STEM degrees a big hit with law school admissions officers
Law school admissions officers are changing the way they view applications, leaning more toward bachelor's degree students who have majored in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). Previously, law schools typically looked at liberal arts majors who focused on subject matter like philosophy, international relations or environmentalism.
According to U.S. News and World Report, the shift may be a result of growth in STEM-related industries as new products and services like mobile phones and social media take center stage at many startups and major corporations. Law firms are increasingly in need of graduates who have a grasp on technology-related fields who may need to defend legal issues such as patents and proper usage.
If you've majored in a STEM field and are thinking about going to law school, you can use your unique experience as an advantage over humanities degree holders. In your application essay, make sure you highlight how your differences make you an ideal candidate and describe why you decided to change your career pursuits to law.
Can't see yourself majoring in STEM subjects? Law schools are still accepting applicants from humanities backgrounds, including journalism majors who want to focus on media law and ethics. Getting a job as a news writer is proving to be difficult as more publications make the shift from print to the internet, and if you find yourself wondering what to do with your major, then perhaps law school is the next step. As a media lawyer, your primary goal is to defend the right of free speech and freedom of the press.
