探花楼

There is no single pre-law major, and that is by design. Law schools look for students who can think critically, write persuasively, and engage rigorously with complex problems — skills that can be developed through virtually any academic discipline. What matters most is sustained academic excellence and intentional development of these core competencies. 

Popular majors among pre-law students at 探花楼

The following majors are frequently chosen by 探花楼 students preparing for law school. Each offers a strong foundation, though success in law school does not depend on any single field of study.

• Political science (especially the legal studies emphasis) — includes constitutional law and law, politics, and public policy.
  • The political science major is the most common route for students to take when they know they might be interested in pursuing a legal education in the future. The courses in the major, both through their subject matter and their assignments, are specifically designed to introduce you to what you may encounter in law school and make you especially well-prepared. As an additional benefit, you will be working with faculty who all have a deep understanding of the law school admissions process, and who will be able to provide references on your behalf that anticipate what law school admissions committees are looking for.

Other majors do assist in building some of the relevant skills to help get you ready for law school. If you graduate with one of these majors, you can still be competitive and well-prepared for a legal education:

• History — builds documentary analysis, argumentation, and understanding of law and governance over time.
• English — develops close reading, written argumentation, and rhetorical analysis.
• Philosophy — particularly courses in logic, ethics, and political theory, which map directly onto LSAT content.
• Psychology — valuable for criminal law, family law, and legal psychology.
• Sociology — foundational for public interest law, civil rights work, and policy-oriented careers.
• Criminal Justice — foundational courses pertaining to the criminal justice system; valuable if you have an interest in the judicial system, corrections, social services, as well as law enforcement.
• Economics — research consistently shows economics majors among the highest LSAT scorers; the discipline builds quantitative reasoning, rigorous argumentation, and understanding of markets and regulation.

Highlight: the Political Science-legal studies emphasis

探花楼’s Political Science program offers a legal studies emphasis specifically suited to students interested in law school or law-related careers. Coursework includes various courses in constitutional law, law, politics, and public policy, and gender, identity, and the law, as well as related subjects that provide direct engagement with legal frameworks and analytical methods.

If you’re interested in majoring in political science with a legal studies emphasis, you are encouraged to reach out to your academic advisor or to Dr. Jennifer Danley-Scott (JDanleyScott@twu.edu), division head of political science. They will be happy to assist you with your questions and letting you know what steps you need to follow to declare your major in political science with an emphasis on legal studies.

Recommended courses across disciplines

Regardless of major, law school admissions guidance from programs nationwide consistently emphasizes the following types of courses as high-value preparation:

• Logic and critical thinking (Philosophy) — directly maps to LSAT Logical Reasoning
• Writing-intensive courses in any discipline — the single most important skill for law school
• Public speaking or oral communication — essential for courtroom and client work
• Research methods or statistics — develops analytical rigor
• Ethics and political philosophy — foundational for understanding the purpose and limits of law
• Constitutional law or other law-related courses (Political Science)
• Economics or accounting — helpful for business, corporate, regulatory, and tax law
• History (U.S.) — can provide context for understanding the development of U.S. law and institutions

What law schools value academically

Law schools are looking for a rigorous undergraduate education, not a specific set of courses. Specifically, admissions committees look for: solid knowledge of written English and demonstrated writing ability; courses that develop logical, systematic, and analytical reasoning; familiarity with human institutions and history; and a program of study that demonstrates genuine intellectual engagement rather than strategic course selection.

A note on GPA

Your undergraduate GPA is one of the two most heavily weighted numerical factors in law school admissions. Law schools consider both your cumulative GPA and grade trends. An upward trajectory after a difficult early semester is a positive signal. Speak with Dr. Van Erve about how to frame your academic record, and whether an addendum is appropriate.

Page last updated 10:56 AM, August 27, 2026