Law Degree

[NoAngels]

I am conflicted, to whether I can do this degree or not.

How good does your English have to be to survive this degree?  I only ask because English is my second language and I am very scared.
I know doing this degree will open doors for me career wise but I don't want to rack up a HECs bill on something, that is beyond my capabilities.

Is it really for great English students or can you fake it till you make it

[nisha]

Afaik, you have to be pretty brilliant at English.

[Art Vandelay]

I've heard that writing assessment tasks are about precision, but deconstructing cases need a high level of comprehension (written in complicated prose). Read the Law FAQ for more info

edit: here's the Law FAQ

[NoAngels]

I have done a Undergrad degree and Masters already.I do have a study score for English ( Normal) of over 35

OOO that FAQ is pretty handy! I actually don't know how to tackle this fiasco ha.  I could do two units per semester  and increase the work load until I get the hang of the lingo

It's the worst doubting yourself when you have the offer ha,

Thanks for the replies.

[Art Vandelay]

Just curious, what were your prior degrees, and where do you intend to study law?
A 35+ in English would satisfy much of the English requirement, it's just your confidence with constructing and deconstructing arguments that will be called in to question (or so I think, ahaha).

[NoAngels]

Biomed  and Masters in Teaching.So I am a Science Kid hence the nerves.

I got an offer at Latrobe. 

My confidence is none at the moment ha, I actually don't know why ( other than it's not a Science related degree)

[ninwa]

I'm the person who wrote the FAQ

I assume you had to write a thesis for your masters degree? If so, I'm pretty confident that your English skills will be good enough. Also, what do you mean exactly by English is your second language? It is mine too, technically, but my English is a helluva lot better than my mother tongue.

edit: also, I have spoken to international students currently studying law at Monash on exchange or whatever. While they do have to work a fair bit harder, they still manage to pass (I don't know how, I couldn't imagine studying law in another language but they manage it somehow)

[paulsterio]

I do have a study score for English ( Normal) of over 35

If you've done mainstream English and scored over 35, your English is better than around 80% of the state and that's a very competent score, so I think you should be fine!

[NoAngels]

Nuh I didn't have a thesis in that Masters Thank God.


I am Aussie born but not bred so I have a " Native tongue" and " English"  both are equally meh.  However like you my English essay are slightly better as I have been using that more now.

So essentially even if my English is bad so to speak, if I do the readings and attend tutes. Is it possible to string a bunch of P's because I will have a job waiting for me regardless. More scared of failing this if anything.

Wow at those international students! I might do two units a semester and drag this baby out.

[ninwa]

Can I ask exactly what course you're doing at La Trobe? I had a look at the undergrad law course and unfortunately you guys don't seem to do a legal writing/research subject like we do at Monash.

Definitely go to lectures because unless your lecturer is totally useless, they will generally summarise the cases you have to know into easier-to-understand language. Tutorials are more for learning how to apply the principles you have learned to a fact scenario which is absolutely essential to know how to do.

I would have recommended doing 3 instead of 4 units a semester regardless of your English skills. Four law subjects is really time-consuming and high pressure and I do not recommend it for anybody unless they don't plan on having a job or a social life during that semester.

What do you want to do with your law degree? If you want to become a lawyer, Ps aren't going to get you anywhere. It's already a highly competitive industry and since you are not going to a Group of Eight school, you'll need to aim even higher.

Otherwise, have a look here for some ideas: (by request) What can I do with a law degree?

[NoAngels]

I am in the Graduate Entry course so instead of the 4 years.. I get to do it in 3 years.


I don't plan to use the Law degree first , will definitely do something in the science sector. Even after your first Job as Lawyer Marks still count?

Yea this will be the first degree, I will do in a Uni that isn't part of the Group of 8 so didn't actually consider that at all.

[ninwa]

Why are you wasting 3 years doing a degree you don't plan to use? Especially a degree like law which can be extremely dry, boring and expensive. And in a market which is already oversaturated with law students...

Yes, to get your foot in the legal industry your marks do matter, as well as work experience, co-curriculars (e.g. mooting) and extra-curriculars (e.g. hobbies - law firms like to see that you have other things going on in your life).

After your first job, your marks will start to matter less. But you have to get in first!

[NoAngels]

Ahh  I  know someone for the first job which is comforting.

I plan to do law later in life just not now, however,  I don't know if I can get into Law ( the degree) again later in life and also if  i will have the motivation to study later in life.

My Undergrad and Masters marks are still healthy though to even do the Melbourne JD.


Lawyers have it worse.. dry degree PLUS competition. At least in Med, you have a job waiting for you after 80% of the time ha

[ninwa]

May I ask why you haven't chosen the Melbourne JD instead? That would boost your chances of a legal career.

[paulsterio]

Lawyers have it worse.. dry degree PLUS competition. At least in Med, you have a job waiting for you after 80% of the time ha

earning 45k per year x0x0x