Academic & Career Center
Pre-Professional Guidelines

Pre-Law The American Bar Association does not recommend a particular major, and there is no specific major to which law schools give preference in their admission criteria. Therefore, major in something that will help you develop skills that will be of value to you as a law student and legal practitioner such as reading, writing, researching and critical thinking. Perhaps of greater importance is selecting the major that interests you. This is important because that decision should result in a higher grade point average, which is of critical importance in the law school admission process.
While not specifying a major, the American Bar Association does encourage students to take courses that will assist them in preparing for the law school curriculum. According to the ABA's statement on "Preparation for a Legal Education", future law school students should possess:

• A broad understanding of history, particularly American history, and the various factors (social, political, economic and cultural) that have influenced the development of the pluralistic society that presently exists in the US
• A fundamental understanding of political thought and theory, and of the contemporary American political system
• A basic understanding of ethical theory and theories of justice
• A grounding in economics, particularly elementary micro-economic theory, and an understanding of the interaction between economic theory and public policy
• Some basic mathematical and financial skills, such as an understanding of basic pre-calculus mathematics and an ability to analyze financial data
• A basic understanding of human behavior and social interaction
• An understanding of diverse cultures within and beyond the US, of international institutions and issues, and of the increasing interdependence of the nations and communities within our world

The Pre-Law Association at Wesleyan is a very active campus group whose members are considering law school following their undergraduate studies. The Association sponsors guest lectures featuring lawyers and judges from the region, who address members concerning a range of current legal issues. Recently, the members hosted the Dean of the WVU Law School as a guest lecturer.

Membership in the Association is an excellent way of learning firsthand about the demands of law school, the LSAT, the law school application process, recommended undergraduate preparatory work, legal internships, and more generally, what it "feels" like to be a lawyer. Dues are only $5 per year. Students interested in finding out more about the Association should contact Pre-Law Advisor Professor David McCauley at 473-8622.

The American Bar Association is available on-line at www.abanet.org.