Decision between Law and Finance

<p>Hey guys.</p>

<p>This is my first post on CC, even though I've been getting answers from these forums via Google search for a while now. But now I have a question that can't be answered by Google. I'm looking for your opinions on what you think I should major in during college. It's not like a need an answer desperately right now, though, I'm only going to be a sophomore in high school this year.</p>

<p>Anyway, years back I thought I wanted to be a lawyer... Then I started looking at different careers. Now, I have landed on finance. I'd like to work in corporate finance or insurance. I felt it was something I would be good at (I've always been a businessman/entrepreneurial type) and I would enjoy... sort of. I don't see how you could be passionate about finance...</p>

<p>So recently I was taking a career aptitude test and I came up as 100% positive as working as a Lawyer or a related field. This seemed like something I could be very passionate about. Unlike finance, I think I have the mental ability to work in Law. Since 3rd grade I've been the top writer in my class (please don't judge my writing on here to my writing in class). Since pre-algebra, I've always been a little behind in math (although I'm in the most advanced math class I can take).</p>

<p>It seems like a simple decision, but becoming a financial analyst is a lot cheaper than becoming a lawyer, seeing that I'd have to go on to Law school. My family isn't dirt poor, but I most likely will be getting $0 to only a couple thousand dollars for my college. I will be a first generation student.</p>

<p>So, I'm looking for your opinion on whether I should take a risk of not being able to pay for school or take the safe path and possibly hate my job.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!
Jeremy</p>

<hr>

<p>Also, I wanted to know what an undergraduate should major in if he/she wishes to become a lawyer. I know there is no regulation for law school, so technically I could major in Finance and then move on to law school... But I'd like to have a Law background or similar background before graduate school. And I wouldn't want to be a lawyer for a corporation/business.</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

<p>what are you passionate about? major in something you care about if you want to go to law school.</p>

<p>To answer the second part of your question, you can major in anything you like as an undergrad; just make sure you maintain a high GPA in whichever major you choose. Law schools are all about GPA. Also, math and philosophy majors tend to score highest on the LSAT. Whether that’s because math and philosophy develop law-type thought or because the kids who enter math and philosophy are already the types of kids that would be good at law, I don’t know. Maybe both.</p>

<p>If Law school is all about GPA, then I don’t think I should major in Mathematics. I read that a lot of undergraduates major in English before graduate school. That seems more realistic for me.</p>

<p>I’d major in Finance, then if you still want to go to law school apply.</p>

<p>That would be a pretty solid background. Some majors might slightly prepare students better for the LSAT, but it really comes down to the person.</p>

<p>Take some writing and logic courses as electives and you will do great.</p>

<p>Yeah, I think that’s my plan at this point. Thanks.</p>

<p>Consider Classics. It is also ranks up with philosophy and math in the top 3 when it comes to high LSATs according to what I’ve been told by many, but it isn’t listed on the table because it is grouped with other foreign language majors (which is a mistake).</p>

<p>The evidence for this can be seen in Classics majors being among the top scorers on the MCAT and GRE (neither of which relates affects law school, but it shows that it aids with graduate school admissions tests) In this link it shows the GRE and MCAT scores, and at the bottom has a quote from Harvard magazine about Classics being in the top majors with math: [url=<a href=“http://puffin.creighton.edu/clc/Student_page/careers.html]Careers[/url”>http://puffin.creighton.edu/clc/Student_page/careers.html]Careers[/url</a>]</p>

<p>Don’t pick a major to help you with the LSAT. Pick a major to help your career.</p>

<p>Yes, do not plan on going to law school. Pick a major that you enjoy and will help you by itself – focus on law school IF and WHEN you go to law school.</p>

<p>And for the love of god, do not major in classics.</p>

<p>^Why do you say that? A classical education not only helps with law school, but prepares students for all types of grad school, including business and med school. Multiple cabinet secretaries, governors, and CEOs of major companies have majored in it in modern times. Not to mention all of the many great authors that majored in it as well.</p>

<p>You’d be better off majoring in basket weaving.</p>

<p>Because then you could at least weave baskets.</p>

<p>^Classics isn’t a degree that is meant to be used for a career straight out of university. Other than a high school Latin teacher there isn’t much you can do with the degree by itself. </p>

<p>It is however, an excellent degree when it comes for grad/professional school prep. If you didn’t read the article I linked to here is the condensed version from the Princeton Review: [url=<a href=“College Major Search | College Majors List | The Princeton Review”>College Major Search | College Majors List | The Princeton Review]Classics[/url</a>]</p>

<p>Like I said before, there isn’t much going for a Classics major by itself, but it is a tremendous help for grad/professional school, this for the most part limits the career options to: Medical Doctor, Lawyer, PhD/College Professor, get an MBA, and last but not least, the priesthood. I would not call any of these professions useless, and in fact, it is what many who choose a more conventional major are aiming for.</p>

<p>In todays world, graduate school is becoming increasingly necessary, and the skills acquired as a Classics major will aid greatly to ones success in it.</p>

<p>Why not underwater basket weaving? I would think you would make more if you could do it underwater.</p>

<p>Better yet - outer space basket weaving.</p>

<p>Hmmm, underwater basket weaving would be fun, but outer space basket weaving would be a little too tough, I do believe.</p>

<p>My point on the Classics being useful still stands though.</p>

<p>I can see how “the classics” could be good for law school prep, but if you don’t end up going to law school you are just stuck with a degree in Classics.</p>

<p>^Like I said earlier, I will be the first to admit that on its own, a Classics degree doesn’t do much good. It should be seen either as the first step to getting a PhD in the subject area, or as a preparatory degree for graduate/professional school, because of the hard work, diligence, and analytical skills needed to translate two dead languages.</p>

<p>Also, like I said before, Law School isn’t the only option. Classics majors outperform every other major in admissions to medical school as a percentage, and even score better than biology majors on the biology portion of the MCAT. Given, they had to take the pre-med requirement, but this still speaks volumes of how well the degree prepares one when it comes to analysis and critical thinking. If you want to see the actual breakdown it is on the first link I posted in a table.</p>