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So from what I've gathered it still matters but, if you're working for government, to what degree does it matter? Would a T14 get a huge edge over an applicant from a local law school (let's say Wyoming law school) in the area (Wyoming)?
I don't know the system, but from what I understand the government usually has a set hiring system that doesn't have much to do with Alma mater.
government work - how much does Alma mater matter? Forum
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Troianii
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grand inquisitor
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Re: government work - how much does Alma mater matter?
specify which government you mean. if you are talking about the state government in Wyoming, then maybe you are right. if you mean fed gov, then school can still matter a lot.
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A. Nony Mouse
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Re: government work - how much does Alma mater matter?
Yeah, if Wyoming state government is hiring, they'll probably favor the local grads (maybe less the case if the local law school is also a T14? Not sure). As for the feds, I really think it depends a lot on which component/agency. There are some (like the civil rights division of DOJ) that are really pedigree-conscious, but I know federal attorneys from all kinds of schools - T6 to TTTT. I think a lot of federal hiring officials are more interested in high grades than high school rank, and also in background relevant to the mission. But then you might run into a given hiring official who's T6 or bust, so it depends.
(I should probably add that I'm not in DC, and my experience is with entry-level/early career hiring, although some of that is in DC.)
Edit to add: I should add that a high ranked school is never going to hurt you for federal hiring, it's just not enough on its own - you're still going to need good grades/experience.
I don't think a higher ranked school will hurt you for Wyoming state hiring, either, it's just that my sense is that connections are really helpful for a lot of local government hiring, and if you go to the local school you can do internships/meet people more easily. If you lived your life in Wyoming, go away to a top school, and want to come back, you should be okay. If you got a top school and are not from Wyoming and randomly want to go there to work, going to the top school alone won't really make you competitive.
(I should probably add that I'm not in DC, and my experience is with entry-level/early career hiring, although some of that is in DC.)
Edit to add: I should add that a high ranked school is never going to hurt you for federal hiring, it's just not enough on its own - you're still going to need good grades/experience.
I don't think a higher ranked school will hurt you for Wyoming state hiring, either, it's just that my sense is that connections are really helpful for a lot of local government hiring, and if you go to the local school you can do internships/meet people more easily. If you lived your life in Wyoming, go away to a top school, and want to come back, you should be okay. If you got a top school and are not from Wyoming and randomly want to go there to work, going to the top school alone won't really make you competitive.
