Is American University Worth Going to for International Law? Forum

[reddspartan]

Hey, new to the message board figured I would see what you all think about this. I'd like to study international law, specifically public international law. I would like to work for an NGO or IGO some day in the future. I was recently offered a full ride to American University, which I only really applied to due to the school's high ranking international law program, but now I'm skeptical due to its low ranking overall and horror stories I've heard about job prospects.

Just a little bit more info, I've also been accepted to Indiana with $$$, Wisconsin with $, William and Mary with $$, Minnesota with $$, and Iowa with $. I was wait-listed at George Washington, though I'm partially convinced this was YP. Still waiting to hear back from Georgetown, NYU, Columbia, Michigan, NorthWestern, Chicago, and WashU.

[xael]

AU is not worth going for international law, and none of the schools you listed are.

[acr]

Don't go to American under any circumstances.

Just don't.

[reddspartan]

Let me just state that though International Law is my ideal choice, I understand it's a very limited field. If I do not end up attending NYU, Colombia, or Georgetown, I will most likely not pursue that path. I also have interest in Health Law, IP Law, and Corporate Law. Also, would W&M be considered within the D.C. market? I'm heavily considering attending W&M due to their scholarship offer and its location.

[magnum_law]

Sharing your approx stats would be helpful in helping you assess your situation.

Either way, AU, at least for law, is a pretty bad idea. Even for free. Don't sell yourself short by settling.

[reddspartan]

GPA 3.67 from UIUC in Econ and Political Science. 166 LSAT.

[xael]

You need to retake the LSAT.

You (basically) can't do IP law without a patent-eligible degree

Your odds of getting "corporate" law from the schools you were admitted to is very low

[yenisey]

Don't go to American under any circumstances.

Just don't.

How come?

[HYPSM]

I'm very sorry, but you really need a reality check.

You cannot practice IP law without a hard science or engineering degree (e.g., Electrical Engineering); a political science degree will be of no use to you.

You are most definitely NOT going to practice "international law" or "corporate law/BigLaw" by attending American University or any of the law schools that you have been accepted to, because their graduates are not highly regarded and not sought after by employers. (Please disregard all sub-speciality rankings -- they don't mean anything.)

I don't mean to be rude, but you will most likely not be accepted to any of the T-14 law schools that you've mentioned. You are actually below the GPA and LSAT medians for even Georgetown (I don't even know why you applied to WashU).

The answer here is clear: Re-take the LSAT, break 170, and go to a T-14 law school.

[worldtraveler]

It really sounds like you have no idea what you want to do. Why law school?

[reddspartan]

Ok, let me step back a bit. I'll be honest, I'm really not quite sure what type of law I would like to practice. My interests vary across a range of areas. Criminal Prosecution is the only area that really turns me off, criminal defense I find quite intriguing however.

Why law? I've taken numerous law courses during my undergraduate, excelling in them all. I've really enjoyed these courses, doing case briefs, doing legal research etc... I also participated in an internship at a public defender's office which I also greatly enjoyed. Beyond all of this I've always held a career in law as my ultimate goal for a number of years, since middle school even. I'm well aware that IP is out of the question as well as corporate to an extent, Intl was mostly a pipe dream too. Big law was never my aim, I'm more interested in working for the Feds, Non-for-profits, Smaller Firms, or In-house.

As far as the schools I applied too, many gave me fee waivers which is why I applied to so many. I'm originally from central Illinois. In the end I would rather work in the Midwest (around Illinois) or DC area. Mostly considering Indiana or W&M due to their generous scholarships.

[K Rock]

Ok, let me step back a bit. I'll be honest, I'm really not quite sure what type of law I would like to practice. My interests vary across a range of areas. Criminal Prosecution is the only area that really turns me off, criminal defense I find quite intriguing however.

Why law? I've taken numerous law courses during my undergraduate, excelling in them all. I've really enjoyed these courses, doing case briefs, doing legal research etc... I also participated in an internship at a public defender's office which I also greatly enjoyed. Beyond all of this I've always held a career in law as my ultimate goal for a number of years, since middle school even. I'm well aware that IP is out of the question as well as corporate to an extent, Intl was mostly a pipe dream too. Big law was never my aim, I'm more interested in working for the Feds, Non-for-profits, Smaller Firms, or In-house.

As far as the schools I applied too, many gave me fee waivers which is why I applied to so many. I'm originally from central Illinois. In the end I would rather work in the Midwest (around Illinois) or DC area. Mostly considering Indiana or W&M due to their generous tuitions.

Former UIUC undergrad who went to Indiana law here. Most of our grads who wanted to end up back in Illinois were able to do so. I have nothing bad to say about Indiana. However, it sounds like you need to do a lot more research / personal reflection before deciding on a law school. Check out the Law School Transparency Score Reports. American is a shithole. You should also considering retaking the LSAT. Did you apply to UIUC law?

[pancakes3]

GW doesn't seem like the type of school to yp.

[lymenheimer]

Also...this: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 1&t=206299

[reddspartan]

Also applied to UIUC Law. Would rather not continue going here as I'm also a townie and really want to get out of the area for the next few years. As far as COA, parents are willing to pay a portion each year, mostly to help with Living expenses. The rest will be paid through loans and scholarships. I'm not URM and I'm from a well-off family so scholarships are almost entirely merit based.

[HYPSM]

You will not be practicing international law in an NGO, corporate law, or IP law upon graduating from W&M, Indiana, American or any other low-ranked school. Frankly, you come across as being very immature, rash, and unknowledgeable/uninformed. You do not even have a clear idea of what you want to do with a law degree and your interests are completely unrelated and scattered.

You say you want to practice international law? Corporate Law? Health law? IP Law? Criminal defense? What are you, some 5th grader who just says he wants to do whatever sounds cool and interesting? You have no clue as to what you want to do. Forget more school; you need to mature a little more and maybe get a real job.