UConn students interested in legal careers can choose any major—no major is more “pre-law” than another. When selecting a major (or adding a second major or minor), keep in mind that strong critical reading, writing, and analytical thinking skills are essential for success in law school. Any major that genuinely interests and challenges you is the “right” major. That includes non-traditional pre-law paths such as nursing, engineering, health sciences, or computer science. Ultimately, success in your coursework is far more important than choosing a specific label for your major.

One important caveat: students interested in patent law should strongly consider pursuing a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) major. To sit for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) registration exam (often called the “patent bar”), specific technical coursework or a qualifying STEM degree is required. Without this background, practicing as a patent attorney may not be possible.

It is also a myth that students must major in political science, history, or English to prepare for law school. In fact, studies have shown that students majoring in fields such as math, economics, philosophy, or theology often perform very well on the LSAT (law school admissions test) and in law school. That said, any major can prepare you effectively if you focus on developing strong reasoning, writing, and analytical skills.

Law school admissions committees value both the rigor and breadth of your undergraduate coursework. Students should aim to take a diverse range of classes across disciplines rather than narrowly focusing in one area to the exclusion of others. Seek out courses that challenge you intellectually—and perform well in them. Admissions professionals closely review transcripts, and it is not possible to “game” the process by stacking your schedule with easier classes to inflate your GPA.