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working on political campaign?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:13 pm
by jdstudent2013
Hi,

I'm a prospective law student, recently scored a 176 on the June LSAT. I currently work for a large consulting firm, but have recently realized that I don't really enjoy this work nor do I view it as a viable option long term.

I was recently accepted to be an organizing fellow for the Obama campaign, my question is this: would this help make me a better law school applicant/stand out to any schools?

Thanks for any help.

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:23 pm
by 2014
Very doubtful. At best it will be seen as something kind of interesting, at worst your app will go in front of a conservative application committee who might judge you. Not saying that is likely, no one can tell, but don't count on it being an amazing positive. Consulting would also likely be more useful when it comes time to do OCI interviews unless the Obama opportunity allows you to network with relevant individuals.

That all being said, do what makes you happy as long as it makes financial sense. Don't over think the role it will play in an app, you can sell anything you are passionate about.

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:27 pm
by Lovely Ludwig Van
Congrats on the stellar LSAT score.

It's generally accepted that consulting is one of the best gigs you could have on your resume when OCI rolls around; firms love to hire people with prestigious business experience. For purposes of admission to law school, however, both would probably be looked upon in an equally positive light. If I were in this situation, I would base the decision off what I want to pursue long-term (i.e. consulting would be cool if I wanted to gun for partner at a law firm, campaign organizing would probably be better if I wanted to pursue politics, etc.).

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:19 pm
by North
I was in the inaugural class of OFA fellows a couple years ago. If it's still anything like how it was when I was doing it in South Florida, then be prepared to organize more phone banks than you ever though could or should be organized. The actual work you'll do is not terribly impressive, but it can be spun in a way that makes it sound impressive on a resume. Don't expect any bump in LS admissions because of it, IMO. Plenty of LS applicants have political campaign experience -- it's nothing out of the ordinary. 'Fellow,' fortunately, sounds sexier than 'intern,' so there's that.

For what it's worth, if you like talking to people, you'll have a good time.

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:38 pm
by Fark-o-vision
From the limited interaction I've had with people who have experience, I think it would depend a little bit on the type of position you had. From what I understand--and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong--many people working with a campaign may not necessarily support the campaign they work for. They just like working in politics.

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:35 pm
by jym_dawg
On a related note, any thoughts on how adcoms view LORs from Members of Congress? Recently worked on a campaign in a substantive (i.e. non-intern) capacity, but I'm somewhat concerned because a) Member's views are diametrically opposite academia and most law school profs 2) I don't want the LOR to be seen purely as name dropping.

Any general guidance on LORs from MOCs, or does it just depend on the quality/contents of this particular LOR?

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:48 pm
by Samara
jdstudent2013 wrote:Hi,

I'm a prospective law student, recently scored a 176 on the June LSAT. I currently work for a large consulting firm, but have recently realized that I don't really enjoy this work nor do I view it as a viable option long term.

I was recently accepted to be an organizing fellow for the Obama campaign, my question is this: would this help make me a better law school applicant/stand out to any schools?

Thanks for any help.
It's a shitty job and law schools won't care. Are you applying this fall? Suck it up at your current job for DAT CASH.

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:51 pm
by Samara
jym_dawg wrote:On a related note, any thoughts on how adcoms view LORs from Members of Congress? Recently worked on a campaign in a substantive (i.e. non-intern) capacity, but I'm somewhat concerned because a) Member's views are diametrically opposite academia and most law school profs 2) I don't want the LOR to be seen purely as name dropping.

Any general guidance on LORs from MOCs, or does it just depend on the quality/contents of this particular LOR?
As long as it can truly be substantive, it's good. Probably won't make much of a difference, but still solid. Make sure that it's not just a form letter, that the member actually writes it (or at least enough that there isn't someone else's initials on it), and get a real signature.

Political viewpoints don't matter as long as its not like Virginia Foxx or something.

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 11:00 am
by 1776
I worked on a few campaigns since high school. I burnt out a little bit. It wasn't anything that exciting, but I was passionate about it at the time, and I met some cool people. I did it during school, so it wasn't a full time job. It was fun. Get ready to deal with a lot of ignorant voters. It's always cool to get in good discussions with insightful people, whether they're voters or campaign workers. You also have a chance to educate people, which can be neat.

Are you working directly for the Obama campaign or for a place like Grassroots Campaign? My friend go sucked into working for Grassroots, and it was a terrible experience and they were an awful place to work for.

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:03 am
by seahawk32
.

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 7:22 pm
by VUSisterRayVU
oops

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:02 pm
by SoPro
Work on DEM READING COMP SKILLS breh. He works for a consulting firm. OFA internship is unpaid (I know dis)

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 6:47 pm
by VUSisterRayVU
SoPro wrote:Work on DEM READING COMP SKILLS breh. He works for a consulting firm. OFA internship is unpaid (I know dis)
MB thought was referring to the dude who worked for a Rep in a non-internship capacity. TY BREH

Re: working on political campaign?

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 7:19 pm
by Nightrunner
An unpaid internship is not going to change your application in any sizable way, unless (a) you don't have any real work experience, which isn't true in your case, or (b) you work your way into a better position with the campaign, which is possible.

Work for Obama if it makes sense for you, and if you think you'll like doing it. Don't do it for the sake of law school applications.

Possible exception: if you think you might get cut or laid off in your current position, then it would actually help. You don't want to seem like "that kid who went to law school because he had nothing else going for him" at any point in your resume, for law schools today or for employers down the road.