Northwestern University and work experience Forum

[Southend97]

Northwestern University Law School is known for paying attention to their applicants work experience. I'm still in undergrad (junior) but I have a bunch of work experience including work at my friends moms law firm, paid and unpaid Political Science/Economics research, and internships with my local Urban League chapter and my states Democratic Party. Not to mention I've worked at my schools Student Center and Career Services office for 2+ years. Do Northwestern and law schools in general only consider WE if its post graduation or does the experience you get while in undergrad count too?

[glockov]

I believe the general consensus is that they are looking for full time work experience after graduation.

Per the TLS interview with Dean Van Zandt:

"As I mentioned before, we are the only law school in the country that attempts to interview everyone who applies in order to assess their interpersonal and communication skills, as well as their fit in our community. We are also alone in our efforts to ensure that every student enters with substantial post-undergraduate work experience. In fact, in the class that just arrived, 97 percent had at least a year of experience, more than 80 percent had at least two years, and about 60 percent had three or more years. "

[trebekismyhero]

I do know plenty of people that went to NU straight through. They do have a strong preference though for work experience and WE almost certainly will increase your chances at admission and scholarship. But if you have the numbers you will be fine

[dm1683]

This is of interest to me as well. I am focused on Chicago biglaw and see Northwestern as a good second option (with UMich) after UC if I don't get in or have to pay sticker, which I won't. I will be K-JD though. My major is in the humanities so job opportunities are limited. I have a 4.0 UG GPA and I'm shooting for an LSAT in the 170s so my numbers should be OK, but will my KJD status hurt me in terms of scholarships or make me feel alienated on campus if I attend?

[trebekismyhero]

This is of interest to me as well. I am focused on Chicago biglaw and see Northwestern as a good second option (with UMich) after UC if I don't get in or have to pay sticker, which I won't. I will be K-JD though. My major is in the humanities so job opportunities are limited. I have a 4.0 UG GPA and I'm shooting for an LSAT in the 170s so my numbers should be OK, but will my KJD status hurt me in terms of scholarships or make me feel alienated on campus if I attend?

No, you will not feel alienated, like I said, I know plenty of ppl that went straight through. That 97% of people with work experience can't be accurate. Majority yes, but not that much. It might hurt a little bit with scholarships, but if your numbers are strong I would imagine you would still get a good scholarship

[dm1683]

This is of interest to me as well. I am focused on Chicago biglaw and see Northwestern as a good second option (with UMich) after UC if I don't get in or have to pay sticker, which I won't. I will be K-JD though. My major is in the humanities so job opportunities are limited. I have a 4.0 UG GPA and I'm shooting for an LSAT in the 170s so my numbers should be OK, but will my KJD status hurt me in terms of scholarships or make me feel alienated on campus if I attend?

No, you will not feel alienated, like I said, I know plenty of ppl that went straight through. That 97% of people with work experience can't be accurate. Majority yes, but not that much. It might hurt a little bit with scholarships, but if your numbers are strong I would imagine you would still get a good scholarship

OK thanks. Good to know NU is still on the table.

[echonov]

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