[blindlaw] few questions about college

[Derek Manners]

Economics, philosophy, and political science are the three most common majors/people with those majors do the best in law school. Not sure if it based on correlation or causation but I think those fields do cause you to think about the world in a logical way which is helpful for law schools. 

Also, if you can tell us why you want to be a lawyer, majors and areas of law that might interest you will be easier to give advice about. 

However, I'd push back on the challenging classes theme others have mentioned. Law schools basically only look at your GPA, where you went to undergrad, and your LSAT score. That isn't to say that you can't get in based on other factors. But if you don't want a mountain of debt and want a school to offer you a scholarship, those are the three keys to getting one. 

So protect your GPA at all costs while still taking classes that aren't completely useless. 

Also, when the time comes 4 years from now to take the LSAT, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend getting in a small group prep course with either KAPLAN or Princeton Review.  

Best
Derek

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 5, 2014, at 11:11 AM, Michael Nowicki via blindlaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi, Jorge,
> 
> My name is Michal, and I am currently applying to law schools in Illinois
> and California.  Based on my research, law schools don't require specific
> courses or college major, though prestigious universities do prefer to admit
> students who demonstrate that they are willing to step outside their comfort
> zone.  For that reason, I strongly encourage you to take as many
> intellectually challenging courses as possible instead of taking the easy
> way out in order to protect your GPA.
> 
> As far as choosing a major, I suggest that you select a degree that is
> related to the area of law in which you intend to practice.  For example, if
> you decide to specialize in constitutional law, then a major in Political
> science will probably prepare you best for law school.  If, however, you
> want to pursue a career in international law, then consider getting a
> bachelors degree in international relations or in a foreign language, and if
> you are thinking of becoming a criminal prosecutor or defense attorney, then
> you may want to major in criminal justice. I suggest that you look at the
> course offerings of some law schools to get a better understanding of the
> many subdivisions within the legal profession.
> 
> Regarding the LSAT, test scores are valid for five years, but you should
> take the LSAT during your senior year in college or after you graduate (if
> you decide to take time off between college and law school).  That way you
> will be better prepared because as you move through college, you will
> acquire many of the skills the LSAT tests.
> 
> I hope this helps.
> 
> Michal
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jorge Paez
> via blindlaw
> Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2014 10:44 PM
> To: Blind Law Mailing List
> Subject: [blindlaw] few questions about college
> 
> Hi all:
> So, I'm going to college next year and wish to go into law.
> There's just 2 questions I was wondering.
> First of all, any place I can get a rundown of the subdivisions in law?
> I know you can study IntellectualProperty, Chriminal, and Civil law, but any
> others, and is there a place where I can find that kind of list?
> Also, I'm just entering college as a freshmen next year.
> First of all, is there such a thing as a pre-law trac the way there is
> pre-med in some colleges?
> If not, what would be the most useful major?
> And regarding the LSAT, when should I take it?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jorge
> 
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