Does your undergraduate major matter? Forum

[jonjung710]

Hey guys, Im currently a media studies (similar to communication studies) at UC Berkeley. By the time i graduate, i expect at least a 3.75 gpa. Will my major negatively impact me because it is unversally known as an easy major? And I have the same question about Sociology. Is sociology also looked down upon because it is an easy major? My goal is a t-14 school and assuming that i get a good enough lsat score, will my major be the deciding factor?

[Mal]

Hey guys, Im currently a media studies (similar to communication studies) at UC Berkeley. By the time i graduate, i expect at least a 3.75 gpa. Will my major negatively impact me because it is unversally known as an easy major? And I have the same question about Sociology. Is sociology also looked down upon because it is an easy major? My goal is a t-14 school and assuming that i get a good enough lsat score, will my major be the deciding factor?

No, it won't. LSAT and UGPA are the deciding factor.

[merichard87]

Major only matters if you express an interest in patents within your application and you don't have a science background cuz you just look like an idiot. Major in whatever interests you.

[Bildungsroman]

Will my major negatively impact me because it is unversally known as an easy major?

No. Some people like to claim that certain majors (engineering, chemistry, physics, classics, etc. pretty much whatever that person majored in and is now all high and mighty about) are weighted better than others by adcomms. Those people are incorrect.

[jonjung710]

oh wow! you guys are so helpful (and quick to reply )haha. hmmm so basically one can get a 4.0 with a major in Communications and get picked over a 3.8 philosophy major? cool beans lol

[Tofu]

oh wow! you guys are so helpful (and quick to reply )haha. hmmm so basically one can get a 4.0 with a major in Communications and get picked over a 3.8 philosophy major? cool beans lol

engineering, physics, chem, etc. can help. it really depends on what tier, though. having a high gpa in the previously mentioned majors would help for HYS, for instance

[chadwick218]

Will my major negatively impact me because it is unversally known as an easy major?

No. Some people like to claim that certain majors (engineering, chemistry, physics, classics, etc. pretty much whatever that person majored in and is now all high and mighty about) are weighted better than others by adcomms. Those people are incorrect.

i disagree especially w/r/t prospectives majoring in engineering, chemistry, physics at T25 undergraduate schools. adcoms are are often more willing to be much more forgiving with gpa. furthermore, law firms do seem to care more about undergraduate majors and undergraduate schools than many people on this site like to believe.

[jonjung710]

hmmm i understand that those hard sciences and math/engineering majors certainly can be to one's advantage, but what i am asking is if majors like Communications and Media Studies will HURT your chances.

[IAFG]

hmmm i understand that those hard sciences and math/engineering majors certainly can be to one's advantage, but what i am asking is if majors like Communications and Media Studies will HURT your chances.

no.

[jonjung710]

cool thnx for the replies guys!

[Weez]

Using the term "cool beans" will hurt your chances much more.

[cuzimcoollikethat]

How do adcoms feel about 2 majors and a minor? I've got majors in Film Studies and Psychology with a minor in English. I often hear people say that 3 majors makes one look as if they don't know what they're interested in and they're just trying to look intelligent. But is it the same for 2 majors and a minor? Even if said person has demonstrated an interest in Film by several internships?

[Cactus]

How do adcoms feel about 2 majors and a minor? I've got majors in Film Studies and Psychology with a minor in English. I often hear people say that 3 majors makes one look as if they don't know what they're interested in and they're just trying to look intelligent. But is it the same for 2 majors and a minor? Even if said person has demonstrated an interest in Film by several internships?

I'm no adcom, but my best guess is that they could care less either way. If you want to major in two areas of study, go for it. I'm currently double majoring, but the choice wasn't made as an attempt to impress adcoms. It was merely a personal decision because I wanted to learn more about economics and felt the need to seek more out of my undergraduate education.

[ArthurEdens]

It could be basket weaving for all they care. They only submit the GPA, not the major, for ranking purposes. It's ridiculous, but such is life.

Engineering and science majors have the advantage later, since they're the ones who can pursue patent law.

[amputatedbrain]

Hard science probably helps as a tie breaker. I bet all else being equal, an adcomm would pick a 3.7 Engineering major over a 3.7 communications major. But the 3.7 comm major will almost always beat the 3.3 Engineering, even though the 3.3 is probably much harder to get than the 3.7.

[jonjung710]

Using the term "cool beans" will hurt your chances much more.

hahaha ur right. please forget that i ever said that.

and thnx guys for the help

[jonjung710]

oh and just wondering, is there any proof that law schools don't care about your major? or is this just an obvious truth that is universally accepted? hehehe

[Dr. Strangelove]

I don't think it matters. None of these majors serve as prerequisites for a law school education.