3 years of law firm work exp. does it matter to schools? Forum

[prelawTN]

I guess I should have originally clarified that those 3 years were full time and during my undergrad. I work early mornings as early as 5 am before class, between classes, and as late as 8 pm to stay at full time. I wouldn't think that doing so excuses my GPA entirely but could at least show that if nothing else, I'm not still the lazy student I once was when my grades did not reflect someone capable of LS

[AReasonableMan]

By the fall of 2016, the year I'll be attending law school, I'll have about 3 years of work experience at various law firms. I'm just curious as to whether that will help or not. Right now, my GPA is rather low (I didn't start seriously considering law school until this past semester) but I'm hoping to get it into the low to mid 3's by graduation. Given that this may be easier said than done, schools like Wash U and Alabama will still look at me given my LSAT score will be rather high (I'm practicing in the mid 170's, tentatively taking it officially in February). Info on the various schools I have a chance at given my numbers is fairly widespread so I don't need advice on that in particular, nor do I need reminding that I shot myself in the foot with my first few semesters. What I'm looking for is anyone with genuine knowledge of whether real world law firm experience is actually very beneficial or not and if so, is it beneficial enough that schools like Vandy or Texas or even UVA will give me a look even though my GPA is likely to be at each of their floors.

it is not considered true WE if it isn't post graduation.

You're a fucking idiot. Work experience is any time you've worked full-time. It doesn't matter if you've graduated or not. In my experience, schools and firms are more impressed by full-time work experience done alongside a full academic workload. Why run your mouth if you are just going to spout bullshit?

I apologize OP, I just hate people who shoot their mouths off when they don't have a clue what they're talking about. Bad advice is very damaging. As far as your question, no, that kind of work experience is not going to help you if you don't have the numbers. Right now, your law school chances are going to entirely depend on your GPA and LSAT. Work on getting your GPA up as high as possible. If you get your GPA up into the 3.3 range and hit that 170, you'll still have some very nice offers and will probably land all three of the schools you mentioned.

At what job was this borderline personality disorder acceptable?

[kartelite]

Schools strongly prefer (and many require) at least 2 ACADEMIC LORs, so definitely get your professors to each write one for you.
On top of those two, go ham with the employer LORs. Definitely won't hurt you as long as they write good things.

While they may say that, not having two academic LORs certainly won't keep you out. I had one from a former work supervisor and one from a law professor I happened to know (never any classroom interaction, but we'd corresponded on work-related stuff) and ended up with acceptance+WL at YHS and $$$ at CCN. I'm not really sure what they expect professors to be able to say, especially about students from large classes. Wouldn't input from actual lawyers with whom you've worked closely be a lot more valuable?

[tiltedwindmill]

[quote="kartelite"][quote="Dirigo"]

Schools strongly prefer (and many require) at least 2 ACADEMIC LORs, so definitely get your professors to each write one for you.
On top of those two, go ham with the employer LORs. Definitely won't hurt you as long as they write good things.[/quote]

While they may say that, not having two academic LORs certainly won't keep you out. I had one from a former work supervisor and one from a law professor I happened to know (never any classroom interaction, but we'd corresponded on work-related stuff) and ended up with acceptance+WL at YHS and $$$ at CCN. I'm not really sure what they expect professors to be able to say, especially about students from large classes. Wouldn't input from actual lawyers with whom you've worked closely be a lot more valuable?[/]

It's not valuable because lawl school is not taught by lawyers, it's taught by academics.

[A. Nony Mouse]

The best letters comment on your academic ability. Professors are generally better at doing so than employers. But you may be in the situation where your profs didn't know you at all and you have a lot of employers who can comment on your writing/critical thinking/research/time management/etc. skills. So whoever can give more specific details about your academic brilliance is best, regardless of how you know them. And the longer you've been out, the less it matters if you have letters from profs - if you've only been out a year or two letters from profs will be expected (but again, if they can't write you good ones, then go with someone else).

The thing is that profs usually do have the best idea of how to assess someone's ability to handle the academic work of law school. But clearly not always.

[Rigo]

Schools strongly prefer (and many require) at least 2 ACADEMIC LORs, so definitely get your professors to each write one for you.
On top of those two, go ham with the employer LORs. Definitely won't hurt you as long as they write good things.

While they may say that, not having two academic LORs certainly won't keep you out. I had one from a former work supervisor and one from a law professor I happened to know (never any classroom interaction, but we'd corresponded on work-related stuff) and ended up with acceptance+WL at YHS and $$$ at CCN. I'm not really sure what they expect professors to be able to say, especially about students from large classes. Wouldn't input from actual lawyers with whom you've worked closely be a lot more valuable?

Just be sure to follow directions.
Most schools require at least one academic letter, and some require two. Employer letters are good too in addition to (but not displacing) your academic letter(s). Especially if you're not k-jd, employer letters can be useful.
I'm glad it worked out for you, but I wouldn't recommend what you did to others. It'd be a shame to have your application thrown out simply for not following directions.