How are area studies majors viewed by Law Schools? Forum

[jmvargas]

I have this question because it's something that has been on my mind since I decided to apply to law school. I majored in Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) at UC Santa Cruz and obtained a GPA of 3.83. I suspect that area studies majors are seen as easy by some people. Some of my friends actually joked that a BA in LALS (or any other area studies) is akin to a degree in basket weaving! So, I wonder how many area studies majors get into law schools. i.e Asian, Chicano, AA, etc studies. I have yet to see any stats on this. Any feedback will be appreciated. And if you think that area studies are a joke please go easy.

[iShotFirst]

All they care about is GPA, and you have a great one. Good luck on your applications!

[OneKnight]

All they care about is GPA, and you have a great one. Good luck on your applications!

TITCR. You can get a boost for a ridiculously hard major, like biochemical engineering or nuclear physics, but easy majors don't go the other way (though grade inflation is accounted for to some degree).

[Vincent Vega]

I too majored in a field that is considered "easy" by most people, and admittedly my major is probably the easiest one at my school. I wasn't turned away by any schools I was considered a lock at, but I didn't really get into any reaches, either. I thought my econ minor (4.0) and honors program grades (3.9) would make up for my easy major, but I may have been wrong. The thing is, though, that I'll never know why specifically I got dinged where I did.

[OneKnight]

I too majored in a field that is considered "easy" by most people, and admittedly my major is probably the easiest one at my school. I wasn't turned away by any schools I was considered a lock at, but I didn't really get into any reaches, either. I thought my econ minor (4.0) and honors program grades (3.9) would make up for my easy major, but I may have been wrong. The thing is, though, that I'll never know why specifically I got dinged where I did.

Vincent, your GW WL is perplexing, to say the least, but that is one SICK scholly at IUB!

OP, I believe the median GPA at your degree granting institution matters more than your major. (Meaning you should take a look at what LSAC says your Cum. GPA %ile Rank is in your Academic Summary Report) If you're around 80th/90th percentile or above you should be fine.

[Vincent Vega]

I too majored in a field that is considered "easy" by most people, and admittedly my major is probably the easiest one at my school. I wasn't turned away by any schools I was considered a lock at, but I didn't really get into any reaches, either. I thought my econ minor (4.0) and honors program grades (3.9) would make up for my easy major, but I may have been wrong. The thing is, though, that I'll never know why specifically I got dinged where I did.

Vincent, your GW WL is perplexing, to say the least, but that is one SICK scholly at IUB!

Thanks! I'm pretty excited about it!