Rice University (Houston: law school, law, internships) - City-Data Forum

rubynicholson77056 · 06-09-2009, 03:37 PM

U of H, Rice, or HBU for B.S. in political science? I am really leaning toward Rice but their admissions criteria is very strict. I have a 3.75 GPA, however, I am a non-traditional student (wife and mother) and don't have a lot of time for extra curriculars. Upon completion of my BS, the plan is to get a masters in Public Administration (most likely work for a gov't agency). Maybe law school depending on how the economy bounces back. I have a lot of friends that are $100k or more in debt, fresh out of law school and are working as paralegals!

Soooo are there any alumni/students from any of these schools that can lend some advice about the PS program? I know U of H has a good law school but I don't know much about the PS program outside of what recruiters have told me.

Poltracker · 06-09-2009, 03:58 PM

Have you looked at St. Thomas?

XodoX · 06-09-2009, 04:11 PM

I think you can call rice and ask what the average GPA for your field was last year. That way you know what your chances are. I actually think it is a little bit higher than 3.75 for this particular degree, but I'm not sure.

U of H is a good school for PS. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

rubynicholson77056 · 06-09-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poltracker

Have you looked at St. Thomas?

I hadn't...I will now. Thanks!!!

Topaz · 06-09-2009, 06:42 PM

Start with your end goal in mind. Look at the types of jobs you'd like to land and the bios of people who are in those positions and see if there is a trend about where they attended school.

MommiePreMed · 06-09-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topaz

Start with your end goal in mind. Look at the types of jobs you'd like to land and the bios of people who are in those positions and see if there is a trend about where they attended school.

I agree. This is why I am still not thrilled about atending U of H, but as a non tradtional student I don't have any other options. Well at least none that offer my major.

rubynicholson77056 · 06-09-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topaz

Start with your end goal in mind. Look at the types of jobs you'd like to land and the bios of people who are in those positions and see if there is a trend about where they attended school.

I have. That's why I have chosen PS. I have done internships/volunteer work with the OIG as well as the DOJ and most agents/specialist hold degrees in political science/public affairs or law enforcement/criminal justice. Plus if I wanted to go back to law school this would help. The only problem is deciding what school to attend. Thanks for the advice!

Topaz · 06-09-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MommiePreMed

I agree. This is why I am still not thrilled about atending U of H, but as a non tradtional student I don't have any other options. Well at least none that offer my major.

Does UH have a poor track record of placing graduates from your major? I'm surprised because UH has successful alums all over Houston.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubynicholson77056

I have. That's why I have chosen PS. I have done internships/volunteer work with the OIG as well as the DOJ and most agents/specialist hold degrees in political science/public affairs or law enforcement/criminal justice. Plus if I wanted to go back to law school this would help. The only problem is deciding what school to attend. Thanks for the advice!

I meant to look at the specific schools, not just the degree program. Are there UH alums in the types of positions you want to land? From sheer number alone I would think there would be more of them in Houston than Rice grads no matter what the career specialization, but Rice is undoubtedly a prestigious school.

XodoX · 06-09-2009, 08:07 PM

I think it matters more where you get your business degree from and not so much your PS degree... imo. Not saying you should go to some tiny school in the middle of nowhere, but U of H isn't a bad choice.

MommiePreMed · 06-09-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topaz

Does UH have a poor track record of placing graduates from your major? I'm surprised because UH has successful alums all over Houston.

Honestly that I don't know. I hope to never have to work in my major, I chose it only because it included the prereq's needed for phase II of my education.

I am not saying that U of H does not have successful alums, but it is not a known institution, and it is not Tier 1. I haven't any qualms with the quality of my education, just concerns for when I apply to schools outside the region.