Best Pre Law Schools
Interested in going to one of the best pre law schools? With so many to choose from, it may be hard to decide which colleges will best prepare you for law school. The law profession is diverse and offers many opportunities for social impact and personal advancement. As such, choosing the best pre law colleges for you is an important decision.
In this article, we will share guidance on the top pre law schools, including the benefits of attending the best pre law schools. Additionally, we’ll provide many insights into key topics of pre law programs for undergraduates, including:
- An overview of the pre law track, including pre law requirements
- The best undergraduate majors for law school
- How to structure your undergraduate coursework in preparation for law school applications
- What to expect from pre law classes
- The best pre law schools in large states and among the Ivies
- How to choose from the best colleges for pre law majors
To start, let’s begin by decoding what we mean by pre law in an undergraduate context.
Is Pre Law a major?
No, pre law is not a college major. While many colleges may have a pre law program, it is not an official college major at most schools. This is because there are no specific courses required to apply to law school.
Rather, pre law refers to the educational goal of applying to law school. As such, pre law programs for undergraduates can vary greatly from school to school. Pre law programs can include any combination of the following forms of support:
- Mentorship and advising on pre law requirements
- Resources for applying to law school, such as Law School Admission Test (LSAT) prep tools
- Law school admissions coaching
- Extracurricular or alumni organizations
- Internship opportunities
- Access to the school’s graduate law school (if the school has one)
The best pre law schools will offer many, if not all, of these supports. When choosing which of the top pre law schools to apply to, consider which resources are most important to you.
Is there an undergraduate degree for law?
Some students who are very interested in law wonder if there is an undergraduate degree in law. While undergraduate degrees in law aren’t common, there are some schools that offer a bachelor’s degree in law, such as the University of Arizona Online, Golden Gate University Online, and Liberty University.
These BA in Law programs are designed to help you learn how to think like a lawyer. Even though you will still need to attend law school and complete your state’s bar exam to become a lawyer, these programs can help you prepare for a variety of careers beyond being a lawyer, such as jobs in criminal justice, foreign affairs, or advocacy.
Other schools offer bachelor’s degrees in Legal Support or Legal Studies. These pre law programs for undergraduates exist at schools such as Purdue, Berkeley, and Belmont. They can prepare you for roles at law firms, corporations, or government agencies where you may write legal briefs and documents under the supervision of a lawyer.
What do Pre Law students major in?
Since pre law is not a major in most schools, pre law students may choose any major. Indeed, the American Bar Association says that the best undergraduate majors for law schools are ones that you are most passionate about and which prepare you with critical thinking, research, and writing skills. Here are some of the best undergraduate majors for law school, according to Forbes:
Majors for Pre Law Students
History
At the top of our list of best undergraduate majors for law school is history. In studying history, you will explore the evolution of cultures and civilizations, understanding the implications of important historical events to make sense of modern social issues. History majors develop strong reading, writing, research, and critical thinking skills, as well as the awareness of different cultures which can be helpful in any law profession.
Economics
Coming in second on the list of majors with the highest acceptance rates to law school is economics. As an economics major, you will study social systems through the lens of its markets, understanding how different factors affect human financial behavior. Economics majors develop sharp logical reasoning skills which can help in law school. An economics major would also be well prepared to practice corporate or tax law.
English
The third on our list of best undergraduate majors for law school is English. English majors focus on comprehending and analyzing literature. By majoring in English, you will develop the reading, writing, and other critical thinking skills necessary to flourish in law school.
Philosophy
Number four on the list of majors with highest acceptance rates to law school is philosophy. Philosophy majors focus on understanding and developing arguments about ethics and morality. In doing so, they develop the critical reasoning skills needed to understand and critique laws.
Political Science
For those who are interested in government, public policies, and political behavior, political science may be the best major. Since the study of political science directly relates to many different fields of law, it is often described as one of the best undergraduate majors for law school.
Finance
While some may not associate finance with the best undergraduate majors for law school, the major’s emphasis on business economics can help future lawyers specialize in corporate law. Additionally, finance majors develop strong quantitative reasoning skills, a valuable law school skill.
Arts and Humanities
A broad umbrella for several different majors including music, social sciences, religion, and theater, arts and humanities majors are among the majors with the highest acceptance rates to law school. By studying the arts and humanities, students are prepared with the critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills needed to be successful in law school.
Communications
Number eight amongst majors with highest acceptance rates to law school is communications. Communications majors study a variety of topics, including public speaking, marketing, journalism, and writing. Strong communication skills can help future lawyers express arguments and work with clients of all different backgrounds.
Psychology
While many psychology majors go on to become psychologists or other mental health professionals, a good number also apply to law school. As a psychology major, you will study the science of human behavior. Understanding psychology can greatly aid in understanding different stakeholders in a courtroom, including juries, clients, and judges. This is why psychology is one of the majors with the highest acceptance rates to law school.
Sociology
Tenth on our list of majors with highest acceptance rates to law school is sociology. Sociology is the study of social dynamics and relations. As a sociology major, you will learn how people from all different backgrounds in modern society think and behave, a skill which will serve you well as a lawyer.
Business Administration
As a business administration major, you can expect to learn about how businesses are run from a variety of lenses. In developing these skills, you can work in corporate law, real estate law, tax law, or intellectual property law.
Criminal Justice
For future law students hoping to become defense attorneys, criminal justice may be the right major. As a criminal justice major, you will understand how societies prosecute crime, a topic which can aid in defending clients later as a lawyer.
While these are the majors with highest acceptance rates to law school, the truth is that any major can help students gain entry to the best pre law schools. More important than what you major in are the skills you learn. Consider researching what skills pre law majors need and ensure that you seek out opportunities to gain those skills both within and beyond the classroom.
What to expect as a Pre Law major?
As previously discussed, pre law is not a major at most schools. However, you can be enrolled in a pre law program, which means that you will be supported by the school to complete pre law requirements.
Each school’s support will look different. For example, pre law is a concentration at University of Indianapolis, where students are given a curriculum guide and access to the pre law Student Association where they can talk to law school representatives. At Colgate University, pre law students can benefit from an annual pre law panel, personalized advising, and access to the Colgate Lawyer’s Association which includes alumni who went on to become lawyers. Lastly, at Santa Clara University, you can expect help developing an LSAT study plan or signing up for electives that will help you explore the law as an undergraduate.
Pre Law Requirements
In general, pre law programs don’t have specific requirements. This means that when applying, there are no additional admission requirements outside the normal first-year applicant requirements. However, a pre law program may have recommended courses that you should certainly consider taking, especially if you are planning to apply to law school.
Still, these courses are not required to get into even the best law schools. For the most part, the only requirements for entering law school are an undergraduate degree and qualifying LSAT scores.
What are the Pre Law courses?
While there are no specific courses that are part of pre law requirements, some courses are recommended for pre law students. Pre law courses will vary by school. However, you should plan to take courses in business, communications, English, and political science, along with any required courses for your intended major.
If you have a particular passion that coincides with your interest in the law, there may be classes that align with those interests. For example, Santa Clara University provides students with a list of pre law emphasis programs and courses, such as Bioethics and the Law or Gender and the Law in the US.
Additionally, this list of representative courses from Loyola Marymount University includes courses such as Asian Pacific Americans and the American Law or United States Constitutional Law. Taking these courses can help you explore topics of interest that might guide the type of law you hope to practice in your future.
Can you go to Law School with any degree?
Yes, you can go to law school with any degree. While the most common ones might be a bachelor’s in political science or history, even engineering majors are admitted to law school.
While taking courses related to law as an undergraduate may further inspire your interests and help you discover why you really want to attend law school, they won’t necessarily help you get into law school. Rather, focus on choosing a major that you are passionate about, as this will help you excel academically.
Additionally, consider choosing a major that helps you develop important law skills or context. For example, if you want to develop strong writing skills you might want to major in English. If you want to learn more about how the economy works so you can work in corporate law, consider majoring in economics. Truly, you can get into law school with any degree, provided you have a strong law school application.
How do they determine the best Pre Law schools?
Since many schools do not offer formal pre law tracks, determining the best pre law schools can be challenging. One good indicator of the best pre law schools is their law school acceptance rate. For example, Colgate University boasts that 85% of all Colgate applicants earned acceptance to law school, including 93% of graduating seniors. Their graduates went on to some of the best law schools, such as Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia.
Additionally, institutions with high-ranking law schools might also be considered a good choice for pre law. This is especially true if they offer opportunities for their students to take advantage of these resources during their undergraduate studies. There is no definitive list of best pre law schools, as this will depend on what your personal needs and goals are.
What are the top ranked Pre Law schools?
For our list of top pre law schools, we focused on how likely students are to be admitted to law school upon graduation, as well as the resources provided by their pre law programs for undergraduates. Without further ado, here are the best pre law schools:
Top Pre Law Schools
1. Yale University
At the very top of our list of best pre law schools is Yale University. Yale undergrads benefit from their association with Yale Law School, one of the best law schools in the nation, according to U.S. News. In addition, Yale Law School sponsors the Launchpad Scholars program, an initiative to help underrepresented students apply to the law school of their choice.
2. Harvard University
In second place on our list of top pre law schools is Harvard. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is one of the best pre law colleges, but not just for its famous reputation. Harvard’s pre law supports include pre law mentors and dedicated tutors which help students prepare for the LSAT. Harvard also has several pre law programs dedicated to helping high school and college students from underrepresented backgrounds explore the law field.
3. Stanford University
The third school on our list of best pre law schools is Stanford University. Located in sunny Stanford, California, Stanford’s pre law program includes in-depth advising and access to Stanford Law School events. Stanford Law School is tied for #1 best law school in the nation.
4. Columbia University
The first New York City school on our list of top pre law schools is Columbia University. Columbia’s pre law resources include access to the Pre Law Society where students can talk with attorneys and law students. Additionally, the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review gives students the valuable opportunity to publish work on law-related topics, which certainly helps boost their law school applications.
5. University of Chicago
Number five on our list of best pre law schools is the University of Chicago. Located on the south side of Chicago, UChicago pre law students benefit from the Careers in Law program. The program offers students one-on-one advising, workshops, panels, treks, internships, and application support.
6. New York University
The second New York City school on our list of best pre law schools in USA is New York University. NYU’s pre law students benefit from Lunch with a Lawyer and Lawyer Alumni Mentor programs, as well as the opportunity to apply to the Chesler Pre Law Scholarship.
7. University of California, Berkeley
On the west coast you will find number seven on our list of best pre law colleges. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California. Berkeley’s Career Engagement Center connects students with resources for exploring the legal field as well as acing critical parts of their law school applications such as letters of recommendation. The center also offers fee waivers for taking the LSAT.
8. University of Michigan
Eighth on our list of best pre law schools is the University of Michigan, situated in Ann Arbor. UMichigan’s Newnan Academic Advising Center offers drop-in advising for pre law students to help them explore, prepare for, apply to, and evaluate their law school options.
9. Duke University
Number nine amongst our best pre law colleges is Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Students benefit from access to the Bench and Bar Pre Law Society and the Black Pre Law Society. Additionally, Duke Law School offers the Duke Pre Law Fellowship to help rising sophomores and juniors explore the law profession.
10. Northwestern University
Just outside of Chicago is Northwestern University, the tenth school on our list of best pre law schools. Northwestern is one of the rare schools that offers pre law majors in legal studies to help students explore legal topics as undergraduates. The school also offers a Chicago Field Studies law internship to help undergraduates gain experience in the legal profession.
11. Princeton University
Next on our list of best pre law schools is Princeton University. Princeton’s pre law supports include an extensive guide to applying to law school and a database of information about Princeton grads who applied to law school previously. The school is located in Princeton, New Jersey.
12. University of Pennsylvania
Another excellent option amongst pre law colleges is the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. UPenn’s career services website is chock-full of resources and statistics to help students ace the law school application process.
13. Georgetown University
Next on the list of best pre law schools is Georgetown University, located in Washington, DC. Georgetown pre law students benefit massively from the school’s Early Assurance Program, which gives Georgetown juniors the opportunity to lock in early admission to Georgetown Law School.
14. Dartmouth College
Another option on our list of best pre law schools in USA is Dartmouth College. Dartmouth is in Hanover, New Hampshire. The school’s Center for Professional Development offers several pre law resources, including an application guide, LSAT and GRE test prep resources, and events to meet law school admissions officers.
15. Brown University
The final name on our list of best pre law schools in USA is Brown University. Brown’s pre law program includes advising and a weekly newsletter which highlights internships and seminars related to law.
Now that we have explored the best pre law schools around the nation, we will focus our discussion on the best pre law schools in popular states.
Best Pre Law Schools in California
For students interested in studying pre law in California, there are many great options. Here are our top three best pre law schools in California:
Top Californian Pre Law Schools
University of Southern California
The top choice for best pre law schools in California is the University of Southern California, located in Los Angeles. USC’s pre law resources include regular postings about events, internships, law school funding, and targeted resources for first-generation pre law students.
University of California, Los Angeles
Also in Los Angeles is the second on our list of top pre law schools in California – the University of California, Los Angeles. UCLA hosts a Get Your JD workshop series to help students educate themselves on law school applications.
University of California, San Diego
Our third and final choice for best pre law schools in California is the University of California, San Diego. UCSD offers a regular newsletter of pre law opportunities and resources, and the Political Science Department has a dedicated board of pre law advisors available to aid students.
Best pre law Schools in New York
Hoping to attend one of the best pre law schools in New York? Here are a few top schools to consider:
Top New York Pre Law Schools
Cornell University
Though located in the upstate city of Ithaca, New York, Cornell University’s pre law program offers a rigorous summer law experience in New York City. Students take a three-week course followed by a three-week internship placement.
Fordham University
With two campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, New York City, Fordham University is one of the best pre law schools in New York. Fordham’s 3+3 program offers undergrads the rare opportunity to combine their undergraduate education with a law school degree granted by Fordham Law School. Students apply in their junior year to Fordham Law School and must meet rigorous GPA and coursework requirements.
Yeshiva University
The final school on our list of best pre law schools in New York is Yeshiva University. Situated in upper Manhattan, Yeshiva has a Judicial Internship Program which allows students to intern with state judges in New York and New Jersey.
Best Pre Law Schools in Texas
If you are from Texas or hoping to attend school there, here are the best pre law schools in Texas:
Top Texan Pre Law Schools
Texas A&M University
Our top choice for best pre law schools in Texas is Texas A&M University in College Station. The school offers several specialty pre law programs, including a business administration management major with a pre law focus and a philosophy major with pre law certificate. Philosophy majors also have the option to apply early to Texas A&M’s Law School.
The University of Texas at Austin
Another one of the top pre law schools in Texas is the University of Texas at Austin, which offers regular pre law events and a slew of preparatory resources. The school boasts that graduates are regularly accepted to schools in the top law school tiers and that over 115 law schools are actively recruiting on campus.
Southern Methodist University
Situated in Dallas, Texas is Southern Methodist University, the final school on our list of best pre law schools in Texas. Uniquely, SMU selects 40 undergraduates each year to join its pre law Scholars Program, which offers conditional admission to the SMU Dedman School of Law.
What Ivy League School has the best Pre Law?
Of the Ivy League schools, Yale University is one of the best pre law schools. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale offers students an abundance of resources including help choosing and applying to law school and financing their law education.
Additionally, Yale undergraduates have higher admissions rates to Yale Law School, which is at the top of all law school tiers. 99% of Yale Law School graduates are placed in jobs within 10 months of graduation, an outstanding success rate to consider as you explore pre law colleges.
More Pre Law schools to consider
Luckily, there are many top pre law colleges across the U.S. Here are some of the best colleges to be pre law outside of New York, California, and Texas:
More Top Pre Law Schools
Washington University in St. Louis
Another amazing option amongst pre law colleges is Washington University in St. Louis. WashU has numerous pre law advisors ready to give students pre law guidance at each year of their undergraduate education.
Amherst College
Second on our list of great pre law colleges is Amherst College. A top-ranked liberal arts college in Massachusetts, Amherst has a unique Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought major. Regardless of your major, Amherst’s pre law supports are robust, including LSAT waivers, application guidance, and help preparing for law school.
Swarthmore College
Another one of the best colleges for pre law students is Swarthmore, located in Pennsylvania. In addition to offering a rigorous liberal arts education that prepares graduates with the critical thinking, reading, and writing skills needed to excel in law school, Swarthmore students have access to a pre law guide and advisor.
Williams College
Located in the beautiful Berkshires region of western Massachusetts, Williams College is a top liberal arts college. William’s graduates over the past three years have had a 71-85% law school acceptance rate.
Boston University
The final school on our list of best pre law colleges is Boston University. BU offers students clear guidance on their law application timelines and access to several extracurriculars, including the Diversity in Law Association and Mock Trial Organization.
How to choose the best Pre Law school for you?
With so many amazing pre law colleges to choose from, you might be wondering how to choose which schools to apply to. Remember that looking at rankings alone should not determine where you apply. Instead, consider critical factors like what percentage of graduates who apply to law school are admitted.
Secondly, prioritize factors that matter to you specifically. If you hope to attend a school that offers a pre law major so you can get early exposure to law concepts, consider a school like Tulane University which offers a BA in General Legal Studies. On the other hand, if you think that you may struggle with LSAT preparation, consider applying to schools that offer free LSAT prep support, such as the University of Texas at San Antonio. Or, if you want to get hands-on pre law experience, look for schools like the University of California, Santa Cruz which offer support finding internships.
Additionally, if you are planning to attend law school, factor the cost into your decision as you evaluate different law school tiers. Graduating from undergrad with minimal debt is a great way to set yourself up to take on the debt that comes with graduate studies.
Finally, remember to build a college list with a balance of reach, target, and safety schools. In doing so, you will almost guarantee that you have several excellent pre law colleges to choose from.
Best Pre Law Schools – Final Takeaways
In this article, we shared several lists of the best pre law colleges. These schools have been successful in graduating many students who then continue their education at the top law schools.
To assist you with building a list of pre law colleges, we shared information about what to major in as a pre law student. While pre law is not a college major, many students major in subjects that allow them to develop the core skills of a lawyer, such as critical thinking and writing. In addition, the best undergraduate majors for law school are the ones you are most passionate about.
We hope that as you explore pre law schools, you focus on finding options that will support you in your path towards fulfilling pre law requirements. And remember, as you embark on your pre law journey, CollegeAdvisor is always here to help you find and apply to the best pre law schools.
This article was written by senior advisor, Courtney Ng. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
