Pre-law
What is pre-law?
Pre-law refers to any coursework that an undergraduate student undertakes in preparation for law school. Pre-law generally refers to a school program or a program of studies that will help a student get accepted and succeed in law school, including a legal related internship. Most schools do not offer a pre-law program.
What types of jobs do pre-law students take after graduation?
There are a variety of career paths available to pre-law students:
- Politician
- Lawyer
- Judge
- Legislative work
- Corporate Lawyer
- Professor
- Researcher
What degrees do pre-law students pursue?
Pre-law students may choose to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science, economics, criminal justice, or any other college major. If you are still interested in attending law school after graduation, you will need to take the LSAT exam and begin the admissions process for law school.
How much does a pre-law program cost?
School costs vary widely, depending on the type of school you choose and what type of program you are pursing. You can find average school costs in our compare colleges section.
How do I pay for pre-law undergraduate studies?
Whether you are paying for an undergraduate or graduate program, it’s important that you complete the FAFSA and review your financial aid options. You should start by trying to obtain college scholarships and college grants (free money) to pay for your pre-law program. Then use federal student loans, such as the Federal Stafford Loan. If free money and federal loans are not enough to pay for your pre-law program, you can begin to research private student loans to cover the remainder of your school costs.
What is the average entry-level salary for lawyers?
The average entry-level salary for all graduates with a law program in 2007 was $68,5001. The average significantly increases to $108,500 for those graduates hired into private law practices.
A pre-law student probably performs well in or enjoys the following subjects:
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- History
- English
A pre-law student generally possesses the following skill sets:
- Analytical thinking/problem solving
- Debate skills
- Reading skills
- Writing skills