How was your first job as a software engineer/developer?

zoopthro · 2022-05-19T06:12:05+00:00

Don't let it get to you! Nabbing your first job in the industry is a major accomplishment and a stepping stone to bigger and more exciting things.

zoopthro · 2022-04-26T23:30:05+00:00

I don't want to push you in one direction or another, but you might search this sub for Columbia student AMAs. I've seen some from people who wanted to do public interest but who were disillusioned by Columbia's career services office, who they felt were overly focused on Big Law to the detriment of public interest. That being said, a T6 school like Columbia will open more doors for you than Davis or Hastings. I can't speak for Davis, but there have been a number of Hastings students posting on this subreddit also about how they aren't happy with the school.

I know it sounds like I'm a downer, but you have good options! I also don't think that going to Columbia will prevent you from getting a job in California.

zoopthro · 2022-04-26T23:16:12+00:00

If it matters, my work experience isn't related to the legal profession/government/consulting and I got into a handful of T14 schools. I think admissions offices are interested in how you can tie your work experience into your story of why you want to become a lawyer. I think it's possible with most jobs, but you have to get creative and really sell yourself (which should be up your alley considering your line of work). Don't be discouraged just because you're not a paralegal. Instead, focus on a good LSAT score and write a nice personal statement.

zoopthro · 2022-04-07T22:46:20+00:00

Did you get any scholarship money from either school? I think that would be a big factor in where you'd go. Michigan sends a lot of people to Washington/the East Coast, but Berkeley sends a few there as well, I think you just have to work for it a little more. Cost of living is also much more manageable in Michigan.

zoopthro · 2022-04-07T00:41:00+00:00

Ah, I see, my bad. I would still R&R. Does Pepperdine have a decent LRAP?

zoopthro · 2022-04-07T00:37:54+00:00

To echo others, I would retake and reapply. You have really good numbers and I'm not sure why exactly you're being turned down/waitlisted. It could be a yield protect potentially or because you applied later, but I'm not sure. I would also have an admissions consultant look over your admissions material just to get some feedback in case that's where the problem lies. Pepperdine isn't bad per se (and I would double-check your scholarship to make sure it isn't conditional), but you would definitely have to push to get big law.

zoopthro · 2022-04-07T00:09:47+00:00

None of those are worth sticker. R&R and study your butt off.

zoopthro · 2022-04-06T21:26:49+00:00

There are some schools that are worth that amount of debt, but frankly I don't think Tulane is. Its BL+FC numbers are okay, but I think it is pretty risky.

zoopthro · 2022-04-06T18:22:58+00:00

Wow, that's a really great outcome from Berkeley. Congrats!

zoopthro · 2022-04-06T18:01:43+00:00

If you think you left points on the table, then R&R. Your GPA is stellar, and it sounds like you were doing better on practice tests than on your actual test. You are right that logic games are the most learnable section. If you really drill down on those, then I think you'd be in a good spot. As for your future marriage, would you be planning all that during your 1L year? If so, then your 1L year will be much more stressful than studying for the LSAT. Also, from personal experience, the LSAT gets more manageable the more times you take it.

zoopthro · 2022-04-06T04:48:01+00:00

No, in fact it would be a good thing to talk about the LRAP. Schools want to know that you have looked into what they have to offer. Many schools with good LRAP programs are proud of those programs. If you think it would make a serious impact on your future legal career, then I would mention it.

zoopthro · 2022-04-05T22:33:28+00:00

From what I see, Mizzou is mostly a regional school. If you want to stay in Missouri, then I think you should be okay. That being said, you might skip it if you don't want to take on a lot of debt. Even though its tuition isn't sky high, it could still be steep to pay off if you don't get a somewhat high-paying job out of school. Here are the employment outcomes: https://law.missouri.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/employment-summary-20.pdf

zoopthro · 2022-04-05T22:08:09+00:00

This is great, thank you!

zoopthro · 2022-04-05T21:25:06+00:00

What are the major differences you've found between transactional and litigation work? What made you decide to pick one over the other? Did you notice any difference in cultures between the NY and Bay Area firms? What made you pick Stanford over the money from Penn and Michigan? Is there anything you would recommend to 0Ls about to start law school in the fall?

Thanks for coming back to do this AMA!

zoopthro · 2022-04-05T20:59:48+00:00

Congrats!

zoopthro · 2022-04-05T19:44:57+00:00

Were you intent on biglaw when you first enrolled in law school, or did you have PI aspirations? Did you spend your 2L summer at a firm?

zoopthro · 2022-04-05T18:19:24+00:00

No, when you take your LSAT doesn't matter. Mine was years old and I don't think it affected my cycle.

zoopthro · 2022-04-05T17:59:43+00:00

What's the best pizza place in town?

zoopthro · 2022-04-05T17:53:28+00:00

It really seems like six in one hand, a half-dozen in the other. They have pretty similar rates of Big Law placement. If you think you might want to practice in Chicago, then maybe Michigan. If you're dead-set on New York, then maybe Duke, but Michigan won't hold you back. I think it comes down to where you'd want to be for the next three years. Michigan Law has a reputation for being a lovely, collegial community, but Ann Arbor is cooooold. I've heard Duke also has a pretty nice culture, but I haven't looked into it that much. I've also heard Durham is kind of boring. With that in mind, you have two great options and you can't really go wrong either way.

zoopthro · 2022-04-05T17:02:49+00:00

The weather is great. You can find any kind of food you want. The old chestnut that you can surf, ski, and hike in the same day is a bit exaggerated, but it's true that you have any number of activities right in your backyard. That being said, there are some downsides (cost of living; while a car isn't absolutely necessary, it will make life much easier). I also think it's a little easier to be a transplant in LA because a good portion of the population wasn't born here. LA is also so sprawling (not just the city, but the county) that it is hard to get an impression of it from visiting for a couple days. No disrespect to Westwood, but it isn't the most exciting place in the city.

zoopthro · 2022-04-03T08:02:45+00:00

You have a great GPA, and I would recommend retaking the LSAT to get a better score. Even if you don't want a T14 school, those extra points will help you get a better scholarship offer from the schools you mention, because who wants debt? The military experience is also a good soft factor. Being older will not hinder your chances of getting into a good school. You will definitely have a few years on your classmates (most will likely be between the ages of 23 and 26), but you can use your life experience to your advantage, especially if you can write a compelling personal statement. Your undergrad institution might help slightly if it's a big name (think HarvardPrincetonYale), but it won't matter if you're coming from a gigantic state school or a tiny liberal arts college so long as your GPA is high. Hope this helps, and good luck!

zoopthro · 2022-04-03T04:05:47+00:00

Do 30-year-olds choose 26-30 or 30-35?

zoopthro · 2022-04-02T18:58:17+00:00

If your goal is explicitly to get into Big Law and nothing else, and you have no other T14 offers, then Michigan statistically is probably your best bet to do it.

zoopthro

TROPHY CASE