Maryland or Chicago-Kent for IP

[wooshikshim]

Hi all,

I got admissions from UMD-Baltimore and Chicago-Kent so far. As PhD in physics, I am strongly considering IP/patent law. I ask your input on where to go.

1) Would my degree give me any edge in the job market? (I still don't know how much a physics (ie non-EE non-chem/bio) background can be different.)
2) Which would you choose between Maryland and Kent? (I don't have much info about IP at Maryland either, though I hear some good things about Kent.)

This is my first posting here, so please no flames--it hurts me when you bite. Many thanks y'all!!

[El_Che]

Your background could probably be parlayed into an IP career. Some jobs are super stringent, ie. bio-mech grads only, but I'm sure you can find something with Physics.

Don't know much about Baltimore's IP program, or if they have one. Have heard that Kent's is good, and certainly, being in Chicago would be beneficial; lots of IP firms there that you could start networking with throughout school, etc.

If money isn't an issue, I'd probably pick Kent in this one.

[plex]

Schools seem to cost about the same, Chicago will have a higher CoL, Maryland is a low T1, and Kent is a high T2, Kent has a better IP program. Differences are pretty marginal between these schools, so it is going to come down to where you want the hometown advantage, the Northeast, or Chicago. Chicago's market is a bit better, more IP firms in the area. Your choice.

As to IP law, your background is just fine, it will be quite easy getting into a firm with a PhD in Physics (as long as you don't screw up law school badly), at least at most firms. There just aren't many PhD in physics majors available to work at firms because they are really rare.

[plex]

As I said, the differences are marginal in hard stats, but Chicago is a huge IP market, though perhaps a bit smaller than DC, which has the largest IP market (as long as you don't count all of California as its own market). Trust me though, a long commute to work sucks really bad, especially a long commute through a city.

[El_Che]

Plus, there's gonna be a lot more T14 competition in DC.

[wooshikshim]

Wow, thanks soo much already!
I was originally considering only Maryland. Now thanks to you, Chicago-Kent is a serious concern, too. Ahhh, more headaches!! Thanx plex for encouragement.

Mgrignan, I can't consider PT right now.
(As you might have guessed, I'm a foreigner--or an 'alien,' as some scary people say. I have to be FT).
That said, landing a secure job is my top priority. I do hope I can rock at 1L, but it's just a wishful dream, isn't it?
Btw, would you agree with El_Che about more T14 competition in DC? I heard something similar too. Also some say Maryland is quite local compared to, say, American.

[rock.it]

Chicago-Kent definitely has more of a national reputation for IP than Maryland. 

[quinty55]

As a (soon-to-be) graduate of Kent, I have seen many IP students. The ones with Ph.D.'s or other technical/advanced degrees seem to get IP jobs fairly easily. The market in Chicago is big for patent law, if that is what you were thinking. I also think Kent is better than MD-B--nationally and regionally.