Melb JD vs Deakin Law

[insert]

Which course would be a better pick, assuming i can get into both? Melb JD fee's are so go damn expensive on top of an undergraduate course, so is it better to choose Deakin law, sacrificing some prestige? would going to deakin hinder my chance of getting a good graduate job, or is it worth to stick out the heavy melbourne fees?
thanks in advance!

btw, not considering monash

[thushan]

Which course would be a better pick, assuming i can get into both? Melb JD fee's are so go damn expensive on top of an undergraduate course, so is it better to choose Deakin law, sacrificing some prestige? would going to deakin hinder my chance of getting a good graduate job, or is it worth to stick out the heavy melbourne fees?
thanks in advance!

btw, not considering monash

Melb JD has CSP places you know.

And Deakin Law I heard - ninwa correct me here - is an emerging Law school.

[ChickenCh0wM1en]

Melbourne JD fees are only "damn expensive" if you are offered a Full Fee Place. If you do well enough in the application process and do well in Uni, you may be offered a CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place) where the fees are standard.

Why not consider Monash?

[insert]

How common is it to get CSP? and how much would the cost be reduced?is it worth it to do undergrad commerce, then llb at monash?(same as what i'd do at melb)

[alondouek]

How common is it to get CSP? and how much would the cost be reduced?is it worth it to do undergrad commerce, then llb at monash?(same as what i'd do at melb)

At Monash, the undergraduate Law degree is the LLB. You don't need another undergrad degree to go do it.

If you wanted, you could do the BCom/LLB double degree at Monash? I'd also be interested in knowing why you've decided outright against Monash.

[ninwa]

If you're set on doing law, your order of priorities should be

1) Law/X double degree at Monash - because you're guaranteed a law degree (obviously depending on whether you pass everything, but I mean in the sense that you don't have to do any further tests like the LSAT to get into law)

2) Deakin law - not Group of 8 but still a decent law school. Make sure you have good marks, excellent co- and ex-curricular activities like mooting, as well as work experience/volunteering if you can get it, and you won't be at much of a disadvantage.

3) Undergrad -> JD at UoM - because whether you get into the JD depends on how you do on the LSAT and nothing is guaranteed (unlike the other 2 options)

edit: in the current job market you're not guaranteed a graduate job no matter what uni you go to. You're better off choosing the option that'll get you a law degree in the first place and working on the other aspects of your resume.
Was talking to an ex-corporate lawyer a couple days ago who's friends with a recruiter for a top law firm, who recently rejected a UoM graduate with a high distinction average, so nothing's set in stone

[werdna]

edit: in the current job market you're not guaranteed a graduate job no matter what uni you go to. You're better off choosing the option that'll get you a law degree in the first place and working on the other aspects of your resume.
Was talking to an ex-corporate lawyer a couple days ago who's friends with a recruiter for a top law firm, who recently rejected a UoM graduate with a high distinction average, so nothing's set in stone

That's interesting - was it because of personality, lack of extracurricular activities etc or..?

[ninwa]

According to the guy, it was as simple as her replying "oh, not much" to the recruiter's question of "what did you get up to on the weekend?"

I guess law firms really want to see that you're doing something with your life outside of law (work-life balance maybe), and since the market is so saturated right now with brilliant students they can afford to ditch an HD-average graduate for such a tiny thing.

(To back this up, I also know someone, now a trainee lawyer at a top tier law firm, whose interviewers spent about 80% of the interview asking her about her national-level ballet qualifications, lol. I suppose after a certain level in your GPA the law firms care more about your outside life.)

[Art Vandelay]

In your position (and if I absolutely couldn't pick Monash for any reason) I'd just go to Deakin, because I'd be graduate with a law degree by the end of it, and Melbourne's a bit of a gamble to gain admission. If you're really not set on law, just do a generalist degree (Bachelor of Arts at Melb or whatever) and then decide what you want to do next. Doing a Bachelor of Arts at Monash would mean that you could transfer internally to a law degree a little bit easier. But OP, why not even consider Monash Law?

[insert]

really? how do you know? @box_destroyer

what are the chances of me transferring from bcom at monash to a double degree of commerce and law. What grade do i have to average? or does it involve more than that?

[thushan]

really? how do you know? @box_destroyer

what are the chances of me transferring from bcom at monash to a double degree of commerce and law. What grade do i have to average? or does it involve more than that?

About 75-80 from memory.

[Art Vandelay]

really? how do you know? @box_destroyer

He doesn't. Read the law faqs and talk to people, you'll find that the playing field is competitive and difficult for all law students regardless of university.

[ninwa]

really? how do you know? @box_destroyer

that was a troll, he's full of shit don't listen to him

[90+FTW]

1) Law/X double degree at Monash - because you're guaranteed a law degree (obviously depending on whether you pass everything, but I mean in the sense that you don't have to do any further tests like the LSAT to get into law)

Ninwa is entirely correct, Monash is fantastic and I believe it's just as good as MelbUni when it comes to Law - and this is coming from a MelbUni student. They're both incredibly prestigious, I personally wouldn't go to Deakin but maybe I'm just a snob :/