PREPARING FOR LAW SCHOOL: Course Selection
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• There are no specific courses or a specific major required for law school. Major in a rigorous field in which you are interested and will do well. Law schools welcome majors in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.

• Since GPA is an important factor in law school admissions, challenge yourself but also take courses that allow you to show your strengths and excel.

• Writing is a crucial skill for law students and lawyers. Take writing intensive courses and take advantage of every opportunity to improve your writing skills.

• Courses in symbolic logic (offered by the philosophy department) can be helpful in preparing for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test); math can be useful as well. Look for courses that will strengthen your analytical and your critical thinking skills.

• The political science and economics departments offer courses in law (constitutional law, international law, business law, etc.) that may help you assess your interest in law. Note that the political science department and the urban studies department offer opportunities for internships relating to law and public policy.

• Law schools prefer that you take a wide range of undergraduate courses and receive a broad education rather than focus primarily on law courses.

• Pay attention to the variety and depth of your undergraduate coursework. Taking classes at increasingly difficult levels in a range of areas is a key component of an impressive transcript.

• In order to be admitted to the Patent Bar (lawyers who work in the very specialized area of obtaining patents), an undergraduate degree or other training in a scientific or technical area is required. If you know that you are interested in a specific area of legal practice, find out if lawyers in that area use knowledge from a particular field. Alumni mentors can be helpful here. 

• Be aware that LSDAS (Law School Data Assembly Service) calculates GPA according to its own criteria: LSDAS will consider a grade of NC (no credit) a failing grade. If you are really struggling with a course, seek help. Be aware that in terms of protecting your GPA, it is preferable to withdraw from a course early with a W than to receive a final grade of NC, D or F.

• If you are having trouble earning the grades that you want, ask for help. Go to professors’ office hours and find out how you should go about researching and writing that paper (this will also help you to get to know a professor whom you may later ask for a recommendation), seek tutoring, and speak with an academic advisor. Familiarize yourself with and take advantage of opportunities for academic support at Hunter, like the Center for Student Achievement.