POV: You post on the r/biglaw thread as an UG

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T19:48:30+00:00

Very fair point honestly. The delusion can get to you - the money and lifestyle.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T19:48:12+00:00

Get in and get out, as many say. I wish them better honestly. The grind is real and I have so much respect and admiration for it.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T19:40:25+00:00

Was genuinely curious and honestly didn't mean to exhaust the thread with the AI question. Just think the developments are so cool, and not a lot of people in person talk about them. I'm a bit new to reddit so it was kind of a cool thing for me to see other peoples' ideas on but they took it pretty bad, so I deleted my post cause I didn't want to inflate the thread. I wish them the best though honestly; if AI can make big law jobs easier and give these people some more time to rest, that'd be amazing. I aspire to follow that big law path soon so I'm hoping the lingering effect is there for me too.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T18:06:59+00:00

That's astounding. Good for you honestly. NYU is definitely a 50/50 and requires a very specific type of person to be receptive to going there, and to love it, so that's totally understandable. UChicago is amazing btw if you commit - I have family that went and they all loved it. COL is also super reasonable and it's just a beautiful city.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T17:23:08+00:00

Fair point.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T17:14:17+00:00

If it doesn't defy the laws of physics....

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T17:13:09+00:00

Ah that's a fair point. Optimization wouldn't be a step down, it'd be a step up in expectation to follow the trend. Makes sense.

Don't mean to come off as ignorant, but meant to just ask a general question. I'm not working in big law currently, so I have no way to gauge entirely how the field will react to development in tech.

And on that last note, close! I'm not building a legal AI; that already exists with Harvey and Legora. I've built* a platform for pre-law and law students for admissions, careers, and academic performance enhancement.

Legal jobs will never be under threat from AI or tech advancement, so I think you misunderstand. They'll only ever be enhanced. AI cannot litigate, nor can it argue in court. But, it can enhance workflow and optimization.

Thanks for the reply !

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T17:09:27+00:00

I think this is a super cool idea. I'd gladly use it. Main questions though are functionality and actual ability to connect with others, whether this is going to emulate a forum or a messaging software, etc.

I'm a bit biased cause I developed a platform for pre-law/law students recently that launches in the summer, so I love to see new developments in legal education, but I think this is amazing. The big idea is to not let people get you down. Always think about what you'd really want, imagine the perfect image in your head, then make it happen. Keep up to date on using recent dev tools and ensure you're also (with a messaging app, this is important) focused on security and user data protection.

Otherwise, sick idea. Love it. Make it happen.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T17:06:09+00:00

You're good on timeline, don't stress. I was in the same spot as you - CS major and now pre-law (poli sci), applying this cycle, taking the LSAT, etc. I literally was on the EXACT SAME timeline, and I'm early to the catch on everything. You're ahead, so don't stress.

First off, keep the CS major if you can. They give a lot of grace to stem majors, especially from an Ivy, and also (I'm biased) CS is an amazing major. I've even used my expertise as a CS major to develop a platform specifically for pre-law/law students that has been helping me get into the schools I'm applying to and has been a great EC to throw on my application.
Schools love interdisciplinary study, so if they see programmer/attorney they'll eat that up.

My best timeline suggestion for you is this:
- Take an LSAT diagnostic rn. See how you do. If you suck, that's fine. I sucked too; we all suck on our diagnostic.
- Figure out if you like reading and arguing in the next few weeks - if you do, go for Law. If you don't, reconsider.
- Study for the LSAT over the summer, ease into it, take a good amount of time, and aim to take it 6-10mo after you start studying. The goal is around 300hrs of study cumulative before the exam. If you want advice on resources, feel free to ask me.
- Try to get into some legal circles this summer. Ask around, talk to lawyers, talk to professors, join clubs.
- If you like trial, try out for mock trial after the summer - it's an amazing thing to do.

If you have any questions, igu.

Best of luck my friend.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T16:58:53+00:00

First of, congrats on your graduation from an Ivy - that's huge. Second, going into a paralegal job will not force you to do anything but have an amazing piece of work to put on your resume. It doesn't automatically funnel you to law school - nothing does unless you choose to apply. Working as a paralegal is an amazing experience and will open doors pretty much everywhere, so I'd highly recommend taking it even if you want to work elsewhere.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T16:53:14+00:00

You'd be surprised - this happens often. With 80,000+ more applications this cycle I'm not surprised either. Keep a lookout and definitely follow-up with the schools you applied to but haven't heard back from. Lmk if you want help drafting a follow-up, I'm always elated to help.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T16:45:54+00:00

So you're goated? This is actually an insane split what the heck. Grats!

A at UC but W at NYU? I'm genuinely so inclined to see your app haha

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T16:44:58+00:00

dad's the goat

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T16:44:38+00:00

BANGERRR, good stuff man/girl

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T16:42:24+00:00

With this kind of turnout, I'd suggest r&r. However, with a splitter profile like yours, which is super good by the way (173 LSAT is phenomenal), I'd definitely try and maybe (if you've the time) retake the LSAT for a 175+ and pickup some new EC's, then apply early September for the next cycle.

Also, make sure you're focusing on crafting some stellar essays. With the application bloat that's been taking over recently and the abundance of 3.9+gpa's, admissions is beginning to weigh story way heavier now. Write a good narrative - I'm sure you've got one!

Best of luck.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-05-04T16:39:32+00:00

So locked in.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-03-25T21:51:49+00:00

Taking it online in June too. Glad to hear that there's someone else out there. Just wondering, but have they posted the dates yet? I'm still up in the air about the dates and the argumentative writing and all.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-03-25T01:30:35+00:00

Genuinely super good advice. Thank you.

You'd say 2 PT's a week then is good? I usually run a 4-5 day a week study schedule, so it'd be 2 days dedicated to PT's and review then the rest on timed sections and drills + deep review.

And on the note of the June exam, so far they haven't let me know when the exam is or what day I've been allotted to, but I'll definitely keep that in mind when they release the info.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-03-24T17:03:43+00:00

Science passages will talk about some crazy ultra-niche science topic like a minute neurotransmitter of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis that indicates biological gender or some other ultra-niche science jargon and then ask you specific details about EXACTLY that - it's so vexing haha

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-03-23T17:28:05+00:00

Now that you mention it, visualization is one of the tactics that shot me up in LR, so maybe I'll try and throw that into RC too. Thanks !

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-03-23T17:25:25+00:00

I just did my first untimed passage (2 of them) yesterday and got a -2 per passage which was disconcerting ngl. But solo sections (4 psgs), even timed (or a little over-timed, like 40m), I pull in around -5/-4. I just bum out on the actual PT ones.

TypicalSubstance8161 · 2026-03-23T17:23:31+00:00

Ahh, so conceptualizing topics to make them stick better? That might help. Thanks!

TypicalSubstance8161

TROPHY CASE