Alternatives to LS Forum

[meg07]

So I only got into one school this cycle, and its a 4th tier school and I didn't get any scholly money. (My score is really low) I have been thinking about options other than law school. I had thought about this before but wasn't entire sure. I thought about going back to get my Masters in Teaching as an alternative route to certification. I already have a BA and MA in Political Science. I am debating between two schools. One is where I got my BA and MA from and I could start this summer (but I have to take an additional 15 hrs on top of the 39 hrs reguired for the degree because I only have about 65% of the content course require to teach social studies - I'd have to take 6hrs of upper level history, 3 hrs of Geography, and 6 hrs of Econ) Instate tutition is fairly cheap, about 3,000 a semester.

The other school I was looking at was USF in Tampa, FL. I have several friends that live down there and have visited quite often. I fell in love with St Pete (one of the reasons I applied to Stetson but unfortunetly didn't get in) I won't be able to meet the Fall deadline of April 15 so I'd have to wait till Spring term (deadline is Dec 1). I emailed one of the contacts to get more information and would have to take the GKT (general knowledge test) because my GRE is 5 yrs old. It is similar to the Praxis I here but I don't have to take it for my home instituion because I have a previously earned Masters degree. USF also requires content courses but the professior said with a MA in political science, he doubts I will have any problems. But I still don't know if I would be required to take any of the content course which include econ, geo, and sociology which I did not take during undergrad or grad. As for the cost, I believe it is just under 10,000 for out a state students a semester.

I haven't factored in COL for USF though which would I think make it, at least according to their site around 35,000 or so a year. I currently live at home with my parents. With the way the economy was/is, it just seemed to be a smart move. But I don't want to live there forever too.

Sorry this is not law related, but I figured it was as best a place as any to get some advice and insight. As for where I'd want to teach either in WV (where I am from) or FL. I know there is a reciprocity with both states too.

[j.wellington]

Many areas have programs (not just TFA) that will subsidize your masters in education while you teach full-time with salary, or serve as a teacher's assistant. I'd look into those. Below is the link for NYC Teaching Fellows, though it is quite competitive.

http://www.nycteachingfellows.org/

[summerstar]

just curious Meg, where'd you get in?

[meg07]

Florida Coastal. On LSN several people with similar numbers to mine were getting some scholly money, but I didn't which sucked. 31,000+ not including COL for a 4th tier doesn't seem a very smart move. Esp after reading some posts on here about FCSL plus their attrition rate is like almost 30%.

[Hattori Hanzo]

Have you actually put enough thought into this decision? Reading your post, I somehow don't get the feeling that teaching is something you REALLY want to do.

@ Summerstar: is that a self tar?

[summerstar]

yeah, I took it today, but not happy about the sunburn I got yesterday showing up!


( no hijack here!)

Meg, congrats on that at least, I wouldn't mind going to Fla., but that's steep...

I'm still waiting to hear on my schools.

edit: on the REST of my schools

[Hattori Hanzo]

Which school are you going to?

[vanwinkle]

An alternative to LS: Not attending LS.

[meg07]

I thought about pursing teaching while in undergrad, but at the time I really liked political science so I chose that and I really loved it, thats why I got my MA in it as well. my whole family is in education. mom is a kindergarden teacher (retiring at the end of the year), my dad taught high school and college math before getting a government job. my sister is in early childhood education, and my sister in law is a teacher (in germany though). There is so much that is wrong with the education system today and I know one person alone can't change it, but I definetly want to help students, make a difference. I had looked into teacher certification right before I applied to LS, but decided to apply first to see if I could get in.

[summerstar]

If you would enjoy the interaction with the students and hope to make a difference, then teaching would be so right for you, and especially with that family legacy behind you, my God girl, it's in your genes! The world needs more teachers, and I'm not sure we can say the same for lawyers. BTW, I'm considering teaching as well, and am looking at the same gentle persuasion from my friends and family.

[meg07]

thanks! I guess it is in my genes. My mom looked at me and thought someone spiked my drink, lol. Still can't decide btw going to school here or going to USF. WV ranks like 40th in terms of teacher's salaries/benefits. I think FL is 26th. I am going to email the contact back to see if he knows who I can contact to find out if I do have to take the prerequsite courses or my MA would sufice. That might make the difference. I can take the content courses at my school while pursing the MAT, but have to take them before I apply to the MAT at USF.

If you are seriously thinking about going into teaching, then good for you. I agree there aren't enough teachers, and there are a ton of lawyers I'm sure.

[bernie shmegma]

If you would enjoy the interaction with the students and hope to make a difference, then teaching would be so right for you, and especially with that family legacy behind you, my God girl, it's in your genes! The world needs more teachers, and I'm not sure we can say the same for lawyers. BTW, I'm considering teaching as well, and am looking at the same gentle persuasion from my friends and family.

Is that your boob summerstar? If so, nice color.

[meg07]

If you would enjoy the interaction with the students and hope to make a difference, then teaching would be so right for you, and especially with that family legacy behind you, my God girl, it's in your genes! The world needs more teachers, and I'm not sure we can say the same for lawyers. BTW, I'm considering teaching as well, and am looking at the same gentle persuasion from my friends and family.

Is that your boob summerstar? If so, nice color.

I was so trying not to mention the profile pic, but it is kinda distracting, lol.
Of all the people to say this, it was my grandmother (kinda weird) "If you got it, flaunt it"

[summerstar]

Thing is, I really want to study law, so will pursue this fiercely. I may just do sub work during LS.

[Hattori Hanzo]

If you would enjoy the interaction with the students and hope to make a difference, then teaching would be so right for you, and especially with that family legacy behind you, my God girl, it's in your genes! The world needs more teachers, and I'm not sure we can say the same for lawyers. BTW, I'm considering teaching as well, and am looking at the same gentle persuasion from my friends and family.

Is that your boob summerstar? If so, nice color.

I was so trying not to mention the profile pic, but it is kinda distracting, lol.
Of all the people to say this, it was my grandmother (kinda weird) "If you got it, flaunt it"

I haven't been able to concentrate in the past hour.


@ OP: now that makes sense. It actually seems like teaching is a better choice for you than LS!

[summerstar]

it's temporary. it's Friday.

[summerstar]

and what about Paratactical et al.???jeez