Should I stop going to grad school and return home

[christina2006]

Hello,

I'm hoping to get some perspective on my current situation. I have been seriously contemplating whether I should continue my graduate degree in international affairs or return home, work for a while, and pursue law school.

I entered grad school without much experience in international affairs, I think I liked the idea of it. Working for the government, traveling, helping make policies, etc. But while I have been here in DC all I can think about is job security when I get out, my reluctance for actually working for the government ( realized I don't want to), and investing around $100,000 in school. I can drop my courses this coming Monday for a 100% refund and defer my education for a year to think. Should I do that?

In addition, I will admit I am a bit homesick. But mostly I'm concerned about supporting myself when I get done with this.

I'm 25 and I guess I should have my life in order by now, but I feel like I didn't really work that much when I was younger. I was just geting 2 majors (accounting, finance). In a way I think I need more experience. I am interested in the law, I read law related articles, etc...and I know that it is very rigorous. I'm not kidding myself on the hard work that it will take. I'm just nervous I won't get in.

So basically what I am looking for is any advice or if anyone has been in a similar situation. Thank you.

[dimanche0829]

Well, if your primary concern is job prospects post-grad (which is how it reads to me) then I can tell you that the legal field is also going through some bleak times of its own. Every year, the world is flooded with new grads and the number of people left without a job prospect is growing at an alarming rate. There are a number of attorneys nowadays competing just for $15-20 an hour legal assistant positions because they have nothing else lined up. There's always the route of private practice, but most lawyers do not have the necessary training to be successful business owners. What law school you attend also makes a difference. Do you have the credentials to make it into a solid program?

I wouldn't drop a program just because of potential jobs (obvious, given that I'm an English major). Sure, it'd be nice to know that you've got something lined up at the end of the game, but you never really know what's going to happen until you actually try. Every field will have its ups and downs. Focus on doing what you LOVE and the job situation will work itself out eventually.

You say you have an interest in law, but having an interest in something and having a passion for something are vastly different. Is a career in law something that you would LOVE? You're the only one who can answer that.

[christina2006]

Dimanche, thanks for your post. I understand what you are saying about the legal profession and there are no guarantees there as well. When I compare getting a law degree and a masters in international affairs, I feel like the better choice would be a law degree. I have always envisioned having my own business and not working under someone else. I want to end up with skills that are versatile and can help me in the future. Getting a masters in international affairs, I'm not sure what I would be able to do besides working for a think tank, government, or non-profit.

You're absolutely right about doing something I have a passion for. Right now I feel kind of lost which is why I am thinking of taking some time off to figure that out. Maybe get some work experience in to help me decide. Even work at a law office and making sure that, that is the right decision as well.

I'm not sure I love international affairs or the classes I'm taking (learning about the Cuban missile crisis, intelligence stuff, etc.) I just feel like those are nice topics to read about but what will it do for me later.

I guess with the current economic situation, I'm nervous about investing so much money in a grad degree and hoping in the end it will be worth it.

[runonsentence]

How far are you into your program? Do you have a year left? More?

The answer might help make a difference. If you're close to finishing up and already in most of the way in terms of debt, it might be better for you to finish the degree.

[christina2006]

No this is my first semester...so 2 years to graduate

[runonsentence]

You're absolutely right about doing something I have a passion for. Right now I feel kind of lost which is why I am thinking of taking some time off to figure that out. Maybe get some work experience in to help me decide. Even work at a law office and making sure that, that is the right decision as well.

I'm not sure I love international affairs or the classes I'm taking (learning about the Cuban missile crisis, intelligence stuff, etc.) I just feel like those are nice topics to read about but what will it do for me later.

On one hand, it seems a bit early to tell whether or not you're going to like your field, since you've only been in class for (I assume) a few weeks now. On the other hand, if you're just now realizing that attending this program in the first place was an impulse decision, then this seems like an optimal time to get out while you can with minimal monetary investment.

Something else for you to consider: If you do leave before the refund period, will your program allow you to defer enrollment until the next year? I assume it'd be easier in your case because you're unfunded (they don't have to hold a line of funding for you), but it would be a good idea to make sure that you'll be allowed to take a leave of absence, especially since the term has already begun.

Last, if you decide you're going to leave and make attending law school your goal, definitely definitely definitely try out something in the field (secretarial position, or whatever else you can get) to make sure it's really something you want to do, and not just something that sounds better than international affairs.

[elsie]

Do you have a copy of your SOP? Maybe you should try reading it through and seeing if it helps remind you why you want to get into international affairs. If you really aren't happy though it may be best to take some time off. Work for a while and see how you feel in a few months.

[christina2006]

Hi Runonsentence,

Thank you for your input, it was pretty helpful. I agree it does seem early in the semester for me to decide whether I'm going to like the field I'm entering. I think I should have done much more research into the program than I did. I thought I had done enough, I travelled to visit the school, spoke with my advisor months prior to school starting,met student who would be in the same program, etc. However, once I got into the classroom environment I just felt as though it wasn't right for me. One friend told me, after I explained how the professor's taught and what we were learning, that I'm not a theory type person but more of a practical person. Meaning I want to be able to use the information I learn in real scenarios, i.e. accounting, law. Not so much of a "what do you think neorealists would say" type of person. I hope that makes sense, b/c it did to me. I know theories are done through much through process and tested over and over again and I am in no way discounting their value.

I did decide to take some time off. I spoke with my advisor who understood my dilemma. Fortunately he allowed me to defer until next year. Now I plan to return home, find a job in a law office & CPA office and work for a while to really experience what it is to work in those industries rather go off of what I believe it is like. I don't want to have any more fantasies of what it is like to work in a certain field. In a year, hopefully this will all make sense.

Elsie, I did read over what I wrote in my SOP. However it didn't persuade me to stay. I believe I am making the right choice for myself at this point. I'll save around $25,000 this year (tuition, rent, food) and have time to really decide if this is right rather than second guessing myself the whole semester and probably not doing my best.

[runonsentence]

Glad you found a resolution. Good luck!

[losemygrip]

Oh, you weren't funded in this program? In that case you probably made a good decision.

I'm a latecomer to this discussion, but I'd just add that having the MA in International Studies would undoubtedly help you to get into a good law school. I know from the experience of my friends in law school while I was in grad school that 1) the school you attend and 2) your rank in the class are of primary importance in landing a job. If you are in the top half of your class, you're fine. If not, forget it.

I'm not sure you're cut out for either, however. You definitely need to take time off and figure it out. You really have to be dedicated to be successful in either grad school or law school.

[christina2006]

Losemygrip,

No I wasn't funded in the program. Maybe the MA in International Studies would help me get into a good law school, but that would mean I would then go from one school to another, which is what I have been doing. Jumping from school to school without getting real experience.

I wish it were easier to figure out what I'm truly passionate about or what I want my career to be. I'm hoping taking some time off from school will help.

I know you have to dedicated to be successful in either grad or law school. I'm a very studious person and take my education seriously. I just want to pick the right path, the dedication part is not a worry for me.

[sarakeet]

FWIW--two years ago I went through the entire law school application process, got into some top law schools, but in the end decided not to go basically for the same reason you're having doubts about your master's program--massive amounts of debt and an insecure job market, nothing guaranteed even for lawyers from the likes of Virginia and Chicago unless they have a high class ranking--and not sure enough if I would like practicing law for it to be worth it to take that kind of risk. I really liked the idea of law school and I'm really interested in learning about those things--but not sure enough if I'd like the practice. I mean you can really rack up massive amounts of debt, well over $100,000, I am pretty sure I would have graduated with at least $200,000 in debt when living expenses are calculated in. To pay off that kind of debt, you basically have the choice (if you can get a job) between working for a law firm with really high pay but ridiculous hours for 5-10 years, or working for the government (or possibly a nonprofit) that will allow you to take advantage of a loan forgiveness program--after 5-10 years. In that case, you'd sort of be back where you are now when considering a job after graduation from your master's.

(I'm saying this assuming that if you went to law school, you would want to go to a great law school and enter a major market like NYC or DC or Chicago--if you would be comfortable with a less expensive in-state program and working in your home state/region, that's a different story.)

I'm saying all that to say that it's possible that if you applied to law school now, you could end up in the same situation you're in now. So I would really recommend trying to work in a law office for a while to get a taste of what it's really like. I didn't have that opportunity because I've been teaching overseas for several years, but if I could have, it would probably have helped me clarify my goals more and possibly I would have gone to law school. Can you defer your program until next year and work in a law office in the meantime? Also, have you read Law School Confidential? I'd recommend that as well.

Also, btw, don't worry about your age. 25 is really young and there are tons of other people in the same position (I'm nearly 27).

Hope this is helpful!

[christina2006]

Hi Sarakeet,

Thanks for your response. I'm glad to hear from someone who has been in this similar position. I did decide to go home and defer my admissions. I spoke with my advisor who understood and said I could go back next Spring or Fall. Now that I am back home, I've interviewed with a law firm, and hopefully will get that intern position next week. It's not a paid internship but hopefully it will give me more clarity about what path I would like to take.

Thanks for the recommendation about that book, I will see to getting it and reading it soon. You're most likely right about getting anxiety over the job market and debt issue if I were to get accepted to law school. I'm hoping this step backward and taking some time off to think will really help me make a good decision. I'm just going to do as much research as I can. Do you regret not going to law school? Do you feel like you made the right decision?

[sarakeet]

Hi, that sounds like the right choice for you. I pretty much don't regret not going at all... Basically only when I think about how good the schools were that I got into and start worrying whether I can get into an equally good grad school in education. If you/I/anyone is worrying THAT much about something being the right decision... It probably isn't... At least not at that moment. Best of luck in figuring it out and in whatever you end up choosing!