I’m hoping to go to law school one day, and I’m trying to choose my undergraduate college based on what would benefit future admissions.
I essentially have two options. The first is a state school in my state’s capital. Though it isn’t the best public university ever, it has small class sizes, an intimate honors program, and a five-year BA/MA Political Science program. Best of all, it’s all expenses paid. I’d have access to internships at the State Capitol and my college fund free to use on travel and enrichment.
The second is a somewhat selective private university. I’d also have access to internships there and would probably receive a “better” education, but the school would be much more financially draining. I’d get a BA in Political Science and probably a minor. Mostly, the school is much more prestigious.
I know law schools take into account your undergrad school when they evaluate admissions, so I’m wary to choose the state school. Would the public school seem too easy to law schools? Would getting an accelerated MA from that school better my chances? I hope to attend a top 7 college for my JD, and I have a high enough GPA and ACT to expect myself to do well in college and on the LSAT. That said, which path would maximize my chances at law school? Would paying for a private uni be worth it?
Law school admission appears to be mainly about LSAT score and GPA: http://lawschoolnumbers.com/
Also, law school is expensive, so if you can avoid debt and save money in undergraduate study, that is a good thing.
No specific major is required for pre-law students. Some say that undergraduate major and course work does matter, but not necessarily in the stereotypical way of majoring in political science or English:
http://lawschoolnumbers.com/application-prep/choosing-your-major-for-prelaw
http://lawschoolnumbers.com/application-prep/making-undergraduate-courses-count-for-law-school
I would say you should avoid incurring any debt. A strong GPA and good LSAT scores will be the most important elements for law school admissions.
I went to a top 25 law school on partial merit scholarship and my bachelor’s degree is from a public university no one has heard of, but it helped that I had an LSAT score in the 97th percentile and legal references from a law job in a major city. Definitely you should choose the all expenses paid option and take advantage of the wonderful connections you will make through internships at the State Capitol and elsewhere.
While getting your bachelor’s degree and doing law-related internships, think through what you really want to do with law and political science. I’ve met too many unemployed and underemployed lawyers out there with $200,000 in debt for law loans. Whatever you do, you don’t want to wind up in that position.
Look at job ads for attorneys and see what niche fields they are in – this changes over time, but it will give you an idea that “political science” is simply not an area of expertise required of most lawyers. If legislation and government affairs are your thing, there are ways to enter that arena with and without a law degree.
That’s good to know! Actually, I love learning about government, which was solidified by a state senate internship. I think I’d be satisfied there if I end up not wanting to go into law.