Need some advice..go back to school to raise GPA for another Bachelors or gain work experience for law school?
I’m really not sure on what to do right now. I want to go to Law school but my GPA is less than stellar…I graduated with a 2.5 I believe. My major was Economics at a California State University. I do have some courses finished for a Bachelor in Environmental Studies, i calculated i need about 3-4 (including 1 summer) semesters to finish my requirement for that degree.
I was also thinking about looking to work possibly at a Law firm to gain some experience while doing trying to earn a Paralegal studies certificate. There is no possible way to try to work at a Law firm while doing an Environmental studies degree due to the fact that most science/environmental classes are during work hours.
I need advice on my best chances on getting into a law school in California…has to be ABA approved. Law firm work experience + Paralegal studies certificate and take the LSAT in the Fall of 2010? or obtain a 2nd bachelors to raise GPA and take the LSAT in the Fall of 2010? Or should I just try to take the LSAT something in the Fall of 2009?I will definitely study hard for the LSAT but will that offset my low GPA…I am 25 and need to get my life back on track.
Thanks for the advice
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2 Responses to “Need some advice..go back to school to raise GPA for another Bachelors or gain work experience for law school?”
Comment from Kate
Time June 2, 2010 at 8:27 pm
1) Most schools will not give you a second BA after you graduate for just a few more classes. Usually it is a requirement that the majority of the classes applied to a degree have not been used for another degree.
2) Your GPA will not get you into law school no matter what work experience you get. Even if your school will give you a second BA for just classes, your GPA will still be too low for law school.
3) Law schools do not give much weight to a paralegal studies degree.
I’m honestly not sure if someone with a 2.5 GPA from a not so tough school could hack law school. That is what law schools will worry about.
My advice would be to get an MA or MPA. There is no need to go to Harvard, someone looking at law school does not need to take on 60k in debt. Look at Masters programs in Public Policy, Public Administration, Environmental Health, etc. Look for programs that have some connection to law, government or policy and programs which could help you find a job if the law school thing doesn’t work out.
Comment from Bill
Time June 2, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Enroll in a Masters eg
http://extension.harvard.edu/alm/
Harvard extension school accepts anyone regardless of how well they did undergrad or where they studied. Its is a very popular option for those that did not do well undergrad and want to make themselves more appealing to graduate school. A newly minted masters carries lot more weight at graduate schools than a second bachelors. Graduates from Harvard extension school have been known to go to some very prestigious graduate schools such as Harvard Law school.
Thanks
Bill