Texas Wesleyan For Free Forum

[TXANG]

Hey everyone,

I'm a Specialist in the TX Army National Guard and looking for a commission as an officer starting next fall. I took the LSAT last year for shits and giggles and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in criminal justice.

I got a 155 and a 3.1 at school and never did anything with law school, just worked and went weekend warrior once I graduated.

TCU does ROTC partnerships with some Fort Worth area schools, Texas Wesleyan being one of them. They told me by going to law school there, provided I get accepted, and participating in the TCU ROTC department, I'll receive a full tuition and book scholarship, and the ultimate goal, a commission as a 2LT upon graduation.

From what I'm gathering on this forum, TWUL is straight garbage. However, I don't plan to become a lawyer, but rather step into a federal law enforcement position. FBI requires a law or accounting degree, other departments don't require a law degree but prefer it.

I'm considering this as a viable option... what's the general consensus on the school/chances of acceptance/uses of a law degree other than lawyer work etc... any info appreciated!

[Titleist]

1. You will get in to Texas Wesleyan
2. Texas Wesleyan is plain garbage
3. Don't go to law school if you don't want to be a lawyer (which is actually more than a possibility by going to Texas Wesleyan)

[tyler.durden]

*

[3ThrowAway99]

1. You will get in to Texas Wesleyan
2. Texas Wesleyan is plain garbage
3. Don't go to law school if you don't want to be a lawyer (which is actually more than a possibility by going to Texas Wesleyan)

Not so sure this is credited given the full ride. If dood is interested in (possibly) practicing law and doesn't mind sticking close to area of school in TX after graduating I think this may be a decent option. But it really depends on what OP's other options are, and whether OP in fact wants to (attempt to) practice law.

[3ThrowAway99]

FBI requires a law or accounting degree, other departments don't require a law degree but prefer it.

False on both counts.

yeah, and i'm sure you're busting down their door with your BA right now

[tyler.durden]

FBI requires a law or accounting degree, other departments don't require a law degree but prefer it.

False on both counts.

yeah, and i'm sure your busting down their door with your BA right now

I didn't say or imply that. Just saying its not true that FBI requires a law or accounting degree. There are many qualifying paths and those are just 2 of them.

[3ThrowAway99]

FBI requires a law or accounting degree, other departments don't require a law degree but prefer it.

False on both counts.

yeah, and i'm sure your busting down their door with your BA right now

I didn't say or imply that. Just saying its not true that FBI requires a law or accounting degree. There are many qualifying paths and those are just 2 of them.

Yeah, well the other qualifying paths are (a) other advanced degrees (i.e. PhD Computer Science--check USA jobs) or (b) long career in law enforcement or military intelligence as far as I know. So for most ppl, a law degree probably will increase chances of (but far from guarantee) some sort of FBI position.

But true, a law degree is not a necessary (or sufficient) condition of getting FBI job.

[tyler.durden]

^

Agreed. That's all I'm saying. Probably should have been clearer, but whatever, the point is, twul is not a great option either way. Job prospects are poor and FBI cares about the quality of the university and twul just doesn't have it IMO

[Nova]

The school is currently one of the worst in the state. You will probably get in. Dont get a JD if you dont want to practice law.

•48.9% of graduates were known to be employed in long-term, full-time legal jobs. This figure includes no school-funded jobs..
•61.4% graduates were employed in long-term jobs.
•66.4% graduates were employed in full-time jobs.

--LinkRemoved--

[TXANG]

thanks for all the insight and opinions on the post.

it is true, law and accounting aren't the only ways to get into the FBI, but according to their employment sight, people with no experience in law enforcement at all typically need to have these things. so i think both of your points about the various avenues to get into federal agencies are valid.

it's tough for me to know exactly how to feel about this. i know the reputation at TWUL is poor AT BEST, so i can definitely understand why it looks bad. but the thing is, it's free... so shouldn't having a degree, even if it is from a sub-par institution, be better than having none at all?

and kind of a side bar question, is having a law degree really worthless unless you want to practice law? is that really all it's good for? i'm completely clueless about law school compared to all of you who are invested in it.

the information so far has been excellent, or at least thought provoking, so please, continue to discuss! i want to learn about all sides as much as possible.

[Tiago Splitter]

so shouldn't having a degree, even if it is from a sub-par institution, better than none at all?

Not necessarily. You'll either have to convince a non-lawyer, who thinks a JD is a ticket to a hot shot life, that you actually want to work for him and won't leave for a legal job at the first chance, or you'll have to explain a three year gap on your resume.

If a free law degree is all that stands between you and a job you'd love then by all means go for it. But if there aren't any guarantees then find another path.

[TXANG]

yeah man, i mean, you're totally right. it's kind of one of those situations where it's not really great if you do, and no one really cares if you don't. it's just a call you have to make and find out what happens in the end.

[TXANG]

and i'm trying to figure out what this acquisition by Texas A&M could mean for the future of the school and the students who go.

does anyone see that having any kind of effect soon/future or none at all?

[Titleist]

and i'm trying to figure out what this acquisition by Texas A&M could mean for the future of the school and the students who go.

does anyone see that having any kind of effect soon/future or none at all?

If you are going to apply this year or next year it means absolutely nothing.

[Nova]

and i'm trying to figure out what this acquisition by Texas A&M could mean for the future of the school and the students who go.

does anyone see that having any kind of effect soon/future or none at all?

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=187850

[mr.hands]

I'm not sure about the specifics of this tuition and book scholarship, but if it is like other scholarships at TTT/TTTT schools, you should be aware that it is a real possibility that you lose your scholarship, have to take out loans, and then you have a degree from a terrible school in a field that you don't want to practice in.

This plan can go wrong in a lot of ways

[bizchick05]

If you're not planning on becoming an atty, then why go to law school? There are other avenues of getting into the FBI. First and foremost, the exam to get in requires some analytical ability, "honesty" and math ability. You should probably study for those first before spending $80k on a law degree if you're going to end up failing the entrance exam to begin with.

[twenty]

I'll receive a full tuition and book scholarship, and the ultimate goal, a commission as a 2LT upon graduation.

Presumably the ROTC legal program would pay for your tuition. If this is true, get the specifics -- find out what it'd take to lose the scholarship, get kicked out of ROTC, etc. You're not getting FBI/any LEO in this era, you're just not, so figure you'll be spending a long time as an officer. If you're up for that, then by all means.