<p>Would law schools look more favorably upon someone who, say, double majored in English and Political Science</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>only majored in English but earned a Master's degree?</p>
<p>Assuming the grades were both similar.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I'd guess a master's degree. But either way, they're mostly going to look at 2 numbers: your gpa and your LSAT score. I say, do whichever one makes you happier. If it's a tie, do the one that allows you to keep your grades up while studying for the LSAT.</p>
<p>Do you want the honest truth? </p>
<p>Neither.</p>
<p>They would look more favorably at the person with one major, and undergraduate degree, and a 4.0 GPA accopanying an LSAT of 165+. </p>
<p>Pursue the master or the second major (or both) for your own enjoyment, not for LS. Really, it's irrelevant. No one is going to care.</p>
<p>Re: the second major
Wildflower, you say LS's don't really care, and I can believe that since it seems that they are very numbers driven. But what do you think about this? Would a second major in a humanity or social science subject be of any benefit if the first major is in engineering? I gather that some LS's sort of look down on engineering as "vocational". Would proving that you can make a 4.0 in a "non-vocational" major be of any benefit in admissions? Maybe they would then forgive the engineering interest?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Actually, assuming that the GPA and LSAT score are strong, I think that the master's degree would definitely make a candidate stand out in the pool of applicants. There are so many applicants to the top law schools who have outstanding grades and LSAT scores, that the admissions folks at most of the schools like to look beyond the numbers, both to find out a bit more about the person and to foster a more diverse class. That's why your recommendations and personal statement can truly make or break your application. </p>
<p>If you truly have a passion and want to pursue a master's degree in english (literature, I assume), go for it. I went to law school with a lot of people who had advanced degrees in one area or another, and I feel that those students added an element of richness, dlversity and maturity that absolutely made my law school experience what it was.</p>
<p>"Would a second major in a humanity or social science subject be of any benefit if the first major is in engineering?"</p>
<p>You don't need a second major for that purpose. A minor or even just several courses that require extensive writing would do. The benefit of a second major in your case, however, would be to increase your cum. GPA. </p>
<p>Again, do a double major or a masters should be done because you want to -- not to impress LS admission officers.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Actually, assuming that the GPA and LSAT score are strong, I think that the master's degree would definitely make a candidate stand out in the pool of applicants.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not really. Plenty of people have vanity master's degrees. It's definitely not worth doing just for law school.</p>