So I’m applying to colleges this fall, and am graduating high school in 2016
In the future I’m really interested in pursuing environmental law. It is something I am really passionate about.
Through the common app though, they are asking what school within the college I would be applying to, and it all depends on what I want to major in.
I know for a profession in law, what I major in does not really matter. However, are there any suggestions as to what I should major in?
please help me I think I’m going crazy. Any suggestions would be helpful!!!
I’m certainly no expert in the field of environmental law, but seeing as no one else has commented, I’ll take a stab at it.
It’s true that you can get into law school with any major. Typical pre-law students I see around my campus are majoring in history, government or international relations.
However, if it’s the environmental part that really interests you, I would suggest majoring in something more related to that field. My friend is currently an agricultural sciences major and has considered (briefly) going into environmental law. You could also major in something like environmental sciences or even just biology if the schools you’re applying to don’t have anything more specific. Then maybe you could pick up a minor in government.
Somebody correct me if this sounds complete implausible but that would be my suggestion!
I’m in totally way over my head, but I’ll give it a shot.
I’ve also heard that it doesn’t matter what your undergrad major is for law school.
But since you want environmental law, it makes sense to me that you learn all you can about the environment. Any major that would give you the knowledge you want in that area would probably go a long way for you.
personally, I have a bias for a strong liberal arts foundation of readin, writin’ and 'rithmetic, so I’d recommend the College of Arts and Sciences or whatever the Uni may call it. From there, you can take enviro courses as electives.
OTOH, if the Uni admissions are really competitive, and you have Enviro EC’s, the College of Environmental Science maybe a little less competitive for admissions.
Major in whatever you get the best grades in, since getting into law school is the first and most important step.
I am not an expert in environmental law but what I do now as a lawyer has almost nothing to do with what I studied in college; even my major is not used now at all.
The environmental law aspects of corporate deals that I do all involve detailed government regulations of environmental matters so I’d think that some knowledge of government (which you could get in law school in a regulatory law class) and a basic understanding of environmental clean-up and the like would be what you’d need.
Environmental law may be like international law: at least international law is not nearly as glamorous or exotic as it sounds. It’s just pushing paper in an office, for most relevant jobs.
And Happy can attest to this, most areas of law are far more than dry than only could realize. For instance, environmental law is basically administrative law and is very regulatory. Or in other words, very very dry.
I practiced environmental law for a few years for BigLaw and was a poli sci and Asian studies major. I fell into the practice based on the firm’s needs. My undergraduate and legal studies were irrelevant; my work learning regulatory and enforcement requirements and policies were taught on the job, as well as representing clients in administrative actions with state environmental agencies. Ironically, I leveraged that experience to land my first in-house job. Unless you plan on becoming an environmental consultant or engineer, a strong liberal arts background is more important because of the writing skills and flexibility needed to succeed as a lawyer. I no longer practice environmental law but the training was invaluable, especially when engaging in due diligence related to M&A and commercial lease transactions. OTOH, if you really, really want to practice environmental law, work for your state environmental agency or EPA after graduating from law school. Take an environmental law course if your law school offers it. Good luck.