Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 19:30     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:A friend who is far smarter than I am and got a phd in history from a top 10 school struggled mightily with law school and failed the bar.


Interesting. Why do you think that happened?
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 19:27     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Some of the best lawyers I know majored in disciplines that demand and cultivate analytic skill, like chemistry, math, and music.


I'm a STEM major who went to law school and graduated at the top of my class.

I thought the law degree was easier than my undergrad degree.


I did an MFA in creative writing about 10 years after law school. I thought law school was a lot easier than my MFA. I think if you are naturally analytical and aren't intimidated by having to do a decent amount of work, law school is easy. A friend who is far smarter than I am and got a phd in history from a top 10 school struggled mightily with law school and failed the bar.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 19:24     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Historians are excellent scholars. History.


While not all academic historians are great writers, among academics I find historians are the best writers.

Better than English profs?


Yes, I would say so, at least those who engage in literary/textual analysis (I'm not including the authors who teach creative writing).
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 19:23     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Whichever major will help your kid get the highest GPA and best recommendation letters.


Agreed -- unless the kid does an unusual major which can help differentiate in law school admissions and in future employment. It can be helpful to have a resume that stands out from all the other philosophy/english/poly-sci/history majors.


I'm the theater major at 17:26. I don't know for sure, but I think this contributed to lots of law schools wanting me.


Tell me you became a litigator who wins over juries with your flashy style!


I did become a litigator, lol. I'm a fed, and I do go to court, but probably 95% of my work is written. I was described by an opposing counsel as "colorful in the courtroom" once, but I had to beat him up pretty hard and he didn't like it, so that may be where that is coming from.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 19:21     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:Just major in something you find interesting and know you will get easy As in.

Key advice: Go to a less rigorous college that offers great merit aid to save money, get As and focus on prepping for LSAT to get a high score, then get into a prestige law school and no one will ever care where you went to college. Grades plus LSAT matter more than your major or college.


FWIW, most of my peers at law school who attended a more rigorous undergrad had a much easier time doing well at law school.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 19:18     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Historians are excellent scholars. History.


While not all academic historians are great writers, among academics I find historians are the best writers.

Better than English profs?
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 19:17     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:I definitely see the value of philosophy: no area of study in the humanities and social sciences does better in teaching students to think critically and analytically. At least a minor in philosophy is useful. But in terms of political science or history, which is better as a background? Political science focuses largely on how institutions work and obviously understanding the workings of the state is helpful (but make sure to take some political theory courses too). History is good in terms of constructing narratives and careful documentation. Thoughts?

Whichever has more reading, so likely history.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 18:37     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Pure philosophy is a stronger signal for intellectual capability. Philosophy majors also generally score higher on the LSAT, and are better at legal reasoning, writing and argumentation. Philosophy is also the least common of the 3 for prelaw.


Philosophy is a pretty rare major in general. Only about 0.5% of bachelor's degrees are in philosophy. Political science and history are around 2% each. That doesn't sound like much, but political science and history are generally among the most common majors at Ivies while even philosophy generally is among the less popular majors.

True and female philosophy majors are even more rare.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 18:26     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:Some of the best lawyers I know majored in disciplines that demand and cultivate analytic skill, like chemistry, math, and music.


I'm a STEM major who went to law school and graduated at the top of my class.

I thought the law degree was easier than my undergrad degree.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 18:20     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:Pure philosophy is a stronger signal for intellectual capability. Philosophy majors also generally score higher on the LSAT, and are better at legal reasoning, writing and argumentation. Philosophy is also the least common of the 3 for prelaw.


Philosophy is a pretty rare major in general. Only about 0.5% of bachelor's degrees are in philosophy. Political science and history are around 2% each. That doesn't sound like much, but political science and history are generally among the most common majors at Ivies while even philosophy generally is among the less popular majors.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 18:18     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:Just major in something you find interesting and know you will get easy As in.

Key advice: Go to a less rigorous college that offers great merit aid to save money, get As and focus on prepping for LSAT to get a high score, then get into a prestige law school and no one will ever care where you went to college. Grades plus LSAT matter more than your major or college.


This is excellent advice; and also you don’t have to have a second major or a minor in order to get your fill of phil and history classes.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 18:16     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Whichever major will help your kid get the highest GPA and best recommendation letters.


Agreed -- unless the kid does an unusual major which can help differentiate in law school admissions and in future employment. It can be helpful to have a resume that stands out from all the other philosophy/english/poly-sci/history majors.


I'm the theater major at 17:26. I don't know for sure, but I think this contributed to lots of law schools wanting me.


Tell me you became a litigator who wins over juries with your flashy style!
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 18:16     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Anonymous wrote:Historians are excellent scholars. History.


While not all academic historians are great writers, among academics I find historians are the best writers.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 18:11     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Just major in something you find interesting and know you will get easy As in.

Key advice: Go to a less rigorous college that offers great merit aid to save money, get As and focus on prepping for LSAT to get a high score, then get into a prestige law school and no one will ever care where you went to college. Grades plus LSAT matter more than your major or college.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 18:02     Subject: Better prep for law school: philosophy/political science or philosophy/history?
Pure philosophy is a stronger signal for intellectual capability. Philosophy majors also generally score higher on the LSAT, and are better at legal reasoning, writing and argumentation. Philosophy is also the least common of the 3 for prelaw.