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Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:23 pm
by bball999
hey... my parents are from another country and consequently i am bilingual. Not a URM though. Is this a decent soft or will they just ignore it? No DS but mentioned it in my PS.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:25 pm
by 09042014
It is not going to be a significant factor.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:30 pm
by BigFatPanda
Desert Fox wrote:It is not going to be a significant factor.
Unless his parents come from an alien country on another planet and speaks NuNuUdanian. (No, Klingon does not count as foreign language because it is American).

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:33 pm
by bball999
BigFatPanda wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:It is not going to be a significant factor.
Unless his parents come from an alien country on another planet and speaks NuNuUdanian. (No, Klingon does not count as foreign language because it is American).
Parents are human so no URM boost. Thanks for the responses though, this is pretty much what i figured.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:34 pm
by Flanker1067
This is probably a huge advantage in hiring/life in general, so don't despair if it doesn't help your cycle.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:37 pm
by 09042014
Flanker1067 wrote:This is probably a huge advantage in hiring/life in general, so don't despair if it doesn't help your cycle.
I'd bet it isn't.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:44 pm
by Yimbeezy
Desert Fox wrote:
Flanker1067 wrote:This is probably a huge advantage in hiring/life in general, so don't despair if it doesn't help your cycle.
I'd bet it isn't.
Good thing you don't know what you're talking about.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:45 pm
by TaiRuiJin
As a Chinese speaker, I've been interested in its profitability, both in law school admissions and getting a job. From speaking with a recent graduate of Penn who is fluent in Chinese, he said it wasn't the golden ticket he was expecting because foreign LLM students from China snag all of the big language jobs. But he did say its not useless. His firm's partners have been impressed by his language skills, and it's definitely not a hindrance to progress--just not quite what it may have been 10 years ago.

As for helping me out in the admissions process, I'd say yes and no. I think it's a soft factor that contributes to one's acceptance, if one's numbers are in the school's range. It won't overcome a bad LSAT or low GPA, but if you've got numbers for the school it might get you an acceptance over your numbers twin or a little extra scholarship money.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:48 pm
by 09042014
Yimbeezy wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:
Flanker1067 wrote:This is probably a huge advantage in hiring/life in general, so don't despair if it doesn't help your cycle.
I'd bet it isn't.
Good thing you don't know what you're talking about.
Without knowing which language its hard to tell but even highly desired languages like chinese or spanish are only modest advantages.

Business is done in English.

Unless you are doing some type of PI aimed towards immigrants I bet a firm won't care all that much.

If its something like Polish it won't matter at all.

But no matter what it is not a huge advantage, except for extreme small values of huge.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:50 pm
by jks289
Yimbeezy wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:
Flanker1067 wrote:This is probably a huge advantage in hiring/life in general, so don't despair if it doesn't help your cycle.
I'd bet it isn't.
Good thing you don't know what you're talking about.
+1 to Desert Fox talking out of his ass. At the very least write it on your resume. Language skills matter.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:52 pm
by jks289
Desert Fox wrote:
Yimbeezy wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:
Flanker1067 wrote:This is probably a huge advantage in hiring/life in general, so don't despair if it doesn't help your cycle.
I'd bet it isn't.
Good thing you don't know what you're talking about.
Without knowing which language its hard to tell but even highly desired languages like chinese or spanish are only modest advantages.

Business is done in English.

Unless you are doing some type of PI aimed towards immigrants I bet a firm won't care all that much.

If its something like Polish it won't matter at all.

But no matter what it is not a huge advantage, except for extreme small values of huge.
You have obviously have never had any contact with a foreign law firm or law firms who do international business. This is just wrong. It is a HUGE advantage.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:53 pm
by r6_philly
TaiRuiJin wrote:As a Chinese speaker, I've been interested in its profitability, both in law school admissions and getting a job. From speaking with a recent graduate of Penn who is fluent in Chinese, he said it wasn't the golden ticket he was expecting because foreign LLM students from China snag all of the big language jobs. But he did say its not useless. His firm's partners have been impressed by his language skills, and it's definitely not a hindrance to progress--just not quite what it may have been 10 years ago.

As for helping me out in the admissions process, I'd say yes and no. I think it's a soft factor that contributes to one's acceptance, if one's numbers are in the school's range. It won't overcome a bad LSAT or low GPA, but if you've got numbers for the school it might get you an acceptance over your numbers twin or a little extra scholarship money.
So what is the reason that LLM students from China get the big language jobs. Because they speak better, because they are actually Chinese nationals? Because of their LLM degree? I am curious why they have the advantage of JD's who speak Chinese (if they speak/write just as well).

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:56 pm
by BigFatPanda
TaiRuiJin wrote:As a Chinese speaker, I've been interested in its profitability, both in law school admissions and getting a job. From speaking with a recent graduate of Penn who is fluent in Chinese, he said it wasn't the golden ticket he was expecting because foreign LLM students from China snag all of the big language jobs. But he did say its not useless. His firm's partners have been impressed by his language skills, and it's definitely not a hindrance to progress--just not quite what it may have been 10 years ago.

As for helping me out in the admissions process, I'd say yes and no. I think it's a soft factor that contributes to one's acceptance, if one's numbers are in the school's range. It won't overcome a bad LSAT or low GPA, but if you've got numbers for the school it might get you an acceptance over your numbers twin or a little extra scholarship money.
英雄所见略同。他妈的,我是甚么英雄.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:59 pm
by r6_philly
BigFatPanda wrote:
TaiRuiJin wrote:As a Chinese speaker, I've been interested in its profitability, both in law school admissions and getting a job. From speaking with a recent graduate of Penn who is fluent in Chinese, he said it wasn't the golden ticket he was expecting because foreign LLM students from China snag all of the big language jobs. But he did say its not useless. His firm's partners have been impressed by his language skills, and it's definitely not a hindrance to progress--just not quite what it may have been 10 years ago.

As for helping me out in the admissions process, I'd say yes and no. I think it's a soft factor that contributes to one's acceptance, if one's numbers are in the school's range. It won't overcome a bad LSAT or low GPA, but if you've got numbers for the school it might get you an acceptance over your numbers twin or a little extra scholarship money.
英雄所见略同。他妈的,我是甚么英雄.
So your opinion matters not then... 废话

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:07 pm
by BigFatPanda
r6_philly wrote:
TaiRuiJin wrote:As a Chinese speaker, I've been interested in its profitability, both in law school admissions and getting a job. From speaking with a recent graduate of Penn who is fluent in Chinese, he said it wasn't the golden ticket he was expecting because foreign LLM students from China snag all of the big language jobs. But he did say its not useless. His firm's partners have been impressed by his language skills, and it's definitely not a hindrance to progress--just not quite what it may have been 10 years ago.

As for helping me out in the admissions process, I'd say yes and no. I think it's a soft factor that contributes to one's acceptance, if one's numbers are in the school's range. It won't overcome a bad LSAT or low GPA, but if you've got numbers for the school it might get you an acceptance over your numbers twin or a little extra scholarship money.
So what is the reason that LLM students from China get the big language jobs. Because they speak better, because they are actually Chinese nationals? Because of their LLM degree? I am curious why they have the advantage of JD's who speak Chinese (if they speak/write just as well).
There are really just two types of Chinese nationals:
1. Really top of the line brillant BeiDa QingHua (Chinese Yale and Harvard) graduates who are attracted by opportunities in the United States. They usually are the one working for bigLaw in dealing with China.
2. Really bottom of the line trash who couldn't even pass the College Entrance Exam in China to gain admission to even a tier 4 school in China who bought an online degree from some degree manufacturing basement schools.

Usually, people in the former are the one getting the big jobs because they already had plenty of work experience or just really amazing in their intellecutal abilities to comprehend day to day corporate affairs. No surprise there.

The people in the latter are the ones driving in their BMWs and Mercedes and Maserati (Yes, its "and" not "or") with their parents money (either corrupt government official or rich merchants who had corrupt government officials in their pocket. To be fair, however, corruption or "lobbying" is at least illegal in China) and doing all kind of nasty stuff.

Thus, those who gets the top job are usually because they are already best of the best China has to offer.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:08 pm
by BigFatPanda
r6_philly wrote:废话
:mrgreen:

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:11 pm
by liberty
If you speak Spanish you can hoax some illegal Mexican families to pay mucho dinero as an immigration lawyer.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:15 pm
by r6_philly
BigFatPanda wrote:
Thus, those who gets the top job are usually because they are already best of the best China has to offer.
Oh I know the people with money they don't deserve, I have cousins who are "studying" in Europe just like that.

I am wondering why the top Chinese LLM student have edge over top American JD who are Chinese (or at least that is what I got from the original post). I am not so attracted to big law due to my age and family situation, but I would probably enjoy working for a US firm overseas (in China or HK) for some time. At least it seems an interesting idea because I do love those places. I'd really like to know if I would have a good shot at those jobs.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:16 pm
by smartblonde87
tag

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:18 pm
by smartblonde87
tag

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:19 pm
by annapavlova
Basically every person in my section (except me) can speak a different language, at least conversationally. I'm under the impression that being able to speak a different language is just sort of a normal thing that everyone expects of you.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:24 pm
by r6_philly
annapavlova wrote:Basically every person in my section (except me) can speak a different language, at least conversationally. I'm under the impression that being able to speak a different language is just sort of a normal thing that everyone expects of you.
I suppose different degree of proficiency has different usefulness. One app (don't remember which one) asked to list the language and the proficiency. I'd venture to say that it will probably be helpful in getting jobs only if you are proficient as a native HS level.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:26 pm
by smartblonde87
annapavlova wrote:Basically every person in my section (except me) can speak a different language, at least conversationally. I'm under the impression that being able to speak a different language is just sort of a normal thing that everyone expects of you.
wow. that is impressive. where are you?

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:28 pm
by BigFatPanda
r6_philly wrote:
BigFatPanda wrote:
Thus, those who gets the top job are usually because they are already best of the best China has to offer.
Oh I know the people with money they don't deserve, I have cousins who are "studying" in Europe just like that.

I am wondering why the top Chinese LLM student have edge over top American JD who are Chinese (or at least that is what I got from the original post). I am not so attracted to big law due to my age and family situation, but I would probably enjoy working for a US firm overseas (in China or HK) for some time. At least it seems an interesting idea because I do love those places. I'd really like to know if I would have a good shot at those jobs.
As i had said before, these top Chinese LLM student are really top of the line China has to offer in term of sheer intellectual abilities and experiences, compare with some run of the mill American CHinese JD (like me in 3/4 years), i wasn't surprised when these people got the good jobs.

As to your chance, it really depends on your work experience here. The economy really did a job and sent those brillant people back to China to become "SeaTurtles". If you have a rich work history in a field that is relevant to the type of law your practice or you have at least couple years of lawyering skill in North America, and assuming you are top 50% at your law school (Chinese people only know about the top 10 law schools but i think your GPA should get you into one of them), you have a stellar chance in competing with these SeaTurtles. Other than that, i would not recommend becoming a SeaTurtle yourself. There is a lot of horror stories about those returning to China with stellar academic degrees but no work experience.

Re: Bilingualism

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 2:29 pm
by annapavlova
smartblonde87 wrote:
annapavlova wrote:Basically every person in my section (except me) can speak a different language, at least conversationally. I'm under the impression that being able to speak a different language is just sort of a normal thing that everyone expects of you.
wow. that is impressive. where are you?
Not anywhere particularly impressive. Maybe it's because I'm in the West, so like 3/4 of the people here can speak Spanish (like I said - at least conversationally). But a huge handful can speak German, Japanese, French, Portuguese, etc.