Top Law Schools

I am currently a PhD student at a university. I just completed first semester here and I am already considering dropping out due to personal reasons (I am no longer interested in a career in academia or research. I was also accused of grading unfairly as a TA, but the dept was still willing to let me TA, but for a different course).

If I drop out right now, I'm thinking about applying to work as an English teacher in Asia. However, because getting the documents takes some time, I likely won't be able to start until around April. I was thinking of working at Target or as a part-time tutor until then.

I am considering applying to law schools but I can't start until Fall '13 since I haven't taken the LSAT yet.

How bad will it look on my application if I drop out and then work as an English teacher (and work at Target before teaching)?

I don't think it will hurt much, if at all. A close friend dropped out of a PhD program (but finished with masters) and he's in at Harvard. Many people realize they don't like academia. It may be wise to write a very very brief statement regarding the drop out just to cover your bases.

As for being a part-time tutor and working at Target.. it's fine. There are many unemployed grads right now.

I don't think it looks good to start an academic program and not complete it. Law school admissions might be wary that you'd decide law doesn't interest you either and drop out as well.

I have a friend here at HLS that dropped out of a PhD program. Although I think they dropped out after receiving an MA.

(Anecdotal evidence FTW!)

oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I have to complete at least 2 more semesters before I can drop out with an MS. But I really want to get out asap

The Gentleman wrote:I have a friend here at HLS that dropped out of a PhD program. Although I think they dropped out after receiving an MA.

(Anecdotal evidence FTW!)

I wonder if we are thinking of the same person... (but then again, this is fairly common so prob not.)

LT21 wrote:oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I have to complete at least 2 more semesters before I can drop out with an MS. But I really want to get out asap

just get out. i say, if you get out now after only 1 sem it will look better than dropping out 2 or 3 years in. In the end, LS is a numbers game.

cinephile wrote:I don't think it looks good to start an academic program and not complete it. Law school admissions might be wary that you'd decide law doesn't interest you either and drop out as well.

The bolded is something that YOU should be concerned about right now. It sounds like you have some serious inclinations towards teaching (the PhD, teaching in Asia, part time tutor). Are you sure you want to make this potentially disastrous investment in law school?

AlanShore wrote:

LT21 wrote:oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I have to complete at least 2 more semesters before I can drop out with an MS. But I really want to get out asap

just get out. i say, if you get out now after only 1 sem it will look better than dropping out 2 or 3 years in. In the end, LS is a numbers game.

Just browsing this thread and had to tell you I love your tar/name!

mtyler19 wrote:

AlanShore wrote:

LT21 wrote:oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I have to complete at least 2 more semesters before I can drop out with an MS. But I really want to get out asap

just get out. i say, if you get out now after only 1 sem it will look better than dropping out 2 or 3 years in. In the end, LS is a numbers game.

Just browsing this thread and had to tell you I love your tar/name!

best show ever.

AlanShore wrote:

mtyler19 wrote:

AlanShore wrote:

LT21 wrote:oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I have to complete at least 2 more semesters before I can drop out with an MS. But I really want to get out asap

just get out. i say, if you get out now after only 1 sem it will look better than dropping out 2 or 3 years in. In the end, LS is a numbers game.

Just browsing this thread and had to tell you I love your tar/name!

best show ever.

So sad its over

InGoodFaith wrote:

cinephile wrote:I don't think it looks good to start an academic program and not complete it. Law school admissions might be wary that you'd decide law doesn't interest you either and drop out as well.

The bolded is something that YOU should be concerned about right now. It sounds like you have some serious inclinations towards teaching (the PhD, teaching in Asia, part time tutor). Are you sure you want to make this potentially disastrous investment in law school?

I don't really care about teaching. I'm just doing it because there's not many other jobs I can get with my current degree and skills.

mtyler19 wrote:

AlanShore wrote:

mtyler19 wrote: Just browsing this thread and had to tell you I love your tar/name!

best show ever.

So sad its over

Agreed, that show kicked ass.

Denny Crane!

InGoodFaith wrote: Denny Crane!

Donny Crane.

To the OP, it won't look great (for the reasons others stated - questions about your ability to ride out an academic program, possible lack of interest in the law). However, there are also plenty of people who started a PhD program only to realize it's not the life they want.

You're going to have to try harder than the average person to convince the law school that this is what you really want to do. Make sure everything about your application screams that this is the right decision for you. Shadow attorneys, work at a law firm, etc... Just know that a big question on your application is going to be if you'll finish this endeavor, and answer it.

If you can stick with it to get your MS, at least you could pretend that you were just going for the MS in the first place and you never intended to get a PhD. Since you're working as a TA, at least you're (hopefully) not paying for your degree. If you can't apply till next cycle anyway, that would work with the time frame for finishing a masters.

Ultimately, it's your choice. You're the only one who knows how miserable this program makes you feel.

If you're interested in teaching english (or want to), why are you considering a career in law?

It sounds like you dislike research, but isn't research and writing a majority of the lawyer's day to day task?

..

no chance of converting to a master's degree to get out early?