Importance of undergrad major for getting hired?

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>I am currently an accounting student at FSU who will be applying to law school in a few years. </p>

<p>I've read that most colleges don't care about how hard your major may be, it's all LSAT/GPA, but how much do employers, specifically private law firms, weigh in on your undergraduate major and gpa?</p>

<p>For example, if I wanted to go into business law and I had identical stats with someone who majored in philosophy for undergrad, would my accounting bachelors give me any edge at all? Or is it pretty much irrelevant once you complete law school?</p>

<p>(Not saying I shouldn't have done accounting considering I'm learning a lot and it's great to fall back on.)</p>

2

<p>The one time that I hired someone right out of law school, I did glance at undergrad majors and work experience. I was looking for something in my industry. </p>

<p>If everything else is equal (grades, interview, clinics or moot court work, writing sample, etc.) then your undergraduate degree should be helpful.</p>

3

<p>With law school grads going for a dime a dozen these days and so many having trouble getting hired to work as lawyers the undergrad degree may help in getting hired period–even if it’s not as a lawyer. </p>

<p>Many law grads these days get stuck in low level paid by the hour doc review type positions–which have little to no room for advancement. An alternative strategy may be to use the pre law school background, if it’s a skillset in demand, to get ones foot in the door career wise and potentially shift towards more of a legal position once one has a demonstrated track record within the company. </p>

<p>Just a different way to look at it.</p>

4

<p>I think that in the tax field, at least, an accounting degree (and especially CPA status) is a plus.</p>

5

<p>There are very few instances in which I have seen the undergrad major matter. Accounting may matter for tax. I have an job in energy law right now in which an economics degree is a plus. I have also had jobs in antitrust law in which an economics degree was sought. Undergraduate grades do matter now and then. One of my corporate clients requires undergrad and law transcripts. If either are weak, no matter the prestige of the institutions, there will be no interview.</p>