Top Colleges for Future Law Students?

I'm planning to pursue a career in law and want to start preparing as early as possible. What are some of the best colleges for pre-law programs or that have good resources for future law students?

While there's no official undergraduate major or program that law schools require, some schools offer advantageous resources and opportunities for aspiring law students. Here are a few colleges known for sending students to top law schools and/or having rigorous programs in fields that law schools like:

1. University of Chicago: Known for a strong focus on critical thinking and analytical skills, which are crucial in law, across all disciplines. They send a substantial number of undergraduates to law schools.

2. Yale University: Also sends many graduates to top law schools. They're renowned for History and English programs, both traditional pre-law pathways.

3. Georgetown University: Offers excellent majors for aspiring law students, such as government, international relations, and philosophy, plus it's located in Washington D.C., providing ample opportunities for internships and networking.

4. Harvard University: With its rigorous academics and Harvard’s Law School's reputation on campus, the university typically has many undergraduates continue to law school.

5. Columbia University: Has a robust political science department and offers good access to internships in New York City.

6. Dartmouth College: Offers a robust Government department and is known for nurturing a close-knit, undergraduate-focused community that can provide personalized support.

7. University of California, Berkeley: Excellent for Political Science and English, also offers a Legal Studies major which gives a multidisciplinary understanding of law.

8. Claremont McKenna: Small liberal arts college with a strong government program and a "Solicitor General’s Program," under which students simulate legal argument and moot court competitions.

One thing to remember is that your undergraduate major doesn't necessarily predict your success in law school admissions. Rather, law schools will be looking at your academic achievement (GPA), Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and extracurricular activities. It might be beneficial to seek out schools at which you can excel academically in a major you truly enjoy. Studying what you're interested in can result in a higher GPA, which will be critical in your law school applications.