<p>My sister would like to get into law and needs to know several things:</p>
<p>1) what is the best undergraduate program for someone who wants to become a politician/lawyer and deal primarily with us affairs rather than foreign affairs?
-she has considered political sciences. is that good? she has not idea what she is picking</p>
<p>2) how do you rank the program you said above? are there lists? do you judge it by their PhD program?</p>
<p>3) what do these schools look for? like for biology, schools want to see ap chem, ap bio, and good math, etc. what do undergraduate programs look for in the program you said above? foreign languages? english? history? latin/greek?</p>
<p>I’ve hesitated to reply but there are many issues with your sister’s situation.</p>
<p>It’s a classic “cart before the horse” scenario. She wants to be a politician/lawyer working for the fuzzy area of “US affairs” but has no idea what skills are essential to being successful in eventual Law School. This is one of those situations where movies/TV have misinformed her about what these people do.</p>
<p>I’ll bet she doesn’t even know what a “politician” does.</p>
<p>Direct your sister to become involved in local community efforts. See what is being done on the ground – to overcome real & everyday challenges. Be they providing for the needy or elderly. Perhaps sitting on a committee to develop policies.</p>
<p>Have her TALK to an actual law school grad (about 1/3 or more never move onto passing any BAR exams – many grads of lesser law schools NEVER practice law and are forced into employment elsewhere) or a politician. Have her unplug her TV.</p>
<p>She has been working with our local congress woman, Rosa DeLauro and has met with Nancy Pelosi three times to discuss careers in politics. She has also won about 15 local competitions and contests for political sciences essays and was on our local tv station to give a brief talk on the pros and cons of obamacare. Next time at least try to give a good response rather than sitting at your computer all day. Maybe you should unplug it.</p>
<p>It would seem she has done a pretty good job looking for opportunities and what she needs help do to obtain them. Honestly, the idea of pre-law programs were made more for financial sense than anything. You don’t need any one kind of major or program to go to law school. Business, Economics, history, English, math, practically anything - so long as it is a bachelor’s degree, will be good enough to qualify for law school. Are there certain programs or schools that will help you get into a top law school? Yes, and for that I would consult the many rankings of top feeder schools - Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford would be among them. </p>
<p>But before I end, I’d just like to mention my surprise at the fact that, despite having done quite a bit in the political realm already, your sister has yet to realize that there is no set path in politics. Really, there isn’t. Going to law school may be as disqualifying as it could be qualifying. Business School might be fine too - it was for George W. Bush. Politics is a chance most take halfway in their current career after carefully analyzing the ground situation, the mood of the electorate, and where oneself stands amidst all that is going on (local reputation, past, current occupation, and political position).</p>
<p>The thing about pre-law is that there is no such thing. You can major in anything in undergrad; Law school admission is mainly based on LSAT, the undergrad university you attended, and the grades you received. I would suggest that she major in something that is actually useful in undergrad rather than political science, because poli sci will in no way offer her any advantage to Law school admission. And getting into politics is completely about networking. It’s knowing the right people, in the right ways, and the right time. The best way to get into politics is go to an elite school (HYPS) and be very very social, or very very tenacious.</p>
<p>Lyndon B. Johnson went to Southwest Texas State Teachers College, Richard Nixon went to Whittier College, Gerald Ford went to the University of Michigan, Jimmy Carter went to Georgia Southwestern State University, Ronald Reagan went to Eureka College, Barack Obama started at Occidental College. There is much more to success in politics (and business) that the schools that CCers all drool over.</p>
<p>I am a licensed attorney in NY and FL. Here’s my heartfelt advice after 25 years of practice: The best thing for you to do is follow what you’re passionate about. Focus on an academic area (major) you love and want to devote your future to. Then, work hard at doing well in your chosen program, connect to outside opportunities that enhance your knowledge in this particular area and as a member of society, and I think you’ll be ready for law school by the time you graduate from college. You can major in anything you want! You will have to take the LSAT, but that’s just another test you’ll have to prepare for. It has no real connection to law school. What’s important is to develop your analytical and critical thinking skills in college. Pick courses that will challenge you and grow you in these areas. If you do this, you’ll get into law school. You can do this! :)</p>
<p>I agree with snarlatron’s point generally, but it should be noted that while Jimmy Carter attended Georgia Southwestern State, he actually graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, and while Barack Obama started out (as snarlatron said) at Occidental, he graduated from Columbia.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Harry S Truman went to field artillery school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. (He was the last U.S. President who never earned a college degree.)</p>
<p>I agree that you don’t have to go to fancy college to be a politician, but it may help.</p>
<p>Oh…and now that I’ve posted in a thread I was previously staying away from, I’ll chime in that I’m appalled by the delltoshiba’s impertinence in post #3, but I *loved *katkatmouse’s post #4.</p>