<p>Hey I thought I would throw this idea that I am faced with out to CC and see what people thought. I have been accepted to the LSE MPA program, however I have also thought alot about law school. As most people here recognize LS is more competitive however I was wondering if it would be worth forgoing this opportunity to do the MPA at LSE to attend a LS in the range of T 40-20 (which is likely where my stats will place me). </p>
<p>I realize that alot of this is subjective and contingent on factors such as desired job, location, etc. But assuming I am flexible in this capacity, what would some of you do in a similar circumstance? Is a JD anywhere that much more superior to justify passing up a lesser degree (MPA) at a much better institution?</p>
<p>I don't understand why you are trying to poll which one is superior. They are two different degrees meant for different career paths. You need to find the degree and program which best fit your needs while also leading you to your desired career path.</p>
<p>I second Student35. You need to know what you ultimately want to do.
Other than that, I would choose LSE. Dont pass up the chance to do the MPA at a world-class institution if you are not even sure about Law School.
Good luck anyway</p>
<p>I third Student35, do what you want to do.</p>
<p>However, Law school prestige really has an impact on your starting salary/job placement--top schools will get you into top positions. I'd say you got to LSE and if you are still interested in law school, apply again after.</p>
<p>@ sridge2008</p>
<p>If you want to be a lawyer, apply to law school. If you don't want to be a lawyer, do something else with your life. Law school is too expensive to go into debt if your heart is not in it. Only do an MPA if that is what you want to do career-wise.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your suggestions. I agree that a person shouldnt choose a degree based solely off of prestige, I guess I was in a deadlock between the two options and was just curious what the general sentiment was regarding school prestige v degree prestige even across various professions. Either way you all are right that neither of those things is as important as determining what I want to DO with these degrees, so thanks for providing some clarity on that.</p>
<p>I would not turn down LSE for all the tea in China. That is an amazing opportunity to learn and build relationships.
Law school can wait.</p>
<p>Although the overall valu of a LSE degree fluctuates WILDLY depending on what you plan to do and where you plan to do it, law is an extremely oversaturated field that may very put you in very heavy debt. Stories of people who graduated from Top 40 schools with 140K in debt and couldn't find a job that paid more than 45K upon graduation arem rampant so beware.</p>
<p>JM...you say the value of the LSE degree depends on what you do and where you do it. Would the best place to work with this MPA degree be the UK or is there some other market where it will be just as effective?</p>