University of Georgia Prelaw Guide
Chapter 3
(NOT) MAJORING IN PRELAW AT UGA
As a student at the University of Georgia, it is important
to understand that UGA does not have a prelaw major. Therefore,
you cannot declare prelaw as your major, nor can you graduate
from UGA with a prelaw major. However, as an incoming student,
it is useful to inform your academic advisor that you intend to
go to law school because this may help your advisor direct you
to courses and events that may be beneficial to someone intending
to go to law school.
All students should choose and declare their academic majors
by their 3rd year and it is definitely helpful to decide earlier
since different degrees have different prerequisite courses required
in the core. As you grow confident of your decision as to
which specific academic degree and major to choose here at the
University of Georgia, but you are always encouraged to access
all of the assistance available through the prelaw program.
WHAT GENERAL SKILLS SHOULD YOU HAVE OR SEEK TO DEVELOP AS
A "PRELAW"?
The American Bar Association (ABA) has prepared a short document
concerning Preparation
for Legal Education, available from the prelaw advisor
and on the ABA web site. It states: "The core skills and
values that are essential for competent lawyering include analytic
and problem-solving skills, critical reading abilities, writing
skills, oral communication and listening abilities, general research
skills, task organization and management skills, and the values
of serving faithfully the interests of others while also promoting
justice."
It is clear that a student may develop these skills through
many different majors and life experiences. There is not any
one major that is best for the prelaw student. Law schools accept
students with every possible degree and major. The best major
is the major that is best for you, and choosing it is an important
decision. Your grade point average is a very important component
in the application and admissions process, so you will want to
choose an academic discipline that you enjoy and in which you
will do well.
OKAY, SO WHAT MAJOR SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
This is probably the most asked question of incoming students
who wish to go to law school. Well, as with most issues dealing
with the law, it is at the same time very simple and complicated.
In almost all cases, no specific major is required to enter a
legal specialty. (The exceptions are certain, very technical
areas of patent law.) For example, you do not have to get a business
degree if you want to be a corporate lawyer or a major in criminal
justice to be a criminal defense attorney. However, your interest
in a particular area of law may mean you have a natural interest
in majors which are similar. Law schools select students who
demonstrate they have developed the ability to think and write
clearly. These analytical and communication skills can be developed
in many different academic disciplines.So, choose a major that
you like and one in which you will be able to realize your full
academic potential. Further, it would be beneficial if the major
you choose to develops the general skills necessary to succeed
in law school and as a lawyer. However, if your major does not
develop these skills as well as you would like, talk to your
academic advisor about taking courses that might develop these
skills, or if you have the electives available, choose a minor.
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