Login

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

March 30, 2024, 01:11:09 am

Author Topic: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law  (Read 17790 times)  Share 

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

tamma1

  • Adventurer
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • Respect: 0
Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« on: September 25, 2016, 12:55:47 am »
-1
Hi everyone,

I am torn between two options of studying law and need to make up my mind as VTAC applications are due soon...

I don't know if I should do Monash law or Melbourne Law. At Monash, I am hoping to do a double degree in Commerce/Law, hopefully I get the 98 atar required for it.

My other option, through Melbourne, would be to do a Bachelor of Commerce first for 3 years as undergraduate study and then do the Melbourne Juris Doctor (JD). However, the JD is very hard to get into. There is guaranteed entry offered for 99.9+ students - I am not at this level. However, there is also guaranteed entry available if you get 99+ atar and you maintain a 75% weighted average in your undergraduate course. With this atar and weighted average you do not have to sit the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). But this would not be a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), but rather a full domestic fee place. The JD costs 120,000 dollars!

Travelling to the Unis won't be too much of an issue. Monash will be a 25 min drive and Melbourne will be a 50 min train ride and then 10 min on tram or 15-20 min walk.

Also I consider myself as a social person and was wondering which uni offers the best social life/opportunities, as I also want to enjoy the place I study at...

So I would really appreciate if people could give me some advice as to which option I should take? Would be great!  :) Thank you in advance.

« Last Edit: September 25, 2016, 10:00:19 am by tamma1 »

Calebark

  • biscuits of disappointment
  • National Moderator
  • ATAR Notes Superstar
  • *****
  • Posts: 2670
  • Respect: +2741
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2016, 08:20:20 pm »
0
Hi - I'm still a VCE student, so note this is mere opinion.

Given the saturation of law graduates in the field of law, jobs in law are not only hard to come by, but are suffering a deflation of wages. Given this, and the backlog of law graduates that'll occur, I'd personally go to Monash, given how substantially cheaper it is, and given that it's slightly shorter, there'll be slightly fewer law graduates to compete with.

Keep in mind that if you don't happen to achieve an ATAR of 98 for Monash Law, you may still be eligible for this alternate pathway. Good luck with whatever you choose :)
🐢A turtle has flippers and a tortoise has clubs🐢

Jakeybaby

  • Trendsetter
  • **
  • Posts: 191
  • Grad Year: 2016
  • Respect: +23
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2016, 10:23:22 pm »
-1
I wouldn't agree with the "lack of law jobs", it may seem this way, but I recently was talking to the Dean of Law @ Adelaide Uni and she completely dismissed it. Melbourne's JD is extremely difficult to get into, but if you can, I'd recommend it (as long as you can afford it).
2016 ATAR: 98.60

2020: Bachelor of Finance @ University of Adelaide

Recipient of the 2017 University of Adelaide Principals' Scholarship

HasibA

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 652
  • Respect: +26
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2016, 10:27:42 pm »
0
wouldn't say this is a 'lack of jobs'- its just that there's more law graduates so high-tier law firms are hard to get into. Melb JD is extremely valuable if you want to be a lawyer- law revolves a lot on prestige and nepotism etc. and a lot of high-tier firms (unfortunately) look at prestige in evaluating a job position.
this being said, Monash's Law degree is probably just as prestigious, so IMO if you get the score you need, i'd reckon go for Monash, as you don't have that uncertainty into getting into another post grad degree (JD) and dont have to pay a full fee, if you get the degree at as a CSP. :)
just my 2cents
Uni and life

dankfrank420

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 892
  • Respect: +52
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2016, 11:25:45 pm »
+8
I wouldn't agree with the "lack of law jobs", it may seem this way, but I recently was talking to the Dean of Law @ Adelaide Uni and she completely dismissed it. Melbourne's JD is extremely difficult to get into, but if you can, I'd recommend it (as long as you can afford it).

Not like she would have a vested interest in students studying law, would she now?

tamma1

  • Adventurer
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • Respect: 0
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2016, 11:31:44 am »
0
Thanks everyone for the advice...still not 100% sure but I am sure I will come to an informed decision...

Another question I have is social opportunities/life at the Unis? Out of the two unis which is known to be better with regards to social life?


pi

  • Honorary Moderator
  • Great Wonder of ATAR Notes
  • *******
  • Posts: 14348
  • Doctor.
  • Respect: +2376
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2016, 02:05:45 pm »
+1
Another question I have is social opportunities/life at the Unis? Out of the two unis which is known to be better with regards to social life?

Both unis have vibrant social scenes if you choose to get involved. Monash tends to have a more of a 'community atmosphere' simply because it's relatively more isolated in the suburbs, whilst Melb students can take a quick tram to the CBD to make use of the multitude of socialising options there.

HopefulLawStudent

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 822
  • Respect: +168
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2016, 02:25:23 pm »
0
So here's a question: Why would you want to go to Melbourne? What does it have that Monash doesn't?

Asking cos the stuff you've mentioned (commute times and $$$) all seem to suggest that you're leaning toward Monash.

tamma1

  • Adventurer
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • Respect: 0
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2016, 03:14:37 pm »
0
So here's a question: Why would you want to go to Melbourne? What does it have that Monash doesn't?

Asking cos the stuff you've mentioned (commute times and $$$) all seem to suggest that you're leaning toward Monash.

Good question. I am inclined towards Monash slightly, but only just, simply because of some of the reasons I mentioned before as you outlined.

I am still drawn to Melbourne, however, because the commute times are still reasonable and Melbourne ultimately offers the opportunity to study at the 'better' law school...

Might sound weird but I feel I would be more at ease at Monash, and I would feel somewhat more satisfaction with myself - worked hard during high school, aspire to study law, get into law straight away...accomplishment. Whereas in Melbourne's case, I have worked really hard all through high school and year 12 and then get to uni but still have uncertainty as to whether I will get to study law (as it is very hard to get into the JD).

At the same time though, I don't really want to make a decision based on that ^^^ reasoning and then regret it...

pi

  • Honorary Moderator
  • Great Wonder of ATAR Notes
  • *******
  • Posts: 14348
  • Doctor.
  • Respect: +2376
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #9 on: September 26, 2016, 04:02:23 pm »
0
Might sound weird but I feel I would be more at ease at Monash, and I would feel somewhat more satisfaction with myself - worked hard during high school, aspire to study law, get into law straight away...accomplishment. Whereas in Melbourne's case, I have worked really hard all through high school and year 12 and then get to uni but still have uncertainty as to whether I will get to study law (as it is very hard to get into the JD).

I think you'll find that's far from weird, that's very much normal :)

Litigator

  • Forum Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 63
  • Respect: +4
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #10 on: September 26, 2016, 04:39:58 pm »
+2
Your ultimate aim is to work for a law firm I assume. You are increasing your guarantee by going to either Monash or Melbourne, indisputably the best law schools in Melbourne.

One point thats missing in this thread is in regards to marks. Its been noted that if you want to get into Melb law (say HD average and 155 or even 160+ LSAT) you need to work hard during your undergraduate degree to get HD. And theres no guarantee to get in. Thats true, but you are also hindering your chances of finding a job if you dont get D or HD average at Monash Law undergrad. So theres no realistic way that one can land a job without working hard, at either getting into Melb, or during your time at Monash. Point is, dont just go to Monash because it seems easier. There you will need to work equally as hard as trying to get into Melb. Both ways require D and HD average. For those who say experience > marks. Not entirely true. Good marks will more often than not land you interviews. From there, your expirience + good cv will finish it off.

What you could consider is. Doing an undergradute degree for the purpose of trying to get into Melb Law. However, if for some reason you stuff up your LSAT, theres always the chance of Monash JD. Theres no professional distinction between undergrad and postgrad law at Monash.

Its hard to get HDs at Melbourne, especially a course such as commerce. However, Melb JD considers all undergrad degrees on the same level. I know a guy who did a Bachelor of Education at Victoria and with a WAM of 90+ he was able to get into the Melb JD. Honestly, it is way easier to get a HD at Victoria Uni, especially doing arts based subjects than to get at least D in Bachelor of Commerce at Melb. Theres that.

Those are just some extra points.
vce
monash arts/business
rmit accounting/finance

tamma1

  • Adventurer
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • Respect: 0
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #11 on: September 26, 2016, 04:40:40 pm »
+1
I think you'll find that's far from weird, that's very much normal :)

Haha thanks Pi.

Would love to hear opinions of anyone else too? We can get this thread up and running because I feel Monash vs Melbourne for law is something that many students contemplate each year...thread would become a good outlet for advice :)

HopefulLawStudent

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 822
  • Respect: +168
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #12 on: September 26, 2016, 04:58:49 pm »
0
Haha thanks Pi.

Would love to hear opinions of anyone else too? We can get this thread up and running because I feel Monash vs Melbourne for law is something that many students contemplate each year...thread would become a good outlet for advice :)

Dumb question (and at the risk of derailing your Monash v Melb mindset) but have you considered interstate?

tamma1

  • Adventurer
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • Respect: 0
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #13 on: September 26, 2016, 05:06:11 pm »
0
Dumb question (and at the risk of derailing your Monash v Melb mindset) but have you considered interstate?

No I haven't considered overstate, but for me, personally, I don't think it is really an option. And besides, UoM and Monash are obviously extremely good universities so to end up at either of them is pretty good, so I don't really want to go overstate...

No I haven't considered overstate,

*interstate, don't know what happened there...year 12 study is making my brain go nuts haha

Moderator edit: Merged double post.
« Last Edit: September 26, 2016, 05:12:57 pm by Aaron »

HopefulLawStudent

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 822
  • Respect: +168
Re: Monash Law vs Melbourne Law
« Reply #14 on: September 26, 2016, 05:09:31 pm »
0
No I haven't considered overstate, but for me, personally, I don't think it is really an option. And besides, UoM and Monash are obviously extremely good universities so to end up at either of them is pretty good, so I don't really want to go overstate...

Worth the ask. :)