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(Message started by: Jake Levy on Sep 21^st, 2006, 1:20pm)

Title: Switching to IP
Post by Jake Levy on Sep 21^st, 2006, 1:20pm

Hi,
I recently discovered this forum while searching around on the net on the possibility of becoming a patent attorney in the future.

My situation is as follows...I went to a very well regarded school pursuing a degree in chemistry with a minor in Computer Science. As I ended my junior year/began my senior I discovered my interest in the field (chem) waning to a large degree. The majors in my department had always been told by advisors at the school that becoming a patent attorney was a viable option after graduation. As such, I began to consider it and investigate the possibility. I am still in school now, part-time, to finish my computer science minor. I currently have a GPA of 3.05 (I know its not great but loosing interest in chemistry and getting multiple jobs senior year hurt me a bit, academically) but i expect to graduate with at least a 3.2. I am considering becoming a patent agent after graduation to see what the field is like, however I am looking for advice on the switch. Is a Bachelor's degree with my major/minor enough to make the switch, or is it too little too late, as they say? In addition, I worry that my GPA would not be enough to help me get into a good school and would a high LSAT score help? (I have already begun studying though I dont plan ont aking it til the spring) Thanks

Jake

Title: Re: Switching to IP
Post by LF on Sep 22^nd, 2006, 12:29pm

Jake:

I see two postings, figure I would answer the one you signed.

Your degree is only critical to one area of the PA exam, it will be easier to be accepted to take the exam with a science BS "in the bag", than without it.

The rest...

To pass the exam, you will have to learn the rules of the MPEP. Most of the review courses are good enough at teaching you that.

To be a Patent Agent, you will have to enjoy writing.

As for the Legal side, get accepted to as good as school as you can, get the best grades you can.

Title: Re: Switching to IP
Post by cheesepep on Sep 24^th, 2006, 10:22pm

I thought that CS majors, for the most part, were ineligible to take the patent bar exam which is kind of a (necessary) stepping stone to be a patent lawyer?

edit: Oops, I see you are a chem major so that would be ok.

Title: Re: Switching to IP
Post by Isaac on Sep 25^th, 2006, 7:14am

on 09/24/06 at 22:22:33, cheesepep wrote:

I think this overstates the case a bit. CS grads from programs that are accredited by ABET or CSAC meet the PTOs educational requirement.

Other CS majors have to go through a transcript evaluation process, but as you suggest, someone who has finished 3 years as a chemistry major is likely to have enough acceptable course work.