Road to become a lawyer Forum

[JamesGilly]

So recently I've been taking a look at different colleges, and i've been looking at what I want to major in. I've known for a good year or two that I definitely want to pursue a career as a lawyer, and I want to know any steps that I can take that contribute to my success. Keep in mind I'm only 17, and I'll be applying to colleges next year.

Are there any particular majors that better prepare me for law school?

Should I major in something else where I could find a job in case law school doesn't work out?

Any tips & contributions will be appreciated, I know I am younger than most here but becoming a lawyer is a dream of mine.

[minnbills]

Well the first thing you should do is talk to family, friends, neighbors etc. who are lawyers- ask them what they think about the profession, what it's like to actually be a lawyer. If possible, see if you can shadow one at work for a day or two.

You have plenty of time, but you should also be wary of setting yourself down too narrow a path. That is, be open to other things when you go to college. You might major in history for example, and decide that you'd rather be a professor.

Keep in mind as well that law school can be really pricey, and it's no golden ticket.

But I would defnitely start with talking to attorneys, try to talk to people who've had varying experiences as well.

[MTal]

Don't go to college unless you major in accounting, math, or one of the hard sciences. (or music, but only if you are already an accomplished/genius musician). Everything else is pretty much a waste, moreso if you have to pay for it.

[JamesGilly]

Well the first thing you should do is talk to family, friends, neighbors etc. who are lawyers- ask them what they think about the profession, what it's like to actually be a lawyer. If possible, see if you can shadow one at work for a day or two.

You have plenty of time, but you should also be wary of setting yourself down too narrow a path. That is, be open to other things when you go to college. You might major in history for example, and decide that you'd rather be a professor.

Keep in mind as well that law school can be really pricey, and it's no golden ticket.

But I would defnitely start with talking to attorneys, try to talk to people who've had varying experiences as well.

Thanks haha, My best friend's dad is a lawyer and I will probably shadow him.

And I'll keep my mind open to new things, but being a lawyer seems like something I would want to do

Appreciate the help =)

[Richie Tenenbaum]

Be an engineer. It seems like you are set whatever you want to do after college. If you choose law school, go IP. If not, you still can at least get a decent job.

This advice only applies if you can get reasonably good grades as an engineer though so you don't ruin your chances at attending a good law school.

[Veyron]

Go to a state university on a full ride, take the easiest possible major, get a 4.0, spend all your free time studying for the LSAT from sophomore year on, ???, PROFIT!

[JamesGilly]

Don't go to college unless you major in accounting, math, or one of the hard sciences. (or music, but only if you are already an accomplished/genius musician). Everything else is pretty much a waste, moreso if you have to pay for it.

None of those subjects interest me, unless "hard science" includes medical school, in which case I have a slight interest. =\

[Richie Tenenbaum]

Go to a state university on a full ride, take the easiest possible major, get a 4.0, spend all your free time studying for the LSAT from sophomore year on, ???, PROFIT!

Yeah, if you are pretty committed to going to law school after graduation, just do this.

[IAFG]

Be an engineer. It seems like you are set whatever you want to do after college. If you choose law school, go IP. If not, you still can at least get a decent job.

This advice only applies if you can get reasonably good grades as an engineer though so you don't ruin your chances at attending a good law school.

engineering is full of win

[prezidentv8]

In before thread devolves into "ENGINEERING OR LIFEFAIL" (Edit: guess I'm not)

Generally, my advice goes like this:
Major in what you like and be really good at it. BUT make sure to learn something practical along the way that you can turn into a job later if need be.

[JamesGilly]

Be an engineer. It seems like you are set whatever you want to do after college. If you choose law school, go IP. If not, you still can at least get a decent job.

This advice only applies if you can get reasonably good grades as an engineer though so you don't ruin your chances at attending a good law school.

I was considering becoming a computer engineer, but my strengths aren't in other types of engineering. Math-intense subjects are the bane of my existence, though I do well in them.

Don't go to college unless you major in accounting, math, or one of the hard sciences. (or music, but only if you are already an accomplished/genius musician). Everything else is pretty much a waste, moreso if you have to pay for it.

None of those subjects interest me, unless "hard science" includes medical school, in which case I have a slight interest. =\

Do law schools not judge you based on your major as well? I mean if someone majors in something easy and gets a 4.0 won't they look at a person that has say a 3.75 and a harder major and give them priority?

[IAFG]

In before thread devolves into "ENGINEERING OR LIFEFAIL"

Generally, my advice goes like this:
Major in what you like and be really good at it. BUT make sure to learn something practical along the way that you can turn into a job later if need be.

be more specific w practical, i knew so many people in undergrad majoring in psych bc they thought it was practical

[JamesGilly]

In before thread devolves into "ENGINEERING OR LIFEFAIL" (Edit: guess I'm not)

Generally, my advice goes like this:
Major in what you like and be really good at it. BUT make sure to learn something practical along the way that you can turn into a job later if need be.

Thanks for the advice =)

I love English & History so I might major in one of the two. So many to choose from though ;D

[d34d9823]

Don't go to college unless you major in accounting, math, or one of the hard sciences. (or music, but only if you are already an accomplished/genius musician). Everything else is pretty much a waste, moreso if you have to pay for it.

None of those subjects interest me, unless "hard science" includes medical school, in which case I have a slight interest. =\

Don't listen to him, he's a notorious troll.

That said, he's right about sociology etc. being a largely useless degree.

I also think the engineering advice is bad if you are set on being a lawyer because GPA is crucial and engineering at most schools is much, much harder to get a high GPA in (both because the classes are harder and because they tend to grade to a very harsh curve).

I agree with the people who said to look into it carefully and choose a major you'd be happy with if you don't go to law school. And most importantly, get a 4.0 in college. That means more than your major for the LS admissions process.

[IAFG]

I also think the engineering advice is bad if you are set on being a lawyer because GPA is crucial and engineering at most schools is much, much harder to get a high GPA in (both because the classes are harder and because they tend to grade to a very harsh curve).

it's true that it will be harder to get into a more prestigious school (unless you choose engineering programs wisely) but the increase in hireability more than compensates for the admissions hindrance; and isn't the point of going to LS to get a job?

[Richie Tenenbaum]

Do law schools not judge you based on your major as well? I mean if someone majors in something easy and gets a 4.0 won't they look at a person that has say a 3.75 and a harder major and give them priority?
.

Major can play a small role, but it won't typically give you that much of a bump. 4.0 basket-weaving will be better off than 3.75 double major in mechanical engineering and computer science.

Choose major on based on practicality and interest. And then make sure you get the highest GPA you're capable of. At least I think that's the order in one's approach should be.

[JamesGilly]

Don't go to college unless you major in accounting, math, or one of the hard sciences. (or music, but only if you are already an accomplished/genius musician). Everything else is pretty much a waste, moreso if you have to pay for it.

None of those subjects interest me, unless "hard science" includes medical school, in which case I have a slight interest. =\

Don't listen to him, he's a notorious troll.

That said, he's right about sociology etc. being a largely useless degree.

I also think the engineering advice is bad if you are set on being a lawyer because GPA is crucial and engineering at most schools is much, much harder to get a high GPA in (both because the classes are harder and because they tend to grade to a very harsh curve).

I agree with the people who said to look into it carefully and choose a major you'd be happy with if you don't go to law school. And most importantly, get a 4.0 in college. That means more than your major for the LS admissions process.

Thanks - and yeah, at first I thought it'd be beneficial to major in something more difficult, but I want something to fall back on in case law school doesn't work out

[kalvano]

Major in philosophy. It will teach you to think and also, if law school doesn't work out, you'll make an awesome cooler.

[JamesGilly]

Another question - say you go to a decent undergrad school (in my case I'll be going to one of these 3)

Florida State University

University of South Florida

University of Central Florida


Since I won't be going to a prestigious undergrad school will that hurt my chances to go to a decent law school?

[Richie Tenenbaum]

Since I won't be going to a prestigious undergrad school will that hurt my chances to go to a decent law school?

No. While going to the VERY BEST schools can provide a bump, not going to Harvard or Princeton will not hurt your chances.

[JamesGilly]

Since I won't be going to a prestigious undergrad school will that hurt my chances to go to a decent law school?

No. While going to the VERY BEST schools can provide a bump, not going to Harvard or Princeton will not hurt your chances.

Haha that's good to hear

[Richie Tenenbaum]

Since I won't be going to a prestigious undergrad school will that hurt my chances to go to a decent law school?

No. While going to the VERY BEST schools can provide a bump, not going to Harvard or Princeton will not hurt your chances.

Haha that's good to hear

Right now your focus should be on making sure you get good grades as a freshmen, but make sure to have a lot of fun too. Try to shadow a few lawyers at work. See if any will answer some of your questions over lunch.

In all reality, it's probably way to early on to know for sure if law school is the best path for you. Investigate other things that interest you too. Try not to be too focused on one particular path right now, but don't do things that would limit some of those paths (i.e. bad grades).

[JamesGilly]

Since I won't be going to a prestigious undergrad school will that hurt my chances to go to a decent law school?

No. While going to the VERY BEST schools can provide a bump, not going to Harvard or Princeton will not hurt your chances.

Haha that's good to hear

Right now your focus should be on making sure you get good grades as a freshmen, but make sure to have a lot of fun too. Try to shadow a few lawyers at work. See if any will answer some of your questions over lunch.

In all reality, it's probably way to early on to know for sure if law school is the best path for you. Investigate other things that interest you too. Try not to be too focused on one particular path right now, but don't do things that would limit some of those paths (i.e. bad grades).

I'll always keep an open mind I just feel like my strengths & interests point to lawyer as being a great profession for me. We'll see though

Appreciate the advice =)

[Veyron]

Another question - say you go to a decent undergrad school (in my case I'll be going to one of these 3)

Florida State University

University of South Florida

University of Central Florida


Since I won't be going to a prestigious undergrad school will that hurt my chances to go to a decent law school?

Depends on the school. Some, like Penn, give a slight boost for schools like the Ivys, Northwestern, Berk, Georgetown, Duke, Chicago, MIT, Caltech, etc. Again, 4.0 at State U > 3.8 at any of these for admissions purposes. Do keep in mind that attending a less prestigious undergrad will make your LSAT score correspondingly more important.

[romothesavior]

Trade school.