czelede wrote:I can see from your profile that you had some pretty impressive numbers, but do you have any sage advice for the rest of us when going into the application cycle?
Probably not the most sagacious advice, but make sure to collect strong letters of recommendation and submit well-written essays. There is a stigma that engineers are poor writers, and you need to let the law schools know that this stigma in no way, shape, or form applies to you. Make sure that your essays are flawlessly written in a professional style. I recommend writing both a personal and a diversity statement, as these will give the law schools an opportunity to examine more of your writing. Also, I recommend describing
why you switched from engineering to law, and detailing
how the skills you have obtained as an engineer will transfer over to the legal profession.
I would try to get LORs from professors who will not only portray you in the best light, but will also attest to three things -- your writing ability, your problem solving skills, and your teamwork/leadership abilities. Academic LORs look better than non-academic LORs (i.e. job), but if you have been working for a while it makes sense to at least acquire one from your current employer.
A few more minor points. If you are interested in pursuing a career in IP law, mention it! IP law is in demand, and schools want engineers who will be scooped up by IP firms. Also, have friends and family critique your essays -- don't be afraid to start over completely if the essay doesn't work. Lastly,
apply early! Don't sacrifice anything in your application by applying earlier than you should, but do try to apply before mid-October. I cannot overemphasize the importance of this point.
That's all I got.
