When discussing with undergraduates the courses they should take in preparation for law school, much of the focus is — rightly — on finding ways to strengthen their application.
It is important to remember, though, that many courses have the added benefit of giving you tools and knowledge that help make you a better law student and lawyer. In this week’s post, I will discuss three areas of study offered at most colleges across the country and the advantage pursuing those areas has both for your application and as a law student.
[Know how to choose college classes that make up a well-rounded law school application.]
1. Formal logic: Introductory formal logic courses are generally offered by college philosophy departments, and many philosophy departments even require completion of introductory formal logic in order to graduate as a philosophy major. In a formal logic course, you will learn how to symbolize and analyze logical statements and arguments. Formal logic also helps strengthen one’s capacity to think in a linear and organized fashion.
The primary benefit that taking formal logic provides from an admissions perspective is that it is a great foundation from which to begin one’s LSAT preparation. Although formal logic taught in college courses is much more complicated and extensive than what is required for the LSAT, familiarity with syllogisms, symbolizing language and analysis of short arguments will benefit you greatly in your LSAT preparation.
As a law student, you will often need to conduct linear, carefully structured analyses similar to those that you will practice in a formal logic class.
[Learn to master the logical reasoning section of the MCAT.]
2. U.S. history : Courses in U.S. history provide you with both knowledge of the historical context in which our legal system evolved and an opportunity to practice and refine your research and writing skills.
Courses in history generally, not just in U.S. history, often require students to conduct their own independent research and write a long research paper or some other significant piece of writing. Law school admissions committees will view a good grade in such a course, especially an intermediate or advanced course, as evidence that you are prepared to produce the type of work required of you in law school seminar courses and the first-year legal research and writing course.
Taking courses in U.S. history may also give you something to discuss in your personal statement that indicates your interest in becoming a lawyer.
In addition to showing admissions committees that you are well prepared for the academic rigors of law school, taking U.S. history courses will also help prepare you for the substantive courses you will take in law school. Many law school professors discuss the historical development of their area of law as a way to help students understand the current state of the law.
For example, an understanding of the political and social concerns of those who wrote the U.S. Constitution will help you understand both the development and contemporary interpretations of the Constitution.
[Check out three law school admissions trends to expect this cycle.]
3. Microeconomic s: For those who have not attended law school, economics is generally not considered to be a fundamental discipline in the law. As you will soon realize, however, a basic knowledge of microeconomics will help you, particularly in your first year.
Microeconomic principles underlie many areas of law, but particularly contracts and torts, both of which are taught in the first year at almost every law school in the country. In fact, many torts and contracts professors have extensive academic backgrounds in economics.
In addition to preparing you for contracts, torts and other courses, having a background in microeconomics shows admissions committees that you have engaged in an important type of analysis: applying general principles to specific situations. Having a background in economics also dovetails nicely with many legal careers in both the private and public sectors such as corporate law, securities regulation and insurance law.
What courses are you taking this semester? Let me know in an email or tweet me.
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3 College Courses That Can Strengthen Legal Skills originally appeared on usnews.com
