Communications as a pre-law degree?

Graduate School Law School
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Hi! I’m 19, about to be a junior at FIU. I graduated with my AA a year early. I have to pick my major right now.

I’m currently thinking about law school, but not sure about it. Another career I would enjoy is something in broadcast media/journalism/technical editing/publishing. This is why I was going to major in Communications, focusing on Broadcast Media. Then I could decide to either go to law school, and if I don’t, I could go on to get my Master’s in English and still get a career I would enjoy.

(Note: whatever I do, I’m pursuing a certificate in Pre-Law in my university, which is like a minor.)

I was thinking maybe I could do a dual degree in Communications (Broadcast Media) + English (Writing & Rhetoric). I would take 3 years to do this, and since I took 1 year to get my AA, it would be a typical 4-year college degree but a dual degree. This would look good for law school I’m guessing and I would still have open options for careers if I decide to do something else. Also it would give me a lot of time to do internships in broadcasting/news stations, publishing companies, law firms, and decide what I want to do for sure before I do anything. I have a scholarship that pays for 6 years of undergrad so it would be perfect. But then I would be 22 going into law school, and I can’t help but feel like I’m wasting time.

Another option is to major in Communications only. But I want to get into a top law school (I have a 3.96 GPA right now and will keep it.) and I fear communications would keep me from getting in. The reason I don’t have a 4.0 is because I took a chemistry lab class in my first semester thinking I wanted to be a veterinarian but found I didn’t enjoy science at all. I still want to do something with animals so I figure maybe I could practice animal law as a lawyer. My local animal shelter does internships for criminal justice so I could perhaps intern in that to see how it is. Anyway, if I major in communications only, I won’t be wasting time. I’ll finish in 2 years and could be in law school when I’m 21. And if I don’t choose law school, I could go on to get an English Master’s for another career. But again, I fear it’s not good enough for law school if I do choose that.

Another thing is I could major in English only. It would look good for law school. I would finish in 2 years. But I fear what if I end up wanting a career in broadcasting, and I missed the chance to get a bachelor’s in communications?

I was thinking I could do this: start my major out as English. Take 3 English classes, 1 Communication class, 1 law class. The communication will count as an elective. I could see if I like law or communication, and could decide to dual degree or just leave it as English. Because if I’m not going to law school, I don’t mind 4 years of college.

I’m really super confused on what I should do. I need to pick a major in less than a month and I don’t know what to do. Please give me advice. Thank you.

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OP wtote:

“I have a scholarship that pays for 6 years of undergrad.”

Are you willing to elaborate as this is unusual and relates to credibility ?

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Note: a pre-law cert/minor will be of zero interest to LS Adcoms. Don’t waste your time.

Adcoms mostly only care about two numbers: GPA + LSAT. They don’t much care about major, unless its STEM. Therefor, major in whatever you have a passion for as you will ace the courses.

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Seriously, chill. If you are not finished with law school by the time you are potty trained it’s not a big deal - no one else is either.

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My daughter just graduated with a double major in Journalism and Communications from UMASS and is going to NUSL in a few weeks. I don’t think it made a difference what she majored in. However, I always let her know that making a really good living in Journalism and Communications would never be easy, but that if her plans were law school, then to study in an area where she had passion. Maybe you don’t consider Northeastern to be a satisfactory level law school for you, but I doubt it will close any doors for her and I don’t think her major kept her out of the top law schools. As others have written, those LSAT scores provide that separation.

Law School does seem like more of an afterthought to you, but you should put some focus on the LSAT. That requires dozens of hours of prep. Take practice LSATs and see where you stand. You’ll actually have a fairly good idea at that point what type of law school that will be a likely option. As far as age goes, at 22 you will likely be one of the youngest in your law school class.

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Having seen my daughter’s journey (she just completed her 1L year), and based on my experience from 35 years ago, 90% of law school admissions is based on GPA + LSAT. The other 10% is likely allocated to quality of undergraduate school combined with the rigor of your degree, with an additional boost for those applicants who worked or did something particularly meaningful after college and before applying to law school.

And FWIW, I have a communications degree from highly ranked university and attended a top-10 law school.

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OP: Another poster wrote that attending a non-top tier law school such as Northeastern in Boston won’t close any doors in the legal profession. I think that this statement is inaccurate. Nevertheless, it may be wise to attend a non-top tier law school if offered a full tuition scholarship and the school is located in a region where you would like to practice law.

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Publisher, I don’t think every perspective lawyer either wants to go to or is cut out to attend one of the very top law schools which lead to clerkships or employment anywhere in the country. This OP is not even sure what she wants to do. Maybe I read in between the lines too much in this case, but I don’t think so. Maybe a big win for her would be admission to UF (and not a top 14). In my daughter’s case, she wants a career in Boston and wants the opportunities and learning that come with experiential leaning, and NUSL is a great fit.

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@ljberkow: Agree that state flagship law schools are great for one who intends to practice in that state.

Attending Northeastern in Boston will limit one seeking federal judicial clerkships, DOJ Honors, and major (biglaw) firms in Boston unless top 5% top 10% and a law review editor.

However, I have not checked law school transparency regarding Northeastern University law school in Boston. I do know that the average indebtedness of Northeastern law school students was about $120,000 of law school student loans which makes accepting a position in a small law firm difficult from an economic perspective.

P.S. Just checked Above The Law & LST regarding Northeastern law school placement.

About 15% get great placements in terms of pay & prestige (13.6% large law firms & 1.4% federal clerkships).

Less than 5% (about 4.2%) of all law students are full pay at Northeatern–which can reduce significantly the pressure to secure a high paying position after finishing law school.

NU has a great co-op program which assures students of substantial work experience in the legal field prior to graduation.

Important to understand that even graduates of Tier One law schools (top 50) often have difficulty finding suitable employment in the legal field. Northeastern is a Tier Two law school (#51-#100) out of four tiers.

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Examined additional information about Northeastern law school.

With respect to employment, about 25% do quite well.

NU’s average LSAT scores are tied for the highest among Tier Two law schools.

Northeastern claimed 136 law grads in 2017, 142 in 2018, and jumped to 213 in 2019. Wonder if NU started including LLM grads in its employment reports in 2019 otherwise the law school class increased by 50%.

All law students get significant co-op legal work experience prior to graduation. NU law is heavily oriented toward public service type law / careers.

With an average COA of about $80,000 per year & a focus on low paying public interest type careers, it is notable that less than 5% pay full tuition at NU law.

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I would only add that although major is not that important and it certainly makes sense to chose one of utmost passion, make sure you fit in classes heavy on reading and writing. You’ll be consuming a lot of information in law school. Have to be able to sift through tons of material, some quite dry (ok most), and write concisely.

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What does “quite well” mean?

Do they give info on what industries grads end up? I understand there is a lower demand for lawyers these days, but are the only jobs Big Law or public service? Are there no more corporate hires, small firms, real estate, or specialized firms that focus on startups, insurance, biotech, etc? Curious as to where the industry is these days - seems like the news has been ‘bad’ for 15 years… wondering when it levels out. Keep in mind that not every law student wants to work 80 hours a week in Big Law. Is there a place for these students at a decent ROI?

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The practice of law is not a 40 hour per week occupation regardless of pay. If not willing to work 60 to 80 hour weeks, then law may not be the most suitable career.

Northeastern law breaks down employment by type & by size (# of attorneys) of law firms for the typical ABA employment report.

P.S. Average law school indebtedness for Northeastern U (Boston) law grads is about $120,000.

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@Publisher wow thanks for mentioning LST. What a great site with so much important information.