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Law Career Pathways

Grinnellians take their degrees in many different directions. If you want to use your talents and abilities to make a difference in the lives of others in an intellectually challenging environment, a career in law may be right for you. Lawyers, judges, paralegals, mediators, lobbyists, and legal consultants all have the opportunity to uphold justice and advocate for the public good. If you choose a pre-law career pathway at Grinnell, you can explore your specific interests in almost any major.

Popular Majors for Students Interested in Law

Any field of study can lead to a career in law. Law schools prioritize skills such as effective writing and communication, critical thinking, research, interpersonal abilities, time management, and leadership. The liberal arts education at Grinnell provides excellent preparation for law school and beyond, equipping students with these essential skills while offering an interdisciplinary perspective to evaluate and analyze information effectively.

Political Science

Political science is a practical choice for students interested in law. Political science focuses on government systems, comparative politics, and international relations. 

Learn more about political science at Grinnell

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English

English is a great choice for students interested in refining their critical thinking and communication skills. Law schools require good writing skills, and the English major offers an experience that will develop this muscle.

Learn more about English at Grinnell

Biology

A strong foundation in the life sciences prepares students well, and biology graduates possess unique skills that can benefit them through their law program.

Learn more about biology at Grinnell

Popular Concentrations for Students Interested in Law

Grinnell’s interdisciplinary concentrations offer an excellent opportunity for students interested in careers in law. A concentration can be taken in addition to your major to allow for further exploration of an area of study that includes several related fields; this can be an excellent way to explore specialties you may consider in law school.

Here are a few of the concentrations commonly chosen by students interested in law:

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Policy Studies

Develop into a thoughtful, intellectually engaged citizen who focuses on truth, evidence, critical thought, and realistic prospects for change.

Learn more about policy studies at Grinnell

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Environmental Studies

Gain experience in evidence-gathering and critical thinking while you explore the issues posed by the relationship between humans and the natural environment.

Learn more about environmental studies at Grinnell

Global Development Studies

Learn about global challenges and develop the flexibility and knowledge to have a significant and positive impact for the common good.

Learn more about global development studies at Grinnell

Explore all our majors and concentrations

Law school acceptance rates

The five-year rolling average acceptance rate for 2021–25 is 86%. This is roughly 20% higher than the national five-year rolling average acceptance rate for 2021–25, which is 68%.

After Grinnell graduates complete their law degrees, they work in law firms, the Federal government, state attorney general offices, public defender offices, and as legal aids and clerks.

Recent offers for law school admission include:

Columbia University
Fordham University
George Washington University
New York University
Northwestern University
University of Notre Dame
University of California, Berkeley
University of Iowa
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of Virginia

American Civil Liberties Union

Colorado Supreme Court

Iowa Legal Aid

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota

Kirkland and Ellis LLP

National Institute for Worker’s Rights

New York State Attorney General

Sidley Austin LLP

U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Law Student (Juris Doctor Candidate)

A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree prepares you to practice as a licensed lawyer and pass the bar exam.

J.D. programs typically take three years to complete for full-time students.

Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Paralegals and legal assistants work behind-the-scenes by conducting legal research, communicating with clients, and supporting trial preparation.

Further education is not required, but aspiring paralegals who hold a bachelor's degree commonly pursue a 6–18 month post-degree certificate approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

Compliance and regulatory affairs officers ensure that organizations adhere to all relevant laws and guidelines.

Although schooling beyond a bachelor's degree is not necessary for this career path, it is also not uncommon to find those with advanced degrees, such as a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master of Business Administration (MBA).

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Meghna Adhikari '24

Harvard Law J.D. candidate Meghna Adhikari says Grinnell taught her how to “think like a lawyer.” Thanks to the critical thinking and writing skills she developed at Grinnell, Meghna was prepared for her law classes.

Read about how Grinnell prepared Meghna for Harvard

Merel Timmermans ’22

Merel Timmermans, current law student at the University of California, Los Angeles, used connections with her Grinnell advisers to work in Spain and apply for law school.

Read about how Grinnell prepared Merel for UCLA

Willa Collins ’16

Willa Collins, current New York City attorney and Stanford Law School alumna, found the foundation for her legal career in Grinnell's "progressive, tolerant, and welcoming environment."

Read about how Grinnell prepared Willa for Stanford and beyond

Career Resources

The Grinnell College Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) should be your first stop when you’re ready to start thinking about a career in law and how to get there. The CLS offers guidance, resources, and support (including financial support) to help you explore your career pathway.

Many students also take advantage of the CLS’s Government, Law, and Policy Career Community, which offers opportunities to connect with like-minded students and an expert adviser to learn about resources, hands-on experiences, and research opportunities to help you achieve your goals. Here are just a few of the resources waiting for you at the CLS:

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Internships and Other Opportunities

Your career adviser at the Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) can help you find internships, externships, summer research experiences, job shadows, mentoring, and other opportunities for real-life job experience in law. Participating in legal-adjacent student organizations such as Student Government Association (SGA), mock trial, and debate provide direct experience, while community-focused organizations like International Student Organization (ISO) and Students for Reproductive Justice help students cultivate leadership, advocacy, and teamwork skills. These experiences can help you develop your advocacy and professional skills and strengthen both your applications and your future career.

Alumni Networking

Grinnell alumni working in law are willing and eager to connect with students who want to explore different career paths. Alumni in these careers can provide good insights into what it is like to work in their field. Your career community leader at the Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) can help you connect with Grinnell alumni in the professional law career that appeals to you.

Test Prep and Funding

The Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) provides several supports for LSAT preparation, including a test prep library with materials available for free checkout and a graduate school grant that can help cover the cost of test prep materials and registration fees.

Funding for Career-Building Experiences

Interested in an unpaid internship, but can’t afford to live in a faraway city without a paycheck? The Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) may be able to help. Financial support for internships, transportation, professional clothing, and more are available for students with need.

Grinnell Student Engages in Legal Advocacy for Detained Immigrant

Ben Albrecht '26 speaks about his summer internship with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center

Tatum Watkins '27 at the Democratic National Convention.

Student Tatum Watkins Serves as a Delegate at the Democratic National Convention

Tatum Watkins ’27, a second-year political science major at Grinnell, served as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago in August.

Preparing for Law School at Grinnell

Meghna Adhikari ’24 came to Grinnell hoping to explore her options before committing to a career path.
Now at Harvard Law School, Adhikari says that Grinnell turned out to be perfect for that.

Grinnell Students Selected for Competitive Public Policy Fellowship

Joyce Ceballos ’25 has joined the list of Grinnellians accepted to the prestigious Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA). In past years, Grinnell students Valery Lopez ’24, Loyal Terry ’23, Maximillian Hill ’20, and Angela Frimpong ’20 have also participated in the program.

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The Classics Prepare Students for Law School and More

A classics major is very applicable to the modern world, says Makaila Hootman ’25, who plans to go on to law school.

Taking Interns Seriously

ACLU lawyer Amy Miller ’93 helps passionate advocates forge their own paths