Switch from Medicine to Law Forum
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Switch from Medicine to Law
Hello,
I recently graduated from college and I was set on the premed pathway. I got a degree in Molecular Biology from a quality university (HYP) with a an okay gpa (3.57). I took the MCAT and scored fairly well with a 35 (the average at Harvard Med is a 36), so i am intellectually capable of pursuing a medical career.
My only problem is that I think I don't want to be a doctor anymore. Since my freshman year of college, I had wanted to be a political science major and pursue law school, but I decided against that because I didn't want to take the "easy" way out. But now that I think of it, that is what I should have pursued.
With my low GPA I will probably not get into a good law school, so do you think it would be worth it to switch to a legal career?
I recently graduated from college and I was set on the premed pathway. I got a degree in Molecular Biology from a quality university (HYP) with a an okay gpa (3.57). I took the MCAT and scored fairly well with a 35 (the average at Harvard Med is a 36), so i am intellectually capable of pursuing a medical career.
My only problem is that I think I don't want to be a doctor anymore. Since my freshman year of college, I had wanted to be a political science major and pursue law school, but I decided against that because I didn't want to take the "easy" way out. But now that I think of it, that is what I should have pursued.
With my low GPA I will probably not get into a good law school, so do you think it would be worth it to switch to a legal career?
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
Also, when I was a sophomore and last had this debate about my future career, I decided to take a practice LSAT and scored a 159 without any preparation.
I don't know how much I will be able to improve, so take that for what its worth.
I don't know how much I will be able to improve, so take that for what its worth.
- Nova
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
Go to med school
- Nova
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
Last edited by Nova on Fri Jun 07, 2013 2:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
- ManoftheHour
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
Don't go to med school. Every doctor I've met have said, "Don't go. Be a PA."
Make six figures, way less debt, only two years for the program, and you get to deal with patients almost as much as doctors.
Make six figures, way less debt, only two years for the program, and you get to deal with patients almost as much as doctors.
Last edited by ManoftheHour on Fri Jun 07, 2013 2:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
What are those two links for?
- Nova
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
they show you what schools you can likely get into with your GPA and hypothetical LSAT
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
The main reason I don't want to go is that I don't believe the medical field in general is right for me. When I would be in the hospital shadowing, I just wanted to leave.ManoftheHour wrote:Don't go to med school. Every doctor I've met have said, "Don't go. Be a PA."
- Nova
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
not badManoftheHour wrote:Don't go to med school. Every doctor I've met have said, "Don't go. Be a PA."
Make six figures, way less debt, only two years for the program, and you get to deal with patients almost as much as doctors.
maybe i should get a P.A.
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
Nova wrote:they show you what schools you can likely get into with your GPA and hypothetical LSAT
Oh that's really helpful then!
Do people tend to increase alot from their practice LSAT scores? Would I be able to improve from the 159 I initially scored as a sophomore?
- Nova
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
its very possible to improve 10+ points
most people just dont study right or try hard enough
most people just dont study right or try hard enough
Last edited by Nova on Fri Jun 07, 2013 2:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
- ManoftheHour
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
Fair enough. I understand your plight because I was a former pre-med. Loved bio, but I couldn't see myself working in a hospital. Frankly, they make me miserable and I get extremely depressed being around sick and dying people.Dbate wrote:The main reason I don't want to go is that I don't believe the medical field in general is right for me. When I would be in the hospital shadowing, I just wanted to leave.ManoftheHour wrote:Don't go to med school. Every doctor I've met have said, "Don't go. Be a PA."
With a 170+ score, you'd be looking at several T-14s acceptances and state flagships with $$.
If you don't like medicine, don't do it. It won't be worth it. It's a lot of money, but also a lot of years, debt, and stress. Not worth it if you don't have the passion. With that said, do law only if you know for sure you want to do law. Unlike medicine, law's economy is really shitty.
Last edited by ManoftheHour on Fri Jun 07, 2013 2:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
- ManoftheHour
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
OP:
Start off with these. They're the best in the business:
http://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-LSAT-St ... attan+lsat
After you do each section, drill questions by types:
http://www.cambridgelsat.com/
Start off with these. They're the best in the business:
http://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-LSAT-St ... attan+lsat
After you do each section, drill questions by types:
http://www.cambridgelsat.com/
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
This is great advice and I really appreciate it!ManoftheHour wrote:OP:
Start off with these. They're the best in the business:
http://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-LSAT-St ... attan+lsat
After you do each section, drill questions by types:
http://www.cambridgelsat.com/
- KD35
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
Also check around the forums here..some great self-study guides and advice threads.Dbate wrote:This is great advice and I really appreciate it!ManoftheHour wrote:OP:
Start off with these. They're the best in the business:
http://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-LSAT-St ... attan+lsat
After you do each section, drill questions by types:
http://www.cambridgelsat.com/
A few popular ones below
http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... =6&t=41657 (one of the best you can find, and it's free!)
http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... ?f=6&t=396 (compendium of what various people did to study)
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
Time to shadow a lawyer.Dbate wrote: The main reason I don't want to go is that I don't believe the medical field in general is right for me. When I would be in the hospital shadowing, I just wanted to leave.
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- buddyt
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
From a career standpoint, not sure why you would choose law school. Medicine generally pays really well, the odds of you securing solid employment are practically 100%, you're actually helping people in a meaningful way, etc.
- sinfiery
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
My very first cold PT ( not even knowing if the test was multiple choice going in) was a 157. 176 this last October.Dbate wrote:Nova wrote:they show you what schools you can likely get into with your GPA and hypothetical LSAT
Oh that's really helpful then!
Do people tend to increase alot from their practice LSAT scores? Would I be able to improve from the 159 I initially scored as a sophomore?
It's possible but not guaranteed but it is guaranteed to require some effort.
I believe you should not go to med school if you don't want to be a doctor but financially speaking, med school kills law schools.
You will need to break a 170 for law school to not be a giant waste of money
- ManoftheHour
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
While your statements are true, if you don't have the passion, you won't make it in medicine. It's not worth your youth and early 30s if it's not something you want to do.buddyt wrote:From a career standpoint, not sure why you would choose law school. Medicine generally pays really well, the odds of you securing solid employment are practically 100%, you're actually helping people in a meaningful way, etc.
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
There's a third career path here: Biology related Ph.D.
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
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- sinfiery
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
Wait, won't OP be eligible for patent law or something? Someone should chime in on that because law may actually be worth it, financially...not compared to medicine, but for the cost.
- unclepete
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
Don't go to med school unless you can't imagine yourself being anything but a doctor. I can't stress this enough.
My sister started med school last August, took a leave of absence within a month, and is now pursuing something completely different and couldn't be happier. Sure, it's a well-respected career, but realize that you will have NO life (seriously....zero) for about 8-10 years, have zero say in where you live for 4-5. If you're having any doubts AT ALL, do not go.
My sister started med school last August, took a leave of absence within a month, and is now pursuing something completely different and couldn't be happier. Sure, it's a well-respected career, but realize that you will have NO life (seriously....zero) for about 8-10 years, have zero say in where you live for 4-5. If you're having any doubts AT ALL, do not go.
- ManoftheHour
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
This. So much this. So many people don't know. Med school is no joke. You have to be okay with giving up your 20s and early 30s, be in quarter million + debt BEFORE interest, not knowing where you will end up for residency, and all the work and stress that comes with it. Forget about dating and social life.unclepete wrote:Don't go to med school unless you can't imagine yourself being anything but a doctor. I can't stress this enough.
My sister started med school last August, took a leave of absence within a month, and is now pursuing something completely different and couldn't be happier. Sure, it's a well-respected career, but realize that you will have NO life (seriously....zero) for about 8-10 years, have zero say in where you live for 4-5. If you're having any doubts AT ALL, do not go.
You don't just get into med school, waltz through, and become rich. Going to med school is one of the dumbest things to do if all you want to be is rich.
- guano
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Re: Switch from Medicine to Law
Sounds like law school > biglawManoftheHour wrote:This. So much this. So many people don't know. Med school is no joke. You have to be okay with giving up your 20s and early 30s, be in quarter million + debt BEFORE interest, not knowing where you will end up for residency, and all the work and stress that comes with it. Forget about dating and social life.unclepete wrote:Don't go to med school unless you can't imagine yourself being anything but a doctor. I can't stress this enough.
My sister started med school last August, took a leave of absence within a month, and is now pursuing something completely different and couldn't be happier. Sure, it's a well-respected career, but realize that you will have NO life (seriously....zero) for about 8-10 years, have zero say in where you live for 4-5. If you're having any doubts AT ALL, do not go.
You don't just get into med school, waltz through, and become rich. Going to med school is one of the dumbest things to do if all you want to be is rich.
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
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