unique majors?

[ruick]

I dont know which major to choose for college, and im split between two "careers/goals". I'm interested in both the law field and the business field. I still am not certiant, but what if i choose business administration as a major and college - i know law schools are always looking to diversify, and choosing an "alternative" majors actually gives you the edge, would this include BA? That way i see how much i like business, if i'm not interested in doing it for life i'll go law.

[Lanya]

Business is a fine major in preparation for law school.  In fact, in law there are many areas that are directly about business law or some area of law that is involved in business transactions, such as business contracts, business litigation, and many more.  Since you say that you are very much interested in both business and law, you may decide to combine your interests later on and go into one of these areas of business related or corporate law.  You don't have to, but getting a major in business will definitely give you an edge in going into one of these fields over someone who majored in something else and has little understanding of business.  So business is a great choice of major for you.  By majoring in it and doing well, you will not be hurting, most likely only improving, you chances of getting into a good law school (if that's what you decide to do later on).

A business degree is by no means a unique pre-law track for your undergraduate education.  Unique majors would be ones like drama, dance, music.  But there are people who major in those subjects as well, go to law school, and do just fine.

[kilroy55]

If you are looking for a unique major, you should enter into the hard sciences.  Although science majors are appearing more in law school, they are still a minority.  Personally, I hold a BS in chemistry and a BA in history, and I think it has helped me to some extent.  I've been waitlisted at places that i should have been outright dinged with my GPA.

[Harrahs]

i would major in what interests you; don't pick you're major with the idea in mind of making yourself a more interesting applicant.  although i am obviously not an adcomm, how common -- or uncommon -- your major is will matter very little in gaining admission or not.  there is something to be said for picking a major you feel will you will do best in, gpa wise.

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[EPH05]

     As a quick preface let me say that I am a total liberal arts snob and that my opinions are not necessarily informed, correct, or meaningful.  However with that said I would encourage you to pursue a liberal arts degree if you're planning to go to a graduate school anyways (I'm assuming from your first post that it is either a JD or MBA after UG).  Like the other posters I think you should pick a major based on your interests etc., but why enter a pre-professional major when you'll go to graduate school to train yourself professionally.  Take advantage of the opportunity presented to you and get a liberal arts degree that will focus entirely upon broadening your mind and improving your analytical skills rather than preparing you for a profession.

[NoelleMyBelle]

If you don't go to grad school, what would you want to do?  Major in that.

A lot of people think that they might got to grade school someday, but circumstances can change.  That's why only a total dumbass would major in pre-law.  Go for a field where you will enjoy the classes, you can get a good GPA, and you will have career options if you want to work right out of undergrad.

Business school might actually be a big different (MBA, I mean) so you might want to ask around on that.  For law school, though, it doesn't matter so don't sweat it.  I completely agree with the poster who said that you shouldn't be choosing a major based on what the AdComms will think...this is YOUR life. 

[Snuvy]

i'm a theatre major and going to law school.  (well poli sci dbl.)

but i'd say do WHAT YOU LOVE.  because in the end, if you hate your major your grades will decline and you'll have a miserable time in college.

i would caution being strictly bfa, fine arts, theatrical arts, because they don't have the "tougher" writing requierments that the social sciences place on students, and this is something that a lot of law schools look for...i mean, you can definitely be a business administration major, and that'll work out perfectly fine for law school...but if u're doing something w/ less rigorous writing classes consider taking classes w/ more of a writing emphasis to show law schools you're capabable.

hth

[ruick]

thanks for the advise. Well i was interested in BA, but the easiest subject for me to get a 4.0 would be getting a Comp Science degree, since i've taken AP Comp Sci, loads of programming courses,etc.Not sure if im interested in doing it for life though (constant computer typing,but easy for me). So how would law school react to that?

[Snuvy]

thanks for the advise. Well i was interested in BA, but the easiest subject for me to get a 4.0 would be getting a Comp Science degree, since i've taken AP Comp Sci, loads of programming courses,etc.Not sure if im interested in doing it for life though (constant computer typing,but easy for me). So how would law school react to that?

it doesn't matter, just hit a homerun on the LSAT.

I second Phantic's advice.

[ThePerfectSoldier]

I think its enough to just major in something related to what you plan to do in grad school.