Selecting a Major

During the exploration process, students typically want to know what major they should choose to enhance their chances of getting in law school.  The simple answer is: there is NO preferred major.*  You should choose a major that interests you, not a subject you think is desired by law schools. By choosing a major that reflects your personal interests, you enhance the chances of getting good grades.  You will also have a degree that you can utilize should your plans for law school change.

Regardless of the major you ultimately choose, you should take rigorous courses from a variety of disciplines that require critical thinking andlogical reasoning.  You should also take courses to enhance your oral and written communication skills beyond the minimum requirements of your degree program.

At Montana State University, there is no Pre-Law major or minor.  It simply means you are considering attending law school.  There are no required majors or pre-requisite courses to apply to law school. However, do not assume that since individuals from a variety of academic backgrounds are admitted to law school that law school is right for everyone.   The study of law is intellectually demanding, detail oriented and technical and involves a specific set of analytical skills.  Although there are legal applications in nearly every subject area and facet of life, law school may not be the best or most logical path to achieve your professional and personal goals.

While law schools are not looking for specific majors, they are looking for a diverse group of students from different backgrounds, educational and life experiences. However,  law schools place the most weight on the applicant's GPA and the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) score.  Schools generally do consider other factors, such as the personal statement, letters of recommendation and extracurricular/volunteer activities.

*from The Pre-Law Committee of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar