Pre-Law

There are no specific courses or a specific major required for entry to law school. Students applying to law school come from a variety of majors including those in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Legal educators agree that a broad and rigorous liberal arts education is the best preparation for admission to and success in law school. Students planning to attend law school should take courses that develop writing skills and the ability to think critically and creatively; they should discuss with the Pre-Law Advisor and with academic advisers which courses will best advance their educational and career goals. There is a 15-credit, interdisciplinary Legal Studies minor, housed in the Political Science Department, which, although not required, might be of interest to students who wish to explore legal themes in the context of their undergraduate work.  There are some areas of legal practice for which a specific undergraduate major or coursework in a particular area is required or helpful. In order to be admitted to the Patent Bar, for example, an undergraduate degree or other training in science, computer science or engineering is required. More information regarding course selection is available at Hunter’s Pre-Law Website: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/prelaw/undergraduate-planning/course-selection. Students interested in law are encouraged to meet with the Pre-Law Adviser as early as possible to learn about opportunities to explore legal careers and to discuss preparation for applying to law school. To schedule an appointment with the Pre-Law Advisory Office, please phone (212) 772-4882. For quick questions, contact Hunter’s Pre-Law Adviser, Elise Jaffe, at prelaw@hunter.cuny.edu. To keep up with Pre-Law events and opportunities on campus, students are also encouraged to subscribe to the Pre-Law Listserv by following the instructions that appear on the homepage of the Pre-Law Website. The Pre-Law Advising Office is located on the 7th floor of the Cooperman Library.