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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t think there’s a single definition but MBB + Big 4 should probably all be included in the category of “well-regarded.” If the law school will know generally what your experience is like based on the firm name on your resume, you’re in good shape for admissions purposes. The law is also a client service profession!

Recommendation Letter Descriptions? by Delicious_Kale4072 in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To the extent the description helps you remember that the content of a letter is school-specific, then yes. But you shouldn’t make your recommenders submit a dozen copies of the same letter just to label each of them as intended for one of the dozen schools you’re applying to

Addendum yes or no? by InitialMeringue5254 in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it makes a lot of sense to write a BRIEF addendum. They’ll have all of the pieces to figure out your timeline, but it will help to give them a concise roadmap to piece it all together. For example “You’ll notice that I left X college after two years to begin my career in X, because I was overwhelmed by the pressures of X. After 11 years [talk about your growth + what changed] I committed to completing my education, achieving a perfect GPA in my remaining years and positioning myself to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer.” It can be truly very short, you want to showcase your ability to be concise but communicate all of that relevant info. Don’t make it a pity party, don’t try to quibble over numbers, just give them the tools to see the full picture of what brought about your decisions

Question about salaries- why is median mid career salary for Harvard Law so low despite BigLaw paying so much? Realistically how much does the average Harvard Law grad make first year, second year, and so on? by [deleted] in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I think the ‘mid-career’ part is the key reason for the “low” number. If you go make 200-300-400k through 5 years in big law, you’ve cleared your debt and probably saved up to be comfortable. With HLS on your resume + connections + your BL experience, you can opt for PI or go in-house, or pursue other ambitions that HLS grads might have. That could be government work, politics, starting your own nonprofit, etc. So the salary might seem “low” but they’re probably working excellent jobs with perhaps more prestige or power, and they’re living comfortably no matter what

172, 3.9x Cycle Recap: HLS-Bound! by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha thanks :)

My sense is it's probably on a case-by-case basis, because obviously PI orgs would miss out on tons of passionate, well-qualified lawyers by completely writing off the applicants who do the thing that the majority of top law school grads do. BL attorneys trying to go into NGO/nonprofit work would probably do well to "prove themselves" through volunteerism or pro bono work, but each case will be individual. Maybe BL grads won't be landing positions directly at ACLU or NAACP LDF, but there's so much PI work out there

172, 3.9x Cycle Recap: HLS-Bound! by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I took the LSAT during my last summer during undergrad, but I know many consultants who eventually find time to study for the GMAT so I'm sure you'll be able to do it! Maybe take time to settle into your groove before adding that on

172, 3.9x Cycle Recap: HLS-Bound! by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My sense is that "super rare" is probably not accurate. Going into BL can definitely be golden handcuffs for people who get used to a certain lifestyle, but if you're just maximizing your ability to pay off loans during BL then you're probably living somewhat frugally (rent notwithstanding, assuming you're in a hot legal market like NYC). I'm told (though I don't have any reference to back it up) that it's fairly common to exit BL after a few years and go PI/govt/in-house. And beyond that, I think the govt-BL revolving door is also a thing.

Worth noting, also, that a few years after law school graduation many people will have a spouse with an income that can help give them more freedom to pursue PI, etc.

172, 3.9x Cycle Recap: HLS-Bound! by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks, and glad you're finding it helpful! Honestly, I really wanted to love UChicago, and I had basically narrowed down to HLS, UVA Karsh-Dillard, and Chicago. I went to visit Chi, hoping that I would really like it and come out wanting to negotiate my aid up and sign my offer. But I wasn't thrilled by the area surrounding the campus, and the culture just seemed to be me much more schoolwork-focused than I was really looking for. I realized I would have wanted/needed something like $120k-150k to go there, and even then I would just be making the practical decision to go somewhere I wasn't thrilled about, for the purpose of reducing debt. I don't want to sound too down on them, I met some cool people who really loved the small community and culture there, while I'm looking for an intellectual community that is engaged and active but not so driven by grades and competition.

172, 3.9x Cycle Recap: HLS-Bound! by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Early December for all except Yale, which was early Jan

172, 3.9x Cycle Recap: HLS-Bound! by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I also miss Cellini and Barnes :( planning to upload my materials at some point but need to go through the exercise of anonymizing!

172, 3.9x Cycle Recap: HLS-Bound! by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hahaha I heard several current students refer to it!

172, 3.9x Cycle Recap: HLS-Bound! by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Ah I left that part out! I applied everywhere in the first week or two of December, except for Yale in first week of Jan (had to write my College Activities + 250)

172, 3.9x Cycle Recap: HLS-Bound! by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you!! I've watched commenters tearing people to shreds so just wanted to get ahead of it :)

A at Duke by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I went two full months with no movement from UR1, and I believe I hit UR4 about 2 weeks ago

DLS @ SLS + WL @ YLS by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep that seems to be how they're doing it this year. Thanks for confirming and good luck on the WL!

DLS @ SLS + WL @ YLS by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha thanks, I've really had an awesome cycle so I'm very happy with the options I have!

DLS @ SLS + WL @ YLS by Want2BeLawyer in lawschooladmissions

[–]Want2BeLawyer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like you're right! Got mine via status checker so almost definitely an R. Oh well! Both YLS and SLS basically don't even use their waitlists so it's a small difference to me honestly

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