wfergus18

which one in your opinion do you think is best, and which one has better job prospects?
Also, after i major in civil engineering or business, im planning to join law school? would you do that in my place? if not what would you do?

NeoDymium

Business is better for law school in that it's more relevant and easier. Civil is less cluttered with the incompetent, but you probably won't get into law school. I suggest you go whichever way the wind blows.
Then again, neither route has especially good job prospects from a degree alone. Lawyers, business majors, and even civil engineers need to have something extra to get far. It's up to you to figure out how to stand out.

MaineLonghorn

I have a friend who got her MS in civil engineering (structural), then got her law degree. She does quite well now.

ucbalumnus

For law school, GPA and LSAT score are very important. Business is probably easier to get a high GPA with, but engineering majors tend to score higher on the LSAT.

An engineering background to a law degree may lead to more patent and intellectual property law opportunities than a business background to a law degree. However, law job prospects are not so great these days, and are often very dependent on the prestige of the law school.

NeoDymium

I don't think that's because of a systemic difference in how well the programs prepare you though. The fact is that it takes a lot more studying skill to graduate with an engineering major, so all of those who don't manage will be weeded out before taking the LSAT. They won't take it as an engineering student.
Therefore, on average, engineers will score higher because those that remain will be that much better at studying. But an equally talented business student will probably do just as well.

ucbalumnus

Sample LSATs like this one (and other materials) show a lot of logic type questions.

Given those types of questions, it is no surprise that math, physics, philosophy, and engineering majors are among the top scorers in the LSAT, since they have had plenty of mental practice in that area in their majors. Pre-law students in other majors may wish to choose elective subjects appropriately.