CA versus Law

[tvp2003]

My two cents -- pick the one you think you'll enjoy the most. I can't see how anyone would "enjoy" accounting but to each their own. You'll be putting in a lot of hard work either way as they are both demanding careers (or can be, depending on what you do). To be honest, the schooling part is the easy part, and articling isn't even that bad once you accept that it is part of the process (although law is obviously shorter). The hard part is practicing for the next 20+ years. A nice paycheck only means so much when you're grinding out hours every day...

Originally Posted by VO #23

+1 (I'm graduating from UBC Law in May).

In terms of the quality of clinical programs and course selection offered, physical facilities, and caliber of students entering each year, UBC is the top law school in western Canada. And it's not even really that close.

And you know this because you've taken classes at every other law school in Western Canada?

Not disputing your statement per se -- just curious as to how you've reached your conclusion...

[VO #23]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

I've got to go check out the new building.

I'd have to say I wasn't impressed with UBC particularly, from an educational quality standpoint or (certainly) a student experience standpoint. Hopefully it's undergone a bit of a culture shift with the new facilities.

If I could do it again, I'd go to Dal.

What didn't you like about your experience at UBC? I wonder if it is anything similar to mine, though I think the students in my year are particularly easy-going, fun, etc (haven't found that to be the case with other years as much).

[VO #23]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

And you know this because you've taken classes at every other law school in Western Canada?

Not disputing your statement per se -- just curious as to how you've reached your conclusion...

In the three areas I listed (which use objective criteria), my statement is true.

1. UBC's GPA and LSAT medians for the incoming class are the second-highest in Canada after U of T, and the highest in western Canada by a pretty significant margin.

2. In terms of our building, it's the first brand-new, purpose-built law building in Canada in the last 25 years. The learning spaces are excellent, and the library overlooks Howe Sound and the coastal mountains.

3. Finally, UBC has a very broad course selection (beyond what the smaller faculties at UVic, TRU, U of C, U of A, U of S, and U of M can offer) as well as unique clinics such as the Innocence Project (only one in western Canada, and one of three in Canada), judicial externships (only school in Canada) and awesome semester abroad opportunities (easily the best group of partner schools in western Canada and probably the best in Canada). And all of this for a tuition-level that is very comparable to the other western Canadian schools.

Does this mean that UBC is the "best" law school in western Canada? Not necessarily. But the pieces are certainly in place, and the opportunities offered here are really excellent. I'd recommend the school in a heartbeat.

[housejunk]

I attended law school at UVIC. If you interview well and have moderate/good grades, it's not very difficult getting big law jobs (I've worked as an associate at a seven sisters in Calgary and a top tier regional firm in Vancouver).

That being said - being an associate sucks. Big time. I worked easily 60-70 hrs a week for over three+ years. Miserable the whole time, although salary was spectacular. That being said, it was not worth it in the slightest and I regret the fact that I wasted my late 20's in an office.

Decided to leave biglaw, and I'm now working as a govt. lawyer. Making a comfortable six figures a year (substantial drop from before), but I'm also working less than half the time with a fraction of the stress. Hours per week - 37.5. It's been a revelation for my wife and I.

A professional degree shouldn't tie you to a miserable job. It's very easy to fall into the biglaw trap, because that's the carrot that all your peers are fighting for. All of my friends at the firms I worked at have now left and gone in-house or govt for a more sane lifestyle. To be honest - the only guys still on partnership track are the guys willing to forego the rest of their lives for the dollar. Not saying that's an awful trade-off - but it definitely wasn't right for me.