The American Bar Association (ABA)’s s Preparation for Legal Education statement suggests that prelaw students develop themselves in the following areas:
- Analytical skills
- Writing
- Research
- Critical reading
- Oral communication
| Reading, Writing, and Research |
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| Since verbal and critical thinking skills are at the core of the legal profession, courses which require rigorous reading, writing, and research are highly recommended. Seminar and honors courses are also encouraged as they require extensive verbal engagement in class. |
| Analytical Skills and Precise Methodology |
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| Precise methodology, thinking, and analytical skills can be developed in a broad array of liberal arts and sciences courses, particularly in mathematics, computer science, logic, and the natural sciences. |
| Behavioral Sciences and Humanities |
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| Course work in the area of behavioral sciences and humanities—politics, economics, history, literature, philosophy, anthropology, sociology—is recommended since each of these areas will provide crucial insight into the human institutions and values with which the law deals. |
| Quantitative Data |
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| In addition to the verbal disciplines that are traditionally valued by law schools, a basic understanding of economic principles, business, and finance is increasingly important to law schools, and courses in finance, economics, business organization, and accounting are highly valued. |
