<p>I'm a person who loves math and science...numbers and the sensation you get from solving an impossible math problem is incredible. But the problem is that I like to debate, but I'm not the best at writing (I got a 47/80 on the PSAT on writing for god's sake, but a 67 in CR, and 73 in math). I also enjoy learning about history, and don't mind engaging in political discussions every now and then, but history isn't something I'm the best at. So is there any point of being a lawyer, because from what I hear, you have to an amazing writer to be any good? Is there any type of law that likes technically oriented people or that allows people to work with science? </p>
<p>Also, how much does a corporate lawyer make on average? </p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>EDIT: btw, I hope I'm not sending out a message of cockiness to anyone because I know that a 730 isn't THAT great of a score on the SAT since almost everyone I know can do better. But I'm just saying I'm mathematically inclined because I'm in IB calc as a junior and have a high A (94) with a teacher that makes her class harder than the AP test...wow I just sounded cocky again...sorry..thats really not my intention.</p>
<p>They like math people - math majors have the training to interpret what logically follows from a set of rules...whereas with many other backgrounds, that skill can not be assummed...</p>
<p>Also, if you chose to major in math after high school, you will learn how to write in your math program - at least if you get a BS. At my university, all B.S. (B.A.'s were exempt...its a softer degree...) students were required to take a "learn how to prove all things learned in Calc 1-3 are true" course that counted as a literacy credit becuase of the amount of reading and writing that was done....so your math interests will take you to a very good pre-law place!</p>
<p>Patent law, a branch of intellectual property law, holds a special reputation for fitting your interests. I believe there's a pinned discussion/overview in this thread (or there used to be, so you can find it by searching). Check that out. </p>
<p>And if you're a high school junior, then congrats on thinking early, but feel free to stop worrying for a little while...you have the next 5 years, minimum, to stress over this question ;-)</p>
<p>alright, so I guess after reading this that patent law is what I should get into. But how much on average do patent lawyers make after say 2-5 years from a top 35 school (notT14 since those are close to impossible to get into)? Also, how much do corporate lawyers make? Corporate law probably isn't technical, but it seems interesting to me at least.</p>
<p>The only reason I'm asking is because if all I'm going to end up making is a bit over 100k after a ton of years of experience, then I think I would much rather work as an eng w/ MBA or dentist. Engineers with MBAs have comparable, if not higher salaries, better hours, and less loans; while dentists have much higher potential, better job security, and a similar loan situation</p>
<p>Other threads have mentioned that actually your prospects in IP are determined less by your law school than by the technical background that qualifies you to sit for the IP exam.</p>
<p>And it doesn't have to be a BS in chemistry, goodness. It could be a BS in engineering, an MS in a science, etc. PhDs are often highly sought after.</p>
<p>Math is a fine major, as are many others. Broad knowledge in history also helps. I was a double major in college -- math and economics (taking many econ courses that were heavy in math and statistics). I have been a lawyer for a long time (started with large firm, became a partner, broke out with a group to establish own firm which now has 50 lawyers, litigator). Have not done patent law. Writing well is imperative for being a good lawyer. Nevertheless, I did so-so in high school (B's and C's), was a horrible writer then, and scored only about 1100 on the SAT(and over 600 of that was the math section). Did well in college and also spent a lot of time learning to write on my own -- read alot (including a lot of history although I never took a history course in college), looked up all words I didn't know, wrote and rewrote and rewrote and rewrote all written assignments and became a very good self-editor of anything I wrote, learned all rules of grammar, became a writer for the college paper (in other words, learned that writing well is a learned expertise). Graduated summa cum laude from a top law school. Thus, math is good, the writing you must improve and decide to work on (forever), and patent law is not necessarily "it."</p>
<p>California: Take a deep breath and relax a bit. As a HS junior it's fine to be asking these questions but a bit too early to be thinking about patent law in detail (for which you need some type of science degree but not a math degree unless a lot of science accompanies it; see my pinned post for details).</p>
<p>First of all, it's a common misconception that if one likes to debate, law is a perfect fit whereas if one doesn't it's not. Most lawyers do not spend much time debating unless that happens to be in their personality (and sometimes it can get in the way of accomplishing things). Nowadays lawyers - even trial lawyers - are expected (by their employers and/or clients) to be good at problem solving. Being able to write clearly is also important but, as drusba said, that can be learned.</p>
<p>An important question for you - farther down the road - is whether you will do well in law school - because if you eventually decide to become a lawyer, you'll be spending three years of your life there. So if you're interested in becoming a lawyer, talk to some lawyers where you live - find out what they actually do as lawyers and find out what law school is like. Yes, you can major in math and still become a lawyer. As you will see from other threads, most college majors have little to do with the practice of law. And at times an ability in math can be helpful in some aspects of legal work.</p>
<p>So have a good 5 years until you graduate college.</p>