Legal Studies @ UCB

<p>How hard is it to get into Legal Studies @ UCB?</p>

<p>pretty hard but certainly not impossible if are serious and willing to go all the way with it. It’s not overly impacted so if you have a good transcript of classes with a healthy GPA it’s doable. What the majority of colleges care about most, especially Cal, is you graduating (or at least earning the BA) within TWO years, so they can offer your seat to another student and maintain their high retention percentages.</p>

<p>do you have any information on the average GPA accepted, overall applicants, etcc?</p>

<p>Well it’s somewhat a popular program relatively speaking but I like I said UCB is more concerned with that you are ready and can make it through to the end over just picking the person with the higher GPA. What is more relevant is that you classes that are applicable to such a major. The pre-req’s for legal studies are fairly flexible since there is a lot of theoretical and philosophical aspects to ‘Legal Studies’. As I’ve mentioned before, it doesn’t matter where you go if took a solid set of classes but Foothill has a great Law and Society (Pre-Law) AA which prepares for that kind of thinking. Some have wanted to do Legal Studies with Rhetoric at UCB which is great and a lot of work. I’d prolly do the Rhetoric degree with my minor in Legal Studies if is actually offered.</p>

<p>Ok i see. For the economics portion of the prerequisites, it says that they require Economics 1 and 2. I only completed Economics 2, but underneath the listing it says “Legal Studies only requires 1 course in Economics”. Could you please clarify what the assist page is saying. </p>

<p>[ASSIST</a> Report: LAPC 10-11 UCB Articulation Agreement by Major](<a href=“http://www.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&sia=LAPC&ria=UCB&ia=LAPC&oia=UCB&aay=10-11&ay=10-11&dora=LEGALST]ASSIST”>http://www.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&sia=LAPC&ria=UCB&ia=LAPC&oia=UCB&aay=10-11&ay=10-11&dora=LEGALST)</p>

<p>Well UC’s would rather the student take Micro prior to transfer and Macro at their institution. Completing both prior to transfer for economical and prep reasons is the best option though. According to Assist macro is Optional so through deduction, micro is the default requirement. It also states UCB’s Econ 1 is an introduction to both micro and macro so ideally both classes should be taken I think for full requirement purposes. At least that 2 block would be out of the way. 2 Philosophy and 2 Sociology classes would be recommended and eventually 2 history/western civ. A AA prelaw degree usually offers 2 Business Law on top of that which is good if that is significant to the direction you are leaning towards.</p>

<p>Ok i appreciate your input. In terms of UCB, i’m trying to decide if i should apply as philosophy or legal studies. Obviously i want to go to law school. But in terms of admission to UCB, which major is easier to get into?</p>

<p>Well, although Philosophy is a major many Pre-Law students take during undergrad, Berkeley’s Philosophy program is pretty traditional Western Philosophy and not as geared towards law. Realize ‘Legal Studies’ is not necessarily a Pre-Law degree if planning on being a paper pusher or attorney. It is more historical and theoretical closer to a 'Law & Society" degree with a lot of reading and contemplating. Law schools don’t prescribe a pre-law major so it really depends on your interests and how much analytical writing you like to do.</p>

<pre><code>Unfortunately, UCB does not offer a minor in Legal Studies since although it is housed in the School (not College) of Law, it is primarily a inter-disciplinary program. If you are a keen thinker and speaker and want to become more like a defense attorney then I would recommend the Rhetoric major although you could obtain a Rhetoric minor that would complement either a Philosophy or Legal Studies major. I personally think with all the studying you will be doing that Rhetoric would be more enjoyable and practical in knowledge and skill building.
</code></pre>

<p>Once again, it’s not an issue which one is easier to get into as much which one you are willing to work your butt off for. Philosophy is probably a bit more impacted but would say your chances are relatively the same depending on which pre-req’s you choose and how ready you are when apply for transfer admissions.</p>

<p>I would say phil…i remember reading many ppl getting in for phil on CC this last year while two of these ppl I know this last year got rejected from berk as legal studies majors with 3.5+ gpas. Also I’ve heard the argument that ‘pre-law’ majors like legal studies are discouraged by law schools. Dunno how true that is though…</p>

<p>Legal Studies is impacted, which means that if it is a popular major for the freshman class of 2013, you will be last priority after them. I knew a girl with a 3.96 GPA who got denied from the major, while many other people I knew got into non-impacted majors with approx. 3.5 GPAs. Philosophy is by far an easier major to get into at Berkeley. </p>

<p>Also, I’m not sure how familiar you are with law school admissions, but they don’t necessarily like their undergraduates doing pre-law programs.</p>

<p>What are some good ECs to help improve your chances of getting accepted into this
major?</p>

<p><strong><em>Bump</em></strong></p>