Applied...Accepted...Holy Shit Forum

[Undecided83]

I still can't decide if I should even GO to law school... For the last year and half I have been working in the Republic of Panama for a real estate development, and I really do love the career I am in. I feel like I need to further my education, though, and I had always planned on going to law school before I got into what I am doing now.

If I do go to schools, I am not necessarily interested in a career in BigLaw - I'd like to apply my legal education to real estate development, and possibly at an international level. I believe that there is a way to apply my legal education to this career, but I have a fear of getting "stuck" working for big firms just to pay off loans.

Also still trying to decide between the 2 schools to which I sent initial seat deposits - Boston U and Tulane. Obviously BU is much higher ranked with more opportunities to potentially get into BigLaw, but Tulane is offering me significantly more money. Plus, WAY lower cost of living and MUCH closer proximity to friends/family that I haven't gotten to see during the last year and a half that I've been in Panama. Plus, if I am not really interested in a career in BigLaw anyway, then maybe the cost benefits of enrolling at Tulane outweigh the higher degree of prestige associated with BU...?

I really appreciate some thoughts on this from you guys. What sucks is that I am not even able to visit either one of the schools until the end of May when I am quiting my job and have arranged to fly back into the States. Of course class will not even be in session at either of the schools at that point! Stressing out here...

[The Agitator]

I still can't decide if I should even GO to law school... For the last year and half I have been working in the Republic of Panama for a real estate development, and I really do love the career I am in.

Do not go to law school.

I'd like to apply my legal education to real estate development, and possibly at an international level.

Get an MBA. Or take foreign language classes. How would three years of education about the AMERICAN legal system prepare you for real estate development in foreign countries?

[aguyingeorgia]

Post in the right forum.

[20090922]

It sounds like you'd be happier at Tulane...go to Tulane...unless you decide that law school isn't for you.

[Darth Topher]

I love the bluntness that always comes from "The agitator" and "aguyingeorgia." They always "keep it real"

[jonnybeard]

Is there anyone at work you can talk to, a mentor or something, about how pertinent a J.D. would be to what you want to do? I'm no expert, but I'm going to go ahead and go on a limb and say that if you have no interest in being a LAWyer, a LAW degree might be a waste of time. Not to mention money.

As for BU or Tulane, same answer everyone gets who asks a question like this: Do you want to live/work in Boston or New Orleans when you're done?

[Undecided83]

I love the bluntness that always comes from "The agitator" and "aguyingeorgia." They always "keep it real"

Yes, I really do appreciate the candor as well.

[Undecided83]

Is there anyone at work you can talk to, a mentor or something, about how pertinent a J.D. would be to what you want to do? I'm no expert, but I'm going to go ahead and go on a limb and say that if you have no interest in being a LAWyer, a LAW degree might be a waste of time. Not to mention money.

Well, the rule of law touches so many aspects of our lives - and it absolutely comes into play when it comes to real estate transactions, development, urban planning, etc. Example - the development I work for has been engrossed in a labor conflict with a construction workers union and a land conflict with a competing company for the past year, and our in-house counsel has been EXTREMELY busy. There is definitely a connection, but I am not sure how feasible it is to custom tailor a legal education and career around that connection...

Thank you all for your responses

[M_Cool]

I'm going to go ahead and go on a limb and say that if you have no interest in being a LAWyer, a LAW degree might be a waste of time. Not to mention money.

I couldn't disagree more from what I've heard from people.. My uncle happens to be a successful investment banker who has a law degree but never took a bar exam in his life. A law degree makes you more marketable in most areas of business. You don't have to be a LAWyer just because you have a law degree.

Anywho, based upon what you have said, I would go to Tulane.

[aguyingeorgia]

Well, I do wish you the best of luck, OP.

I wasn't trying to be mean, just noticed the thread and thought you might get better/more advice under the right forum.

That said, it sounds to me like you would be much happier at Tulane.

[Undecided83]

I'm going to go ahead and go on a limb and say that if you have no interest in being a LAWyer, a LAW degree might be a waste of time. Not to mention money.

I couldn't disagree more from what I've heard from people.. My uncle happens to be a successful investment banker who has a law degree but never took a bar exam in his life. A law degree makes you more marketable in most areas of business. You don't have to be a LAWyer just because you have a law degree.

Anywho, based upon what you have said, I would go to Tulane.

This is quite encouraging. Thanks a lot for posting!

[Undecided83]

Well, I do wish you the best of luck, OP.

I wasn't trying to be mean, just noticed the thread and thought you might get better/more advice under the right forum.[/quote]

Really, no offense taken at all

That said, it sounds to me like you would be much happier at Tulane.

Thanks. I think you may be right. Hearing others say this makes it easier getting over that U.S. News Ratings hump

[jonnybeard]

Is the in-house counsel thing something you want to do? Then yeah, go to law school. But I really do recommend talking to other people who work in your field and ask them whether they think it would make you more marketable. Like I said, I've got no idea. It seems like you might have some pretty good resources for a question like this right in the office where you work.

[Undecided83]

Is the in-house counsel thing something you want to do? Then yeah, go to law school. But I really do recommend talking to other people who work in your field and ask them whether they think it would make you more marketable. Like I said, I've got no idea. It seems like you might have some pretty good resources for a question like this right in the office where you work.

In-house would be ideal - but in general I believe those in-house positions are competitive/hard to come by. Wondering if a J.D. from BU would open more doors.

[JPeavy44]

IF you do really want to go to law school, you should pick an environment where you will be happy and enjoy your time there. If you're not, that will affect your school work. It sounds like you've got a really cool thing going on already