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So for about 2 years since I graduated high school (in 06) I've sort of been leaning towards wanting to go to law school. This year however, I've begun to lean more heavily towards a PhD in international relations. My dad wants me to go to law school even if I don't become a lawyer (which admittedly I've never actually wanted to do, I've just been interested in law school in order to get into international law) because it would "give me a lot more opporunities" and is sort of a more versatile degree. However, everyone I've talked to (two of my poli sci professors who have also gone to law school and been lawyers) basically told me NOT to go to law school if I didn't actually want to be a lawyer.
After working on my honors thesis these past 6 months, the decision in a sense seems to have become much clearer for me... I really love the whole research process, and feeling like an expert on a particular subject. I've always wanted to do something in an "international" field, and especially after taking an international law class, I basically learned that international law really doesn't operate the same as civil law, so it is feasible for me to be able to get into international law without going to law school if I so desire. On the same token, I can get into international relations with a law degree...
I'm pretty sure I would be able to succeed (hopefully I'll be able to) at the same rate at either a law school or a grad program (I.E, I don't think I'm significantly "better" at one or the other), so that isn't really a question... and I guess cost/length of time would probably be similar (about 3-4 years or w/e)...
So really I'm not sure what precisely to do, I'm kinda stuck on the fence. This is mainly just me thinking through this through blog-posting, but I'd also like to hear some thoughts/opinions on this.
**Also another note... I was recently researching about applying to something like London School of Economics or Oxford/Cambridge for my grad schools, and learning about their systems and stuff really made me want to go to one of these schools!_!**
 
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I don't know personally, but I would think your professors would know better than your father. And it honestly sounds like you want to do the Phd anyways and are just looking for validation. When it comes to anything post-secondary, my advice is always pick what you actually want to do.
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clearly he doesn't think so ^__^
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I mean if you think about it you are going to be wildly successful either way right? So do what you want. Your parents will always try and choose for you if you let them.
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On the one hand, PhD programs typically cost little to nothing because the University is essentially paying you to work with them, at least that's what I've heard. Law school is really expensive and unless you have super LSAT scores/super GPA and did a lot of amazing shit for a big scholarship, you'll probably have to pay a good amount of money to go to a good school.
On the other hand, there is no guarantee that you will get the PhD. You will be competing with a bunch of other PhD candidates, and you will have to stand out. In law school, if you pass, you get your law degree.
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don't you have a 4.0 though?
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Actually LSAT is much more important. I think it breaks down to something like 60% LSAT, 30% GPA, and 10% everything else. There are some exceptions though, like UC Berkeley.
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On April 11 2009 06:28 ahole-surprise wrote:
Actually LSAT is much more important. I think it breaks down to something like 60% LSAT, 30% GPA, and 10% everything else. There are some exceptions though, like UC Berkeley.
heard its more like 49.5/49.5 lsat and gpa with the 1% care about other stuff. they don't really care about anything else. for example, i read that yale law only accepted 1 student with a 3.8 or something like that a few years back. that's considering all the internships and jobs the thousands of applicants with gpa's lower than 4.0 had.
... hope you understood that. it was a bit ambiguous.
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On April 11 2009 06:25 fusionsdf wrote:
don't you have a 4.0 though?
I don't have a 4.0, I'm like 3.8 atm... haven't taken a LSAT or GRE yet though
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On April 11 2009 06:38 R3condite wrote:
phd... = research
ya I'm aware, I wrote a 100 page paper (check my other blogs) with like 4-5 months of researching stuff and I actually really enjoyed the whole process, which made me start considering a PhD program instead of law school
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On April 11 2009 07:04 redtooth wrote:Show nested quote +On April 11 2009 06:28 ahole-surprise wrote:
Actually LSAT is much more important. I think it breaks down to something like 60% LSAT, 30% GPA, and 10% everything else. There are some exceptions though, like UC Berkeley. heard its more like 49.5/49.5 lsat and gpa with the 1% care about other stuff. they don't really care about anything else. for example, i read that yale law only accepted 1 student with a 3.8 or something like that a few years back. that's considering all the internships and jobs the thousands of applicants with gpa's lower than 4.0 had. ... hope you understood that. it was a bit ambiguous.
there's maybe a 0.000001% chance I'll get into Yale... I'm nowhere near intense enough for that T_T
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I'd go for the PhD and not think twice about it.
The world is changing and law degrees and MBAs are becoming increasingly generic commodities. A PhD will give you a degree of expertise above the field and set you apart.
I'm convinced that the hiring trends reflect this shift. Consulting firms like McKinsey are increasingly hiring PhDs for their analytical ability to solve problems. James Simons, #1 earner on Wall Street last year, his firm never hires MBAs. Rather, they have an army of PhDs from math and science.
The world is a much more competitive place than it was during our parents generation and a law degree, while still quite valuable, isn't quite the same as what it used to be. On the other hand, highly specialized skills are becoming more valuable.
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PHD ALL DAY OH MY GOD
choice is not even close go get a PhD sir! those things are awesome.
WORST case scenario: you goto PhD and a few years later decide you wanna do law school.
its not ACTUALLY like you are CHOOSING one versus the other. You're just picking one to do FIRST and seeing if you wanna do the other one afterwards. To this, i saw gogogogo international relations alld ay
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Law School. Unless you hate work. Then PhD. Law school is hell on earth, I'd suggest that you read 1L by Scott Turow before you apply. However, if you can get into a top law school, starting fare for new Harvard/Yale graduates is 150k+. Are you quick on your feet Xeris?
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Your blog reminded me of this column.
Going to law school when you don't want to be a lawyer would be an enormous waste of time and money. Don't do it.
As for law school itself, it's as much work as you make it to be. For the majority of your classes, your entire grade is one ~3 hour final exam; how much time you spend preparing for it or even attending lecture is up to you.
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haha that comic is awesome
i do that so much lolol^
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Well from reading your blog, I think you should pursue your PhD degree because you genuinely seem interested in research. Also, your professors (who are lawyers!!!!) should know what they're talking about lol. I think you pretty much get paid for doing a PhD? It's like that here in canada for the sciences at least, im not sure about for international relations. So you can focus on your work and even get more experience that could help you do law school or whatever aftwards.
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do not go to law school over getting your phd.
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EPT![[image loading]](http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive/phd031609s.gif)
![[image loading]](http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive/phd111208s.gif)
