Alternatives to Law School Forum
-
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2010 9:29 pm
Alternatives to Law School
I am just curious as to what some peoples plans are if they fail to get the LSAT score they desire/ are denied acceptance to the law school (s) of their choice/ decide law school is poor financial decision, etc. What other options are liberal arts majors considering?
- General Tso
- Posts: 2272
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:51 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
if you are inclined to go the business route, I'd get a certificate at a local university's extension in something like Finance or MIS. These are very affordable compared to the cost of a BBA or MBA (eg- UCLA, UCB extensions charge around $4000-5000 for a certificate).
Then I'd work for a few years in that sector. If after 4-5 years my career is not progressing, I'd consider an MBA (but try to get the employer to fund it...MBA tuition is skyrocketing).
Then I'd work for a few years in that sector. If after 4-5 years my career is not progressing, I'd consider an MBA (but try to get the employer to fund it...MBA tuition is skyrocketing).
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2010 2:47 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
Well, I'm not in the position of not being able to get into the school I want, but I am not sure whether or not law school is the route for me yet. Thus, my plan as of now is to get a job in either market research, marketing, or biz development because this field seems very interesting to me. After further research of law school and depending on how my work is going I may opt to go to law school after a couple years.
My info:
Econ/math major. I've had a sales internship and enjoyed it- I like the idea of building a product/company.
My info:
Econ/math major. I've had a sales internship and enjoyed it- I like the idea of building a product/company.
-
- Posts: 203
- Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:05 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
Starbucks Barista?deadhipsters wrote: What other options are liberal arts majors considering?
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
- drdolittle
- Posts: 627
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 4:15 am
Re: Alternatives to Law School
Getting practical work experience in the area of your interest(s) would be ideal (e.g. English major working for a publisher), but if you can't find such jobs or don't exactly know what to pursue, doing a MA in something of interest is better than taking a random mindless job. It'll give you time to mature and maybe figure what you really want to do with your life, which might not be what you did in grad school, but at least you'll know.
- dextermorgan
- Posts: 1134
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:37 am
Re: Alternatives to Law School
PhD, although I am not a liberal artist.
-
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 12:57 am
Re: Alternatives to Law School
PhD or MAAA.
-
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2010 3:12 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
PhD
As tough as it is finding a legal job, it's nothing compared to finding a teaching job these days.
As tough as it is finding a legal job, it's nothing compared to finding a teaching job these days.
- OrdinarilySkilled
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:22 am
Re: Alternatives to Law School
2 words....
Stickier Notes
Stickier Notes
-
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2010 9:29 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
I had considered getting a masters in accounting. A few schools have programs for people with unrelated BA's. Although I know very little about this route, other than it qualifies one to take the CPA exam- I think. Does anyone else know anything about this?
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 3:40 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
Hmm...
Well journalism doesn't seem to be panning out. I may try and get into PR and see if I can find a suitable career interest there. I may get a MAT in Social Sciences and be a middle school teacher. May not make money, but it seems rewarding and I can live off $35-40K/ year and work 9 mo/year
A) Journalism/ PR career
B) Law School (haven't applied anywhere yet, 168 - could do better I suppose since my gpa was low 3.1 comparably to people here)
C) MAT/ MA in media perhaps (although a career in the media isn't exactly what I thought it'd be going into it)
Well journalism doesn't seem to be panning out. I may try and get into PR and see if I can find a suitable career interest there. I may get a MAT in Social Sciences and be a middle school teacher. May not make money, but it seems rewarding and I can live off $35-40K/ year and work 9 mo/year
A) Journalism/ PR career
B) Law School (haven't applied anywhere yet, 168 - could do better I suppose since my gpa was low 3.1 comparably to people here)
C) MAT/ MA in media perhaps (although a career in the media isn't exactly what I thought it'd be going into it)
-
- Posts: 947
- Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 4:57 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
You guys know you can make resumes, network, and apply for jobs, right? Like without even getting a graduate degree! Even ITE! It's the damnest thing.
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- General Tso
- Posts: 2272
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:51 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
right now (and historically) there has been a TON of accounting work. but I worry about that field's long-term prognosis due to outsourcing.deadhipsters wrote:I had considered getting a masters in accounting. A few schools have programs for people with unrelated BA's. Although I know very little about this route, other than it qualifies one to take the CPA exam- I think. Does anyone else know anything about this?
- jayn3
- Posts: 664
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:21 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
points for the tar. but seriously, where exactly do you recommend all the english majors apply? starbucks? consultant work? trash removal?Bumi wrote:You guys know you can make resumes, network, and apply for jobs, right? Like without even getting a graduate degree! Even ITE! It's the damnest thing.
- General Tso
- Posts: 2272
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:51 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
that's why I recommended the certificate. It's a lot easier to get a job at a company when you can put on your resume "UC Berkeley Extension, Certificate in Finance; 2010-2011" than with "BA, Art History; 2009". Many employers don't even know the difference between a certificate and a master's degree. And you can do it with night & online classes. Cost = ~$4,000.jayn3 wrote:points for the tar. but seriously, where exactly do you recommend all the english majors apply? starbucks? consultant work? trash removal?Bumi wrote:You guys know you can make resumes, network, and apply for jobs, right? Like without even getting a graduate degree! Even ITE! It's the damnest thing.
- jayn3
- Posts: 664
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:21 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
i'd be convinced if career services hadn't drilled it into my head that masters are fairly worthless.General Tso wrote:that's why I recommended the certificate. It's a lot easier to get a job at a company when you can put on your resume "UC Berkeley Extension, Certificate in Finance; 2010-2011" than with "BA, Art History; 2009". Many employers don't even know the difference between a certificate and a master's degree. And you can do it with night & online classes. Cost = ~$4,000.jayn3 wrote: points for the tar. but seriously, where exactly do you recommend all the english majors apply? starbucks? consultant work? trash removal?
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 421
- Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 2:19 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
Actually librarian science is a pretty good field to get into for a liberal arts major.
-
- Posts: 947
- Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 4:57 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
I have known English majors to find entry level jobs in university administration, copywriting, sales, relationship management, and project management. My most successful friend has only a philosophy BA and now runs a division of a medium-sized private company. Others of my friends with liberal arts degrees have started their own businesses - make your own job! Most every large organization, no matter what they do, has a small army of people in cubicles doing all kinds of things you've never heard of, and getting paid to do it.jayn3 wrote:points for the tar. but seriously, where exactly do you recommend all the english majors apply? starbucks? consultant work? trash removal?Bumi wrote:You guys know you can make resumes, network, and apply for jobs, right? Like without even getting a graduate degree! Even ITE! It's the damnest thing.
I'm not against graduate degrees, I'm just against the idea that liberal arts BA degrees are worthless.
-
- Posts: 468
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:57 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
Interesting. As a liberal arts major, how hard is it to get into these programs?General Tso wrote:if you are inclined to go the business route, I'd get a certificate at a local university's extension in something like Finance or MIS. These are very affordable compared to the cost of a BBA or MBA (eg- UCLA, UCB extensions charge around $4000-5000 for a certificate).
Then I'd work for a few years in that sector. If after 4-5 years my career is not progressing, I'd consider an MBA (but try to get the employer to fund it...MBA tuition is skyrocketing).
- clintonius
- Posts: 1239
- Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:50 am
Re: Alternatives to Law School
+1Bumi wrote:I have known English majors to find entry level jobs in university administration, copywriting, sales, relationship management, and project management. My most successful friend has only a philosophy BA and now runs a division of a medium-sized private company. Others of my friends with liberal arts degrees have started their own businesses - make your own job! Most every large organization, no matter what they do, has a small army of people in cubicles doing all kinds of things you've never heard of, and getting paid to do it.jayn3 wrote:points for the tar. but seriously, where exactly do you recommend all the english majors apply? starbucks? consultant work? trash removal?Bumi wrote:You guys know you can make resumes, network, and apply for jobs, right? Like without even getting a graduate degree! Even ITE! It's the damnest thing.
I'm not against graduate degrees, I'm just against the idea that liberal arts BA degrees are worthless.
There's a helluva gap between consulting and solid waste management, and people with BAs in humanities fill a pretty good chunk of it. I had nothing but a poli sci-type degree and landed a pretty reasonable job as an admin at a biglaw firm making $40k/starting. In my experience, it helped to pick an area to focus on and send out tons of resumes in that area. Craigslist and such are just too daunting otherwise (although that's in New York, and smaller cities probably aren't as overwhelming).
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- General Tso
- Posts: 2272
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:51 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
They are usually open enrollment. The work is challenging though, nearly on par with a full blown Master's program. Given the cost ($30,000+/year, usually) of Masters degrees in Finance, Accounting, etc., I'd be more inclined to take a shot with a certificate instead. Once you are entrenched in a particular field, then try to get a master's with corporate funding. If you get on with a large company, they often have tuition reimbursement as part of the benefits package. MBAs are too expensive these days (eg - UC Davis total tuition is 80k+ for the entire program, and it is an average MBA program at best!)lawschoollll wrote:Interesting. As a liberal arts major, how hard is it to get into these programs?General Tso wrote:if you are inclined to go the business route, I'd get a certificate at a local university's extension in something like Finance or MIS. These are very affordable compared to the cost of a BBA or MBA (eg- UCLA, UCB extensions charge around $4000-5000 for a certificate).
Then I'd work for a few years in that sector. If after 4-5 years my career is not progressing, I'd consider an MBA (but try to get the employer to fund it...MBA tuition is skyrocketing).
-
- Posts: 468
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:57 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
Thanks for the info. How marketable do you think one is with a certificate like this? I mean, I don't exactly have connections in finance, and certainly don't have any WE in finance, so I'm just dubious that a certificate counts as a foot in the door. Although I guess if it's just 4K...General Tso wrote:They are usually open enrollment. The work is challenging though, nearly on par with a full blown Master's program. Given the cost ($30,000+/year, usually) of Masters degrees in Finance, Accounting, etc., I'd be more inclined to take a shot with a certificate instead. Once you are entrenched in a particular field, then try to get a master's with corporate funding. If you get on with a large company, they often have tuition reimbursement as part of the benefits package. MBAs are too expensive these days (eg - UC Davis total tuition is 80k+ for the entire program, and it is an average MBA program at best!)lawschoollll wrote:Interesting. As a liberal arts major, how hard is it to get into these programs?General Tso wrote:if you are inclined to go the business route, I'd get a certificate at a local university's extension in something like Finance or MIS. These are very affordable compared to the cost of a BBA or MBA (eg- UCLA, UCB extensions charge around $4000-5000 for a certificate).
Then I'd work for a few years in that sector. If after 4-5 years my career is not progressing, I'd consider an MBA (but try to get the employer to fund it...MBA tuition is skyrocketing).
- General Tso
- Posts: 2272
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:51 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
I'll PM my anecdotal experience with certificates
-
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 4:41 pm
Re: Alternatives to Law School
Not telling .... you might copy!
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login