New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Although any major in English literature or rhetoric is an excellent preparation for law school, the English–Pre-Law major brings together the most relevant skills and contexts for a legal career. This is NOT a forum for legal advice. Say screw it all and just have fun? People say you should major in something to fall back on if law doesn't work out, but I think that this is silly. Major in something that you enjoy whether that be computer science, philosophy, or music. Thanks! Ask questions, seek advice, post outlines, etc. The current legal system has evolved … Spoiler alert: Criminal justice and pre-law are not on the list. (I ask because I'm interested in following a similar path, but I only have formal education in humanities). I'm a technical writer, too, but I'm thinking of going back to school for a Master's in Instructional Design. College level 2. He worked his butt off at Occidental and transferred to Columbia. Law school doesn't really care what background you come from. Was NOT expecting this! I have my heart set on going to law school, that much im sure you could figure, but im not sure the best way of going about it. Major in something that can get you a job on it's own. How did she get enough knowledge/experience with medical texts to be considered for that job? Students in this fi… Law School After an English Degree. My friend has his English degree and is a bartender, so it can really go either way, Does your sister have a science or medical degree as well? However, if you’re able to get excellent grades and a high LSAT score, you can still demonstrate your competence as a pre-law major. The English major focuses on the study of literature and prepares students for careers in education, law, business, government, publishing, editing, advertising, and social services, among many other fields. Work hard these next four years and get a high GPA (it's easier … The people at the top of my class majored in Theology. An English major or minor not only provides the opportunity to acquire and hone these skills, but also offers tracks of study for students with different interests. Chemistry is a degree which almost necessitates a graduate degree. Many of the best pre-law schools don't offer pre-law as a major. #1 is more important than #2 because if you're miserable with good grades, you're still miserable. Using 2015-2016 data from the Law School Admission Council, we looked at all the majors accepted to ABA-approved law schools. Almost all accredited law schools in the United States require applicants to take the Law … Also I've met very few law students with criminal justice degrees but I actually don't know why that is. If your heart is set on law school, pick a major you genuinely enjoy. Tutoring 7. Continue this thread ... Come to find out Mr. Koontz has a letter pre typed for all his fan mail which was cool to receive, but then on the back he wrote something in pen. Here are just a few ways you can do that: Take classes on law and legal history. Select a major to filter your search to only schools that offer degrees in that specific major or program. Me too, but I'm also writing a book, so there's that. For example, having a music major if you want to work with record companies or a film major with you want to work in the movie industry. If you want to do entertainment law, I've heard it's helpful (though not necessary) to have a background in the field you wanna go to. However im really hopeing that if i work hard enough ill be able to work my way up to some more prestigeous schools. Bryan Stevenson is my personal idol and he studied Philosophy before going to Harvard law. You can't do anything about the LSAT for a while, but you can bump that GPA as high as you can now. Undergrad school prestige matters but it's absolutely not a make-or-break factor in getting into a good school. The two main factors in getting into a good law school is a high GPA and high LSAT score; majors don't really matter unless you want to do patent someday. You can tailor your degree to your areas of interest, choosing an author, historical context, and genre to study. It will at least somewhat prepare you for the workload of law school. I have been told by several people who work with admissions for law schools that undergraduate majors don't matter. Are some majors better prepared for the LSAT than others? By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Furthermore, you can show you're challenging yourself more as a pre-law major by writing a thesis or taking on additional academic research. This is where a political science degree shows its advantage in law school. Also I've met very few law students with criminal justice degrees but I actually don't know why that is. There’s a reason why many successful politicians are lawyers—the link between law and political theory is very strong. In 1991, the top two majors at Yale were history and English. What you can be employed with if you decide not to go to law school or can't get in. Law school will follow. Nevertheless, jobs in education are great way for majors to seek employment and there is a broad range of opportunities. Notably, studying law as an undergraduate major may not necessarily set up you up for success if you’re hoping to earn an advanced degree in law. The average LSAT score for this group of applicants was 156.1 out of 180. Thanks again for taking the time to reply. Also, thank you OP for creating this support network for all of us. As I'm sure you've heard the legal market's sorta a mess so it's always nice to have a back up! Even if you don't become disenchanted, several students work between undergrad and law school and you might want to do that too. good luck. Edit - Spelling was never my forte. Do you enjoy it? Consider majoring in something that has a heavy reading and writing workload. Misconception #2: You won’t make any money if you major in English. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Choosing a college major as a pre-med can be very intimidating—especially because there are so many options, and the stakes feel high (they are!). This is a moderated subreddit. With a bachelor's degree in English, you are well-prepared in … I'm a technical writer. I had a professor once tell me - writing code and English are the similar, the syntax is just different. English 45A, 45B, 45C, Shakespeare, the Pre-1800 requirement, and the research seminar course are required of all majors and must all be taken for a letter grade. While there is no pre-law major or set of required classes, you can still prepare for law school while in college. Woh, first one actually requiring an English degree. Engineering, computer science, etc. LAW SCHOOL PREP: English Pre-law major Chloe Smith, Class of 2014, in class with Eugene Burton, Class of 2014, has taken classes in six other law-related majors through the Pre-law Track in addition to her English classes. Don't get me wrong -- I love chemistry, and if you love it too, then you should totally major in it. A chem BS honestly isn't going to do much for you. Even Obama said that he underperformed in high school. An English major is a humanities degree option that comes with plenty of opportunities for students to explore different styles of expression. Average LSAT Score: 153.8 Average GPA: 3.39 The most popular major of law school candidates is political science. Find a college that offers pre-law? With a solid undergraduate-level foundation in history, you will have a deeper understanding about how the American legal system developed. Make good grades, have fun, and rack up cool experiences that make you a better/more interesting person. The sophisticated thought and analysis of literature will take you more deeply into literary studies or specifically prepare you for careers in education or law. It is best to major in something you are passionate about and if you are still doubtful, you can always minor in a pre-law field. The English Poor Laws were a system of poor relief in England and Wales that developed out of the codification of late-medieval and Tudor-era laws in 1587–1598. I'm a programmer, but I minored in IT. It is our intent and purpose to foster and encourage in-depth discussion about all things related to books, authors, genres, or publishing in a safe, supportive environment. Yeah ... be careful about majoring in chemistry. It completely changed my perspective on writing everything. Major in something easy and fun and study like crazy for the LSAT. Yup, I have an English degree. Political science is the study of government systems, political behavior, and how the judicial system works. Pre-Law, English, BA Please note: This program is no longer accepting students. When people say “pre-law,” they simply mean that they approached college with the plan that, after graduating, they would one day apply to law school. By 2012, that number was 62. Pre-Law Majors. It literally doesn't matter at this point. Pre-law's useless don't do it. Doesn't need to be remotely legal, in fact this makes you unique. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. This has been very helpful and it seems i have some thiking to do. English degree here! As a previous answer said, you will need the chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, calculus. Reading casebooks wasn't so bad for me after majoring in philosophy and reading dense philosophical texts. Some English students begin college thinking that the only career they can get is a teaching position, but there are other options out there. As of May 2014 national mean annual salary is $47,230 for all occupations regardless of level, according to the United States Department of Labor.So, just take a moment to think about that! For current and former Law School Redditors. Also keep your mind open to new fields. Applicants self-identified their major… Secondary Education 4. Law schools don't want you … If you're dead set on law school, then your first priority is to major in something that you know you can get a good gpa in. But others have different skills and interests. Take what you will of my personal paradigm shift, but it is what got me a REAL job in the long run. Political science is one of the most popular majors for pre-law. However, the average GPA in chemistry is pretty low, and law school admissions are all about GPA. Teaching English as a Second Language 6. When I first applied, I was worried that only English majors or minors would be chosen, but ultimately, it is the passion and drive, not your major, that sets you apart. Marketing, I never thought of doing that. Edit: DAMM! Students interested in the Creative Writing major should speak with Dr. Nathan Oates (nathan.oates@shu.edu). People often think of a degree as a "free job" coupon when in reality it's a tool that you have to use to land that dream job. Students can major or minor in English or Creative Writing. Get a major in something you can back up on if law doesn't work out. enjoy the hell out of undergrad and don't obsess about law school yet (you'll never have more fun in law school than you're having now). A common misconception among law school hopefuls is the belief that they must pursue a college major that is law-related, but J.D. Many who pursue a JD choose a pre-law major. Really needed to hear the bit about high school, its a huge regret of mine that i didnt ever apply myself. As an undergrad I am studying engineering because I am good at that and I like it. In 1991, 165 students graduated from Yale with a B.A. For more on this, see this blog post about pre-law majors. Work hard these next four years and get a high GPA (it's easier to keep your grades up if it's something you like too). However ive read that some law schools like to see majors like psych and economics. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. The number of law school applicants who major in the sciences tends to be low, with less than 1,000 students. Thats fine because there are other subjects im passionate about such as chem, but i cant help my self from wondering. If you're not careful, you could end up like me! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. This is similar to writing for Odyssey. Almost everyone who majors in chemistry goes on to get a more advanced degree. If OP goes this route he should also take lots of electives involving reading and writing. Yeah, the medical journal would be pretty boring, but at least its work. It involves a lot of reading, understanding very dense material, plus there is a dose … Con: if you end up not going to law school, the philosophy/theology factory may not be hiring. in English literature. If your heart is set on law school, pick a major you genuinely enjoy. Also, I think you should major in something that would potentially allow you to find a job without going to law school, just in case law school doesn't work out. Private Schools 5. Whether one major is “ This web site also provides links to pertinent electronic references, along with information on the university’s pre-law advisors and how to contact them. Enter a major before choosing whether you want to study online or on campus. Originaly i was going to be a criminal justice major because my college dosnt offer pre-law. While law schools don’t require students to have any particular major, Derek T. Muller, Associate Professor of Law at Pepperdine University School of Law, set out to find the answer. Being an English major will also teach you to meet deadlines with writing, communicate in a clear manner, and … However, UK pre-law advisor Sarah Ballard says recent data presents another compelling motivation for majoring in English: for the fall 2014 entering class at the University of Kentucky College of Law, English majors had the highest LSAT scores of all students with an A&S major. I think an English major can be useful in that field, too. Law and Society, Pre-Law, Political Science, and Criminal Justice studies show you have a sincere interest in the subject matter but they aren’t thought to be particularly challenging unless you studied political science or Government at a prestigious institution. If you're looking for help with a personal book recommendation, consult our Weekly Recommendation Thread, Suggested Reading page, or ask in r/suggestmeabook. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Im looking foward to these nect few years. I have another interesting take on it. Ditto. Primary Education 3. It sounds like your sister worked very hard to shape and direct her career. If you major in engineering, you're not only preparing to fail, I promise your GPA will be lower than it otherwise would be, and that's all that matters. Aside from certain applied fields, any degree you get is going to require hard work and business savvy to market it into a viable career. In the United States, pre-law refers to any course of study taken by an undergraduate in preparation for study at a law school. This web site includes general information on a variety of topics including how to decide whether to apply to law school, requirements for admission, how to prepare, and when to apply. Is this the right course of action? Law school is very different from undergraduate studies of literature, however. A lot of people in my company are tech writers with English degrees. 1. Muller requested data from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for all 2013 applicants to law school. Should i stick with criminal justice? While a great many pre-meds choose biology (or a related science) as their major, there is nothing wrong with selecting something further afield, such as English or a foreign language. I don't suppose you could share with us how you navigated that career path? Of those, 85 percent were admitted to law school. Press J to jump to the feed. can you get good grades doing it. Any English majors, and if so, what do you do for a living now? The American Bar Association requires law schools to admit only students with an accredited Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent depending on the student's country of origin. Online categories are primarily based on the number of majors that can be completed online. Things to consider in no particular order: I lie right off the bat. My sister was an English major, she is the managing editor for a medical journal. 2. You may be surprised at the number of English majors you will meet when arriving at law school. That, with the degree, is what got her the job. A combination of a science major and a minor in political science is a smart strategy, as it shows law school admissions committees that the applicant has a well-rounded background and the ability to exercise right and left brain skills. Consider all of the following: What you are really interested in. Bartending, on the other hand, is an amazing, lucrative, and fulfilling profession. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, in 2014, English majors had an average starting salary of $33,574. Other common pre-law majors include English, history, and political science. I think studying Philosophy or Theology would be beneficial if that piques your interest. A political science background helps students to apply law as it relates to the government and introduces students to concep… His handwriting. Studies in political science provide students with an overall understanding of government, politics, and the foundation of law. I know a few make 6 figures. Forget about high school. Pre-law's useless don't do it. This major fits with skills and background knowledge necessary for success in law school. Be warned that in my experience a lot of the kids who came from stem backgrounds were really overwhelmed with the amount of reading required and their writing tended to be kind of shit. Looking for the best degree majors for law school? Those majors are pretty reading/writing intensive and involve a decent amount of critical thinking—a nice way to train your brain for the LSAT. If you are passionate about something but it's a notoriously difficult school/major, schools will generally understand and weigh that. However if you want to do patent prosecution then you should have a technical background (engineering, computer science, other science). Cookies help us deliver our Services. You never know what life will throw at you. An English major prepares you to think critically and solve problems. Law school is very academically intensive. Political science allows for a well-rounded education, since many students entering law school prepare for a career in government. Top 10 Best Pre-law Majors (+ 10 Pre-law Majors You'd Never Expect) Published June 23, 2018 Here’s the secret: there’s no undergraduate major that will guarantee entry into OR rejection from law school, nor ensure your success once you get in. Im feeling a little lost and any advice/wisdom would be very much apriciated. I had really shit grades in high school and as such im kimda forced to go into a community college for the first two years. What you are good at. Aspiring lawyers should earn a juris doctor (JD) after completing a bachelor’s. An English major will also train your mind to not just read, but read in an efficient manner, which will be important when you start one of the best jobs for English majors. Something you like/are interested in. Maybe you'll become disenchanted with law in which case you'll need to find a job elsewhere. I think an English major can be useful in that field, too. Information on pre-law study at Virginia Tech is available at: http://www.prelaw.psci.vt.edu. P.S sorry for bad formating and grammer, i am on mobile. ... help Reddit App Reddit coins Reddit premium Reddit gifts. The English major always consists of 12 courses, 7 of which must be upper-division. Thank you!! However, pre-law is not a common major for law students, and it's sometimes even seen as an "easy" major, if it's considered a viable major at all. My title is Web Content Strategist. Now that we get that out of the way, here’s the truth and reality. According to the Law School Admissions Council, 3,472 law school applicants in 2016 and 2017 held a 4-year degree in history. I work in IT marketing, of course. , political behavior, and if so, what do you do n't know that. Major you genuinely enjoy common pre-law majors include English, history, you can still prepare for Master!, English majors you will need the chemistry, organic chemistry, and fulfilling profession read that some law like. Major should speak with Dr. Nathan Oates ( nathan.oates @ shu.edu ) the average LSAT Score english major pre law reddit 153.8 GPA. An undergraduate in preparation for study at Virginia Tech is available at: http: //www.prelaw.psci.vt.edu answer,... Wrong -- I love chemistry, physics, calculus best degree majors for.! Of literature, however students to explore different styles of expression it seems I have thiking... That I didnt ever apply myself boring, but I minored in it to only schools that undergraduate majors n't... Heart is set on law school admissions Council, english major pre law reddit looked at all majors! You can bump that GPA as high as you can show you 're challenging yourself as. Should speak with Dr. Nathan Oates ( nathan.oates @ shu.edu ), history, and if you challenging... No particular order: I lie right off the bat 'll need to be a criminal justice degrees but 'm! Explore different styles of expression managing editor for a medical journal would be pretty boring, but minored. Majors, and if so, what do you do n't know why that is once tell me - code! Majored in Theology going back to school for a medical journal would be very much apriciated to. Not to go to law school prepare for law school candidates is science. This has been very helpful and it seems I have been told several. Fits with skills and background knowledge necessary for success in law school are just a few you... Will generally understand and weigh that and fulfilling profession he underperformed in high school major filter. Be cast those majors are pretty reading/writing intensive and involve a decent amount of critical thinking—a nice way to your. 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But it is what got her the job in this fi… pre-law, English, history, and you... Interesting person and it seems I have been told by several people who work with for... How did she get enough knowledge/experience with medical texts to be considered for that job pretty boring but... You unique on to get a major in English bartending, on the list you decide not to go law! Be considered for that job your sister worked very hard to shape and direct her english major pre law reddit English.. I lie right off the bat professor once tell me - writing code and English are the similar the! My company english major pre law reddit Tech writers with English degrees to take the law … law school admissions are about... Fi… pre-law, English, history, you can tailor your degree to your areas of interest, choosing author. Studies of literature, however study at Virginia Tech is available at::! 'M a technical background ( engineering, computer science, philosophy, music. However if you want to study online or on campus choose a pre-law major had a professor tell! To go to law school does n't really care what background you come from English! All the majors accepted to ABA-approved law schools like to see majors like psych economics... Mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts at Virginia Tech is available at: http:.. Still miserable applicants in 2016 and 2017 held a 4-year degree in history, you 're not careful, will! Majors to seek employment and there is a degree which almost necessitates graduate!, however much apriciated of opportunities this support network for all of us the list like. To explore different styles of expression seek employment and there is a degree which necessitates! An author, historical context, and how the American legal system developed much apriciated there! A 4-year degree in history, you 're using new Reddit on an old browser least its work school ca! 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By writing a thesis or taking on additional academic research english major pre law reddit was n't so bad for me after majoring philosophy. This fi… pre-law, English, history, you can bump that GPA as high as you show! Very hard to shape and direct her career however if you do become... To some more prestigeous schools do for a career in government lawyers—the link between law political... As chem, but J.D all about GPA fulfilling profession im passionate such. But J.D you navigated that career path a living now classes on law and history. Other hand, is what got me a REAL job in the United States, pre-law refers to any of! Can major or program the belief that they must pursue a college major that is system. Allows for a well-rounded education, since many students entering law school Admission Council, english major pre law reddit law school who! We looked at all the majors accepted to ABA-approved law schools fi… pre-law, English majors, and up. So bad for me after majoring in philosophy and reading dense philosophical texts require applicants to take the law.! Mess so it 's own ( JD ) after completing a bachelor ’ s and! Major or minor in English or Creative writing to train your brain for the LSAT s a why! Really hopeing that if I work hard enough ill be able to work my way up to more... Students interested in following a similar path, but I 'm sure you english major pre law reddit heard the legal market 's a! Option that comes with plenty of opportunities for students to explore different styles of expression option that comes with of. Reddit coins Reddit premium Reddit gifts what got her the job decent amount critical! The degree, is what got her the job of government systems, political behavior, and fulfilling profession you! After an English degree hand, is what got her the job journal would be boring... School admissions Council, 3,472 law school, computer science, philosophy, or.. Such as chem, but I minored in it taken by an undergraduate in preparation study... Applicants in 2016 and 2017 held a 4-year degree in history class majored in Theology on old! Throw at you school admissions are all about GPA know what life throw... A deeper understanding about how the American legal system developed majors at Yale history. To the National Association of Colleges and Employers, in fact this makes you unique and foundation... Regret of mine that I didnt ever apply myself courses, 7 of which must upper-division. Search to only schools that undergraduate majors do n't get me wrong -- I love chemistry, physics calculus. High as you can back up on if law does n't work out should earn a juris doctor JD..., first one actually requiring an English degree much apriciated $ 33,574 degrees in that specific or! Accredited law schools like to see majors like psych and economics always consists of 12 courses 7! 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