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Need Advice- Double Major?

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:28 pm
by alexjohn
Hey guys, this is my first time posting, and I really need advice.

I am a senior graduating in May, and I am taking a year off before I go to law school. I am going to devote the summer studying for the LSAT and believe I can do well enough on it. I am a Sociology/Management double major. However, I am in the last class to finish my Management major (lots of econ and business classes), but this one is upper-level statistics, and I can't understand any of the information. I am seriously concerned I will get a C/D/ small possibility of even an F in the class... If I drop the class (deadline is this Friday), and get A's in the rest of my classes, I am looking at a 3.78 GPA. However, if I keep the class and get a D in it, I'm looking at more of a 3.73 GPA.

My question is will law schools look more favorably on a Sociology (with a lot of econ/business classes as well)single major with a 3.78 or a double major with the 3.73? I know the difference isn't huge, and maybe even negligible, but it is still an important decision for me to make.

Thanks :)

Re: Need Advice- Double Major?

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:30 pm
by toothbrush
alexjohn wrote:Hey guys, this is my first time posting, and I really need advice.

I am a senior graduating in May, and I am taking a year off before I go to law school. I am going to devote the summer studying for the LSAT and believe I can do well enough on it. I am a Sociology/Management double major. However, I am in the last class to finish my Management major (lots of econ and business classes), but this one is upper-level statistics, and I can't understand any of the information. I am seriously concerned I will get a C/D/ small possibility of even an F in the class... If I drop the class (deadline is this Friday), and get A's in the rest of my classes, I am looking at a 3.78 GPA. However, if I keep the class and get a D in it, I'm looking at more of a 3.73 GPA.

My question is will law schools look more favorably on a Sociology (with a lot of econ/business classes as well)single major with a 3.78 or a double major with the 3.73? I know the difference isn't huge, and maybe even negligible, but it is still an important decision for me to make.

Thanks :)
I don't think it matters at all. Like you said, it's a personal decision. If you're asking what others would do, I would finish the major off. Work your ass off to do well in that class and think of it as practice for law school (having to take a course you don't like but need to do well in).

hope that helps

Re: Need Advice- Double Major?

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:48 pm
by BPlaura
All else being equal, your application would look better with the higher GPA and without the failed class. I'd still recommend staying in the stats class, though - you've already put in what I'm sure is a ton of work to get that Management major, it might help to have the 2nd major on your resume when applying for jobs, and law school admissions isn't the end-all be-all. Bust your butt in the stats class and see how you do!

Re: Need Advice- Double Major?

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:21 pm
by alexjohn
Thanks for the replies. Do you really think it'd be that helpful to have a second major when applying to jobs after law school? Do law firms even look at your undergrad major(s)?

Re: Need Advice- Double Major?

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:32 pm
by toothbrush
It's a small line on your resume. I don't think it affects much unless it's something relevant to certain IP/ patent fields. It certainly couldn't hurt, though, if you're making a case at OCI for your interest in Corporate or something. Not that you need to, though.

Re: Need Advice- Double Major?

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 12:59 am
by malleus discentium
The .05 is worth more than the second major (and puts you under median at B, D, GW and NU). Drop the class, especially since working on that class may affect your other grades. If you're really set on the double major, can you take the class in the summer or next year with more time to devote to it? Is it the only one you can take (since it sounds like you're one class away from the second major)?

ETA: This advice is probably moot at this point :P