What are the pre-reqs for law school?

I'm a junior and strongly considering pursuing law school. Can someone please tell me what the general pre-reqs for law school are? Also, are there any classes I should take in high school to better prepare myself for this path?

In general, there are no specific prerequisite courses for law school, as law schools accept students from a wide range of undergraduate fields. However, there are some skills and knowledge areas that are important if you're considering a legal career. Here's what you should focus on when preparing for law school, both in high school and in your undergraduate career:

Critical Thinking and Analysis: Law school requires strong critical thinking and analytical skills. Classes that emphasize logical reasoning, argumentation, and analysis will be beneficial. In high school, consider taking courses like AP English, AP History, or Debate (if offered at your school). In college, courses in philosophy and political science can be particularly helpful for honing these skills.

Writing: Strong writing skills are essential for law students. Writing-intensive courses in high school, like AP English Language and Composition, or extracurriculars like the school newspaper, can help improve your writing skills. In college, there may be writing-centric seminars, potentially some even focused specifically on legal writing, that might be beneficial for you.

Reading Comprehension: Law school involves extensive reading, so focusing on courses and activities that enhance reading comprehension is crucial. AP English literature or courses in the humanities and social sciences will help build these skills.

Public Speaking: Develop your public speaking skills by participating in speech and debate clubs, mock trial, or Model UN. These activities can help you become comfortable with expressing your ideas in front of an audience.

Undergraduate Major: While there is no specific undergraduate major required for law school, it's important to select a major that interests you and allows you to develop the skills mentioned earlier. Common majors among law school applicants include political science, history, English, philosophy, and economics.

Law schools emphasize the importance of a well-rounded undergraduate education, rather than requiring specific prerequisite courses. Therefore, a solid foundation in high school, combined with a challenging undergraduate program that hones your critical thinking, analysis, writing, and communication skills, will help prepare you for success in law school and your future legal career.

Finally, if you're looking for opportunities outside the classroom to build up your legal skills while still in high school, consider checking out CollegeVine's blog, which has a list of legal internships for high schoolers: https://blog.collegevine.com/law-internships-for-high-school-students. Best of luck with your legal pursuits!