Hi everyone,

I recently got an email from Northwestern U about their accelerated JD program. Does anyone have any firsthand (or other) info/experience with this program? I had considered law school a year or two ago, but unfortunately bombed (relatively speaking) my LSAT, and gave up that dream temporarily. Since then, I've entered the workforce, gotten laid off (stupid economy), and taken/ done very well on the GMATs.

The accel. JD program almost seems like a "too-good-to -be-true" proposition, so I wanted to get some inputs from you guys who are more in tune with the L school world.

Thanks for any tips

(Brief profile)
Age @ matriculation: 24
URM
2 years work experience + 3 summers internships (engineering)
LSAT: 160 (Feb 2008)
GMAT: 770 (Sept 2009)

nothin?

probably the wrong forum for this thread, you'll get more bites in what are my chances, or another part of the board... this one seems to be mostly about alumni or current students telling 0L's what their LS is like

Wow that is a great GMAT score. What happened with the LSAT?

I talked to an admin person a few weeks ago about their AJD program. They said not to take both tests, but if you do they will give each equal weight. You have a GMAT that's 99% and an LSAT that is <90%. was there some reason for the discrepancy? (like a bad test day or center) If so, I would include that.

Also, the type of work experience really matters. Were you in a leadership position? Managing? Project lead. Did you work independently or under direct supervision. Obviously the more leadership/independent the better.

im also kind of curious on the AJD program. One less year of tuition would be pretty nice.

my only concerns about it are:
1) usually your 2L internship leads to your full-time job, so does the AJD make the job procurement process more difficult since you dont have a 2L summer?
2) do employers look down on it since you have taken fewer law courses than most other law graduates? or is it a sign of excellence that Northwestern accepted you in the program and you were able to finish a law degree in less time?

You still pay full tuition. They say they charge per degree not the amount of time spent earning it.

1. You do have a 2L summer. You would start the program in May of 2010 (for me it would be after classes but before graduation). It is technically only one semester shorter. you go three semesters SUmmer fallspring, then summer internship then 3L.

2. the Employment statistics are not in yet as the program is in its second year, but the acceptance stats are the same (LSAT and GPA) so it is a risk, but you still get a degree Northwestern so it should be OK.

honestly, i dont know why i bombed (relatively speaking) the LSAT. my baseline score was a 160.. i studied on and off for about 2 months, and i was hitting mid-high 160s. i figured come through in the clutch, reach 170, and apply to NYU/Columbia. unfortunately, that never happened. i wound up applying to NYU/COL/Fordham anyway, but got wait listed at all 3 and never got in.

the gmats were kinda the same, except i had a ton of time to prepare (since i got laid off). i studied about 2-3 hrs a day for 3 weeks. beat my practice scores by a sizable margin instead of the other way around as on the LSAT.

is there a mod that can move this to the right forum? i dont wanna have to start another new thread... but if i have to, i guess i will lol.

also 2 more quick things, i talked to someone at NWU admissions and they said they would only consider the GMAT if thats what i preferred.. i was starting to get scared since my LSAT was so low, and i didnt want them averaging the two scores.

finally, as was noted, the AJD program isn't cheaper, but it'll get you out quicker.

AJD candidates go through OCI just like everyone else.
You don't take less courses. You take the same amount of courses in a compacted timeframe. That's why it is accelerated.

They WILL NOT take anyone with less than 2 yeas of work experience. And really for the AJD you would want to have closer to 5yrs to be considered a good candidate. The program is for people who have essentially established a career and are now making the move to law school to advance / change that career.

The first class is still in the AJD program so NU hasn't given much feedback. I asked during my interview because I'm interested in the program as well and am applying to it. If you apply AJD and are not accepted, they put you into consideration for the traditional 3yr program automatically.

These are two very different tests. Quant students (engineering, math, accounting, finance, cs) will find GMAT to be easier since there is more math involved.

From the application, you can choose which test score Northwestern should consider. It looks like they only take 20-40 students per year in the program. I am very interested in it as well since I have 10+ years work experience with major investment banks and blue chip healthcare companies. I assume placement will be comparable to the 3-year program because the class is made up of individuals who already have a proven track record of success in the real world.

You are correct. I misread the brochure. It states that both tests will receive equal weight but it means that one won't matter more than the other.

Just got out of the interview. OCI placement appears to be the same for AJD and 3-year program. Median work experience is 6 years. Given the bad economy, this WE number may go up for next year's class. Northwestern will disregard your summer internships for WE. They are focusing on post-undergraduate WE. Quality of work experience will also be a factor: consulting gig, investment banking analyst, awards, management experience, leadership experience, project management.

Just got out of the interview. OCI placement appears to be the same for AJD and 3-year program. Median work experience is 6 years. Given the bad economy, this WE number may go up for next year's class. Northwestern will disregard your summer internships for WE. They are focusing on post-undergraduate WE. Quality of work experience will also be a factor: consulting gig, investment banking analyst, awards, management experience, leadership experience, project management.

For NU, I think that you are in a tough predicament ... your GMAT score would fit the JD/MBA program quite well; however, the lack of considerable WE will likely keep you out. As for the AJD program, I remember seeing that the average age is marticulation 27+ (it seems like it should be higher). Also, the AJD program requires the LSAT, not the GMAT.

Also I read that if you apply for the three year JD/MBA they only take the GMAT (I think it was the TLS interview). just a thought.

In response to my previous post, assuming that you have the requisite WE (I'm still thinking that 2 years will not be enough), I think that the JD/MBA program may be your best bet!

hi - thanks for the info about the AJD and the JD/MBA. i had never given much thought to the dual degree program, mostly because i thought myself as going into patent law if i ever did go to law school. not sure how valuable an MBA would be if i were to become a patent lawyer

You're better off getting out of law school 1 year earlier from a return on investment standpoint. I wouldn't advise JD/MBA if you are going into patent law.

I agree that the JD/MBA appeals much less to patent law than to other legal practice areas, but if the JD/MBA route is your best means to get into a t-14, then I would strongly consider. At NU, all JD/MBA's complete the traditional 1st-year law school coursework ... I presume that you could transfer out of the dual program at the end of hte 1st year.