Advisors, alumni make the case for students proceeding from English major to law school

Read a Q&A below with English alumna Alejandra Gancedo describing her decision to attend law school.

By Elizabeth Chailosky

As an undergraduate student at Florida State University, Tomas Cabezas realized just how much his English degree was going to help him in law school. His writing and rhetoric classes sparked a passion for law, and when it was time to graduate, Cabezas decided law school was the path for him.

“Writing was something that I always very much enjoyed,” he says. “The next logical step was law school because I enjoyed arguing, writing, reading, and communicating effectively, and I felt like in law school I could really utilize those skills.”

Cabezas is currently in his second year at Stetson University College of Law. Despite the rigorous curriculum, he has continued to be a committed law student, crediting the knowledge he gained as an English major as being the leading factor in his success.

“You can come into law school with your English major feeling confident in the writing aspect, having a background as a writer, being a pretty good communicator, and you can make ideas flow really nicely on paper,” Cabezas says.

As one of the largest degree programs within FSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of English helps students hone important skills that translate to a wide array of professional careers. While FSU does not have a pre-law track, that career is among the most popular careers English students pursue after graduation.

FSU alumna Marisa Anderson experienced first-hand the benefits of an English degree as a law student at Florida International University’s College of Law. Many students struggled in legal writing classes, for example, but Anderson says, “I loved it because I felt like I was back in English class and I was able to write and use what I knew.”

Anderson agrees that no specific major prepares students for law school, but her background in writing, rhetoric, and advocacy helped her succeed.

“I saw my training and undergrad manifest in so many different ways in law school. I couldn’t have had better training in my undergrad,” says Anderson, who graduated cum laude from FIU in May 2021 and enters the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in January 2022.

The thought of pursuing a law degree can seem daunting and unattainable due to the competitive admissions process, but FSU has many resources and opportunities available to undergraduate students to help them attain their goals. One of the best resources at FSU is the Career Center. English students are encouraged to meet with the department’s Career Liaison to confirm they are on the right track. With the help of professionals, students can sharpen their resumes and personal statements. In addition, students can learn about the university’s various networking opportunities.

I saw my training and undergrad manifest in so many different ways in law school. I couldn’t have had better training in my undergrad.

— Marisa Anderson

During the application process, law schools consider Law School Admission Test scores, in addition to a high GPA. As demonstrated by Cabezas, when students pursue a major in which their strengths lie, they improve their GPA.

“Most law schools are focused, for better or worse, on numeric criteria these days—LSAT scores and undergraduate grades,” Bayern says. “Improving those are probably the most straightforward way to make a difference to any individual student’s chances for admission at a wide variety of law schools.”

Students serious about attending law school are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to gain insight into the profession. English majors on the editing, writing, and media track are required to complete an internship before graduation, and many students with a focus in creative writing or literature, media, and culture take on internships as well.

“Within the English major, students are able to complete internships for credit,” Desire explains. “We encourage each student to get involved in as many extracurriculars as they can.”

Within that realm, the English department offers students a broad curriculum that covers topics ranging from philosophy, history, religion, and psychology. Ultimately, the undergraduate major coursework challenges students and enhances core skills and knowledge pertaining to human culture, all of which provide a substantial foundation for a legal education.

In addition to speaking with advisors, FSU provides a pre-law website that contains resources and information pertaining to law school. FSU students interested in law school can also sign up for a monthly pre-law newspaper that promotes upcoming events for students to become involved on campus.

English students interested in the law profession are encouraged to take advantage of all of the great resources and opportunities found on campus. Most importantly, English students should continue to follow their passions and strive for a well-rounded education in order to prepare for law school and a legal career.

“Law is a worldly subject that involves understanding things like social norms, business norms, and reasonable expectation,” Bayern says. “Anything that motivates you to see more of the world, to read more, and to think more is good preparation for law school.”

Elizabeth Chailosky is a double major in English, on the editing, writing, and media track, and Women's Studies. Amelia Shoriak contributed to the reporting and interviewing for this article.

The English-to-law school path: a Q&A with Alejandra Gancedo

By Alyssa Cuevas

Alejandra Gancedo graduated from Florida State University in 2019 with two bachelor’s degrees, in English-Literature and in Political Science.

As an undergraduate student, she became involved in an array of student organizations and activities, including Greek Life, FSU Honors College, Garnet and Gold Scholars Society, and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). In fact, Gancedo eventually became a leader for other students in UROP.

Gancedo credits her English studies for much of her success in law school. Currently, in her third year at FSU, she says the reading requirements in her English courses helped prepare her for similar reading requirements in law school. Gancedo hopes that her experiences are helpful for English students considering law school.

She recently accepted a post-graduation position at a law firm in Miami, where she will work on insurance defense.

What made you want to attend law school?

Surprisingly, I have been saying I want to go to law school ever since I was a little girl. My dad is a lawyer and I wanted to follow in his footsteps, which is why the answer to the “what do you want to be when you grow up” question was always “a lawyer.” As I started to get older, I pursued degrees in the subjects that have always interested me the most, which are reading and writing.

During my time [as an undergraduate] at FSU, I interned for a state senator at the Florida Capitol and gained insight into how laws are made. Through this internship, I knew law school was what I wanted to pursue, as I was able to combine my passions for reading and the law. On a separate note, my Cuban American background also played a role in deciding to pursue a career in law. Although I was not born in Cuba, both of my parents and my whole family were. Through their stories and our experiences living in Miami, I have witnessed firsthand the struggles that immigrants face.

I was always very interested in the process of gaining citizenship in the United States. Throughout law school, I participated in the Immigration and Farmworker Project, which is a clinic offered by FSU Law’s Public Interest Law Center. I was able to work on real cases with real clients, including many different types of humanitarian visas. These visas include U-visas [U nonimmigrant status], Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and asylum. The opportunity to help other immigrants has been particularly rewarding and I hope to continue to help this community, even if immigration law will not be my primary area of practice.

How did your English degree prepare you for law school?

My English degree prepared me for the reading that is required and expected of students in law school. As an English major, having to read for three to four hours a day was commonplace for me. Many law students struggle their first year with keeping up with readings, but English majors have a leg up. My English degree also equipped me with the tools necessary to analyze and interpret cases and legislation. If you can read and understand Shakespeare, you can read almost anything! My degree also helped me with law school final exams, which are all essays. Typically, law school final exams will include a fact pattern that you are required to analyze and write about. As an English major, I was used to having written exams and even felt comfortable with them.

Would you recommend English as an undergraduate degree for students interested in law?

Absolutely! One of the main parts of law school is getting the hang of reading and writing, specifically learning how to think critically about the readings you have completed. English majors are equipped with the tools necessary to succeed, as reading, writing, analyzing, and interpreting are some of the main components of the curriculum. Q: What is a piece of advice you would give to English students who are also considering law school? A: One of my favorite inspirational quotes, shared with me by a professor at FSU Law, says “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.” As you consider applying for law school, seek opportunities that will allow you to “bloom” in ways that will foster personal growth while also enjoying the success of your peers. It is easy to get bogged down by what other students are doing, but remember to go at your own pace.

Alyssa Cuevas is a junior who is majoring in English-Editing, Writing, and Media, with a second major in Communication.