Law School

In The Lawyers, Martin Mayer’s brilliant survey of the legal profession, Mayer describes law school as the “crown jewel” of the American higher education system. Why such high praise? In general, American higher education follows a path of ever increasing specialization. Law school is unique in that it builds on the same broad reading, writing, and analytical skills that are the hallmark of a fine liberal arts education. If you are a liberal arts major with an interest in developing the same core skills that you worked so hard to develop as an undergraduate, law school provides a unique opportunity for you to further your education. This is true whether or not you intend to practice law. As Mayer describes in his book, lawyers work in all kinds of different organizations including business, education, banking, insurance, publishing, and non-profits, to name only a few of the opportunities available to newly minted lawyers. To successfully apply to law school there are two prerequisites: an undergraduate degree and a high LSAT score. It is not necessary to be enrolled in a pre-law program.