<p>I'm currently a sophomore and a Biotechnology student. For my whole life I've wanted to study medicine. I originally was pre-med but then switched to a concentration on medical research because I don't think med school is for me (I worked in the ER, hated it). Now, I am struggling to keep up with my classmates and I'm miserable. I don't find joy in any of my classes, I just go through the motions and the stress is beginning to affect my health. My GPA is sinking lower and lower and I'm thinking I should switch my major to something a little less math/science oriented, but that is still challenging. I'm not really good at anything in particular though.</p>
<p>These are possible majors/concentrations I am considering:
journalism
psychology
international relations
anthropology
philosophy</p>
<p>I know these are kind of all over the place but I was wondering if anyone who is one of these majors has any advice or information to share? What would you recommend? I know some of these are a little bit more practical than others, too. If it's any help, I plan on attending grad school, possibly law school. But how practical is international relations in the future? and how far behind will I be in the law school process if I'm starting from stratch as a junior? (i plan on taking the intro courses over summer, i already have gen eds done and i have 72 credits even though i'm technically a sophomore) Which major is a good one for a law school applicant?</p>
<p>Any major will work for going into law school - the ones you have listed are some of the most popular. Journalism is probably the least useful of the list, but the others are all on pretty equal footing as far as being able to prep you with the skill you need in law school.</p>
<p>An undergraduate major in international relations is pretty useless, to be honest.</p>
<p>As for the “law school process,” you’ll be fine. All you really need is a degree in something and decent LSAT scores, which you’ll have to self study for anyway, probably in the summer before your senior year.</p>
<p>Thanks I appreciate your help :] I’m thinking psychology is the way to go.</p>
<p>But is it really true that it doesn’t matter what you major in for law school? I’ve been reading mixed information. Some pre-law websites only suggest Economics or Poli Sci, others are saying that you could major in anything as long as you have a strong GPA, good ECs, an excellent personal statement and amazing LSATS.</p>
<p>So is it a mistake to major in Psychology? Should I be switching to Poli Sci? I really don’t know anything about undegrad (pre-law) and I am not able to speak with an advisor for a while; my school is big and all the seniors and juniors have preference when signing up for classes so they get the first appointments. Also, do I need to be looking into research programs? Should I minor in something like criminal justice? Or should I just take some poli sci electives?</p>
<p>Pick a major that you will enjoy because if you force yourself to study something you don’t like, your grades will suffer. If psych is something you will like, go for it. Poli Sci and Econ are certainly two very popular pre-law majors, but some of the most successful law school students come from backgrounds in math, physics, and engineering. Any major that requires critical thinking, intensive writing, and methodological research skills will be fine. Law schools don’t care about your undergrad degree, except that you 1) have one, and 2) got decent grades to get it. </p>
<p>Along the same lines, don’t minor in something just because it might help you in law school - chances are it won’t. Criminal justice is by far the WORST undergrad field for aspiring lawyers because it teaches the substance of law but not how to think like a lawyer, so most criminal justice students think their all that and more when they get into law school but then they’re usually the first to flunk out. Law-based poli sci electives will be more beneficial, not because of the material but because you most likely also study empirical research in public law and judicial behavior that requires critical thinking.</p>
<p>Thank you, I’m sorry for all my questions. I just am curious and want to know if I’m doing the right thing. Also thanks for your insight on the criminal justice majors, that really makes sense. I wouldn’t be the type of person to go into law school thinking I’m already the best because you can always learn more. My point in going to law school is to further my education to be the best lawyer that I can. </p>
<p>So should I be taking like History of American Law, U.S. History, Political theory, Modern Political thought and things like that? I was also going to dab in Psychological Law classes (they offer a few forensic type of ones).</p>
<p>You’re definitely on the right track. History courses and political theory classes will all force you to improve your critical reading and to develop your abilities as a writer. Psych law should help with your methodological reasoning skills. Just remember: the best pre-law classes are the ones that develop skill sets, not necessarily the ones that focus on law itself.</p>
<p>Thanks again, I really do appreciate your insight/advice! :] Best of luck!</p>