<p>I've always wante to go to a law school on the East Coast and to make myself more of a sell when applying for a job I've thought it would be best to aquire foreign language skills. That is, aside from the languages I know now, I'd like to start another in Law School or continue you that I took up mid-session in undergrad. Do law schools usualyl let you pursue such by being able to cross-list with their graduate school of arts and sciences or the like?</p>
<p>While I cannot testify about how law schools handle cross-enrolling, my assumption is that languages would not count towards the JD. Furthermore, as it has been repeated several times on this forum, learning a language at this point in time (college or after) will NOT help you for law school admissions, getting a job or practicing law. You will not be able to gain the fluency necessary to practice law in a foreign language -- imagine having to ace the LSAT in the foreign language you want to study...yeah, I doubt it, too.</p>
<p>Having said that, if you are interested in learning a language for the sake of learning, go ahead. Personally, think few things are as fascinating as learning other languages. One of my favorite hobbies is poetry translation -- it's so stimulating!</p>
<p>at umich, the law school allows students to take up to 9 credits (i think) in other colleges. these usually have to grad level classes, but the exception is foreign languages, where you can take whatever level you place into. </p>
<p>i don't know about any east coast law schools, though.</p>
<p>Yeh, I'd just wnat to learn to learn and perhaps try to improve any exsisting languages. Any language I want to learn for a career I will have already started or start in college. I think it is possible to gain fluency in a langueg you start with in college. With the aid of study abroad and a very serious program I'd think it would be possible, but then again everyone is different. I mean some people find languages easy when others have trouble with the basics. I just wanted to pick up another language or two in Law School. And this is especially if I find myself in the city where I will have easier access to native language speakers and only need to take a few classes. You know, simply take one or two italian classes and then go discover the italian communities and learn myself.</p>
<p>While several law schools that I am aware of would allow you to study a language while you are in law school, your main focus in law school needs to be on law school. You will certainly have little or no time during the first year of law school for courses outside of law school (unless perhaps you are getting a dual degree and spending longer than three years at school). The courses for first year of law school are particularly intense, especially because you are first learning how to approach the law, including legal reasoning, research and writing. Many law schools offer an "elective" for law students during their first year, but more often than not, that elective is a choice between several selected law school courses. If you want to take a language second or third year, you may be able to do so, but I believe that that language class would have to be in addition to your normal law school courseload. In addition, if your plan is to gain fluency in a new language by studying abroad (or something of that ilk), those opportunities are generally not available at law school. Again, consider a dual degree program if this is important to you, but be prepared for some serious challenges along the way.</p>