Best Majors For Getting Into Law School [2025 Guide]
Choosing Your Path to Law School: How Your Undergraduate Major Can Shape a Future in Law.
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There are many paths to the top of the mountain. This old proverb is especially true when it comes to pursuing a law degree. The first step to getting into law school is choosing the right major.
Aspiring lawyers face a competitive journey, one that begins with choosing the right undergraduate path. Yet the idea of a “perfect” pre-law major is something of a myth. Law schools don’t mandate any specific field of study, and the American Bar Association (ABA) explicitly states that students should select majors that interest and challenge them (American Bar Association).
While traditional options like political science or history are popular, any field that builds critical thinking, research, and communication skills can prepare students for a successful legal career.
This guide explores how to choose a major that strengthens your law school application while aligning with your interests and career goals.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.What Law Schools Value in Applicants Beyond Majors
Law schools look at more than just your major; they’re seeking indicators of academic rigor, high GPA, and essential skills that make for strong legal scholars and professionals. While your undergraduate grades matter immensely, so do the skills you develop.
The ABA recommends focusing on competencies such as critical reading, problem-solving, oral communication, and research (American Bar Association). Moreover, your LSAT score, a key component of law school admissions, evaluates many of these skills.
Rigorous coursework in any field can demonstrate your commitment to academic excellence. For example, courses that require extensive reading, analysis, and written responses—like those found in humanities or social sciences—are excellent preparation for law school’s intellectual demands.
While grades and LSAT scores take precedence, law schools also appreciate applicants with diverse, well-rounded academic backgrounds.
Exploring the Most Common Majors for Law School and Why They Work
Certain majors appear repeatedly among successful law school applicants, though they’re by no means requirements. Each major offers unique benefits that align with the demands of legal education and practice.
- Political Science: Often chosen by future lawyers, this field offers insight into political and judicial systems and the legislative process (Forbes). Political science graduates often have a foundational understanding of how laws are shaped and enforced.
- History: Law is built on precedent, and history majors learn to interpret past events, understand legal contexts, and analyze primary documents (LSAC). This background serves well in building the historical perspective necessary for understanding legal frameworks.
- Philosophy: Known as the “ultimate pre-law major,” philosophy sharpens logical thinking and ethical reasoning skills (National Jurist). Classes in ethics and logic can help students prepare for the logic-based sections of the LSAT.
- Economics and Finance: These majors provide quantitative skills essential for certain legal specializations, like tax law or corporate law (PreLawPro). Economics, in particular, blends qualitative and quantitative reasoning, aiding in complex legal problem-solving.
- English: English majors excel in reading and writing, skills at the core of legal work (Forbes). English coursework builds vocabulary, grammar, and narrative abilities crucial for legal writing and argumentation.
- Psychology: This major provides insights into human behavior, which is valuable in areas like criminal law or mediation (LSAC). Psychology majors are well-versed in research methods and statistics, useful for understanding legal evidence.
- Criminal Justice: Directly related to law, criminal justice majors understand the criminal system’s workings. While some top law schools may view it as less rigorous than other majors, it’s still a strong choice for those interested in defense or prosecution (Forbes).
Why Your Major Is Not a Dealbreaker: Law Schools and Non-Traditional Majors
Law schools accept students from all academic backgrounds, including STEM majors. In fact, applicants with degrees in biology, chemistry, or engineering can be particularly valuable in fields like patent law. These majors demonstrate an ability to succeed in challenging academic environments and can differentiate applicants (American Bar Association).
Business and Communications are also increasingly common among law school applicants. Business majors who study finance, management, or economics are well-prepared for fields like corporate or real estate law, while communications majors gain public speaking, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, all of which are crucial in legal practice (PreLawPro).
Building a Strong Application: Tips for Law School Preparation in Any Major
Regardless of your field, here are ways to prepare for law school:
- Choose Rigorous Courses: Enroll in classes that require analytical skills, advanced reading, and writing to demonstrate your intellectual commitment.
- Seek Pre-Law Advising: Many top universities offer pre-law advising, which can help you find internships, LSAT prep resources, and extracurricular opportunities (U.S. News & World Report).
- Engage in Writing-Intensive Courses: Law school is writing-intensive, so prioritize classes that develop your writing abilities, whether in philosophy, history, or English.
- Pursue Relevant Extracurriculars: Interning at a law office, joining debate teams, or volunteering in legal organizations can provide practical experience and help you confirm your interest in law (Forbes).
- Cultivate Faculty Relationships: Building relationships with professors can lead to strong recommendation letters, which law schools value. Smaller class sizes can help, but even in larger lectures, attending office hours and engaging in discussions can make a difference (U.S. News & World Report).
Pre-Law and Legal Studies Minors: When They Might Be Beneficial
A pre-law minor or legal studies coursework can be beneficial for students majoring in fields that don’t emphasize critical reading, analytical writing, or legal theory (American Bar Association). However, many admissions experts advise against pre-law as a major, arguing it lacks the rigor of traditional humanities or STEM disciplines. Instead, pre-law minors can be useful supplements, especially when combined with majors in the sciences, arts, or social sciences.
Choose a Path That Excites and Challenges You
Selecting a major for law school involves balancing your strengths, interests, and aspirations. A strong GPA and challenging coursework—combined with relevant skills and experiences—will strengthen your law school application, regardless of your major. The key is to pursue a path that not only prepares you academically but also inspires you to excel.
As Ben Cooper of PreLawPro advises, “Applicants need to develop the skills we know they need to do well in a J.D. program, such as critical thinking, research, and communication” (PreLawPro). While traditional pre-law majors offer a solid foundation, students should feel free to explore fields that genuinely interest them, ensuring a fulfilling undergraduate journey that’s only the beginning of a meaningful career in law.
FAQ on Choosing a Major for Law School
Is Pre-Law the Best Major for Law School?
While pre-law courses introduce basic legal concepts, a rigorous major that develops research, writing, and analytical skills may be more beneficial.
What Skills Are Most Critical for Law School Success?
Critical reading, writing, research, and problem-solving are among the most important skills, regardless of major (American Bar Association).
How Important Are GPA and LSAT Scores?
These are the two most important metrics for law school admissions. A major that allows students to excel academically, while also preparing for the LSAT, is ideal (LSAC).
Other Sources
https://www.lsac.org/sites/default/files/media/2016-17_applicants-major.pdf
