I haven’t seen a thread about how relatively difficult it is to get admitted to a Masters of Legal Studies program at a selective school, particularly one of the T-14 schools for law school, but instead of the JD, you would just be going for a MLS? I’ve heard because this isn’t actually for those intending to practice law, they’re shorter programs intended more for journalists or those who want to work in compliance, etc, it’s considerably easier to get admitted to. The Ivies that have MLS programs are
Yale
Penn
Cornell
And other schools that have them that I’m interested in include:
Georgetown
NYU
Northwestern
Stanford
UCLA
UMiich
Texas A&M
What is your professional goal with this degree?
I’m less about the professional goal and more about the information. Jobs that I’m interested in will all have a civic and foreign relations component them. Things like a multinational tech firm or NGO. Government jobs would be like the State Dept. or the intelligence community. Other things like a foreign policy focused think tank like the Council on Foreign Relations. But honestly, my goals are more sociopolitical less professional, and there isn’t exactly an existing path for the way I plan to do it, so Entrepreneurship is more likely the primary goal. I do want to get as much useful work history as possible though, so I’m applying for part time tech jobs right now, but there aren’t that many part time developer jobs, so I’m just looking for something like I.T. help desk or social media management, or even just sales or something. I also have a 1 year degree as an electronics technician so a part time job installing security systems or repairing vending equipment or gaming equipment at a casino or something would be cool.
MLS seems like a weak entry point for the careers you’ve cited. Take a look at the State Department and Government agencies websites (they have comprehensive job postings and career pathways). There are MULTIPLE paths for the goals you’ve cited- MLS being an expensive and not terribly helpful way to get there.
The best “silver bullet” for state department, NGO’s, and intelligence communities- fluency in a strategic language (the list is on the State Department’s website). You don’t need ANY advanced degree for “entrepreneurship”- you need a good idea, and then you need a network to introduce you to the money folks who fund startups. Again- MLS won’t get you there. Not designed for this.
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Forget those reasons then. Just say I want to go just because I want to learn the material. Or insert whatever answer you would prefer.
What’s the acceptance rate like for MLS programs compared to JD, particularly Georgetown’s Master of Law and Technology?
Learn WHICH material?
The acceptance rate is higher because there are many fewer applicants, and because most of them have substantial professional accomplishments which make the program suitable for their needs (and many of them aren’t paying for the degree- their employers are!)
So the rate has two components- numerator, denominator. The rate doesn’t tell you much- there are loads of programs which have high acceptance rates because so few people apply, AND because they are a self-selected bunch to begin with.
You can reach out to the program director at each of these schools and discuss the admissions rate and process, whether the curriculum matches your professional goals, etc.
I don’t prefer any answer- I’m pointing out that “just because I want to learn the material” for a professional degree program is not a compelling reason-- and the folks who read your application know that also!!!
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Spot-on. No decent professional school is going to accept an applicant without a good reason for them to attend.
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MLS credits cannot be transferred to a JD program if you later plan on getting that degree.
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Many schools will take your money for a useless degree. Pursuing this degree in your situation would suggest you were unable to obtain any law school admission.
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