Quite simply, no, you don't have to major in prelaw to get into or succeed in law school.
Indeed, most law schools prefer students who have a broader base of knowledge than simply a curriculum similar to what law school will offer; yes, a majority of law students have degrees in history, political science, economics, or English, but many of those also take a broad range of courses outside their majors that make them more attractive law school candidates.
The best way to choose your college major and other elective courses is to figure out what interests you and pursue those subjects with passion; doing so will benefit you in at least three ways:
- You will enjoy your undergraduate years more if you are in classes that interest you.
- You will probably also earn better grades, which will look great on your transcript should you still want to apply to law school down the road.
- You may distinguish yourself from the usual law school applicants with a major in engineering or biology, for example, so don't be afraid to pursue your passion even if it's not one of the undergraduate degrees typically represented in law school.
Even if outside your major, you might also consider taking a government or prelaw course as well as classes that will improve your writing, analytical thinking, and public speaking. For more ideas, see Recommended Undergraduate Courses.
Overall, law school admissions officers want to see that you have challenged yourself with and succeeded in material that will be helpful for your law school career, so whatever you courses you chooses, be sure to do your best!
