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[Octobass]

Hey everyone.

I'm trying to decide whether I should pursue a degree in electrical engineering before applying to law school.

I'm currently a junior (and a half) at the University of Texas at Austin, well on my way to completing my BS in computational physics with a minor in philosophy. I love how computational physics combines the disciplines of physics and computer science (duh), both of which have been my favorite subjects since high school. The philosophy thing was just an elective course that turned into a small obsession. About halfway through my freshman year, I became aware of how bleak the job market was for physicists. It was also around that time that intellectual property law started to pique my interest.

But will my degree be adequate for a career as a patent attourney?

My GPA isn't terrible; 3.59. Fortunately, money isn't an issue. So I could definitely get into law school, I've done some research assistance, I've got an unpaid internship lined up, and by tacking on a JD, I become a valuable commodity, right? But will a computational physics degree be enough for your run-of-the-mill IP firm? I hear a lot about how EE is the way to go in the IP realm? Is this true? Because if so, it's too late for me to switch majors. I'd have to go for an additional BSEE, or straight to a MSEE. Also, will my understanding of computer science and various programming languages come in handy at all?

Anything helps

[SoCalProductDev]

Go to the USPTO website and read up on the registration to practice exam.  In there, under the office of enrollment and discipline, you will find a PDF that describes exactly what is required in your education in order to take the patent bar exam. 

That one PDF will answer your question.

[MYK]

At the moment, you would have much better job prospects with an EE.  That could change either way in the next four years.

[AnotherCog]

Hey everyone.

I'm trying to decide whether I should pursue a degree in electrical engineering before applying to law school.

I'm currently a junior (and a half) at the University of Texas at Austin, well on my way to completing my BS in computational physics with a minor in philosophy. I love how computational physics combines the disciplines of physics and computer science (duh), both of which have been my favorite subjects since high school. The philosophy thing was just an elective course that turned into a small obsession. About halfway through my freshman year, I became aware of how bleak the job market was for physicists. It was also around that time that intellectual property law started to pique my interest.

But will my degree be adequate for a career as a patent attourney?

This post actually makes me sad.  Colleges love coming up with new and exciting majors that have very little value outside of academia.  Taking a little from one discipline and a little from another just means that you'll be fighting that much harder against people that picked one over the other.  Think about this: if you have to explain what your degree is to an Internet forum, how do you think a future employer will react?

My GPA isn't terrible; 3.59. Fortunately, money isn't an issue. So I could definitely get into law school, I've done some research assistance, I've got an unpaid internship lined up, and by tacking on a JD, I become a valuable commodity, right?

In general, your job prospects in patent law increase with your job prospects outside of patent law. 

You may want to do the research before committing yourself to law school.  I think the latest crop of graduates have a 1/3 rate of not even practicing law. 

But will a computational physics degree be enough for your run-of-the-mill IP firm? I hear a lot about how EE is the way to go in the IP realm? Is this true? Because if so, it's too late for me to switch majors. I'd have to go for an additional BSEE, or straight to a MSEE. Also, will my understanding of computer science and various programming languages come in handy at all?

Anything helps

EE is definitely a solid background for patent law, but don't discount CS, either.  If there's any way for you to scrape together an actual CS degree now, you may want to consider that as an alternative.

[plex]

Are you sure you want to go EE?  I tried out CompE, and the minimal amount of programming involved was not at all interesting to me, much less CS...and it goes both ways.  And it matters, the work you will be doing is a whole lot closer to engineering than it is to law.

[Crusher]

Honest opinion... you used the terms "love," "favorite subjects," and "small obsession" in referring to your course of study.  None of these terms will ever help you in daily patent prosecution. 

Don't do an EE degree just to get into patent prosecution.  It's a world of hurt if you're not completely into it. 

Based on the things in your post, I'd advice you to keep your grades up, get into patent lit, and use those philosophy/physics/CS skills. 

Good luck!