Best jobs for pre law student

[Anonymous]

DS is going into sophomore year as a political science major with intentions of going to law school. He switched his major recently so is unsure about how to go about the path of preparing himself for law school. I know the most important thing to focus on for law school admission is maintaining a high grade point average and studying for the LSATS, as well as getting involved in law-related clubs and internships. He goes to school in nyc and needs a part time job to fund his “fun” money as well as potential savings for law school. What part-time jobs do you recommend he gets that he can not only get some money for but also something nice to put on his resume for law school applications? He is interested primarily in corporate law right now but is willing to explore other law fields to get a glimpse during his undergrad years.

[Anonymous]

I'd highly recommend a part-time job at a law office doing whatever is asked. Hopefully that will be an eye-popping experience such that he no longer wants to go to law school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd highly recommend a part-time job at a law office doing whatever is asked. Hopefully that will be an eye-popping experience such that he no longer wants to go to law school.

I have given this same advice to a number of people. A few actually realized that they did not want to go to law school so it is quite helpful. Law school is expensive so make sure that you really want to go before jumping in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd highly recommend a part-time job at a law office doing whatever is asked. Hopefully that will be an eye-popping experience such that he no longer wants to go to law school.

I have given this same advice to a number of people. A few actually realized that they did not want to go to law school so it is quite helpful. Law school is expensive so make sure that you really want to go before jumping in.

That's good advice. But assuming he actually does know he wants to go to law school - do things that aren't just law related. Throw a stone and you'll find someone who worked in a law office, was a poly-sci major, all that stuff.

Go get a job working the ticket booth at a theater or working as a bartender, or something that helps you stand out and gain some other life experiences, would be my advice. Join some clubs that have nothing to do with law but make you a more well rounded and more interesting person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd highly recommend a part-time job at a law office doing whatever is asked. Hopefully that will be an eye-popping experience such that he no longer wants to go to law school.

I am an attorney who gives this advice but for a different reason. One outcome could of course be that the person realizes they don't actually want to be an attorney. However, if they still go, they will now have had the experience of being the administrative person who gets filings dumped on them at the last minute, has to make the copies, sorts through the bankers boxes, etc. and will gain valuable office skills and most importantly, learn to appreciate how hard law firm admin staff work and treat them with the respect they deserve. I am forever grateful for my part-time job at a DC boutique law firm for the life lessons.

[Anonymous]

OP, look, applying to law school isn’t like applying to college. He doesn’t need “extracurricular activities” and no law school gives a sh!t about what kind of part time job he has. What matters is that his part time job not impact his studies. Because it’s all about LSAT and GPA.

[Anonymous]

Working at a law firm is the best possible route. I also recommend Hill jobs to people looking at law school - it’s resume gold and good experience to see another side of law.

[Anonymous]

My daughter graduated last year and is working as a paralegal. How long do you recommend she do this before applying to law school? Is one year enough?

[Anonymous]

Why don’t y’all let your kids figure this stuff out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter graduated last year and is working as a paralegal. How long do you recommend she do this before applying to law school? Is one year enough?

Oh my lord lighten up

[Anonymous]

The first six months of an associate’s life are mostly learning how to work in an office. Part time “gofer” work in a law firm checks that box, will give the opportunity to make contacts, get the student started thinking like a lawyer, and help them hit the ground running before the tsunami of first year. At many firms, the work available to a future law student can develop into something pretty substantive as the firm and the individual gain confidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter graduated last year and is working as a paralegal. How long do you recommend she do this before applying to law school? Is one year enough?

Enough for what? If her gpa/lsat scores are good enough to get in, apply. If not, no amount of paralegal work is going to help.

[Anonymous]

These are real-life examples from the past 3 years, as LSAT scores have soared with online test administration and undergrad GPAs have soared during remote learning

One of my kids had perfect GPA and LSAT and strong academic achievements, but had literally never held a job - got in everywhere except Yale, received multiple Top 6 full-ride offers

The other had near-perfect GPA, a high 160s LSAT, and 3 years work experience in a US Attorney's Office, including as senior paralegal on a very high-profile trial, with a glowing letter of recommendation from the attorney on that case - shut out of the Top 14

If that real-world legal experience didn't make up for an LSAT <170 I can't imagine what undergrad part-time job would. It's all GPA and LSAT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, look, applying to law school isn’t like applying to college. He doesn’t need “extracurricular activities” and no law school gives a sh!t about what kind of part time job he has. What matters is that his part time job not impact his studies. Because it’s all about LSAT and GPA.

This. It’s math - law schools don’t care about the human behind the numbers.

[Anonymous]

You take summer school classes which usually have an easier grading curve so you can boost your GPA for admissions. Maybe take an LSAT prep class if you need it.