<p>Hey, I know there are a bunch of these threads already... </p>
<p>So I'm currently admitted as an undeclared - life sciences major. I'm either going to declare a life science major or switching completely to poli sci. I'm hoping to go to Columbia law and possibly become a patent lawyer or something similar. Anyways, is ucb or ucla a better choice for this? Thanks.</p>
<p>UCLA poli sci major is a joke…come to UCLA b/c u will get a high gpa with little effort and tons of free time to study for lsat and ECs</p>
<p>dont major in life sci if ure goin to law school</p>
<p>dance93,</p>
<p>Both schools are great, and you’ll do fine at either one: GPA and LSAT are the two most important factors for you with law school apps. I wouldn’t get too fixated on one law school, however, as admission to any of the t14 (especially highly ranked t14s) is extremely difficult.</p>
<p>Have you visited both campuses?</p>
<p>Can’t answer the main topic. Tangentially, my understanding is that for patent law a background in science or engineering is pretty important, so in the big picture (not just getting into law school but getting a job after) a life sciences major wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world if you’re sure you’re interested in patents.</p>
<p>I think futurefailure is right. In order to guarantee you avoid his username, I suggest you take his advice. Patent lawyers generally have majors in engineering and a law degree. It just greatly helps get you the best possible jobs out there. I’d personally would recommend you go to Cal for sure and try to get straight As (since obviously you’re going to want a high GPA that’s already a given) and finish every EECS prereq so Cal will let you switch majors into the engineering department and declare EECS. Get about a 3.9X with an EECS degree and you’re most definitely set not just for law school but pretty much for anything else that comes your way. You honestly can’t beat that set up, trust me.</p>
<p>You’re generally not going to find too many Intellectual Prop-Patent Law attys who attended prestigious L schools because their grades being in heavy-duty science classes as undergrads were probably pretty mediocre.</p>
<p>And the switch from engineering, say, to law is a very long journey, even if it is from one side of the brain to pretty much the other, so there is a natural-selection factor going. I knew of a science teacher trying to take the bar and he failed miserably numerous times…but he was a great chem teacher.</p>
<p>There are some firms that have many science-undergrad attys obviously because they specialize in IP, and for which you can find some through searches on google or martindale-hubble.</p>
<p>The good news is: There will always be a L school that will accept you unlike M school.</p>
<p>So go where you want, were you feel most comfortable. Enjoy the college ride - which means UCLA. ; )</p>
<p>UCLA also produces more attys according to CalBar</p>