Top Law Schools

I saw a similar 2010 thread recently bumped by a 2011 applicant, so I figured it might be appropriate to create a new thread for the new cycle

I'm hoping this will be a good place for engineers to discuss admissions, aspirations, career plans, etc as well as (most importantly!) the 2010-2011 application cycle. As the 2010 thread was a good resource for me to stumble upon, I'm thinking this might be helpful to future applicants as well - and of course for also maintaining what sanity we have left during the cycle.

Other science/hard-science majors are welcome to join!

To start things off:

Aerospace Engineer from a top 5 engineering UG with 2 years WE. Aiming for T14 but NOT patent litigation (no more engineering or anything related, thanks).

I will move myself over here then... ChE from top public 3.3 and 170 at this point not interested in patent work but still open to the idea.

Great idea...

Im Mech/Nuc Eng with 3 years WE. Anything IP for me. Studying for a retake in Oct to try to crack T10.

I'll bite. Biology degree with 10yrs of WE. Likely strive for patent bar during 1L summer.

Hiya. Math and physics with a year of WE.

Computer science here. I'm going to be applying in the fall 2012. I'll definitely be following the 2011 cycle closely.. good luck to everyone.

I have a suspicious feeling this thread is going to turn into splitter thread 2011. Engineering nonsplitters, you have my respect. Anyway, I'll bite. I have an engineering degree, but I work in consumer finance now.

Math and Physics with 2 years WE in IP law, applied to sit for the patent bar and I'm waiting to hear back!

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ChE, finishing 3rd year and graduating. Taking the LSAT in October, going to study crazy until then.

LSAC GPA = 3.66
LSAT = ????

Hopefully get into a good law school with a focus on IP.

Biological Engineer from UF with a 3.0 undergrad and a 3.66 MS in Molecular Medicine from USF. I will be taking the LSAT in Oct and that will determine where I go

Anyone considering J.D./M.S.?

younkink wrote:Anyone considering J.D./M.S.?

What does that do for you?

Bumi wrote:

younkink wrote:Anyone considering J.D./M.S.?

What does that do for you?

Covers up 50% more of your office wall.

d34dluk3 wrote:

Bumi wrote:

younkink wrote:Anyone considering J.D./M.S.?

What does that do for you?

Covers up 50% more of your office wall.

I am always interested in tasteful wall coverings.

What's with the ChemE to law school jump? That major is one of the few that is actually difficult, why waste that effort?

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d34dluk3 wrote:

OrdinarilySkilled wrote:What's with the ChemE to law school jump? That major is one of the few that is actually difficult, why waste that effort?

'cause we don't like being engineers and think we'll make damn good lawyers? I think you need T14 to justify leaving a good engineering job, especially ITE. A lot of ChemEs can pull the LSAT for T14 though, so it's all good (and we're all splitters lol).

Yea makes sense, that's basically the story for the rest of engrs making the switch. Whenever I passed a ChemE in UG I would nod and think "respec'", thought maybe they had some crazy chemical thing they dreamed of doing. Maybe it was just hype.

Network Engineering/Software Engineering here. I'm thinking about eDiscovery or IP, but I'm trying to leave my options open - never know what I may end up enjoying in school.

Sorry to sneak into your thread, but I saw some mention of JD/MS and had to chime in.

Anyway, I'm a fellow engineer who applied last cycle and will (likely) be pursuing a joint JD/MS. Definitely interested in IP law, but we'll see if that continues through law school. Feel free to PM if you want details.

Best of luck to you 2014 applicants!

BioEBear2010 wrote:Sorry to sneak into your thread, but I saw some mention of JD/MS and had to chime in.

Anyway, I'm a fellow engineer who applied last cycle and will (likely) be pursuing a joint JD/MS. Definitely interested in IP law, but we'll see if that continues through law school. Feel free to PM if you want details.

Best of luck to you 2014 applicants!

I can see from your profile that you had some pretty impressive numbers, but do you have any sage advice for the rest of us when going into the application cycle?

4 years of ChE is more than enough for me... and of course I am a splitter as well

czelede wrote:I can see from your profile that you had some pretty impressive numbers, but do you have any sage advice for the rest of us when going into the application cycle?

Probably not the most sagacious advice, but make sure to collect strong letters of recommendation and submit well-written essays. There is a stigma that engineers are poor writers, and you need to let the law schools know that this stigma in no way, shape, or form applies to you. Make sure that your essays are flawlessly written in a professional style. I recommend writing both a personal and a diversity statement, as these will give the law schools an opportunity to examine more of your writing. Also, I recommend describing why you switched from engineering to law, and detailing how the skills you have obtained as an engineer will transfer over to the legal profession.

I would try to get LORs from professors who will not only portray you in the best light, but will also attest to three things -- your writing ability, your problem solving skills, and your teamwork/leadership abilities. Academic LORs look better than non-academic LORs (i.e. job), but if you have been working for a while it makes sense to at least acquire one from your current employer.

A few more minor points. If you are interested in pursuing a career in IP law, mention it! IP law is in demand, and schools want engineers who will be scooped up by IP firms. Also, have friends and family critique your essays -- don't be afraid to start over completely if the essay doesn't work. Lastly, apply early! Don't sacrifice anything in your application by applying earlier than you should, but do try to apply before mid-October. I cannot overemphasize the importance of this point.

That's all I got.

Do you guys feel that passing the FE exam is worth the time for ChE? I could do a free prepcourse at my school but I don't want to hinder my LSAT studying.