It’s not uncommon for aspiring law students to seek out academic experiences that will provide them with a strong foundation for their future law school studies. Although there are no formal prerequisites for law school, there are certain undergrad (or even grad) college courses that are perfect for law school preparedness.
Check out these college classes to add to your schedule next semester—in addition to your LSAT prep course, of course!
College Classes For Law School
Philosophy: Critical Thinking and Ethics
Courses in philosophy, especially those focusing on logic, ethics, and moral philosophy, can be critical for law students. These classes teach critical thinking skills, the ability to analyze arguments, and a deep understanding of ethical theories, which are fundamental in legal reasoning and decision-making processes.
Political Science: Understanding Government and Law
Political science majors are often high on the list of LSAT test takers. Unsurprisingly, political science courses around constitutional law, civil rights, and public policy are particularly relevant for understanding the framework of the legal system.
After all, you can’t defend the law if you don’t have the political context in which laws are made and enforced, right?
History: Contextualizing Law
History courses offer perspectives on how legal systems have evolved. Understanding the historical context of law aids in comprehending current legal systems and their socio-political underpinnings. Courses in American history, legal history, or world civilizations can be particularly enlightening in this context.
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English and Communication: Articulation and Persuasion
What are two things you can be certain you’ll do as a lawyer? Read and write.
English and communication classes enhance reading comprehension, writing, and verbal skills, which are crucial for law students. Courses emphasizing persuasive writing, rhetoric, and critical reading develop abilities to construct and analyze arguments effectively – skills integral to legal practice and LSAT prep (Logical Reasoning, anyone?).
Economics: Analyzing Market Forces and Regulation
Are you planning on becoming the next Harvey Specter? Then don’t ignore economic or business college courses for law school.
A basic understanding of economics can benefit law students greatly, particularly those interested in corporate law, antitrust law, or regulatory affairs. Courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and business provide insights into market dynamics and the economic implications of legal decisions.
Sociology and Psychology: Human Behavior and Society
Sociology and psychology classes offer an understanding of human behavior and societal dynamics. This knowledge is valuable in family law, criminal law, and social justice, where legal decisions significantly impact individuals and communities.
Foreign Language: Cultural Competence and Global Perspective
Proficiency in a foreign language can be a significant asset in an increasingly globalized world. It opens doors to international law and fosters cultural competence, an essential skill for effectively interacting with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Public Speaking and Debate: Oral Advocacy Skills
What’s the third thing you can be certain you’ll do as a lawyer? Talk, and, in some cases, debate in a courtroom setting.
Courses in public speaking and debate hone oral advocacy skills. The ability to speak confidently and persuasively is critical in trials and negotiations. Participating in debate clubs or public speaking courses can provide practical experience in formulating and presenting arguments.
Legal Studies: An Introduction to the Law
While not required, taking a Law 101 class will help you get a taste of the legal world and help you decide if that’s the path you want to go down.
Introductory legal studies courses cover various topics such as the structure of the legal system, basic legal principles, and an overview of various fields of law. This course can provide a valuable foundation for understanding the more complex studies that will follow in law school.
Computer Science and Technology: The Future of Law
Understanding the role of technology in law is fundamental in our increasingly digital world. Computer science or information technology courses can provide insights into cybersecurity law, intellectual property, and the impact of emerging technologies on legal practices.
Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll need to defend a sentient AI program.
Don’t Pack Your Schedule With Random College Classes for Law School
Choosing the right college courses can help you prepare for the next phase in your journey. There are also college classes that can help you do better on the LSAT (maybe). However, you shouldn’t design your schedule to simply fit all these recommended classes in.
Try these tips to help you choose classes that will set you up for success in law school while thriving in undergrad.
- Develop Effective Communication Skills: Focus on developing skills in clear and effective writing and speaking. Engage in courses and activities on argumentation, rhetoric, presentational speaking, and logical reasoning. These skills are vital for success in law school and legal practice.
- Achieve Depth of Knowledge: While a diverse curriculum is beneficial, achieving depth in one or more fields of knowledge is equally important. Your major and minor could help you craft a focused and powerful personal statement.
- Cultivate a Critical Approach: Develop a critical approach to acquiring and applying knowledge across various fields, including literature, art, history, mathematics, and the sciences. This approach helps in developing analytical skills and a well-rounded perspective.
- Participate in Extracurricular Opportunities: Take advantage of opportunities like honors programs, internships, and student organizations related to law. These experiences can enhance your law school application and help you network.
- Maintain Academic Excellence: A strong, competitive GPA is necessary for law school admissions. A high GPA can sometimes “balance” a lower LSAT score.
Don’t Forget Your LSAT Course
Your undergraduate transcript and GPA are two important factors in law school admissions. However, your LSAT score also holds significant weight in your applications.
Blueprint’s LSAT Prep Courses are designed to cater to different learning styles and schedules. With options ranging from self-paced to live courses, our programs help students achieve an average score increase of 15 points. Get started today by creating a free Blueprint LSAT account to access tons of LSAT prep resources and create a custom study plan tailored to your needs.
