What undergraduate degree is best for Harvard Law School?
Asked by: Kenyatta O'Reilly | Last update: June 11, 2026Score: 5/5 (46 votes)
There's no single "best" undergraduate major for Harvard Law School, as they accept diverse backgrounds (STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences), but strong analytical, writing, and critical thinking skills are key, often developed through majors like Political Science, Economics, History, English, or Philosophy, which are common pathways. Focus on maintaining an exceptional GPA and high LSAT score in any field you excel in, demonstrating deep learning, rather than pursuing a pre-law vocational track.
What degree do you need to get into Harvard law school?
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 is the best undergrad degree to get into law school?
There's no single "best" undergraduate major for law school; the American Bar Association states any major works, but Political Science, History, English, and Philosophy are common due to strong critical thinking, reading, and writing skills, while STEM/Business majors offer unique perspectives for specialized law fields. Success hinges on developing strong analytical, research, and communication skills, achieving a high GPA, and scoring well on the LSAT, regardless of your chosen major, so pick something you enjoy and can excel in.
Which ivy is best for pre-law?
The variance is interesting and may be due to reputation, type of school or region of the country. In general the IVYs, Duke, Stanford, Amherst, Swarthmore and Williams do extremely well in law school placement to the top law schools. Georgetown also does very well.
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.
Best Undergrad Major For Law School (and College Degree)
What is the hardest degree at Harvard?
There's no single "hardest" degree at Harvard, but Math 55 (a course, not a major) is legendary for its extreme difficulty, condensing years of math into two semesters, with Bill Gates taking it and many dropping out. Other contenders for hardest majors often cited include Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, and Economics, due to demanding coursework, abstraction, time commitment, and competition, though "hardest" is subjective and depends on individual strengths.
What do most Harvard graduates become?
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Finance, tech, and consulting jobs remain the three most popular industries for Harvard graduates starting their careers, consistent with past years.
What undergrad majors do best on the LSAT?
Here are some of the results:
- 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.
Is Harvard or Yale better for law?
Yale Law (YLS) and Harvard Law (HLS) are both elite, but differ in size, culture, and focus, with Yale offering a smaller, more academic/philosophical environment ideal for public interest/academia, while Harvard provides a larger, broader curriculum better for big law and corporate paths, though YLS is often ranked higher and its students lean academic. Yale boasts a tighter-knit community with more faculty access and earlier clinic involvement, whereas Harvard offers more courses, specializations, and a vast alumni network, but with a potentially more corporate feel.
Which bachelor's degree is best for a lawyer?
There's no single "best" undergraduate major for law school; the American Bar Association states any major works, but Political Science, History, English, and Philosophy are common due to strong critical thinking, reading, and writing skills, while STEM/Business majors offer unique perspectives for specialized law fields. Success hinges on developing strong analytical, research, and communication skills, achieving a high GPA, and scoring well on the LSAT, regardless of your chosen major, so pick something you enjoy and can excel in.
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.
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.
Does Harvard Law prefer certain undergrad schools?
Nope. Just like we are looking past the GPA into the deeper context, we are looking past the name of your school into what you did there and what impact that had on you. Our 1L class usually includes representation from more than 100 different undergraduate institutions!
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.
Who are the 7 sisters law firms?
In the Canadian legal market, the 'Seven Sisters', leading Bay Street Toronto, Ontario corporate firms, continue to dominate the marketplace. They are Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Goodmans LLP, McCarthy Tétrault, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Stikeman Elliott LLP and Torys.
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.
What undergraduate degree do most lawyers have?
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.
Does Trump have a Harvard degree?
No, Donald Trump did not graduate from Harvard; he graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1968 with a degree in economics after transferring from Fordham University. He attended Fordham for two years before moving to Wharton, an Ivy League institution, to complete his undergraduate studies.
What jobs do Harvard Law grads get?
Our students go on to careers throughout government, the judiciary, and law firms. They are leaders in business, nonprofits, and academia. No matter what directions you choose to explore, our advising in the public and private sectors is focused on limitless possibilities for your career.
Where do most Ivy League grads live?
Business Insider looked at where Ivy League graduates move after earning their degrees and for the most part, they all move to the same places. Among the eight Ivy League schools, New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Boston are the most popular.