- Tue Jan 14, 2020 11:56 am
#73280
Hi,
I have an undergrad degree in Materials Science & Engineering from UofMichigan, and I am interested in pursuing IP/patent prosecution. I don't have a lot of peers/mentors heading into the law world from an engineering background, and I had a few questions for admissions.
1. I have an undergrad GPA of 3.7 and am looking at a LSAT of around high 167-170 (based on practice tests, am taking the Feb LSAT). Are T14 schools realistic for me application wise? I know especially for the top of the T14, my GPA falls below 25%, but is there a chance there is more lenient consideration when looking at engineering GPAs since they tend to be lower? For example, should schools like NYU/Columbia/Stanford be considered out of reach while schools like Berkeley/Michigan are more realistic? Or are Berkeley/Michigan still out of reach, and I should be looking lower? I will also have a year of being a patent agent at a big law firm when I apply, and would that change my chances?
2. Should I be looking at schools with strong IP departments? For example, Berkeley/Stanford are schools in the T14 with really strong IP departments. However, looking at other national rankings, the top IP schools tend to be more local schools (Houston, Chicago-Kent, etc.). I am not tied to any specific location, but I want to eventually work in a large city on either coast (NYC, LA, SF, DC) which leads me to want to go to a school that recruits nationally. Would it be better for me to go to/apply to higher ranked schools that aren't necessarily as strong in IP? On the other hand, should I avoid schools that have essentially no technical aspects (IP at Columbia is mostly media/fashion) for employability aspects or does that not really matter?
Thank you, and sorry for the long message!
Nicole
I have an undergrad degree in Materials Science & Engineering from UofMichigan, and I am interested in pursuing IP/patent prosecution. I don't have a lot of peers/mentors heading into the law world from an engineering background, and I had a few questions for admissions.
1. I have an undergrad GPA of 3.7 and am looking at a LSAT of around high 167-170 (based on practice tests, am taking the Feb LSAT). Are T14 schools realistic for me application wise? I know especially for the top of the T14, my GPA falls below 25%, but is there a chance there is more lenient consideration when looking at engineering GPAs since they tend to be lower? For example, should schools like NYU/Columbia/Stanford be considered out of reach while schools like Berkeley/Michigan are more realistic? Or are Berkeley/Michigan still out of reach, and I should be looking lower? I will also have a year of being a patent agent at a big law firm when I apply, and would that change my chances?
2. Should I be looking at schools with strong IP departments? For example, Berkeley/Stanford are schools in the T14 with really strong IP departments. However, looking at other national rankings, the top IP schools tend to be more local schools (Houston, Chicago-Kent, etc.). I am not tied to any specific location, but I want to eventually work in a large city on either coast (NYC, LA, SF, DC) which leads me to want to go to a school that recruits nationally. Would it be better for me to go to/apply to higher ranked schools that aren't necessarily as strong in IP? On the other hand, should I avoid schools that have essentially no technical aspects (IP at Columbia is mostly media/fashion) for employability aspects or does that not really matter?
Thank you, and sorry for the long message!
Nicole