I am thinking about getting my Ph.D. in Psychology while getting my J.D. in Law...do you think this is a good idea??? What does it take to get in...what LSAT scores do I need??? I really need some advice as I am graduating in December with my BS in Psychology. I am struggling to figure out what I want to do and I do not have the best GPA...please help!!!
2006-06-14 06:19:41 · 6 answers · asked by j_nelle_03 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Ok I know that I like psychology...but I also know that I dislike research...and I know I definately want to do something with Law and Psychology at the same time...I just need to know what it takes to do these things at the same time...anyone who is a law school student or getting a degree in psych...
2006-06-14 09:05:06 · update #1
There are several universities with joint/dual degree programs...it is obviously possible to complete if they offer it...
2006-06-14 10:59:20 · update #2
While the joint PhD/JD is a less common than some other joint programs (JD/MBA for example) it is an option that some people pursue. One of my best friends did a joint PhD (philosophy)/JD at Yale and enjoyed it quite a bit. His was a six year program, and he did say that it was difficult to continue for a couple of years after all those who started their degrees with him were gone. My wife who did a JD/MPA said the same thing about her fourth year. The Yale friend was clearly cut out for academia though, and is glad that he took that route, and my wife is glad she has both degrees now too. Many people I have talked to claim to know people who regretted getting a joint degree, but I haven't known any personally (that is not to say that they don't exist).
As far as the LSAT, GPA, GRE thing goes, that will depend entirely on the schools that you are looking to attend. Obviously higher scores/GPA makes getting into 'better' schools possible. One question that you may want to ask is what you intend to do with those degrees. The answer ot that may significantly affect where you should go to school, and that in turn will determine the scores that you need. A bit of advice though--the LSAT is a much more difficult test for the vast majority of students, so it may be wise to get started on that right away. Take a practice test (you can get real ones from www.LSAC.org or at many bookstores), and see how you do, that will help determine your course of action from here on out.
2006-06-16 18:08:12 · answer #1 · answered by youngnedofthehill 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whether the joint PhD/JD is a good idea will depend on what kind of career will make you happy. I would recommend meeting with a career counselor at your university or college for detailed advice.
Another good way of learning about your chosen career path, and one that is becoming more and more popular, is to conduct an informational interview. That means you call someone who is actually doing the job you think would be perfect for you, and you interview them about how you can get to their level. Most people love talking about themselves and are happy to oblige.
As for LSAT/GRE (GRE will likely also be required if you're doing a PhD) scores, this will depend on the law schools you apply to. Some will have minimum scores, others will not. MOST graduate programs look at your application as a whole, and the test scores are only important if you have high test scores and low GPA or vice versa. If both GPA and LSAT/GRE are high or low, they'll rely on other materials (letters of rec, your statement, how your interests 'fit' the program, etc.).
GO VISIT the law/grad school(s) you want to apply to. A personal impression can make all the difference.
Good luck!
2006-06-14 08:29:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I stand corrected. Although joint Ph.D. and J.D. programs do indeed exist, I would advise against it for a student with a low GPA.
Indeed, a low GPA may keep you from gaining admission.
I advise you to take your GRE exam and your LSAT exam, and see how you score on each. If you score higher on the GRE, look into psych grad programs. If you score higher on the LSAT, consider law schools.
As to your admission requirements:
Law school admissions committees rely heavily on undergraduate GPAs and LSAT scores. Many lower-tier law schools will admit some students with a GPA as low as 3.0, and an LSAT score as low as 150. However, applicants with scores this low should shine in other respects, specifically the other considerations used in evaluating applications. These are: the quality of the applicant's undergraduate institution; level and rigor of undergraduate coursework; academic letters of recommendation; graduate work; employment history; extracurricular activities; potential for service to the profession; educational, geographic, and socioeconomic factors; and the personal statement.
Graduate programs in psychology will rely most heavily on undergraduate GPA and GRE scores, but will also consider the quality of the applicant's undergraduate institution and the rigor and depth of courses taken in psychology, academic letters of recommendation (especially from psychology professors), experience in research in psychology, and the personal statement. Most respected graduate programs in psychology will expect at least a 3.5 GPA within the psychology major, and GRE scores above 550 in verbal reasoning and in quantitative reasoning, and at least a 5.0 in analytical writing.
Best wishes to you.
2006-06-14 09:29:55 · answer #3 · answered by X 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Looking for an answer on this too
2016-08-08 00:01:08 · answer #4 · answered by Katrina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
talk to your advisor at your school and talk to the school you will attend for your furthuer degress (if it is different then were you are now).
2006-06-14 06:24:21 · answer #5 · answered by pammy_6201 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thankyou everyone for the answers!
2016-08-22 23:46:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋