Vassar vs Bates? Which is better for Pre-Law?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I’ve been accepted to both schools and am deciding between the two. Likely going to major in English but will be doing pre-law regardless. I’ve done a lot of research and am finding it hard to see any great differences. 86% acceptance rate for law school applicants from Vassar compared to 85% at Bates. Last year accepted law school applicants from Vassar are currently attending UPenn, Stanford, NYU, Yale, UChicago whereas at Bates the list is more extensive encompassing 2008-2012 and listing schools like Yale, Columbia, NYU, UC Berkeley, UPenn, UMich. By and large to me it seems that both Bates and Vassar prepare their students well, does anybody know of any key differentiating aspects between the schools in terms of law school preparation and success? </p>

<p>I’m aware of the differences of the schools like open curriculum at Vassar as opposed to requirements at Bates, and the cultures of artsy-ness at Vassar and prep/jocky-ness of Bates, both schools are liberal in mindset and I feel like I could fit in either. The biggest difference to me is in terms of success and preparation of either school, does anyone have any insight into that?</p>

<p>Sources:
<a href=“http://www.bates.edu/career/students/advanced-studies-graduate-and-professional-school-advising/law-school-advising/law-schools-accepting-bates-grads-in-2010-11/”>http://www.bates.edu/career/students/advanced-studies-graduate-and-professional-school-advising/law-school-advising/law-schools-accepting-bates-grads-in-2010-11/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://admissions.vassar.edu/after-vassar/”>http://admissions.vassar.edu/after-vassar/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

2

<p>Law schools don’t look for pre-law majors. Major in something that you enjoy and can do very well in. Get a high GPA and a high LSAT score and law schools will love you. They don’t care about the school you came from or your major. If you select a major that prepares you more for the LSAT (which is not pre-law) that could help, but really go where you fit in well and love what they offer. You can look in the law school forum here on CC to see the general opinion on the value of undergrad on your law school admission. </p>

3

<p>@parentofpeople‌ I do realize that in the end what matters is LSAT and GPA, and that there is no pre-law major per say (that’s why I specified English as a likely major of choice). I appreciate your answer but it doesn’t really tell me anything I don’t already know. </p>

4

<p>It’s true, there is no “pre-law” major, per se.
What matters most is your LSAT score and GPA.

Nope.
These are peer schools; neither will give you a clear advantage over the other in law admissions.
So choose based on personal preferences and cost. </p>