Undergraduate Degree

[Jennifer C]

Currently I am in my second year of college at a third-tier school in Ohio (first year as a traditional student, I was technically in high school last year but was going to the University of Akron full-time instead). I'm currently working through a program called the PPE which is pretty much a triple major: Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics. Believe me, it’s not as hard as it sounds.

Right now, I am thinking about getting my masters in Economics before going to law school.  How do law schools look at the advanced degree? I figure they probably won’t frown on it, as long as I do well (which shouldn’t be a problem).

Also, I didn’t see a real necessity in taking the LSAT practice courses that are available. I figure I’ll probably go through a couple of the sample tests, but I wouldn’t take the practice courses. I’ve always done extremely well on standardized tests (1530 on SAT, 35 on the ACT), but I’ve been told that the LSAT isn’t at all similar to the SAT or the ACT. Is that true? Should I take one of the practice courses or will the sample tests be fine?

As for law schools, I have an aunt who is regularly on the admissions committee for the Case Western Reserve’s law school, but her last name is different from mine. I do understand the ‘interesting’ situation in which that could put me, but I was planning to use Case as my safety school. Bad idea? Good idea? Don’t-even-consider-it idea?


Thanks!

[superiorlobe]

Law schools don't care one way or the other about advanced degrees unless it is a doctorate or was earned through a Rhodes Scholarship.  As for the LSAT, take a couple PrepTests and see how you do.  I think you will find it tougher than the SAT.  If you aren't consistenly hitting 165+ and you want to go to a top school, then take a course.

Currently I am in my second year of college at a third-tier school in Ohio (first year as a traditional student, I was technically in high school last year but was going to the University of Akron full-time instead). I'm currently working through a program called the PPE which is pretty much a triple major: Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics. Believe me, it’s not as hard as it sounds.

Right now, I am thinking about getting my masters in Economics before going to law school.  How do law schools look at the advanced degree? I figure they probably won’t frown on it, as long as I do well (which shouldn’t be a problem).

Also, I didn’t see a real necessity in taking the LSAT practice courses that are available. I figure I’ll probably go through a couple of the sample tests, but I wouldn’t take the practice courses. I’ve always done extremely well on standardized tests (1530 on SAT, 35 on the ACT), but I’ve been told that the LSAT isn’t at all similar to the SAT or the ACT. Is that true? Should I take one of the practice courses or will the sample tests be fine?

As for law schools, I have an aunt who is regularly on the admissions committee for the Case Western Reserve’s law school, but her last name is different from mine. I do understand the ‘interesting’ situation in which that could put me, but I was planning to use Case as my safety school. Bad idea? Good idea? Don’t-even-consider-it idea?


Thanks!

[rwhitman]

I found that the lsat had a lot in common with the sats. Obviously it doesn't have the math section, but the reading comp section is on both tests. however, as lobe said, the lsat IS harder than the sat's and since it appears that people go crazy prepping for it, you'll probably find it to be a good idea to study more than you did for the sat's.

[wstaffor]

I disagree with superiorlobe on the master's. While it certainly isn't anywhere near as important as your undergrad record, it can't do anything but help. Especially in a field like Economics, which is very applicable to law school in general. I am getting an MA in Econ before law school, mostly just because I can finish my BS and MA in 4 years, so it isn't costing me any time. I definitely think it can only help though, especially at schools where you're borderline for acceptance.