T2 --- Huge Scholarship Forum

[Nucky]

Midlaw doesn't exist, especially not for Rut-C schmos. So you want big law or a clerkship? Gotta retake dude.

I am one of the few 0L TLSers who would LOVE to retake. Unfortunately, I am all out. But I performed well enough that my LSAT overshadows my poor GPA, the true culprit. My GPA is what is killing me and despite a strong upward trend, there isn't anything I can do to change the final number as I have already graduated UG.

[Snowboarder1588]

If you're ok working outside of big law, you're in a good position. As far as the ties thing, umm....I've been in Philly for a little while..and unless the legal market is the complete opposite of other professions, it's not secular. It's the Northeast, not the South. As long as you articulate your desire to stay here and gain summer employment you should be fine. BTW, Dangerzone, I asked you to demonstrate your support for your argument not to comment on my merits to give advice. Anyways, no need to hijack Nucky's thread. Have fun at ASW Nucky, and I'll probably see you there!

Wait so you're a 0L that hasn't experienced legal hiring first hand and you're giving advice on what legal hirers look for?

From my limited experience, legal hiring is quite different than other professions in a number of different ways.

Fair enough. Appreciate you being respectful in your reply. In all fairness though, I never attempted to describe what legal hirers look for. I was purely discussing whether having ties to Philly made a big difference whether to hire a qualified candidate.

[Danger Zone]

[Nucky]

Those who say Philly is insular...can you please provide some support for that argument? Philly is the 5th largest city in the US, and has a large legal market. I would imagine that you going to school locally, doing well and as long as you can pull off some summer positions would help you build a decent network.

You would think so, but you would be wrong. The city is big, the firms are big, but the summer associate classes are very small. Just go on NALP and look it up. Or ask some kids at Penn (and there are plenty here on TLS) how much Philly firms cared about their lack of ties. I say Penn because the local schools tend to draw local kids, with Penn being the exception, but it's true at any of the Philly area schools.

Also, and I know people generally mean well, but don't try to give this guy advice if you haven't been through OCI at a school around here.

You're generally incorrect.

I'm not saying people from outside this region don't get jobs here. But students who don't have ties here have demonstratively done worse in comparison to those who do.

Also, Nucky, you should be aware of this tricky little thing they do where they give you a full tuition scholarship, but then have about $2,500 in non-tuition fees per year that you have to pay. So reduce your total stipend to $22,500 over three years. Still not bad, but just thought you should know.

Well, that's good to know. Will definitely mention that the next time I talk to them.

Unfortunately I can't make ASW next weekend. Flights are way too expensive from where I live at the moment, so I will probably head over sometime during the following few weeks.