Choosing a Major for Law School

Pre-law is a field of study that prepares students for admission to law school. There is no specific pre-law major or set of courses required for admission to law school, and there’s no official pre-law designation at Charlotte. If you want to stay up-to-date with pre-law programming, opportunities, and events, join the Pre-Law Email List.

Students with an interest in law can choose any major. When considering what to major in, look for

• a major that you enjoy
• a major that you can do well in (a high GPA is important for law school admissions and funding)
• a major that has multiple career options that you’re interested in (check out this resource to explore career options associated with each of Charlotte’s majors)

Other ways to approach choosing a major include exploring

• a major in an area related to law (criminal justice, political science)
• a major related to an area of law you are interested in (for example, a business major for students interest in business law; an international studies, international business, or language major for students interested in immigration or international law; an engineering or science major for patent law)
• a major that provides opportunities to develop the critical thinking, writing, and research skills that are essential for success in law school (English, history, philosophy, economics, etc.)

Pre-law students should also get involved in extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership, commitment to public service, and interest in the law. These activities can include volunteering at a legal aid clinic, participating in mock trial, engaging with a pre-law student organization, or working as a legal assistant.

The admissions process for law school is highly competitive, so it is important for pre-law students to start planning early (often 2 years before planning to begin law school). You should take the LSAT, the standardized test required for admission to law school, and begin researching law schools that they are interested in attending. Here is an example timeline:

• Start law school: Fall 2028
• Submit applications: Fall 2027
• Work on applications (write statements, get references, order transcripts): Summer 2026
• Take LSAT (2nd time, if needed): Summer/Fall 2026
• Take LSAT (1st time): Spring/Summer 2026
• Study for LSAT: Fall 2025/Spring 2026

Pre-law can be a challenging but rewarding path. By taking the right courses, getting involved in extracurricular activities, and starting the admissions process early, pre-law students can increase the chance of success in law school and a career in law.