As an undergraduate, which is the best courseload I should go to become a lawyer?
484327
I think you should probably major in pre-law or criminal justice with a minor in psychology. I know at my college some of the psychology courses are required for pre-law majors. But before you make a definite decision you should probably schedule an appointment with the Dean or Chairperson of the law department, tell them what you would like to do, and ask their opinion on what type of courseload you should take. Hope this helps you out!!!!
557988
Political science, philosophy, history and English have been traditional "pre-law" majors, but these days law school admissions are much more competitive, so more and more students seeking law school admission are seeking to distinguish themselves by majoring (and excelling) in other disciplines.   \n\nArea studies are some great law-school preparation choices (South Asian studies, East Asian studies, Eastern-European studies, American studies, etc.), as are religious studies, anthropology, sociology, and interdisciplinary majors of various sorts. This is because many students see themselves in law firms with international scope, or in political or administrative positions after law school.  Becoming fluent in a language other than English, like Chinese, Russian, or Arabic is also a great way to distinguish oneself, and to prepare for the ability to function well in an increasingly multicultural business environment.\n\nLately, there's also been a surge in law school aspirants majoring in the sciences, like chemistry, engineering, and environmental sciences.  Folks who do this often have an eye toward eventually practicing patent law, environmental law, or corporate law with medical or scientific foci.\n\nThe best advice I can give you is this:\nFind a major you're passionate about.  That's the way to excel. If you do this, you'll gain critical thinking skills, polish your writing skills, and acquire expertise in an area of study.  THOSE are the qualifications all law schools look for.\n\nBest wishes!
196982
To be any kind of lawyer, you must first get your bachelors, then go to law school, another 3 years.  Then you can decide what kind of law to practice.
452570
you can major in anything at a 4 year undergraduate college, then it takes 3 years of law school to get your JD. After that you need to clerk for at least a year. so youre looking at quite a while before you actually start practicing law.
487414
check with your future law schools first, they can tell you what they're looking for.  if they say it doesn't matter, then major on what you plan to do with your law degree.  for example, if you plan to be an environmental lawyer, study environmental sciences.  if you plan to be a family attorney, psychology may be good.  it all depends on what you want to do and what the law school requires.  they may just want a criminal justice degree, who knows?  but find out from them first and go from there.
766798
Law school is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.  And I have a child that I birthed naturally.\n\nAnd after law school is the Bar exam.  Some states fail a higher percentage than they pass.\n\nIf you don't like to read, forget about it.\n\nOh, and unless that bs you're good at means Bachelor of Science, you might need a degree first.
1014713
They probably aren't answering because it is easy for you to find out on your own.  Go to some Law School web sites to find all of this information.  Check out US News & World Reports for a list of Law Schools and their rankings.\n\n1.  law school takes three years (in the US)\n\n2.  Yes, you can get in with a 3.0 gpa (though probably not to the very best schools).  I imagine you can get into a good one if your LSATs are high and you went to a decent undergraduate school.\n\n3.  Costs vary -- State schools are less expensive if you are a resident.  The top schools are probably over $30K per year.  Visit the school's web site to find out more.\n\n4.  At most schools you probably do not have to know a foreign language.
917788
From what I have heard, Becker is the best. It may be a little more expensive, but most firms either pay for all or some of the review courses. All of the Big Four use Becker.
570054
Being a lawyer is a long hard road.\n\nStart with a bachelors degree, preferably something related to the type of law you eventually want to practice. Then, after getting reasonably good grades and graduating, you take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).\n\nAfter you've taken the LSAT, you get to start applying to law schools. Once you are accepted, you get another three years of studying all the general fields of law. Remember that lawyers in the US have earned a Juris Doctorate, which is a post-graduate degree. \n\nAfter those additional three years of study, then the fun starts. The Bar exam. Imagine a comprehensive final exam covering everything you've learned in the core classes over three years. Two to three straight days of testing. Then you wait 3-4 months for your results.\n\nI graduated from law school a week ago, and am now studying for the California Bar. Over 1/3 of all the students in my entering class dropped out during law school. Of those that actually finished law school, almost half will likely not pass the bar their first time. That's California average.\n\nIt's a noble profession, despite the reputation that lawyers have gotten in the general public. But it's not an easy road, and not for the faint of heart. Good luck.
185131
One of the most growing fields is intellectual property.  However, in order to get a job most firms want you to have a bachelors in engineering or a natural science.  Property law and family law are both fields that should have a market no matter where you live.  Don't worry about what type of law you want to practice til you get there - you won't know enough about it until you actually start learning law.  I'm almost done with my first year, and I still have no clue!!  And you can always change fields later on in your career.  Good luck!
553548
Don't go to law school.  It is a waste of time, and it will be a living Hell waiting to find out if you passed the bar or not.  Mark my words.\n\nTHE ANSWER BELOW IS COMPLETE BS.  I'M SURE THEY "WAIVE TUITION FEES" IF YOU MAKE LESS THAN 60K.
566858
I didn't attend law school but the campus is beautiful and their academic programs are first rate.  Also, if you're not familiar with the city it is full of history.  It also has a top notch night life and is very beautiful.
181534
In the U.S., most law schools will tell you that you need a four-year degree from an accredited college or university, then most states require a juris doctor from an accredited law school before taking the bar exam. Law School is usually three years, but there are four year part-time programs as well. Each state's requirements are different.\n\nGo to college and get a degree in an field that interests you. Don't do Poli-Sci or Criminal Justice just because you want to be a lawyer, unless that is what you are really interested in. Then decide where you want to practice and determine what the requirements are for that area. Go to a law school that meets the requirements for the area, but choose the school that meets your needs. Harvard will get you a great paying job when you graduate, but most of us couldn't get in, state schools are generally pretty good, will get you average jobs and won't cost a fortune.\n\nCheck out the source link, it is the best source of info on law school.\n\nGood luck!
216751
Kaplan books are good, but I really suggest you take a classroom course.  I took kaplan's course and I improved 9 points.  Since you want to improve quite a bit, it would really help you to have in person training and assistance.  It's worth the money, because it will get you into a better law school and earn you much much more in the long run!!  I would call your local Kaplan center, they usually have 4 week crash courses available before each test, so you still have plenty of time!!! Good luck!!
220726
When you work on your bachelors, you may want to pursue a pre-law degree if your school offers it.  However, no particular degree is needed to go to law school, so pick something interesting.  Math, science, and engineering majors are in demand for law school because that background is needed to be an intellectual property attorney.  Admissions boards like to see unique degrees, a poli sci major is something that everyone has, so it is sometimes better to stand out.  Pick something you enjoy studying, because you may decide in a few years you don't want to go to law school, and you can use your BA for something else.\n\nWhen you go to law school, that's where you earn your JD (juris doctorate).  It's an additonal 3 years after your BA.  Study hard and start thinking about studying for your LSATs in your junior year.
365735
Continue to go to high school and make the BEST GRADES POSSIBLE! The better your grades, the better chance you have at free college money. Go to a four year university, talk to your counselors when the time comes. Tell them the career you want and they will set you up with courses to prepare you for law school. It's called pre-law. After you graduate from your first 4 years (which are your undergraduate years) you apply and go to law school...this is a graduate school. After you graduate you take the bar exam for your state and start at the bottom of the totem pole at a law firm. Right now you should start thinking about what KIND of attorney you want to be. Prosecutor, defense attorney, estate/will law, corporate law...and the list goes on and on. You could follow your dream anywhere from an innercity non profit organization (meaning you dont make much but it is working for a cause) to international business mergers which would require an insane amount of work but great money. This is what you need to think about right now. "I want to be an attorney" is a lot like saying "I want to go to college" there are soooo many options.\n\nYou also need to start thinking about how you're going to pay for college. Talk to your parents. If you get a job when you're 16 rememer that there will come a time in the not so distant future when you have to be an adult and maybe pay your own way. \n\nAlso talk to some local attorneys see if you can intern there during the summers. You will only be filing and maybe answering the phones...making coffee that sort of thing but it will give you a better  idea the law and what direction you want to go.
362484
In today's competitive environment, majors OTHER THAN the typical choices of political science and philosophy can make a law school candidate look appealing, especially if the major has something to do with the area of law in which the candidate hopes to specialize (as outlined in the engineering recommendation above).\n\nLaw school admissions committees are looking for evidence that the candidate can think critically, reason soundly, read closely, and write clearly.  Any major can provide these skills.  It is up to the candidate to distinguish him- or herself in some arena of undergraduate study. \n\nPersonally, these days, I'd recommend religious studies, anthropology, or a language associated major (like Eastern European or South Asian studies) as majors with potential, especially given the increasingly international scope of the legal profession.\n\nWhatever you choose for a major, just make sure you enjoy it.  Passionless study is tedious and painful, and will not enable you to distinguish yourself, because you'll just be forcing yourself to get through it.