What do most pre-law students major in?

Most pre-law students major in subjects that build strong reading, writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills, with Political Science, History, English, Economics, and Philosophy being among the most common choices, alongside majors like Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Psychology. While there's no required major, these fields develop skills vital for law school and the LSAT.

What is the most popular pre-law major?

Political science is a very popular pre-law major because politics is heavily interrelated with legislation. The study of political behavior, government systems, and how the judicial system works are all very useful in law school.

What major do you take for pre-law?

You may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science, economics or business, or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse as art, music, science and mathematics, computer science, engineering, ...

What is the most common undergrad for law?

Top 10 Most Popular Undergraduate Majors for Prospective Law Students

1. Political Science. Percentage of Students Admitted: 74.0% ...
2. Economics. Percentage of Students Admitted: 78.2% ...
3. History. Percentage of Students Admitted: 79.1% ...
4. Philosophy. Percentage of Students Admitted: 75.5% ...
5. English. ...
6. Finance. ...
7. Arts & Humanities. ...
8. Psychology.

What major should I study if I want to be a lawyer?

Law school does not require a specific major but developing strong analytical and critical thinking skills will help you go far in the profession. Any major that requires research and writing will develop the muscles you need for writing legal memos and briefs.

Best Undergrad Major For Law School (and College Degree)

What do most law students major in?

Common Undergraduate Majors for Pre-Law Students

• Political Science. According to LSAC data, about 18% of law school applicants major in political science, making it the single most common major by over 10 percentage points. ...
• Psychology. ...
• Criminal Justice. ...
• English. ...
• Economics. ...
• History. ...
• Philosophy. ...
• Strategies for Choosing a Major.

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially partners in large firms, top corporate attorneys, and successful specialists in high-value areas like M&A or IP, while elite personal injury and criminal defense lawyers also reach these levels; however, this is not typical for all lawyers, as the median salary is significantly lower, with the top earners achieving this through experience, specialization, location, and strong business development. 

What major scores best on LSAT?

Top 5 College Majors by Average LSAT Score

• Physics/Math, 160.0.
• Economics, 157.4.
• Philosophy/Theology, 157.4.
• International Relations, 156.5.
• Engineering, 156.2.

Which field of law is most in demand?

3. Specialized Legal Careers (High-Demand Fields)

• Cyber Law Expert.
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Lawyer.
• Taxation Lawyer.
• Environmental Lawyer.
• International Business Law Expert.
• Arbitration & Mediation Specialist.

Is law school harder than med school?

Most people find medical school harder due to its intense memorization, faster pace (drinking from a firehose), higher stakes with lives on the line, and longer overall training including residency, while law school focuses more on critical reading, writing, and analysis, though it's also highly demanding and competitive. Medical school involves mastering vast scientific facts and clinical skills, whereas law school emphasizes interpreting complex texts and applying legal reasoning, often with fewer but high-stakes exams. 

How did Kim Kardashian become a lawyer?

But Kim Kardashian did not graduate from law school. Instead, she endeavored to complete the study requirements of California's Law Office Study Program (LOSP) to be eligible to take the California Bar. This is a process we at Esq. Apprentice call legal apprenticeship.

Is a pre-law major worth it?

Whether a pre-law major is "worth it" is debatable; it offers foundational legal concepts and skills but isn't required by law schools, which often prefer diverse majors, and can be less useful if you don't attend law school, making a strong major in another field (like STEM, history, or philosophy) or gaining relevant experience (like paralegal work) often a better path. 

Do law schools care what your undergrad major is?

In one word, NO. Law schools care about many things: your GPA, your LSAT, the story you tell, the obstacles you've overcome. But if there is one thing law school admissions committees care least about, it may be your major.

What major would pre-law fall under?

Being “pre-law” does not denote a student's major or program of study; instead, being pre-law identifies a student's educational goal. Many students are surprised to find out that there is no particular suggested major, nor are there any specific courses required for entrance to law school.

What is the easiest field to be a lawyer in?

The easiest law to practice often depends on an individual's skills, interests, and tolerance for stress. Still, many consider estate planning or family law among the more accessible areas due to relatively predictable case structures and lower litigation intensity.

Does a double major look good for law school?

Law schools don't have an official preference for a double major. The main advantage of a double major is the expanded knowledge and skills that come from this degree program. Law school admissions will generally consider the added commitment and hard work that comes with a double major.

Is $400 an hour a lot for a lawyer?

Yes, $400 an hour is a significant rate for a lawyer, but whether it's "a lot" depends heavily on the lawyer's experience, location (major city vs. rural), specialty (complex corporate vs. family law), firm size, and the case's complexity; it can be average for senior attorneys in big cities or very high for general practitioners, though some high-demand lawyers charge even more, while others charge less, making it crucial to assess value based on these factors. 

Is law likely to be replaced by AI?

No, AI won't completely "take over" law but will fundamentally transform it by automating routine tasks like research and document review, making lawyers more efficient, but human judgment, strategy, and nuanced understanding remain essential for complex legal work, meaning lawyers who embrace AI will thrive, while those who don't risk being left behind. AI serves as a powerful tool for analysis, drafting, and discovery, but the core of legal practice—interpreting context, developing novel arguments, and client guidance—still requires human expertise.
 

What is the wealthiest type of lawyer?

The richest types of lawyers are often specialists in high-stakes fields like Corporate Law, Intellectual Property (IP) & Patent Law, and Medical Malpractice/Personal Injury, especially those with science backgrounds or who handle massive litigation, with top earners often found in BigLaw or as successful plaintiffs' attorneys. While IP lawyers (especially patent attorneys with STEM degrees) command high fees for complex inventions, large corporate mergers, or complex personal injury settlements, overall wealth can also come from strategic business investments or big-ticket litigation.
 

What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
 

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

No, Kim Kardashian did not take the LSAT because she pursued a law apprenticeship (like the California Law Office Study Program) instead of traditional law school, but she has faced setbacks passing the actual California Bar Exam, failing her first attempt in July 2025, though she remains determined to pass. She previously passed the "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Examination) on her fourth attempt in 2021 after multiple failures. 

What LSAT score will get you a full ride?

To get a full law school scholarship, you generally need an exceptional LSAT score, often in the 170+ range, especially for top schools, though a score around 166+ significantly boosts your chances at many programs, with higher scores (173+) making you a very strong candidate for full rides at many schools, even lower-ranked ones. The specific score depends heavily on the school's median and your GPA, but exceeding the median LSAT score is key to significant merit aid. 

What is the lowest paid lawyer?

Low salary for lawyers

The starting wage for an average annual salary for public defenders is $59,700, according to the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) 2022 Public Service Attorney Salary Report. Whereas, lawyers working in civil legal services start out at $57,500 per year.

How old is the youngest lawyer?

The youngest lawyer is likely Sophia Park, who passed the California bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother's record and becoming the youngest in California history, with her official swearing-in as an attorney scheduled for March 2025 after turning 18. She began law school at 13, accelerating her education to achieve this milestone, and plans to work as a prosecutor in the Tulare County District Attorney's Office alongside her brother. 

How difficult is law school?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.