Friday, March 14, 2008

What majors should I focus on to become a lawyer? -

I want to become a lawer and will be entering college next year. Should I major in Pre-Law, or if the school does not offer it, is Criminal Justice major a path to becoming a lawyer?

There is no specific major required for those wishing to attend law school. My sister just graduated from law school and she majored in economics. I d recommend participating in activities that might appeal to any law schools that you apply to, such as joining the debate team or finding out if there is a pre-law fraternity or club that you can join. Also, it would be a good idea to get a job or volunteer at a law firm or other organization that provides legal services. This will give you an idea of what it s actually like to work as a lawyer, and it will also give you the opportunity to make valuable contacts within the legal community. But the best advice I can give you would be to speak with a pre-law advisor if your school has one. They d be the most qualified to answer your questions.

either one of those majors would be fine.

It should depend on the area of law you want to specialize in. If you are interested in becoming a defense attorney or a district attorney, criminal justice would be a good match. If you are interested in a corporate lawyer job, something along the lines of business major would match. A liberal arts major can work with a dose of critical thinking courses. However, there are some courses you should consider no matter which undergraduate major you take. They are philisophy, debate, critical writing, logic, statistics (if going into a field of law requiring it), political science, and psychology.

It really doesnt matter. Economics would be something to think about. If you choose, after seeing how law school is, that you dont want to be a lawyer, you have so many doors open for you from majoring in economics that pre-law or criminal justice might just not do.If not economics there are many other related majors, and political science might be helpful too.

I worked in a law firm and one piece of advice the attorneys offered me was not to bother majoring in Pre-law...you learn the same crap you do in law school anyway . Criminal Justice is a good path if that is the field of law you want to practice. However, most law students have majored in English, Economics, or History. I m not saying that the school accepts students bc of their majors. It s just the majority of students applying to law school major in any of those three. You could major in anything and get accepted to law school. I am planning on going to law school but I am majoring in communications.

As long as you have an undergrad degree when you apply to law school, it doesn t matter if its not pre law. I went to college with some lawyers who majored in English and History.

It might depend on what area of law interests you...but almost all quot;Humanitiesquot; majors are good intros....History can refine your research skills, English your writing and Philosophy can hone those argument skills which are valuable in the law field. Choose a major you enjoy...you ll get better grades, and law school admission teams like higher grades!

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