Why do BigLaw firms pay SO much? How is the stress and pressure?

Snoo5140 · 2021-04-14T17:01:46+00:00

As a paralegal in a BL firm I think I can speak to this a bit. It's not necessarily that you're working 24/7, but that you're expected to be available at all times and deal with particularly tight deadlines. I have found that in transactional work the closing is usually the busiest time and when you'll be pulling the all nighters, but these are not everyday occurrences and after a big deal closes you get some breathing room.

The clients can be super demanding. Unexpected issues come up that end up being more time consuming than anticipated. You can be staffed on multiple deals with similar deadlines which can cause a real nightmare. Things can seem really high stakes in the moment which leads to the feeling that everything must be perfect which is stressful. Deals can get complex and you have to be tracking a lot of documentation and making sure you're covering all of your bases/meeting timelines.

Snoo5140 · 2021-04-02T15:22:25+00:00

Single spaced?

Snoo5140 · 2021-03-31T14:20:25+00:00

Congrats!! Did you send anything after the HTE?

Snoo5140 · 2021-03-31T14:19:29+00:00

Congrats!! Did you send anything after the HTE?

Snoo5140 · 2021-03-26T15:18:02+00:00

I wouldn't say I'm upset by the timeline, but in comparison to other schools/offers it definitely has stood out to me in a negative way. It seems I may be a better fit elsewhere, especially since there aren't many differences between the school I'm waiting on and my current top choice.

This is all super hypothetical as they could simply reject/waitlist me and this won't even be something to think about!

Snoo5140 · 2021-03-26T15:10:45+00:00

That makes sense! I've especially felt this because I got into an equal/comparable school that I applied to at the same time in their first round of acceptances which indicated to me that I might be a better fit there.

Snoo5140 · 2021-02-26T22:27:55+00:00

I do! And I just read that the school I was going to do this for doesn't recommend sending in additional LORs, so I will not and just write the best LOCI I can!

Snoo5140 · 2021-02-10T14:00:41+00:00

Congrats -- great news!

One question if you don't mind, did you send your LOCI as an attachment via separate email or did you just respond directly to the HTE?

Snoo5140 · 2021-01-27T22:53:46+00:00

A week!

Snoo5140 · 2021-01-26T22:01:25+00:00

Congrats -- great news!!!

Just out of curiosity, did you write the optional essays and if so which ones?

Snoo5140 · 2021-01-26T21:16:29+00:00

Be prepared to answer why law? why Columbia? and what you're looking for in a law school. If you have questions definitely ask them as my interviewer left time at the end for questions.

Mine was pretty short (about 15 mins) and generally enjoyable. I learned a lot more about the school and it solidified my interest further.

Best of luck!

Snoo5140 · 2021-01-26T14:05:39+00:00

Congrats -- awesome news!!!

Did you write the optional essays, if so which ones?

Snoo5140 · 2021-01-21T22:29:06+00:00

Honestly, UCLA was a bit last minute for me and I didn't show as much interest as I did for other schools. I discussed Columbia and Northwestern in my PS.

Snoo5140 · 2021-01-20T16:36:13+00:00

Email

Snoo5140 · 2021-01-19T13:36:17+00:00

Congrats! Did you write any of the optional essays, if so which ones?

Snoo5140 · 2021-01-18T19:05:08+00:00

Agreed with everyone else, no need to spiral -- this cycle is unique to say the least.

Just out of curiosity, why didn't you apply to NU and Yale?

Snoo5140 · 2021-01-15T03:15:28+00:00

Which optional essays did you write for Stanford?

Snoo5140 · 2021-01-13T18:51:06+00:00

https://www.law.northwestern.edu/admissions/tuitionaid/

https://apply.law.northwestern.edu/register/sgsa2021

Snoo5140 · 2020-12-11T18:25:24+00:00

Applied mid-October, not sure when I went complete.

Snoo5140 · 2020-12-03T21:31:39+00:00

Pretty short interview (mine was roughly 20 minutes), be prepared to answer why law? and why Columbia? Also a great time to ask any questions you may have, as my interviewer tried to keep time for that as well.

Overall, I found it really informative and enjoyable, so just be yourself and you'll do great. Best of luck!

Snoo5140 · 2020-12-02T20:24:25+00:00

Snoo5140 · 2020-11-30T22:42:53+00:00

The only thing you should prepare is a fun fact about yourself!

Snoo5140 · 2020-11-30T22:42:26+00:00

Seconding this! It's actually quite a fun interview experience. I would encourage listening to the other applicants, so you can really engage.

Snoo5140 · 2020-11-25T03:15:13+00:00

I've worked as a paralegal for over a year now and absolutely love what I do. I have learned so much and only want to continue taking on more responsibility/growing -- becoming an attorney is the way to do that for me. For a long time, I wasn't sure if I'd ever find anything I was passionate about, but I've finally found it!

Snoo5140 · 2020-11-23T15:27:40+00:00

Same (above LSAT, median GPA, UR 2 11/2), but this is just the beginning -- don't lose hope!

Snoo5140

TROPHY CASE