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2L at MVP - Go for Masters?
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 4:01 pm
by Anonymous User
I am a 2L at MVP, I was below median during 1L had a few call backs during OCI but couldn't make anything happen. I killed it my first semester of 2L and raised my GPA over .3 points to median. Hopefully I can jump it up a few more points this semester. That being said, I applied and was accepted into a Masters of Computer Science program and without biglaw for my 2L summer, I am wondering if I should accept and get the degree (become patent bar eligible). Hope is that it will make me more attractive to some IP offices and firms? Any thoughts? I have work experience in programming but just never bothered to get a degree in the field. It will also probably give me another summer to find a biglaw firm for a summer associate position. I would love to work in IP but as most of you know without the STEM background it is a difficult field to break into.
Re: 2L at MVP - Go for Masters?
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 6:04 pm
by itbdvorm
Anonymous User wrote:I am a 2L at MVP, I was below median during 1L had a few call backs during OCI but couldn't make anything happen. I killed it my first semester of 2L and raised my GPA over .3 points to median. Hopefully I can jump it up a few more points this semester. That being said, I applied and was accepted into a Masters of Computer Science program and without biglaw for my 2L summer, I am wondering if I should accept and get the degree (become patent bar eligible). Hope is that it will make me more attractive to some IP offices and firms? Any thoughts? I have work experience in programming but just never bothered to get a degree in the field. It will also probably give me another summer to find a biglaw firm for a summer associate position. I would love to work in IP but as most of you know without the STEM background it is a difficult field to break into.
better idea - get the masters, go be a programmer.
Re: 2L at MVP - Go for Masters?
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 10:44 pm
by Jchance
Anonymous User wrote:I am a 2L at MVP, I was below median during 1L had a few call backs during OCI but couldn't make anything happen. I killed it my first semester of 2L and raised my GPA over .3 points to median. Hopefully I can jump it up a few more points this semester. That being said, I applied and was accepted into a Masters of Computer Science program and without biglaw for my 2L summer, I am wondering if I should accept and get the degree (become patent bar eligible). Hope is that it will make me more attractive to some IP offices and firms? Any thoughts? I have work experience in programming but just never bothered to get a degree in the field. It will also probably give me another summer to find a biglaw firm for a summer associate position. I would love to work in IP but as most of you know without the STEM background it is a difficult field to break into.
solid plan. but keep in mind that IP hiring is different than most, i.e., lots of offers for 3Ls for a full-time job because firms have specific urgent needs, which means you still get another shot at OCI as 3L.
Re: 2L at MVP - Go for Masters?
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 2:06 pm
by smc44
Anonymous User wrote:I am a 2L at MVP, I was below median during 1L had a few call backs during OCI but couldn't make anything happen. I killed it my first semester of 2L and raised my GPA over .3 points to median. Hopefully I can jump it up a few more points this semester. That being said, I applied and was accepted into a Masters of Computer Science program and without biglaw for my 2L summer, I am wondering if I should accept and get the degree (become patent bar eligible). Hope is that it will make me more attractive to some IP offices and firms? Any thoughts? I have work experience in programming but just never bothered to get a degree in the field. It will also probably give me another summer to find a biglaw firm for a summer associate position. I would love to work in IP but as most of you know without the STEM background it is a difficult field to break into.
Just a heads up, getting a graduate degree in Computer Science will not make you patent bar eligible. Perhaps the courses you take will help you become eligible, but the degree itself will not.
Re: 2L at MVP - Go for Masters?
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 5:56 pm
by splitsplat
smc44 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:I am a 2L at MVP, I was below median during 1L had a few call backs during OCI but couldn't make anything happen. I killed it my first semester of 2L and raised my GPA over .3 points to median. Hopefully I can jump it up a few more points this semester. That being said, I applied and was accepted into a Masters of Computer Science program and without biglaw for my 2L summer, I am wondering if I should accept and get the degree (become patent bar eligible). Hope is that it will make me more attractive to some IP offices and firms? Any thoughts? I have work experience in programming but just never bothered to get a degree in the field. It will also probably give me another summer to find a biglaw firm for a summer associate position. I would love to work in IP but as most of you know without the STEM background it is a difficult field to break into.
Just a heads up, getting a graduate degree in Computer Science will not make you patent bar eligible. Perhaps the courses you take will help you become eligible, but the degree itself will not.
Yup, smc is right. Your masters program would have to fulfill requirements under sections B or C. Clickity here (LinkRemoved)
Re: 2L at MVP - Go for Masters?
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 1:02 pm
by linda90
OP, I have undergone exactly the same process a couple years ago. If you are interested, please PM and I am happy to answer any questions you have.
Re: 2L at MVP - Go for Masters?
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:05 am
by Anonymous User
Thank you for all the feedback. In undergrad I accumulated 30 credits in science/computer science courses (I liked physics :/). I believe that coupled with the credits I would earn from the Masters would push me over the 40 required credits.