What is Pre Law Studies ? Pre-law is a term used to describe a course of study designed to prepare students for law school. Although pre-law schools are not formally notified every year, students prefer to enroll in a pre-law school to prepare for admission to a reputable law school. This can be an undergraduate major or a declaration of intent to attend the greatest legal schools in the world after getting your bachelor’s degree, whether in the United States or elsewhere. Many institutions require students to declare a major, such as political science or English, and then designate pre-law as a separate track in which students meet with a law advisor to ensure they have the necessary courses and grades to apply to law school.
Another crucial question that emerges in the minds of the new generation is why study law. Law aids us in all aspects of life and is the most important instrument for surviving in society. Colleges that specialize in sending their pupils to law school Some institutions may offer a pre-law undergraduate degree that permits students to concentrate on the difficult curriculum required for the field of law they wish to study.
Students are encouraged to pursue a field that interests them and complete the appropriate law preparatory classes because law schools normally do not have particular undergraduate major requirements. Students learn critical research, writing, analytical, and persuading skills in these preparatory law, debate, and policy subjects.
Is Pre law necessary for law school ?
Because most law schools do not recognize pre-law as a distinct major, students do not have access to official pre-law counseling. It is tough for law students to determine whether or not to attend pre-law school, especially when they are unsure of which pre-law school is the best.
In fact, the term “pre-law” applies to any undergraduate course of study pursued in preparation for law school. According to the American Bar Association, law schools must admit only students who have earned an approved Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent in their home country.
Pre-law students will benefit from a business undergraduate degree because it will prepare them for many aspects of the legal system. Contracts, negotiating, and corporate structure are all topics that a business major will be well-versed in.
Most persons who want to be lawyers follow the traditional path of receiving a bachelor’s degree and then attending law school for three years. The time it will take you depends on whether you go to school full-time and pass the bar exam on your first attempt.
What are the best Pre-law majors?
There is no undergraduate major that will secure your acceptance to or rejection from law school, nor will it guarantee your success if you are admitted. Your major will have no bearing on your performance on the LSAT, bar exam, or in a courtroom. According to a recent case study of law students in the United States, the following are the most popular pre-legal majors:
Rank Pre-law Major Students Admitted Interest Rate
- Political Science 9,612 18%
- Psychology 2,960 8%
- Other 2,917 7%
- English 2,564 6%
- Criminal Justice 2,220 6%
- History 2,657 5%
- Economics 2,373 5%
- Philosophy 1,858 4%
- Liberal Arts 1,495 3%
- Sociology 1,327 3%
1. Political Science
Political Science is the unquestioned top pre-law major, which should come as no surprise. This major was represented by 18% of all admitted applicants.
2. Psychology
A psychology degree can be extremely beneficial to aspiring lawyers, as practicing law is as much about the people involved as it is about the law.
3. Others
The second-highest percentage of admitted law students majored in “Other” – subjects that did not fit into any of the other 144 majors. These majors accounted for 7% of all candidates admitted.
4. Criminal Justice
In comparison to other majors, the Criminal Justice major has a lower percentage of candidates accepted. More people applied to English, History, and Economics than to Criminal Justice.
5. English
Strong oral and writing language abilities are also required in law practice for things like case briefs, reports, and analyzing and presenting a case. These abilities will be demanded of you both in law school and in practice.
6. History
Law is inextricably linked to history, as it necessitates an understanding of legal precedents and the genesis of laws.
7.Economics
An Economics major is a strong foundation if you’re interested in corporate or tax law. Other areas of law, such as intellectual property, can benefit from economics.
8. Philosophy
The positive and negative poles of a magnet are analogous to the positive and negative poles of a magnet. They’re very different, but they’re inseparable. To be effective, laws must address ethics, human nature, common sense, and other philosophical issues at their basis.
9. Liberal Arts
Language, religion, and design are examples of concentrations available in this major.
10. Sociology
The study of people in groups is known as sociology. Laws are rules that govern how people should behave in organizations.
Many eager undergraduate students have their hearts set on going to law school. Many undergrads may designate themselves pre-law and try to personalize their courses to gain a head start on the legal curriculum in order to feel totally “equipped” for the rigors ahead. In reality, pre-law students do not have a defined course of study or a distinct major.
What are best Pre-law courses
- Public speaking or debate
- Business courses
- Literature/ history & writing
- History/ political science & government
1. Public speaking or debate
Many law school candidates have no interest in leading a trial, and not everyone goes to law school to be a litigator. Nonetheless, there are few opportunities to avoid public speaking in law school. A legal student must be comfortable presenting in a lecture hall only to use the Socratic Method. In addition, trial preparation classes are frequently necessary, and moot court and trial team are excellent résumé enhancers. As a result, if public speaking isn’t your strong suit, you should acquire some experience as an undergrad.
Public speaking and debate workshops are among the most effective ways to increase your legal confidence. These classes usually require you to choose a side on a given topic and then present your case to the class.
2. Business courses
Many pre-law students may avoid business courses since they appear to be unrelated at first glance. Because many areas of practice have little to do with business, you may believe you can skip these subjects entirely.
Many students are surprised to realize that a major portion of their law school curriculum is linked to business classes. Contract law will almost certainly take up one or two slots in your first-year curriculum, and many law schools will need at least one additional business law subject. These topics will be covered on the bar exam as well.
3. Literature/ history & writing
Many English majors are shocked when they score a C or below on their first writing project in law school. The outrage is palpable, and students are ready to blame a lecturer for their poor performance. Legal writing, on the other hand, is not like academic writing. Because it’s such a specialized talent, many law schools require first-year students to take at least two courses in legal research and writing.
Having studied college courses in the humanities and social sciences, such as English or History, has great benefit. Law school and the legal profession necessitate a great deal of research and writing.
Despite the differences in writing styles and citations, English and History majors will have an advantage over students who have had less experience with research papers. Science majors are also used to conducting research and writing, but a free-flowing paper with a clear theme or thesis may be too different from what they’re used to. As a result, all college students are encouraged to enroll in at least one course that concludes with a research paper that provides a subject or argument rather than a review of data.
4. History/ political science & government
The final set of options has to do with the federal government of the United States. The preferred department is history, however which departments offer these classes varies by university. Understanding how laws are passed and the relationships between the Supreme Court and the other arms of government necessitates taking a lesson on how the government works.
However, the most significant course is one that teaches the groundbreaking Constitutional Law courses (Roe v. Wade, Brown v. Board of Education, Bush v. Gore, etc.). Students at law schools must take a one- or two-part course on constitutional law, so get a head start and take this class as an undergrad.
Nonetheless, we recommend that you take the courses listed above and contact the law schools you’re considering for recommendations on additional coursework to take.
Conclusion
It is well acknowledged that admittance to premier law schools is difficult. You must be prepared, and the best way to prepare is to attend per-law school. As a result, it is self-evident that if you attend a superior pre-law school, your chances of being admitted to a top law school in the world will increase. This article has covered all aspects of law schools, law majors, and law classes. It is entirely up to you to choose a pre-law institute and apply for admission.