NMMI7253 wrote:Anyone have any input regarding the rural aspect of W&L? I understand that many students like to have that ability of working an internship after class, etc. An opportunity that is not as readily available at W&L. But, I'm not sure how mandatory having that capability would be to my success in landing a job. Really like a lot about W&L, but haven't really been able to gauge the level of necessity when it comes to going to school near job opportunities. I understand that there are summers and the 3L year to get that outside experience, but don't want to short-change myself if I need the extra opportunities.
Hey, so I'm a 3L here at W&L and am happy to answer this and any other questions anyone may have. While W&L is in a small town there are lots of job opportunities both during and after school. That said, the first two years of law school are hard and I promise you won't have tons of free time to work jobs no matter where you go to school. At W&L, we do have three clinics (Virginia Capital Case Clearinghouse, the Immigrants Rights Clinic, and the Tax Clinic) that you can do as a 2L, I ended up doing the Virginia Capital Case Clearinghouse my 2L year and am now doing the Criminal Justice Clinic for my third-year experience. Lots of other students in their third year work for prosecutors, clerk for federal judges in the surrounding areas, do various externships, or spend the semester in DC. In terms of post-law school employment, I haven't had any trouble finding positions. My 1L summer I ended up working for a professor's daughter in New Orleans at my dream job despite never having been to Louisiana. During my 2L year I secured post-grad employment in Kentucky (8 hours away). W&L prepares you for any job market and our Office of Career Strategy helps you get where you want to be. If you want any more information, please PM me!