Tier 1 (Rank 50s) school, 3L, 3.0 GPA (literally, I got sick each year different ailments (diabetes, hypothyroidism, insomnia, blood clot), Focus on IP and Taxation, lots of clinical experience.
No job during 1L or 2L summer, I took science classes and law classes.
No job prospects.
I'm 2 credits short of qualifying for patent bar.
Two options:
(A) Take a science class this summer, take patent bar, take the Bar exam in February 2013.
(B) Take State Bar exam, look for a job and take science class, take Patent Bar exam in 2013.
What would you do?
EDIT:
Technical Background:
I have a B.A. in Poli Sci, I took 3 years of science courses in college for a Biology major. I have taken Chemistry (10 credits), Physics (8 credits), Biology (12 credits) (All for pre-med reqs), Organic Chem (8 credits)
I have 2 credits left to take, which I plan on taking a Computer Science course with lab. I have a lot of computer experience (I know how to program in Java and Ruby, I know how to use various server technologies and can do web design). I worked in a healthcare company helping to develop electronic medical recording software before law school.
What should I do? Forum
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oxygen720
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:00 pm
What should I do?
Last edited by oxygen720 on Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Agent
- Posts: 343
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:03 pm
Re: What should I do?
More info re your technical background would be helpful.
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oxygen720
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:00 pm
Re: What should I do?
edited to add more data.
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romothesavior
- Posts: 14692
- Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:29 pm
Re: What should I do?
So you have a 3.0 at a T50, a political science degree, and zero summer internship experience?
Outlook not good.
Outlook not good.
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oxygen720
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:00 pm
Re: What should I do?
yap, its bad. I have clinical experience working with real clients (patent searches and trademark clearances) and I'm doing a judicial clerkship clinic (its basically a 4 month clerkship, pass/fail)
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wiseowl
- Posts: 1070
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:38 pm
Re: What should I do?
I would take the state bar this summer and, if you want, finish the science classes this fall while job searching.
Since you're so close I guess it's worth finishing up the patent bar qualifications at some point, but I wouldn't expect them to be a big difference-maker. Most firms and clients will simply not view you the same as they view someone with a science degree, rightly or wrongly.
The patent bar itself requires no science knowledge whatsoever and is largely a test of how well you can Ctrl-F the MPEP in Adobe under time pressure.
If you don't take the state bar with the rest of your graduating class, I think that will leave a significant question mark in people's minds as to what was going on during that gap in time. Better to get that out of the way then maybe pursue a state court clerkship or something. You do have some practical experience, which is good.
I think you're looking at hanging a shingle and maybe being able to position yourself as able to provide IP services to individual inventors (which most firms do not) or startups, etc. Malpractice will be a significant concern though and you'll have to be really, really careful. If you can find a mentor that knows the ropes that would be beneficial. Join your local IP bar and network thy ass off.
Since you're so close I guess it's worth finishing up the patent bar qualifications at some point, but I wouldn't expect them to be a big difference-maker. Most firms and clients will simply not view you the same as they view someone with a science degree, rightly or wrongly.
The patent bar itself requires no science knowledge whatsoever and is largely a test of how well you can Ctrl-F the MPEP in Adobe under time pressure.
If you don't take the state bar with the rest of your graduating class, I think that will leave a significant question mark in people's minds as to what was going on during that gap in time. Better to get that out of the way then maybe pursue a state court clerkship or something. You do have some practical experience, which is good.
I think you're looking at hanging a shingle and maybe being able to position yourself as able to provide IP services to individual inventors (which most firms do not) or startups, etc. Malpractice will be a significant concern though and you'll have to be really, really careful. If you can find a mentor that knows the ropes that would be beneficial. Join your local IP bar and network thy ass off.
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yuzu
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:08 pm
Re: What should I do?
Is it possible to take the science class while studying for/taking the state bar? Keep in mind that the grade won't really matter (C- or better qualifies) and it's only 2 credits.
Once you have taken the state bar and finished your course, taking the patent bar will not take much time - you will certainly have it done before state bar results come out. After that you should be able to focus on job search full time or try to set up a prosecution business.
Also, you may want to double-check with the OED that the class will make you eligible. The requirements are kind of complicated, especially for CS classes.
Once you have taken the state bar and finished your course, taking the patent bar will not take much time - you will certainly have it done before state bar results come out. After that you should be able to focus on job search full time or try to set up a prosecution business.
Also, you may want to double-check with the OED that the class will make you eligible. The requirements are kind of complicated, especially for CS classes.
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Agent
- Posts: 343
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:03 pm
Re: What should I do?
I agree with wiseowl, and I think yuzu makes good points.
Also, I think having a registration number helps with (1) networking and (2) the perception problem that you're likely to face in light of your lack of a science degree.
Note:
I believe a registration number helps with (2), despite wiseowl's (true) statement that "the patent bar itself requires no science knowledge," because:
While your technical background does not merit a degree, having a registration number will allow and perhaps prompt people to accept that you have enough of a technical background to sit for the exam. That's a large step ahead of most people holding a B.A. in Poli Sci.
A registration number looks fine on a business card; a list of your undergrad sciences courses does not. Then again, perhaps you feel that your work experience alone is visible enough to showcase your technical background (despite that it will leave people guessing re your patent bar eligibility, if they actually care about that).
Best of luck.
Also, I think having a registration number helps with (1) networking and (2) the perception problem that you're likely to face in light of your lack of a science degree.
Note:
I believe a registration number helps with (2), despite wiseowl's (true) statement that "the patent bar itself requires no science knowledge," because:
While your technical background does not merit a degree, having a registration number will allow and perhaps prompt people to accept that you have enough of a technical background to sit for the exam. That's a large step ahead of most people holding a B.A. in Poli Sci.
A registration number looks fine on a business card; a list of your undergrad sciences courses does not. Then again, perhaps you feel that your work experience alone is visible enough to showcase your technical background (despite that it will leave people guessing re your patent bar eligibility, if they actually care about that).
Best of luck.
