So, here’s the thing: I graduated from a top-tier law school in May of 2009, I’m admitted to the bar, and I’ve got a dull but well-paid job with no realistic prospects of being laid off in the foreseeable future. Professionally speaking, life is okay.
But - the job is boring. And I really, really miss being in school. I like school. I am a giant nerd. And while I was browsing the Intarwebs, I came across this: George Mason University’s LLM in Law and Economics.
This thing is. SO. Cool. I mean, just look at it! Economic Theory of IP! A Torts seminar, with econ goodness! Regulated Industries, which looks like it’s Admin Law with econ goodness! And a whole lot more - all at a top-tier law school just a hop, skip and jump from my apartment!
I really, really want to apply for this program. And when I spoke with the admissions office, they told me that with my grades and LSAT scores, I had a real chance of getting in. However, they also told me that I’d be kind of nuts to take on any more educational debt in this economy so long as I’ve got a job. And that’s true. In fact, I can’t think of much practical use for this program, other than the fact it’s make me a better lawyer overall, with a keener grasp of policy. Still, it’s a bad idea. Hell, I’ve trash-talked LLMs myself on this Board!
So, LawDopers (or anyone else) - talk me out of doing this! There’s no rush - I’d be applying for the class starting in fall of 2011 - but I figured I should try to nip this in the bud.
I don’t know that an LLM would make you a better lawyer. My understanding is that it’s an academic-focused degree, possibly useful if you want to teach somewhere, and may grant deeper insight into a particular area of law…dunno if you practice in that area or not.
Also agree with the job = good, more debt = bad idea.
I’d practice a little longer before rushing off for another degree.
Besides, you already outlined what the best argument against getting this degree would be-more debt for very little professional payoff. The only LL.M I know of that is somewhat acknowledged as having a decent rate of return is NYU’s tax LL.M. Otherwise, I mostly just think of them as degrees foreign lawyers obtain to be able to sit for the bar.
What in the hell are you going to use an LLM for? I guess it’s a socially acceptable way to avoid the real world for another year, but unless you are genuinely motivated to go into academia I would strongly recommend against this move.
Let me guess, by the way: you went straight to law school from undergrad? I’ll share a secret with you: working at a real job is never going to be much fun, and the sooner you get used to it the better.
Unless you want to teach law, I don’t see this degree as advancing your career prospects. Plus, school shouldn’t be used as an excuse for avoiding the real world.
This. Time to cut the apron strings. Besides, no matter how cool it would be, you can’t start doing cool things, let alone use the word again until you’ve spent at least 25 years in the real world.
Yeah, I just looked up Mason. US News & World Report has it at #42. That’s not top-tier. And from what I understand, ranking is REALLY important for law schools. I’m a grad student (in policy, not law) at the University of Michigan, and I’ve heard that people in the law school regularly apply to transfer to other schools, because apparently the #9 ranked law school isn’t good enough for them.
I believe US News considers the top fifty schools to be in the top tier of its rankings - though, of course, top 14 is more prestigious (as is top ten, top five, and so on).
Probably true, but I have no idea why. The curriculum of all law schools is virtually identical. And unless you’re trying for a job on Wall Street or for a judicial clerkship, your law school pedigree is irrelevant after you land your first job and most likely irrelevant even before then.
You aren’t going to learn anything at a top-tier law school that isn’t available to you at a bottom tier school. The only reason to make the additional investment is to either feed your ego or to be considered for a certain type of job. If you aren’t interested in either of those things, save your money.
Agree entirely. The senior partner I work with the most went to a super-shitty law school, but he’s got mad skillz (as the kids say, or used to say at least), so he makes about $3 million a year.
UCLA Law just recently started a program for graduates to do an extra year and get an LLM degree. The whole thing is filled of classes aimed at getting you “real-world experience”, but it’s pretty obviously a “we know you can’t find a job in this tough economy so just stay at school and pay us another $35,000 to stay out of the real world for another year.” I’m wondering if a lot of employers will think that as well. I know if I was an employer I’d be very interested in why someone decided to stay in school and fork over money getting “real-world experience” instead of going into the real world and getting paid for it; bad economy or no.
I do say that as someone graduating in a couple weeks with no job lined up myself… so maybe I’m a bit biased, but I would say, if you’ve got a solid well-paying job… KEEP IT!
True, but the Top 14 is pretty much a magical number, given that it’s always been the same 14 schools in the top 14.
And getting your first job isn’t important? That’s why we choose the higher ranked schools–you’ve gotta start out pretty high. Because I’ve got news for you…you ain’t lateraling from Bob Smith’s Ambulance Chasers to Cravath, no matter how good you are at your job.
