6 answers
KP
Student
Calhan, Colorado
1
Question
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What should I study to go into law?
Law, judge, law school, salary,
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6 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
745
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Usually a course program, which contains a lot of social sciences, should give you the preparation for a college of law.
This includes a diversity of classes in history, political science, sociology, psychology, business, economics, public administration and others is good preparation. Any major in a social science concentration will help.
This includes a diversity of classes in history, political science, sociology, psychology, business, economics, public administration and others is good preparation. Any major in a social science concentration will help.
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Talk to your high school career counselor KP. A career counselor can recommend courses for you and help you choose your undergraduate school and major wisely. Your undergraduate education will have an impact on your law school opportunities.
HIGH SCHOOL
• CLASSES: Choose courses that will enhance your reading comprehension, writing, and analytical skills. By challenging yourself in high school, you will be better prepared to do well as an undergraduate, and therefore be more likely to succeed in law school.
• GPA: If you know you're interested in a career in law as early as high school, begin your law school preparation by taking challenging classes and maintaining a high GPA.
• EVENTS: Law schools host events where you can learn about law school and law careers. Additionally, you’ll meet working lawyers, law students, and law school faculty.
COLLEGE
While there's no law school major, law schools do consider your major, they typically place more weight on your college GPA. A high undergraduate GPA can help demonstrate that you take your education seriously and can consistently maintain the level of effort and achievement needed to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and become a successful lawyer. For this reason, you should choose a major in which you will excel.
• EXPERIENCE: A quality law school application will include some real-world experience using the skills needed to be a lawyer. Getting a college job of any kind shows you are organized and have the discipline it takes to manage your busy schedule. By finding a part-time job or internship during school in a law-related field, you will gain tons of experience to put on your application. You can also begin to build connections for future recommendations for law school.
LAW SCHOOL
Law school encompasses an extensive array of subjects that pertain to the legal system and its execution. These topics are classified into several categories, which equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the law and its multifaceted nature.
SALARIES
Some fields of law provide a higher earning potential than others. Additionally, your experience practicing law and your education level can affect how much you make as an attorney. Another important factor is where you live. Some areas have a higher demand for specialized attorneys and may offer higher salaries than what you'd find in other areas.
For instance, some metropolitan areas may have a higher earning potential for attorneys in corporate, civil and family law than more rural or less populated areas. There are also some types of lawyers who earn higher salaries due to the specialized nature of the field of law they practice.
HIGH SCHOOL
• CLASSES: Choose courses that will enhance your reading comprehension, writing, and analytical skills. By challenging yourself in high school, you will be better prepared to do well as an undergraduate, and therefore be more likely to succeed in law school.
• GPA: If you know you're interested in a career in law as early as high school, begin your law school preparation by taking challenging classes and maintaining a high GPA.
• EVENTS: Law schools host events where you can learn about law school and law careers. Additionally, you’ll meet working lawyers, law students, and law school faculty.
COLLEGE
While there's no law school major, law schools do consider your major, they typically place more weight on your college GPA. A high undergraduate GPA can help demonstrate that you take your education seriously and can consistently maintain the level of effort and achievement needed to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and become a successful lawyer. For this reason, you should choose a major in which you will excel.
• EXPERIENCE: A quality law school application will include some real-world experience using the skills needed to be a lawyer. Getting a college job of any kind shows you are organized and have the discipline it takes to manage your busy schedule. By finding a part-time job or internship during school in a law-related field, you will gain tons of experience to put on your application. You can also begin to build connections for future recommendations for law school.
LAW SCHOOL
Law school encompasses an extensive array of subjects that pertain to the legal system and its execution. These topics are classified into several categories, which equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the law and its multifaceted nature.
SALARIES
Some fields of law provide a higher earning potential than others. Additionally, your experience practicing law and your education level can affect how much you make as an attorney. Another important factor is where you live. Some areas have a higher demand for specialized attorneys and may offer higher salaries than what you'd find in other areas.
For instance, some metropolitan areas may have a higher earning potential for attorneys in corporate, civil and family law than more rural or less populated areas. There are also some types of lawyers who earn higher salaries due to the specialized nature of the field of law they practice.
Connor B
Lawyer
2
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Connor’s Answer
If you know you want to be a litigator (trial lawyer), I would recommend studying social sciences. Personally, I think psychology is a fantastic major for a future litigator. If you know you want to be a transactional lawyer (think contracts, advising businesses not in the courtroom, etc.), I would recommend a business or business-adjacent major, such as economics or business administration.
Most lawyers do not know what type of lawyer they want to be until they are already in law school. I would caution against choosing a major simply because you believe it is a "good pre-law major." I myself made this mistake. I chose to major in political science because I thought it would be helpful both for getting me into law school, as well as for succeeding as a lawyer. In hindsight, I could not have been more wrong -- political science did not help me get into law school (it's one of the most common majors among law school applicants, which generally is not a good thing), nor have I ever found it helpful in my practice as a lawyer.
Most lawyers do not know what type of lawyer they want to be until they are already in law school. I would caution against choosing a major simply because you believe it is a "good pre-law major." I myself made this mistake. I chose to major in political science because I thought it would be helpful both for getting me into law school, as well as for succeeding as a lawyer. In hindsight, I could not have been more wrong -- political science did not help me get into law school (it's one of the most common majors among law school applicants, which generally is not a good thing), nor have I ever found it helpful in my practice as a lawyer.
Amber Lee
Tax Associate
32
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amber’s Answer
Hi KP,
In order to become a lawyer in the US, you'll generally need to go through about 7 years post-high school schooling. First, you'll need to complete a bachelor's degree, which usually takes 4 years give or take. Then, you'll enroll in a J.D. program and spend 3 years at law school.
Popular undergraduate degrees for aspiring law students include political science, history, economics, and philosophy. I have also encountered folks with music degree (I myself studied art as an undergrad). It doesn't really matter what you study as long as you pick something that makes sense to you. For example, if you would like to be a patent attorney (an attorney who helps clients protect their inventions), then perhaps a bachelor's degree in STEM like engineering or chemistry would make sense. Or you would like to be a tax lawyer, an undergraduate degree in accounting or economics would be helpful.
There are skills that are valuable across all practice areas, so you might consider taking classes geared towards sharpening those skills. Interpersonal communication and public speaking are two that come to mind. Since lawyers are also expected to be able to write persuasively and objectively, it would be a good idea to take some writing courses in college to help prepare you for law school.
Once you're in law school, you'll be expected to take a number of core classes such as criminal law, constitutional law, contracts, property, torts, etc. These classes are generally required no matter which law school you go to. By the time you get to your second and third year, you're free to take elective classes that interest you.
Attorney's salary depends on the geographic location, practice area, and the size of the firm. Smaller to mid-size firms tend to pay less, while big law firms pay extremely well (over $200k for their first-year associates, with the caveat being that you'll likely have very limited work life balance). Ultimately, where you want to end up depends on your lifestyle and personal preference.
Wishing you the best!
In order to become a lawyer in the US, you'll generally need to go through about 7 years post-high school schooling. First, you'll need to complete a bachelor's degree, which usually takes 4 years give or take. Then, you'll enroll in a J.D. program and spend 3 years at law school.
Popular undergraduate degrees for aspiring law students include political science, history, economics, and philosophy. I have also encountered folks with music degree (I myself studied art as an undergrad). It doesn't really matter what you study as long as you pick something that makes sense to you. For example, if you would like to be a patent attorney (an attorney who helps clients protect their inventions), then perhaps a bachelor's degree in STEM like engineering or chemistry would make sense. Or you would like to be a tax lawyer, an undergraduate degree in accounting or economics would be helpful.
There are skills that are valuable across all practice areas, so you might consider taking classes geared towards sharpening those skills. Interpersonal communication and public speaking are two that come to mind. Since lawyers are also expected to be able to write persuasively and objectively, it would be a good idea to take some writing courses in college to help prepare you for law school.
Once you're in law school, you'll be expected to take a number of core classes such as criminal law, constitutional law, contracts, property, torts, etc. These classes are generally required no matter which law school you go to. By the time you get to your second and third year, you're free to take elective classes that interest you.
Attorney's salary depends on the geographic location, practice area, and the size of the firm. Smaller to mid-size firms tend to pay less, while big law firms pay extremely well (over $200k for their first-year associates, with the caveat being that you'll likely have very limited work life balance). Ultimately, where you want to end up depends on your lifestyle and personal preference.
Wishing you the best!
Melissa Ferraro
Village Administrator
5
Answers
Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
I suggest studying English and public speaking. These are areas that will help in a legal career. Also philosophy and logic will help you learn how to think things through to adequately assess cases and formulate legal arguments. I do not suggest political science, which was my major. I don't feel I got enough out of this course of study and realized without going to law school after, I had no real direction in a legal career.
Job Hall
Real Estate Manager
126
Answers
Reno, Nevada
Updated
Job’s Answer
I would take debate team in high school and college, logic, philosophy and some history. Debate will teach you how to research topics and argue both sides. Logic and philosophy will teach you how to rationally think and history is good for background knowledge.
Good luck
Good luck
Thank you for your contribution, Amber! It is spot on. What many fail to state is that the practice of law is broad and vast. There are attorneys that specialize in almost every discipline from STEM to the arts. Therefore, follow your passions in undergrad and your legal career / specialty will follow.
Undergrad is a time for exploration - follow your passion.
Caridad Tapia