Where to do masters before law school

[brownpride]

I've posted a similar topic a few months ago, but I'm still confused as hell. PLEASE HELP.

I'm applying for law schools and masters programs this fall. My ideal result is that I'll get into both and defer law school for a year, while doing a one-year masters, but another reason for applying is to give me two chances - if I don't get into a law school I'm happy with this year I'll know I need to rewrite and improve my app for the following year. But because I'm applying to law in the US and the masters institutions I'm debating between are in the UK and Canada, I need to decide really soon and only apply to one of those two countries, cause I simply don't have the time/money/professors willing to write me a ton of references to apply to school in three different countries and also apply for scholarships and such.

I want to earn a masters because I want to develop a lot better understanding of the field of international affairs, as following law school I want to work in international policy/diplomacy/government/NGO work/journalism/something of the sort, and I don't really feel I'd have a deep enough understanding coming out of my BA. I'm currently finishing up my BA in International Relations at a mediocre Canadian university. My two options are to:

1. Do the MA in Political Science at my university, where it would essentially be an extension of my BA program as I'm already familiar with the department, profs, university etc. The program is a also a 1-2 year program (that's what they say), but everyone takes 2 years to complete it. I don't want to spend 2 years doing a masters program, as with law school as well I don't want to spend forever in school, but while they said I could complete the program in a year if I was really diligent, it's not a certainty as a thesis committee can always reject one's thesis and delay completion of the program. But I have a 10k scholarship carrying over from my undergrad and there are some awesome funding opportunities plus really affordable tuition (and I'd still be living at home), which could leave me with up to 25k in surplus money (which would be really helpful for law school). Cons, however, are that I wouldn't be able to travel, meet a lot of new people, or study in an environment conducive to international affairs (my city is a very business-focused city and quite ignorant when it comes to world affairs). Having lived in the same city my entire life and not having travelled outside of North America due to lack of resources, I feel that I'd go to law school really lacking an international perspective despite being an IR student, and thus I'd be pretty useless.

2. Go to the London School of Economics and Political Science in London for its one-year MSc in International Relations. The school is world-renowned for the social sciences, has a strong IR program, and attracts students from around the world. I'd definitely finish it in one year as that's the program length. The school is also in central London, and attracts heads of state, government ministers, and prominent leaders from around the world to speak at the school. It'd be a fantastic experience, and living in Europe would also mean I'd travel a lot and see many places which I know I wouldn't if staying in Canada, as there I'd be struggling to do a 2 year program in a year. The catch is that the program is about 25 grand, and adding living expenses in the middle of London plus some travelling I'd probably be paying a total of around 40 grand.

Were I planning on just going for a masters program I'd choose the latter, but the immense loans law school will require will already be a huge burden (and I'm hoping to get into Harvard law, so I'd have to pay the full thing through loans as I wouldn't qualify for financial aid). I don't know if 40k more is worth it for the experience, travelling, excellent institution, etc., but at the same time having NO international experience as an IR student sucks and I don't want to just be one of those who studies global affairs but has never set foot outside his/her own continent. I'm trying to justify it in my head by saying that the name of a top school will help me in the future, but I really have no clue what to do.

Help!

Edited September 2, 2011 by brownpride

[flyers29]

I'm still trying to figure out what law school has to do with your future goals. Also, I'd go for a more policy-focused IR school if you're doing it in the US or Canada...MA in political science is pretty much just a stepping stone to the Ph.D.

Edited September 3, 2011 by flyers29

[Zahar Berkut]

"I want to earn a masters because I want to develop a lot better understanding of the field of international affairs, as following law school I want to work in international policy/diplomacy/government/NGO work/journalism/something of the sort."

Agree with the above poster.

If those are your career goals, are you even sure you want to go to law school? You can go into any one of those fields without the three years and massive cost of a JD, and a degree from a top international/public affairs school ought to qualify you equally well. And even if you do decide to go int his direction after law school, you don't actually need the extra master's or even a strong undergrad background to work in any of them. Internships/work experience are far more important.

I would advise you to talk to your university's career services to get their opinion before committing yourself to years of more expensive schooling.

[orst11]

I am a little confused because your interests seem to be more entrenched in IR than law. With that said, have you considered a MA/JD dual degree option? It sounds like you would really benefit from this option as it would save you time and money if you want to work in law but in the other aspects you would really just benefit from a degree in IR.

[blankets]

Or a PhD/JD, there's good funding for that at UChicago and Yale

[midwest513]

I'd suggest doing the law degree first. That way you can see if IR is really your thing. You can always go back and get a Masters in IR from a public policy oriented school and have the prestige of a top tier law school degree to perhaps get yourself some funding (or you could work for a while before heading back to grad school).

Many people, for example, who go to Boston College's law school also do a MA in International Affairs at Tufts. Not unheard of.

Edited September 3, 2011 by jonrob

[Clay Made]

Take it from someone who went to law school, what you want to do has zero to do with a law degree. Dont waste your time or money. I did the whole thing and now think of it as a mistake. I also have similar aspirations.