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Sunday, June 3, 2007
Which is harder: J.D. or Ph.D.?
Karla recently graduated from law school (PDF here). This is a great occasion, and I'm very happy for her. However, we have an ongoing debate amongst ourselves: which is harder, law school or Ph.D.? What do you think?
For all of you scientists who were unaware that they give out doctorates other than PhD's, the JD is a "juris doctorate," which is earned upon graduation from law school. The program is three years long, and the common perception is that in the first year they scare you to death (try looking up the Socratic Method on wiki), the second year they work you to death, and the third year they bore you to death. I agree with the first two, but my third year was anything but boring, though that was likely because of all the time I spent as a managing editor of the law review (aka "slave review"--Paul's term). Unlike other doctorate programs, the professors do not set out to give A's. In fact, my school's policy was to curve at a B to B+. Some students receive their first grades below an "A" in law school. In addition, the testing scheme is much different from other programs. There are no mid-terms or other pre-final tests. Your grade is based solely on one comprehensive final exam, which is usually 3-4 hours long. These are not multiple choice or T/F exams, but are essays that tend to include fact patterns that ramble on for at least a page. The student's goal is to point out all the potential legal issues implicated in the fact situation and then make arguments for and against the legality of a proffered action. Seeing all of the work Paul has done toward his PhD so far, I have no doubt that it is an extremely challenging and taxing experience that tests both your cognitive skills and your patience. However, if you are looking for a challenge that adds a heightened element of fear, pressure, and anxiety, you can't beat law school. That said, if you disagree, be aware that I may sue you. Karla Reyerson
I respectfully disagree with my learned colleague. There was some pressure, anxiety, and fear in law school, but it was completely bearable for some. Just like Ph.D. programs are incredibly stressful for some and a chill experience for others. Also, the students who received their first non-A in law school should have gone to harder undergraduate institutions because clearly they were slacking. A J.D. is tedious and interesting at the same time like all academic endeavors. I do agree with her assertion that it sucks to be graded on a final only. It's an amazingly retarded method. On the plus side they fail to teach you anything useful to your practice.
2 comments:
For all of you scientists who were unaware that they give out doctorates other than PhD's, the JD is a "juris doctorate," which is earned upon graduation from law school. The program is three years long, and the common perception is that in the first year they scare you to death (try looking up the Socratic Method on wiki), the second year they work you to death, and the third year they bore you to death. I agree with the first two, but my third year was anything but boring, though that was likely because of all the time I spent as a managing editor of the law review (aka "slave review"--Paul's term). Unlike other doctorate programs, the professors do not set out to give A's. In fact, my school's policy was to curve at a B to B+. Some students receive their first grades below an "A" in law school. In addition, the testing scheme is much different from other programs. There are no mid-terms or other pre-final tests. Your grade is based solely on one comprehensive final exam, which is usually 3-4 hours long. These are not multiple choice or T/F exams, but are essays that tend to include fact patterns that ramble on for at least a page. The student's goal is to point out all the potential legal issues implicated in the fact situation and then make arguments for and against the legality of a proffered action. Seeing all of the work Paul has done toward his PhD so far, I have no doubt that it is an extremely challenging and taxing experience that tests both your cognitive skills and your patience. However, if you are looking for a challenge that adds a heightened element of fear, pressure, and anxiety, you can't beat law school. That said, if you disagree, be aware that I may sue you. Karla Reyerson
I respectfully disagree with my learned colleague. There was some pressure, anxiety, and fear in law school, but it was completely bearable for some. Just like Ph.D. programs are incredibly stressful for some and a chill experience for others. Also, the students who received their first non-A in law school should have gone to harder undergraduate institutions because clearly they were slacking. A J.D. is tedious and interesting at the same time like all academic endeavors. I do agree with her assertion that it sucks to be graded on a final only. It's an amazingly retarded method. On the plus side they fail to teach you anything useful to your practice.
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