Those who did (are doing) a joint degree (e.g. J.D./Ph.D), what is it like? Forum

[Instinctive]

I think a lot of people are missing that from a science background, all you are really qualified to do is lab research. If that's not something that interests you (and it sounds like the OP wants to get out of research) than law school would be a good way to increase opportunities in other areas.

Just because you love science doesn't mean you love working in a lab.

Then why would OP be looking at getting another science degree?

The only area a law degree opens up is law, and OP sounds a little naive about what that.

I think the knowledge I obtain would be valuable. We are progressing quite rapidly when it comes to science. We will start seeing a lot of issues pertaining to genetics and the law. I also believe the skills you pick up in law school are transferable.

This forum is full of actual law students. I guarantee you that most would agree with me that you won't gain valuable knowledge or skills from law school, but good luck follow your dreams I guess.

Completely disagree. Law school, in only one year, has definitively added a new dimension to the way I think about problems. I'd argue there are a number of other skills I've gained as well (and a network I never would have had access to from my UG), but those things will likely vary school by school and even based on course choices.

[Instinctive]

To OP:

I'm a current JD/MBA. I think the actual process of going through law school has exponentially more value when contrasted with another degree at the same time. At the most basic level, for me, the law school people are always identifying downsides, risks, how to protect against those risks, and of course tend to think about what to look for legally. The MBA side is full of people who are always identifying opportunities, strategizing to exploit them, problem solving collaboratively...

One or the other is a great skill, or mode of thinking to develop. But to develop them together reveals so much about each of them because of the contrast and because you can actually see yourself changing the way you think. I can't speak definitively as to whether an MS in a science field would do the same, but it is, to me, one of the most valuable aspects of the joint degree.

It hasn't taken anything away from the experience yet either. I'm very involved in extracurriculars and a couple leadership roles at both the law school and the b-school, and I haven't yet been limited by one or the other. For me, it's such an incredibly rare combo of degrees to have at the level of school I'm at, that it has only been a huge positive in job searches, networking, and interviews to this point (and I'm not going to Biglaw so I'm already in the application process for next summer, and won't be at OCI).


I want to work in sports, ideally as a GM. I worked my ass off to talk to actual NBA GMs, people at the league offices in the NBA, MLB, and NFL, and every single (relatively) recent graduate of the schools I was considering who worked in sports. I mapped all their experiences, synthesized all their advice, and made a decision. When a school you're admitted to offers to connect you to an alum to help you decide where to go, take them up on it. I'd be willing to bet more than 9/10 people do not do so.

The bottom line is this: only you know what you want to do (or that you don't know!). Only you know the tolerance you have for some debt, the work you're willing to put into building the right network, and the ability to correctly spin your experiences and your story into the unique value propositions you bring to whatever it is you try to do. Everyone here can offer opinions and advice, but in the end you need to do the research and the leg work to figure out what path is best for you.

[GomuGomuKinsa]

To OP:

I'm a current JD/MBA. I think the actual process of going through law school has exponentially more value when contrasted with another degree at the same time. At the most basic level, for me, the law school people are always identifying downsides, risks, how to protect against those risks, and of course tend to think about what to look for legally. The MBA side is full of people who are always identifying opportunities, strategizing to exploit them, problem solving collaboratively...

One or the other is a great skill, or mode of thinking to develop. But to develop them together reveals so much about each of them because of the contrast and because you can actually see yourself changing the way you think. I can't speak definitively as to whether an MS in a science field would do the same, but it is, to me, one of the most valuable aspects of the joint degree.

It hasn't taken anything away from the experience yet either. I'm very involved in extracurriculars and a couple leadership roles at both the law school and the b-school, and I haven't yet been limited by one or the other. For me, it's such an incredibly rare combo of degrees to have at the level of school I'm at, that it has only been a huge positive in job searches, networking, and interviews to this point (and I'm not going to Biglaw so I'm already in the application process for next summer, and won't be at OCI).


I want to work in sports, ideally as a GM. I worked my ass off to talk to actual NBA GMs, people at the league offices in the NBA, MLB, and NFL, and every single (relatively) recent graduate of the schools I was considering who worked in sports. I mapped all their experiences, synthesized all their advice, and made a decision. When a school you're admitted to offers to connect you to an alum to help you decide where to go, take them up on it. I'd be willing to bet more than 9/10 people do not do so.

The bottom line is this: only you know what you want to do (or that you don't know!). Only you know the tolerance you have for some debt, the work you're willing to put into building the right network, and the ability to correctly spin your experiences and your story into the unique value propositions you bring to whatever it is you try to do. Everyone here can offer opinions and advice, but in the end you need to do the research and the leg work to figure out what path is best for you.

Thanks for the sound advice. I definitely have some figuring out to do. I guess it's circumstances like this where one needs to have a good idea of what law they want to get into. Which, strangely, wasn't a huge concern for me until now. So thanks people of TLS! I was mainly curious about what someone's schedule might look like but you and everyone else seemed to of cleared that up (also checked out some programs online). That last paragraph is gold BTW!