GMU (free) vs GW (80k CoA) Forum

[Swooshe]

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[wons]

Other profession. Networking not really valuable in biglaw.

[guynourmin]

Not biglaw, just decent career prospects. Why law school?

[xspider]

Other profession. Networking not really valuable in biglaw.

Wait, are you saying networking will not benefit someone trying to get big law?

[wons]

Other profession. Networking not really valuable in biglaw.

Wait, are you saying networking will not benefit someone trying to get big law?

Networking is like the thumb on the scale. If they have two equally qualified applicants, and one networked well and the other didn't, sure, the networking might make the difference. But they will look at anything else first - LS GPA, work experience, UG school, any other cool credentials (Rhodes, Fulbright etc), demonstrated interest in corporate work. "Networking" comes after all that and gets very little weight.

Networking is much more important for small firms, I think. But big firms are like law schools. Would you assume that "networking" would appreciably increase your odds of admission at HLS?

[xspider]

Other profession. Networking not really valuable in biglaw.

Wait, are you saying networking will not benefit someone trying to get big law?

Networking is like the thumb on the scale. If they have two equally qualified applicants, and one networked well and the other didn't, sure, the networking might make the difference. But they will look at anything else first - LS GPA, work experience, UG school, any other cool credentials (Rhodes, Fulbright etc), demonstrated interest in corporate work. "Networking" comes after all that and gets very little weight.

Networking is much more important for small firms, I think. But big firms are like law schools. Would you assume that "networking" would appreciably increase your odds of admission at HLS?

cannot tell if you're trolling or just not aware of how big human interaction plays as a sucess in most people's life/career.

I'm basically a K-JD and even I know that networking could be a career saver. I'm not saying that one can attend a 4th tier law school and network their way to Wachtell. I'm saying that networking always has the potential to open doors that one would never have known existed or could not have found without help.

Obviously people that have "Rhodes, Fulbright, D1 athlete,
and other extrodinary accomplishments will succeed regardless"

Also, to use your example, about the two qualified candidates. I've been fortunate to meet several accomllished c-level executives, law firm partners and such. Many of them state, they would be more willing to hire someone I know than some random person (outside of the amazing accomplishments you named, which 99% of the country do not have, so those people cannot even be used as a fair comparison)

But to answer your question, I do not think networking would help a candidate that had a 2.75 and 156 LSAT score get into Harvard. But I believe a borderline candidate could potentially network their way in (I will concede they would have needed some strong connections to speak on their behalf long before their application as oppose to salvaging a lacking app while in mid-stream)

May I ask you a question, how do you believe partners gather books of business? It is not the exact same formula as a law student, but do you believe they do not network for clients?

[gaddockteeg]

I think the value of networking is being understated here.

Outside of GPA, it's the best thing you can do. I went to GW, had a mediocre (above median, but not by much) 1L and a mid-law summer associate position.

Networking got me dozens of interviews and multiple v100 callbacks over my 3 years, including a CB/Offer from a v20 where I am now a junior associate.

Edit: a coffee date or some networking event isn;t going to get you an interview/offer. You have to turn those events/coffee dates into friendships or functional advice (e.g., take X class with Y professor and get to know Z who guest lectures, then apply to Y on MM/DD/YYYY).

[twenty]

GMU for free (ASSLAW) is actually not a bad choice for a directionless undergraduate. Are there any stipulations on the scholarship above "good standing"/2.0 GPA?

Figure that you will definitely not be working in biglaw. If you're okay with that, and you want to practice in NoVA/rest of Virginia, then I'd go for it.