Unlike many other professional programs, law schools do not look for students who follow a specific course of study. A wide range of acceptable majors can be found in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering and business. So what should you consider in a major that might help you later on when applying to law school? Most importantly, find an academic area that appeals to you. Why? It's very simple. If your studies are engrossing you will perform well in your classes. If you perform well in your classes, you will have a greater chance at getting into the law school of your choice. Thus, level of interest should be a significant criterion in your decision about a major.
Law schools look for applicants who challenge themselves with a broad-based curriculum that trains them to analyze, read, speak and write effectively. Almost any major in College will train your mind to think analytically and critically. Approximately 11% of Penn alumni are lawyers or judges, while in recent years, graduates have enjoyed an average law school admissions rate of 80 to 85% compared with the national average of 57%.
Penn's law school activly enourages undergraduates to sample its course offerings, regardless of future plans. Only a handful of top law schools allow non-matriculants to do this.
