Top Law Schools

I was bored and cruising LST when I clicked on WVU's profile and was shocked to see that they have over a 20% Fed Clerkship/Big Law score.

Considering their median LSAT is in the low 150's, how is this possible? Would anyone be willing to go as far as to assert that the typically flawed "I'll go to (insert lower ranked school) and finish top of my class" approach may hold water in this case?

I can't imagine a scenario where I would attend, but no matter how you slice it, those are damn impressive numbers for a T3. Unless, I am missing something...

It's probably all about the location (and fairly small class size). If you want biglaw/federal clerkship in West Virginia, I'd be willing to bet someone has to have realllllly strong West Virginia ties to have any success without going to the local school. (70.4% of grads stay in WV, 7 go to PA - and I'd bet that's really only southwestern PA - and 3.5% to VA.) Their biglaw is also overwhelmingly firms of 101-250, the third-lowest category, so not biglaw like NYC/DC/Chi/LA biglaw. (Not remotely knocking the WV jobs - just pointing out the difference.)

OutCold wrote:http://abovethelaw.com/2012/08/why-does ... -virginia/

Wow. Well, there's that.

Also, the numbers aren't that great. Class of 2012 had 142 graduates: 7 Fed Clerks, 2 in firms 251-500, 20 in firms 101-250,... 34 in firms 2-10. Oh, and 0 in firms of 500+. Doesn't sound very good, especially considering the article above explaining the likely employment and shit salaries for most of those 22 grades in firms >101.

Any WV grads on TLS to verify or speak up?

I agree the numbers aren't great, but for a T3(and most T2's), the numbers are impressive. Just thought I would share.

Would love to hear some insight from any WVU students or alums as well, though.

OutCold wrote:http://abovethelaw.com/2012/08/why-does ... -virginia/

Yep. Working in a firm of 250+ attorneys =/= working as an associate in a firm of 250+ attorneys.

Most of their law students were in fraternities so they automatically get jobs when they graduate.

Mal Reynolds wrote:Most of their law students were in fraternities so they automatically get jobs when they graduate.

this

Mal Reynolds wrote:Most of their law students were in fraternities so they automatically get jobs when they graduate.

Just lold irl