Is architecture an acceptable undergrad major for law school?

College Majors Architecture Majors
1

<p>With maybe like a minor in econ or international relations?</p>

2

<p>Its better if you have a unique major rather than a common one. Anything that sets you apart from the class is GOOD.</p>

3

<p>so thats a yes…?</p>

4

<p>It’s acceptable, but make sure you take English classes and brush up on your writing skills</p>

5

<p>def. acceptible. </p>

<p>I think its generally perceived as a challenging major.</p>

<p>and the bottom line is:</p>

<p>most law schools primarily focus on GPA and LSAT, regardless of your major and minor, institution, etc… so get good grades and practice hard for the LSAT.</p>

6

<p>There’s no such thing as a “best” major for law school. If you like architecture and think you’ll do well, go for it.</p>

7

<p>If you want to provide legal representation for architects, maybe some background in that field might be helpful, but probably is not necessary. It’s not necessary for a lawyer, who respresents the medical profession, to have majored in pre-med… </p>

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<p>…from somewhere on the net…</p>

<p>Architects & Engineers
Professional Liability Law Group </p>

<p>From the date of its inception in 1982 (company name) has provided legal representation to architects and engineers. We like to believe that we know the business and needs of this group of professionals as well as anyone. We know we can demonstrate through past experience that we understand the design professionals business and the tools they require to manage the risks they are faced with on a day-to-day basis to minimize the impact when those risks manifest themselves. </p>

<p>Some Examples of the Group’s Activities</p>

<p>Risk Management
We have provided risk management advice to architects and engineers in a variety of ways, including advice on how to properly structure a design consultant’s practice, preparing contracting forms and practices, conducting in-house seminars and educational sessions, providing insurance advice and assisting individuals on day to day problems they encounter on their projects. </p>

<p>Dispute Resolution Services
We have acted for architects and engineers at all levels of the courts in British Columbia and Canada when litigation is required to resolve disputes. We have also been leaders in the field of establishing alternate dispute resolution techniques for the construction industry generally, and for architects and engineers specifically. This has included designing dispute resolution provisions for the design consultants’ contractual relationships and representing architects and engineers in both mediations and arbitrations of construction disputes. You can “leave the dispute resolution to us”. </p>

<p>Professional Discipline
We have represented architects and engineers in professional discipline matters both in front of Disciplinary Tribunals and in the Courts. We understand the sensitivity of disciplinary action and we have developed a rapport with the design consultants professional bodies to assure discipline matters are dealt with appropriately. </p>

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<p>Someone with degrees in architecture and law will probably want to start his/her own architecture and/or law firm, as opposed to working for someone else.</p>

8

<p>…you may also find the following dialogue of interest…</p>

<p>construction law</p>

<p>Im a qualified part one student who is currently working in London. It was recently suggested by my year out tutour that it could be a good idea to consider undertaking a degree in construction law. Has anyone else done this, do they know of other qualified architects who have a construction law degree and is this really a good idea. Any comments or thoughts much appreciated.</p>

<p><a href=“construction law | Forum | Archinect”>construction law | Forum | Archinect;

9

<p>thats gsp silicon valley! actually, the reaosn i want to major in architecture is because i think i want to become an architect. however, in case that doesnt work out or i simply change my mind, id like to go to law school. law is my second career choice.</p>

10

<p>dandelion27,
I have some insight from my experience as a structural engineer that you may find useful. I am currently employed by a structural engineering firm wherein 90%+ of our work involves acting as consultants to architects on building design projects. Previously, I worked for a forensics firm engaged in providing engineering and architectural expert testimony for law firms for construction litigation. Both cases have provided me an opportunity to learn a little about being an architect and a little about construction law.</p>

<p>I think that most on this forum will tell you that law schools will not significantly weigh your major in their admissions decision. They will, however, place a large emphasis on your GPA. I don’t know if grading is tough in architecture, but I would bet that it is. So, if you are seriously considering law school, I would try to get some data on the grading and weigh that in your decision. </p>

<p>If you have not already, you should learn as much as you can about what it is architects do, how much they are paid, and how much they work. I think these things are often misunderstood by non-architects. The pay is lower than you might think and the hours are very long in many cases. Again, I would gather and consider as much data as possible in making your decision. More importantly, make sure you understand how architects spend their time. Many people enter the area because of an affinity for artistic or creative endeavors. These things are a part of being an architect, but not as large a part as many people think. </p>

<p>The work of many/most architects, especially young ones, involves a significant technical component. Architects don’t just determine how a building will look, they determine, among other things, what it is made of and how it fits together. Take for example the front face of a building. For every hour spent determining how it will look, 20 hours (just a guess) go into other aspects of that building face. Working from the top down: If there is a parapet, how does it interact with the roofing material so that water is kept out of the wall? Does the water from the roof drain through pipes in the wall, or does it shoot through scuppers. If it shoots through scuppers: is the face material going to stain; is there a sidewalk below with people walking by; will the owner pay the extra cost associated with in-wall drainage; what does the building code say? What is on the face of the wall? What is behind that? And behind that? How is the wall insulated? How does this all get attached to the structural system? Again, how much does this cost? Is it available in our area? Is there a contractor in our area that knows how to build it?</p>

<p>I won’t bore you with going all the way to the ground, but if you are bored at this point, you may see what I’m getting at. In any building project, all of these things have to be thought about, discussed, coordinated, drawn in buildable, painstaking detail, specified in painstaking detail, and inspected during construction. I don’t intend to make these things sound bad, but they are what they are, and many young architects just want to be artists and are disappointed with the reality of what must be done to design a building. </p>

<p>All that said, Architects, especially those with a few years experience, can make excellent construction lawyers. Or, if you want to be some other type of lawyer, I don’t see how an architecture degree would hurt.</p>

11

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<p>if you want to be an architect, major in achitecture.<br>
when i went to law school there were many students who were going to law school to start a second career – some after a couple of years in their first career, some after many years in their first career.<br>
don’t let Plan B keep you from focusing on what your Plan A is.</p>