Area of Focus
  • Not Applicable
Degrees Offered
  • Pre-professional program - no undergraduate degree available
Academic Division
  • Social Sciences
Department
  • Not Applicable

Program overview

*UCSC does not offer "prelaw" as an undergraduate major.

The nation’s top law schools have accepted many UC Santa Cruz graduates. UCSC does not have a major title of "Prelaw." We offer legal studies major and a politics major. It is a popular misconception that students must major in prelaw, legal studies, or politics in order to get into law school. This simply is not the case. Law schools accept students from a variety of majors including, but not limited to, sociology, literature, philosophy, psychology, biology, anthropology, physics, economics, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering. Law schools are primarily interested in students who possess strong analytical and communication skills. Your GPA is a strong component of your application, so take classes you will excel in. They prefer students who have a diverse educational background to those who have a narrow academic focus.

Students do not necessarily need to enter law school immediately after graduation. Many law schools prefer to accept students who have some work experience and maturity. The ages of first-year law students range from 21 to 50 years, with the median around 26. Diversity in academic background and employment or internship experiences enhance the law school experience for all students.

Student graduating

Learning Experience

Students from diverse majors do equally well in both law school and law practice. Although the major is not important, courses in fields such as philosophy, logic, history, economics, computer science, math, and the physical and social sciences may be helpful. Courses should be demanding, requiring analytical and critical thought, writing, and deductive and abstract reasoning. Development of the following skills is recommended: advanced reading comprehension, writing competence gained through writing courses requiring research papers, and intellectual discipline.

Students who have been active in leadership activities and internships improve their chances of acceptance.

For internship opportunities, check out: Pre-Law Internships & Student Organizations

First-Year (Freshman) Requirements

A Career Success Career Engagement Specialist can help you create a plan for getting experience to develop skills needed for law school. For more information check out the Career Success Pre-Law Pages

There is no required major for applying to law school. The only requirement is to finish your undergraduate degree!

Student holding book in front of a mural

Transfer Requirements

Interested in law school? Schedule a time to meet with a career coach right away. Find out the criteria to be a strong candidate and how to best prepare yourself. Since any major can apply to law school, complete your undergraduate degree, aiming for a strong GPA. Speak with a major or college adviser to make sure you are on track in completing your academic requirements.

Students studying together in a dorm room

Learning Outcomes

Alumni Statistics: Find out where UCSC alumni are going to law school! View this three-year comparison of UCSC applicants admitted to ABA accredited law schools and national applicants.

movein

Program Contact

For more information contact Career Success at csuccess@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4420. Career Success is located in Hahn Student Services Building, Suite 125.