large firms, top corporate lawyers, or specialized trial attorneys, but it's not typical for the average lawyer, whose median salary is much lower, requiring significant experience, specialization (like IP or M&A), and business acumen to reach that high income level.

What do most pre-law students major in?

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.

What was 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.

Can I get into Harvard with a 3.2 GPA?

Yes, it's possible to get into Harvard with a 3.2 GPA, but it's highly improbable and requires truly exceptional strengths in other areas due to their holistic review, as most admitted undergraduates have GPAs well above 4.0, with only a tiny fraction below 3.5; you'd need extraordinary essays, leadership, extracurriculars, unique talents, or compelling personal circumstances to offset the lower GPA.

Is a 168 LSAT good?

From your raw scores, the test is graded on an LSAT score scale from 120-180. The average LSAT score is about 150. To get into a top 14 law school, you need to score above 166, and to get into a top 50 law school, you need 153 or above.

How old is the youngest lawyer?

The youngest lawyer is currently Sophia Park, who passed the California Bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother's record and becoming the youngest in California history. While she passed the exam, she was sworn in as a licensed attorney in March 2025 after turning 18, joining the Tulare County District Attorney's Office as a prosecutor.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

The lawyers who make the most money are typically in specialized fields like Patent Law, Corporate Law, and Intellectual Property (IP) Law, often working in large firms or for major corporations, with high potential earnings also in Medical Malpractice, Securities, and Antitrust law, especially where high stakes and complex financial interests justify large fees, with some top earners in private practice making millions.

What high school courses help with law?

13 Recommended Classes for Law School Prep

Advanced Writing. Advanced writing courses help you improve your writing, which you'll do a lot of in the legal profession. ...
American History. ...
American Government. ...
Business. ...
Communications. ...
Criminal Justice. ...
Economics. ...
Philosophy.

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?

Yes, Michelle Obama failed the Illinois bar exam on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School, but she retook it, passed, and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989, going on to have a successful legal career. She is one of several prominent figures, including Hillary Clinton and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who initially failed the bar exam before achieving great success.

What should I do in high school if I want to be a lawyer?

In addition to taking classes that focus on reading and writing, studies in history, civics, political science, and sociology may help you prepare for law school. Classes like these help you develop the necessary vocabulary to be successful in law school.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?

No, Kim Kardashian has not yet passed the full California Bar Exam; she failed the July 2025 exam and publicly shared her results in November 2025, vowing to keep studying, though she previously passed the First-Year Law Students' Examination (Baby Bar) in 2021. She's said she came "so close" and is determined to pass, viewing the setback as motivation for future attempts.

Is a 6.0 GPA good for Harvard?

A 6.0 GPA is exceptionally high and well above Harvard's typical admitted student profile (around 3.9-4.0 unweighted or 4.18 weighted), indicating you'd likely need a weighted GPA on a different scale, but the key is demonstrating near-perfect grades in very challenging courses, often the top 1-2% of your class, as Harvard uses a holistic review.

Is a 4.2 GPA impressive?

A 4.2 indicates that you are earning Bs and B+s in high level classes or As and A+s in mid level classes. This is a very good GPA, and it should give you a strong chance of admission at most colleges. 99.62% of schools have an average GPA below a 4.2.

How do you get a 100% scholarship to Harvard?

To get a 100% scholarship (full financial aid) at Harvard, you must first get accepted (which is extremely competitive and based on merit, not aid) and then demonstrate significant financial need; families with incomes below $85,000-$100,000 often pay zero, while those with incomes up to $200,000 get tuition covered, as aid is need-based, not merit-based, and covers 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students, including internationals.

Did Kim Kardashian write the LSAT?

No, Kim Kardashian did not take the LSAT; she pursued the "reading the law" apprenticeship path in California, which bypasses law school and the LSAT, focusing instead on the baby bar exam (FYLSE) and the main California Bar Exam, which she has taken multiple times without passing yet. Her journey involves hands-on legal study under attorneys, requiring passage of the FYLSE after the first year to continue, and then the main bar exam to become a licensed attorney.

Did Michelle Obama finish law school?

Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Born in Chicago and raised on the South Side of the city, Obama is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. In her early legal career, she worked at the law firm Sidley Austin where she met her future husband.

What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?

Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.

What is the easiest field to be a lawyer in?

The easiest law to practice often depends on an individual's skills, interests, and tolerance for stress. Still, many consider estate planning or family law among the more accessible areas due to relatively predictable case structures and lower litigation intensity.

What do most lawyers get their bachelor's in?

Political science is a very popular pre-law major because politics is heavily interrelated with legislation. The study of political behavior, government systems, and how the judicial system works are all very useful in law school.

What is the best college to go to if you want to become a lawyer?

15 top law schools

Yale University. ...
Stanford University. ...
Harvard University. ...
Columbia University. ...
University of Chicago. ...
New York University. ...
University of Pennsylvania. ...
University of Virginia.