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Focus on Majors: Not a Major – Pre-Law

If you’re thinking about becoming a lawyer, you might assume there’s a specific “pre-law” major you’re supposed to choose. But here’s something most students don’t realize until later: there’s no such thing as a pre-law major.


In fact, law schools welcome students from nearly every academic background—from political science to physics. What matters most isn’t what you major in, but whether you’ve developed core skills such as critical thinking, persuasive writing, strong reading comprehension, and logical reasoning.


🏫 Getting a Head Start in High School

That said, you can begin preparing for a legal career while you’re still in high school. You can get a taste of what studying subjects like economics, philosophy, or political science feels like before you commit to a major later on. Joining your school's mock trial or debate team is a great way to develop research and persuasive public speaking skills.


📚 Choosing the Right College Major

When selecting a college major, choose a field you genuinely enjoy and in which you are confident you will excel academically. Law school is academically rigorous, and getting good grades in college matters more than the specific subject you study.


For example, if you're intrigued by finance law, a major in economics could be a great fit. If you’re more interested in the psychological aspects of the courtroom, such as jury behavior or bias, then psychology might make more sense. Or maybe you're drawn to reading, writing, and culture—English majors do extremely well in law school, too, thanks to their writing and analytical training.


Some of the most commonly chosen pre-law majors include political science, history, philosophy, economics, English, and psychology. But that doesn’t mean you can’t major in biology, computer science, the arts, or even sport management and still end up thriving in law school.


Students interested in intellectual property or environmental law might benefit from a science or tech background.


🔍 What to Look for in a College

When researching colleges, ask about the availability of:

  • Dedicated pre-law advisors

  • LSAT preparation resources

  • Mock trial or debate teams

  • Legal internships or externships


Find out if the school tracks law school acceptance rates for their graduates and whether they offer workshops on law school applications, personal statement writing, and interview preparation.


🎯 Picking the “Right” School

When it’s time to choose a college, don’t panic about picking the “right” school; instead, focus on where you will find academic, social, and emotional success. There are many paths to law school and a legal career.


For perspective, check out Harvard Law School's list of diverse feeder schools. Just like undergraduate institutions, law schools vary in admission rates and costs.


If law school is indeed your trajectory, remember that high LSAT scores, undergraduate grades and course rigor, and strong letters of recommendation are essential. A strong application will also include a compelling personal statement along with a resume that includes internships and volunteer activities related to the field of law.


🏛 Notable Colleges with Pre-Law Support

Some large public universities have excellent pre-law support and more affordable options. For example:


Students who prefer small classes and close mentorship might consider liberal arts colleges. Amherst College, The University of Rochester, Pomona College, and Dickinson College consistently send graduates to law schools.


Claremont McKenna College offers a government major with a legal studies sequence, Occidental College has a unique “Lawyering for Social Justice” program, and Gettysburg College features the Eisenhower Institute.


Other strong options include:

  • Fordham University’s Pre-Law Institute, which includes a summer program in foundational U.S. law, legal writing, and research.

  • American University in Washington, DC, with a well-established path into public policy and law.

  • The University of Richmond, which offers a PPEL track (Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law).

  • Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, which is especially good for students interested in entertainment or immigration law.


Careers in Law


🔑 What Really Matters

No matter where you go to college or what major you choose, the goal is to build key skills and explore the field of law in ways that feel meaningful to you. That might include joining the debate team, volunteering with a legal aid organization, or interning at a courthouse.


Along the way, develop strong relationships with professors, particularly in writing-intensive or analytical classes, since their recommendation letters will carry serious weight when you apply to law school.


🚀 You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out

Thinking about law now gives you a head start, but there’s no need to lock anything in yet. Focus on building strong academic habits, asking good questions, and staying curious.


Law will still be there if you decide to pursue it, and you’ll be all the more ready when the time comes.


 

Garrett Educational Consulting provides comprehensive counseling for college and boarding school admissions as well as academic advisement. Click HERE to learn about our services.



Prepared especially for our clients and their families The information included in this newsletter is generic and assumes no liability for loss or damage due to reliance on the material contained herein. Copyright © 2025 by The College Advisor, Inc. All rights reserved.

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