<p>Since I've been told that having a "pre-law" or "criminal justice" major for under grad is viewed as a weak major, what are some that would be strong if I wanted to go to law school for criminal defense?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>The point is that they want a normal liberal arts background, not a vocational major. Anything will do: English, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Biology, History, Chemistry, whatever.</p>
<p>I once read from the Stanford DoA; "We like math majors" (This probably assumes at least a small amount of writing)</p>
<p>My advice is to pick an area that you find interesting. It may be your only chance in life to formally study an area of knowledge just because you find it interesting. Anyway, you may get better grades if you choose a major because you find it interesting than if you choose a major because you think it will help you get into law school. With better grades, you have a better chance of getting in.</p>
<p>jw...what exactly are vocational majors?</p>
<p>Top 5 majors with highest scoring LSAT scores</p>
<ol>
<li>physics/math</li>
<li>philosophy/religion</li>
<li>Economics</li>
<li>Governmen/service</li>
<li>Engineering</li>
</ol>
<p>actually do minors matter or do law schools only care about your major(s).</p>
<p>
[quote]
Top 5 majors with highest scoring LSAT scores</p>
<ol>
<li>physics/math</li>
<li>philosophy/religion</li>
<li>Economics</li>
<li>Governmen/service</li>
<li>Engineering
[/quote]
</li>
</ol>
<p>It seems to me this might be a chicken and egg type problem. Perhaps the type of person who decides to major in physics or math is also likely to score well on the LSAT.</p>
<p>
[quote]
It seems to me this might be a chicken and egg type problem. Perhaps the type of person who decides to major in physics or math is also likely to score well on the LSAT.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That's part of it. But I think an even stronger factor is self-selection. Let's face it. Not all, or even most physics/math students will take the LSAT. In fact, probably only a tiny percentage of them do - those being the ones who are disproportionately likely to score well. Those physics/math students who are likely to do poorly on the LSAT probably won't even take the test at all. In contrast, a much higher percentage of certain majors (i.e. the "prelaw" major according to that website) are likely to take the LSAT. Heck, I would surmise that almost all of the "prelaw" majors would take the LSAT.</p>
<p>Math and physics are hard majors. The universe of those who choose to major in those subjects tends to be dominated by people with high IQs, hence the high LSAT scores. There aren't any majors that will really help in admissions. Given the emphasis on writing in law school, English is a good major in terms of preparation. Economics (especially micro economics) tends to instill some of the logical and analytical traits that are useful in law school.</p>
<p>I believe it is a combination of both smart people entering the major and the skills you learn in the major. You have to be somewhat smart to enter those fields so that is not a question. But I also believe the subjects such as math, physics, engineering, econ, etc provide a strong foundation in developing logic which is what the LSAT mainly is about.</p>
<p>
[quote]
math, physics, engineering, econ, etc provide a strong foundation in developing logic which is what the LSAT mainly is about.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>But of course the problem with those majors (especially the first 3) is that they are so difficult that you can easily hurt your GPA, and thus damage your chances of getting into a top school.</p>
<p>Sakky,</p>
<p>I do not deny that. That is one big drawback of course.</p>
<p>I'm just simply emphasizing that there is no point in developing a strong logical foundation, if you can't get into a top law school (or in extreme cases, not into ANY law school). Frankly, if I had to choose, I'd rather have a weak logical foundation and still get into a top law school, than have a strong foundation and not get into a top law school.</p>
<p>Well, I plan on going to law school but I'm majoring in fashion merchandising as an undergrad. I've been told that this is a vocational major and is frowned upon, but I wonder if I'm going to lack some essential logical foundation that people who majored in, say, english or something got that may come to hurt me later?</p>
<p>why fashion merchandising? law and that are pretty dissimilar and that major will def raise some eyebrows</p>
<p>Hmm, well I guess it's because I have a natural interest in the fashion industry and it seems like a complimentary major for my overall interests or what have you. But if it'll get in the way of law school I could easily study something else. I'm also interested in art history, do you think that would be a more impressive major?</p>
<p>yeah go for it</p>
<p>Do what you like. I did a quick search of attorneys on Martindale Hubbell and there are several attorneys listed with degrees from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Several joined very prestigious firms and one went on to Yale Law School - go for it. You could be the real life Elle Woods.</p>
<p>If you want to humanities in college, philosophy. Hard sciences, probably physics or chemistry (Janet Reno went to Harvard law w/ a chem degree).
Charles Nesson, a professor at Harvard law who features prominently in the case against W.R. Grace and Co. documented in 'A Civil Action' has a math undergraduate degree.</p>
<p>But I'll echo what many here are saying, that you should major in what interests you the most and what you think will get you the highest grades. Don't pick your major based upon whether or not it will get you into a certain law school.</p>