Berkeley Pre-law
& Law
c a l i f o r n i a
What should I major in at Berkeley, if I want to Berkeley offers an excellent undergraduate education in a wide
attend law school?
There is no preferred undergraduate major for variety of majors that prepare you for entry into law school. Like most
students who intend to go to law school. To be a
lawyer, you will need the ability to read and write universities and colleges in the United States, Berkeley does not offer a
well, and to think critically and analytically.
major specifically called “pre-law” because law schools do not require
Law school admissions officers often say they
look for success in solid academic courses taken any specific major for admission. Most law schools require a bachelor’s
as part of a rigorous undergraduate program. To
prepare for law school, you should choose courses degree, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), strong letters of
o f
which develop your writing skills and which
stress the ability to reason logically, systematically recommendation, and a compelling personal statement for admission.
and analytically. The ability to speak effectively is
u n i v e r s i t y
important for both the law student and lawyer. In
addition, courses that provide a general under-
standing of business, economics, politics and Does UC Berkeley have a law school? into consideration, so attending Berkeley
social institutions will give you a valuable context Yes. Berkeley’s School of Law, Boalt Hall, is gen- is an advantage. An excessive number of
for the study of law. Most importantly, choose a erally considered one of the top ten law schools courses taken passed/not passed could work
major that you will enjoy. In all probability, the in the United States. Admission to Boalt is highly against you because law schools cannot
more you enjoy your major, the better you will competitive. For further information, visit its interpret your accomplishments accurately.
perform academically. website at law.berkeley.edu. Many law school admissions officers assume
that a GPA would be lower if all courses had
The most popular undergraduate majors of been taken for a grade.
Does Boalt Hall give special preference
students admitted to law schools are political to graduates of UC Berkeley? 2. Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The
science, economics, business administration,
While no special admission preference is given higher your score, the better. The current
history, English, and rhetoric. Most law schools
to graduates of UC Berkeley, the percentage of LSAT consists of three types of questions:
give equal admission consideration to all aca-
Berkeley applicants admitted to Boalt Hall is quite reading comprehension to measure the abil-
demic disciplines because lawyers are needed
high. Over the last four years, Boalt has been the ity to read with understanding and insight;
in a wide variety of areas. This goal requires
second most popular destination for Cal graduates. analytical reasoning to measure the ability to
students with diverse academic backgrounds,
(Hastings College of the Law is number one.) understand a structure of relationships and
but no matter what the field, all law students will
to draw conclusions about that structure;
need the skills mentioned above.
Do other University of California campuses and logical reasoning to evaluate the ability to
have law schools? understand, analyze, criticize, and com-
What if I’m uncertain about becoming a lawyer?
Yes, both the Davis and Los Angeles campuses plete a variety of arguments. The LSAT is
Your undergraduate years, particularly the first
have law schools. In addition, Hastings College given considerable weight, up to 50 percent
two, are a time of discovery and personal growth.
of the Law in San Francisco is affiliated with the (or even more) of the decision in the law
If you are considering going to law school, you
University of California. school selection process.
may wish to use some of this time to explore and
research the many facets of law, to investigate 3. Personal statement. This is an opportunity to
How successful are graduates of Berkeley in
the positive and negative aspects of being an distinguish yourself from other applicants and
being accepted to law schools nationwide?
attorney, and to give considerable thought to why to explain your qualifications beyond what is
Berkeley graduates do very well compared to revealed by your transcript and test score.
you wish to obtain a legal education. You may
graduates of other colleges and universities. Over
also want to volunteer in a law office during your 4. Letters of recommendation. Usually two or
the last five years, nearly 80 percent of Berkeley
undergraduate years. It is important to follow three are requested. It is your responsibility to
graduates applying to law school were accepted.
your own interests and to be aware of the ever- develop relationships with two or three profes-
Additional statistics are available on the Career
changing job market. Since admission to many sors during your first three years in college
Center’s website, career.berkeley.edu.
law schools is highly competitive, it is important so they can write strong, informative letters
for you to keep alternative career opportunities in How do law schools decide which students about you.
mind when selecting a major. This is another rea- they will admit? 5. Activities/work experience. Activities in which
son for you to select a major in a field in which you have taken on responsibilities and demon-
you are interested. Law schools look closely at five factors:
strated leadership are the most useful for
1. College GPA. The higher your grades, the better. admission purposes. It is better to concen-
Grades can account for 30-40 percent (or trate on a few activities rather than spreading
even 50 percent) of the admission decision. yourself too thin just so you can list many
The college you attended and the major in organizations on your resume. Responsibility is
which you earned your degree often are taken a plus in work experience, particularly paid or
volunteer community or legal work experience.
Where can I get more information and advice? Berkeley students may visit Boalt Hall and take Nondiscrimination Statement
advantage of applicant counseling in the Boalt The University of California, in accordance
You may obtain more information from
Admissions Office as well as attend a series of with applicable Federal and State Law and the
Berkeley’s Career Center
six applicant information sessions during the fall University’s nondiscrimination policies, does not
2111 Bancroft Way # 4350
semester. discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
Berkeley, CA 94720-4350
510-642-1716 A useful book about law schools which is usually origin, religion, sex (including sexual harass-
or at career.berkeley.edu. available in college bookstores and libraries is: ment), gender identity, pregnancy/childbirth and
The Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools, pub- medical conditions related thereto, disability, age,
The Career Center employs pre-law counselors medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry,
lished by the Law School Admission Council.
and maintains a variety of reference materials marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation,
and features a comprehensive web section on all You may order publications and find links to or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special
facets of applying to law school (career.berkeley. many law schools by accessing the Law School disabled veteran. This nondiscrimination policy
edu/Law/Law.stm). In addition, the Center pro- Admission Council’s website at: lsac.org. covers student admission, access, and treatment
vides a letter-of-recommendation service, holds in University programs and activities. It also
workshops on applying and writing the personal covers faculty (Senate and non-Senate) and
statement, and sponsors an annual Law School staff in their employment. For information on
Fair which provides the opportunity for law school other groups, including student applicants and
representatives to meet with students. The fair is current students, go to the “Resolving Discrimi-
held on the Berkeley campus in late fall. nation Issues” section of the Campus Climate
and Compliance Office website at ccac.berkeley.
edu/resolving.shtml.
8/08/15K