<p>Alright. So basically I've been a really lazy kid the past 2 years..my GPA is about a 2.0 flat at Georgia Tech. I've completed around 50/122 hours for my management degree like most core classes and like 9 hrs major related. Anyways, I was feeling really useless recently and decided to find out where my interests lie, probably something I should have done before I chose to go to GT..lol. Anyways, I enjoy charitable work and helping people out and I'm hopeless in everything aside from subjects related to the arts. I was originally considering working for a non-profit and helping people out in Africa, but I realize that if I don't have much power over what happens there I probably won't be able to help as many people as I can, food and water can only go so far. In addition, the corruption in the places hardest hit there disallows any forms of real progress. Plus, I can't donate any of my money because I'm broke, lol. Therefore I figured law might be the way to go so that I may be able to eventually get into politics and a position of power, so I can help people out here and there eventually.</p>
<p>Anyways, here are my questions.</p>
<p>What are my chances of getting into a decent law school say if my GPA is a 2.8 when I graduate? Assuming my LSAT score is decent and extra curricular experience is decent. Also is getting into a good law school really that necessary to be employed as a public defender? I've heard the turnover is pretty high.</p>
<p>What should I major in? Because honestly management is boring and useless.</p>
<p>Should I work for a non-profit that helps people out overseas instead still? Do you think I'll still be able to have a great impact in spite of government corruption? I'd love to hear your opinions.</p>
<p>Basically, I'm interested in helping people out people whose lives suck and I realize that being lazy isn't going to help anyone out. What should I do with my life to make my degree worth something? </p>
<p>If you can get into a law school, and do well there, then getting a government job will not be as difficult to get. Do what you need to do to get into law school though, so major in whatever your interested in.</p>
<p>Finish a degree that interests you. If it takes an extra year and brings your GPA above a 3.0, so much the better.</p>
<p>I’d then go work for that nonprofit for a few years. You don’t have to do it forever, just a couple of years shows that you’re serious about wanting to help people and puts some distance between you and your early undergrad GPA. Then people believe you when you write a really killer personal statement about realizing that you want to help people for a living and are that you are applying to law school to continue what you’ve started. Just my $.02, adjusted for inflation, but if I were you and law school was really a “must-do” this would be my gameplan.</p>
<p>There are the very occasional people who sneak into T14s with a sub-3.0 GPA, so you can definitely get into a law school. I’d imagine that you could be a public defender by doing well in any law school.</p>
<p>USMC Jim I was going to volunteer in Africa regardless during my stay at GT to try and build my resume and help out some people there, maybe teach - so that’s a good idea. I also think that switching my major to something like public policy would be a good idea? Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>There has been a lot of discussion about the OP getting into law school but little comment on the desire to be a public defender. Obviously, you have to have a law degree and pass the bar to be a public defender so a game plan to get into law school should be the focal point. However, no one should view a public defender job as an “easy in” once you have that law degree. In most cities Federal defenders and county public defenders jobs are highly coveted and extremely competitive. They go to the cream of law school graduates who want to do criminal defense work. The training is usually excellent and second to none and those who stick around for a few years have a well respected credential for obtaining a lucrative private practice position in a criminal defense firm.</p>
Other than that, I have to defer on this one…</p>