need a straightforward answer! Forum

[inthefuture]

will a masters degree (in economics) get me to a better law school?

[merichard87]

No. Glad I could help.

[the lantern]

not if you don't have the lsat and gpa needed for said law school. a graduate degree would maybe put you over a candidate with equal numbers, but there are going to be people with hard science master's and ph. D's as well..

[JOThompson]

not if you don't have the lsat and gpa needed for said law school. a graduate degree would maybe put you over a candidate with equal numbers, but there are going to be people with hard science master's and ph. D's as well..

Certainly not a useless soft. You may distinguish yourself from other candidates with equal numbers but you can't count on much of a measureable boost.

[Richie Tenenbaum]

It can provide a very marginal boost. It's a positive soft, but nothing great (in terms of admissions chances increases).

[reverendt]

Certainly not a useless soft. You may distinguish yourself from other candidates with equal numbers but you can't count on much of a measureable boost.

This.

[kevin261186]

No. Glad I could help.

LOL

[inthefuture]

thanks,

ok I guess my next question is, is it worth it?

Those of you who are already enrolled/graduated law school, would you have gotten a MA first if you had the opportunity, or knew what you know now?

[Lawrence]

thanks,

ok I guess my next question is, is it worth it?

Those of you who are already enrolled/graduated law school, would you have gotten a MA first if you had the opportunity, or knew what you know now?

Nope, wouldn't have done it then and definitely not now. If anything I think 2 years of solid work experience would be more beneficial even though I'm a big proponent of going straight through from undergrad.

[shock259]

If you want to go to law school, go to law school. Why spend more money on a random degree that you won't use (assuming you want to practice law)?

[jmaan]

if you wanna teach law then itd help ur chances at that...but not for admissions really

[Chicklets]

Are you considering getting your masters ONLY for having a soft? If so, I'd really discourage that, there are better options. You can rack up many more impressive accomplishments in that 2 years without paying that tuition... I have an advanced degree and work experience. I'm sure the work and volunteer activities counted for a lot more in my admission than the degree.

Good luck!

[im_blue]

An MA in Econ is useless for law school admissions, and most likely for the real world as well.

[gwuorbust]

only get the master if: a) you want to for personal reasons or b) you are paid to do so. Paying for a masters for LS bump would rank up there w/ very bad ideas. You could get the same tiny, next-to-nonexistent bump by working in China teaching kids to read.

[inthefuture]

I keep hearing about how volunteering is helpful for admission..
What kind of volunteering? Where? and why does it help?

[JOThompson]

I keep hearing about how volunteering is helpful for admission..
What kind of volunteering? Where? and why does it help?

Doesn't matter as long as it is consistent volunteer work. Adcomms like to see well-rounded individuals, but even more than that, they want the numbers. Again, a soft like that is not going to make or break your application but it could help very, very slightly.