One of the interesting things about law school is that anyone with a four-year degree can attend. There’s no specialized undergraduate training required for admission, and law schools end up with an eclectic grouping of all sorts of majors: English, History, Political Science, Engineering, Math, Business—the list could go on and on. Keep in mind, though, once you cross the threshold into law school you are expected to be responsible for your own education. In other words, don’t expect to receive explicit instructions on how to transfer your individual background in the context of your nascent legal education because that’s part of what you are supposed to figure out. In the midst of so much new stuff, it’s normal to end up feeling like you are lost at sea and disconnected from everything you thought you knew. But connections between your earlier education experiences and your new legal studies do exist, and you can use the knowledge and skills you already possess to achieve success in law school.
It might seem that some undergraduate disciplines offer significant advantages over others, at least as they relate to law school. I’ve often heard complaints that the political science majors have an edge because they understand the federal and state governmental systems really well. Or perhaps English majors have it made because they are used to reading and writing. The reality, though, is that each discipline has strengths, and each has weaknesses. I once taught an engineer who was worried about his writing course because he had not been required to write papers in undergrad. He ended up being one of the top students in the class, though, because his analytical mind knew just how to distill a complicated legal theory down to its essential core.
As a law student, you can ease your transition into legal studies by building on the inherent strengths of your undergraduate education and improving upon the intrinsic weaknesses. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of some undergraduate majors commonly found amongst law students:
Business Majors:
- Strengths: Experience with some legal concepts like contracts; knowledge of business practices; creation of practical solutions.
- Weaknesses: Less experience with expository writing; preference for clear answers
Engineering Majors:
- Strengths: Experience in problem-solving; linear/methodological thinking; logical/systematic thought processes
- Weaknesses: Less experience with expository writing; preference for clear answers
English Majors:
- Strengths: Experience with varied writing assignments; research experience; knowledge of citation systems.
- Weaknesses: Tendency toward wordiness; tendency to overinclude information
History Majors:
- Strengths: Knowledge of ancient legal systems; understanding of cultures and societies; research and writing experience
- Weaknesses: Little experience in analytical problem-solving; tendency to memorize facts and regurgitate information
Math Majors:
- Strengths: Experience in problem-solving; linear/methodological thinking; logical/systematic thought processes
- Weaknesses: Less experience with expository writing; preference for measurable outcomes
Political Science Majors:
- Strengths: Knowledge of the court system; familiarity with foundational documents (like the Constitution); experience with long reading and writing assignments
- Weaknesses: Little experience in analytical problem-solving; tendency to memorize facts and regurgitate information
Because our brains process and comprehend new and abstract information by relating it to existing knowledge and life experiences, finding connections between undergraduate and law school experiences is essential for success, especially in the first year. The above descriptions represent just the tip of the iceberg with regard to potential connections between law school and your past educational experiences. For more on this topic, check out Teri McMurtry-Chubb’s book, Legal Writing in the Disciplines. This book is especially helpful to students enrolled in legal writing, but its concepts easily relate to all law classes, making it an easy-to-follow guide for students who are interested in pushing their legal education to the next level.
*This guest blog post was authored by Elizabeth Megale, Associate Professor and Director of the Legal Skills & Professionalism Program, Savannah Law School.
Law School Success 