Senior in college, wondering if choosing a law school abroad is a wise idea or not... would appreciate any advice for people who have had similar situations or have considered this possibility. This is NOT about a study abroad in law school.
2007-10-28 18:18:00 · 4 answers · asked by EconoDork 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I am currently a senior at a Top 30 university in the United States (studying economics, Spanish, and psychology)and with only about a 3.2-3.3 GPA and LSAT of 172 I am wondering if studying abroad is a good idea or not.
I speak Dutch and Spanish fluently --- born in the Netherlands and spent about a year in Argentina, so the universities where I would like to go are in those general areas and language is not a huge issue with me... so with that being said...
My issue is: is going abroad worth it? I want to study International Law / Immigration Law and these programs are available in the U.S., but I want the flexibility to work in any area. Would my degree be accepted back in the USA if I ever wanted to come back? What would I have to do to pass the bar? Do I need to pass a bar in Europe or Latin America? Is there anyway to get an international law degree?
Would appreciate comments on the advantages or disadvantages of going abroad for law school... thanks!!!
2007-10-28 18:23:05 · update #1
If you are planning to practice law in the U.S., there are a number of major potential problems with this idea. First of all, different countries have different systems of law. The law isn't chemistry or philosophy, which might be the same across the board. Just as studying law in the U.S. doesn't prepare you to practice in Nicaragua or Portugal, studying there won't prepare you to practice here. You won't be taking equivalent courses or end up with similar knowledge.
Secondly, graduates of ABA-accredited law schools in the U.S. have major advantages when it comes to taking the Bar, at least in California (I'm not too familiar with the requirements in other states). Graduates of other U.S. schools have additional requirements, such as taking the "baby bar" before they are allowed to take the Bar exam. I can only assume that graduates of foreign law schools would have to do at least that much, and studying for the Bar exam would be near-impossible if you didn't have any grounding in U.S. law.
As to how well this might prepare you for international or immigration law, I would say that for the former, it might be useful (although you would probably be seen more as a specialist in the law of whichever country you studied in), but not particularly useful for the latter. It would be far more important to understand U.S. immigration law than to understand the law of another country for that.
There are thousands of immigrants to the U.S. who were lawyers in their countries of origin, but have been unable to practice here because they don't have the proper credentials; why would you do this intentionally?
2007-10-28 18:46:08 · answer #1 · answered by neniaf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Going To Law School Abroad
2016-10-19 02:51:50 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Going Abroad for Law School ... Good Idea?
Senior in college, wondering if choosing a law school abroad is a wise idea or not... would appreciate any advice for people who have had similar situations or have considered this possibility. This is NOT about a study abroad in law school.
2015-08-15 06:33:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great if you want to stand up for criminals that commit crimes for money.. Good for you though. More than i've ever done. I hate lawyers.
2007-10-28 18:25:57 · answer #4 · answered by idontknow 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋