Suffolk Law vs. American University School of Public Affairs Forum

[treenapolits]

.

[cinephile]

I'm sorry, but they're both poor choices.

[treenapolits]

.

[treenapolits]

.

[nickb285]

.

[treenapolits]

.

[cinephile]

Well now you have two threads on the same subject, but first - it sounds like you don't really know what you want to do. You're picking between two different credentials that open up different doors. And second, that being said -- the only people I know who are employed and have MPAs were those who already worked for the government and had their employer pay for their degree after several years of service. Whatever it is that you think you want to do with your life, go out and do it now, you likely don't need an expensive credential. That being said, if you did need the credential to get the job in the first place, it wouldn't be one from a second tier school (or even a first tier school), you should be looking at elite institutions whose name will carry some weight.

Good luck!

[treenapolits]

.

[cinephile]

Thanks for the info. I'm looking at this degree (the MPP/MPA, haven't decided yet) as a way TO get a job in DC. I already work for the government in my state and they have already offered to pay for my MPP locally. However it is just not in the field I have interest in, and not in DC.

Take them up on it!!!!! I know you want DC, but more experience + the local degree + potentially a promotion in your state job (due to the degree) might help you down the line. And that's a far better way to spend the next few years than tossing good money after a degree that won't get you what you need.

[ph5354a]

AU has a top MPA program but most students already have DC connections, or go to SPA part time while they're working. I'd take your employer up on their offer and come to DC after getting your masters for free.


http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandr ... s-rankings

[treenapolits]

.

[linquest]

The first question you need to answer is whether or not you actually want to practice law for at least a couple decades. If the answer is yes, you should re-take the LSAT and aim higher. At least ask Suffolk how many grads are working in DC so you have an idea of what the networking would be like. Don't bother with a joint JD/MPA unless one of those degrees is free.

If your heart is actually in *policy* work though, go for the MPP.

[treenapolits]

.

[Ti Malice]

Any knowledge on St. John's Law School?

Horrible. Less than 50% of 2012 grads had found full-time long-term work requiring bar passage within nine months of graduation. That for a cost of attendance of ~$260K with no grant aid.

With your numbers (whatever they are exactly), no law school that will admit you will even be close to worth attending in this market. You really have to score much higher on the LSAT for attending law school to be a reasonable decision.

edit: typo

[treenapolits]

.

[Ti Malice]

PI hiring can be every bit as prestige-driven as BigLaw hiring (or more so). For another thing, PI organizations have been flattened by the recession to a much greater extent than big firms, and there simply isn't much hiring going on. You have to distinguish yourself somehow, because it's not as if there won't be competition for the jobs you want. A JD from this level of school is not going to cut it.