A question about Work Experience and how it counts Forum

[Peg]

So I am graduating in two months, with a 3.1 GPA. Not stellar, I know. But I am hoping to get into this teaching program in South Korea, where ESL (English as Second Language) teachers are hired for one-year contracts and either teach in public or private schools, working about 35 hours a week.

And then I want to take the LSAT and shoot for a 175.

Now, I know that people with otherwise mediocre (or rather less than mediocre) numbers have gotten into top schools because their work experience swung it for them, but I would like to know what kind of work experience can make such a difference. Would any top law school (T14) be impressed by someone who taught English to Korean students for a year? I mean, it's not exactly the same as inventing a new vaccine on your gap year, I realize this. But it does give you international experience and puts you in a position of responsibility and leadership, and isn't that what they look for out of an applicant's work experience?

What kind of work experience gets you into the T14? And I've also been told that you have to have a minimum of two years of work experience for it to have any effect on your application - is this true?

Any thoughts/advice will be much appreciated! =)

[brocklanders12]

And then I want to take the LSAT and shoot for a 175.

How did you pick that number? Have you done any practice tests yet?

[Peg]

I did take a few practice tests over the summer and my highest score was 169, so I think with more time and practice, I could hopefully reach 170+.

[kurla88]

It's a nice soft, but its effect on law school admissions will be negligible compared to your LSAT, tbh. Do it if you think you're going to get something out of it independent of LS admissions. You can definitely use it to showcase your interest in international issues, leadership, responsibility etc but you can also do the same with tons of other WE or even without WE.

[dood]

...

[Action Jackson]

dood and kurla are right: the WE isn't going to help you. 1 year of, with all due respect, bullshit ESL teaching in South Korea (aka playtime for English speaker that doesn't want to get a real job), isn't going to give you any brownie points. You'd actually be better off NOT graduating and padding your GPA with easy A classes.

[kevin261186]

dood and kurla are right: the WE isn't going to help you. 1 year of, with all due respect, bullshit ESL teaching in South Korea (aka playtime for English speaker that doesn't want to get a real job), isn't going to give you any brownie points. You'd actually be better off NOT graduating and padding your GPA with easy A classes.

harsh but true.

[tasteofred]

I'm not even in the application process yet, but I'm interested in seeing how this thread goes. I'm still considering taking a year off to work, as well, for personal reasons as well as because so many adcomms talk about it being a big help to applicants. But, maybe not, now that I've seen a few responses.

Either way, if you want to do it for yourself, I say go for it! It might make for a good PS and it can't hurt you, even if it doesn't help.

[Peg]

Thank you, guys. It doesn't matter if it's harsh as long as it's an honest answer, and what I wanted was an honest answer. This ESL thing is a last resort because I'm still searching for more competitive jobs (that actually pay good money), but if it's not going to do anything for my eventual law school application, then it isn't much good except that it may pay the rent.

[Scurredsitless1]

A close friend of mine did ESL in South Korea, and it didn't make any unexpected jump in his cycle. He applied aggressively, adn got turned down at all his reaches.

I think he really enjoyed his time in SK, and wouldn't trade it for anything. But don't plan on it making a big difference in your cycle.

Good Luck!!

[Peg]

Scurredsitless1: Thanks, that is very specific and very useful!

Okay, another question: does volunteer/community work look better with the T14 if you do a minimum of 12 months or so? Something like the City Year Corps or something like that? Or is it just the competitive/high-paying jobs that work as useful WE?

[Action Jackson]

Honestly? I think you're putting too much weight on WE. Especially if it's not long term (more than 2 years). There's some prestigious stuff you can do, like TFA, but otherwise, I don't think this stuff will actually help your application.

[chutzpah]

Don't think it will provide a significant bump for applications, but significant work experience before law school may make you a more competitive candidate for jobs during/after law school. NU claims that part of their placement success is that many of their students have pre-LS leadership/management experience, which employers like. Definitely makes sense to me.

[kn6542]

You should spend two years in the corporate world. HTH.

[jlxbos]

i've been in korea for 2.5 years now. it hasn't made any difference in my cycle. in fact, it's been kind of shitty (1 reject, 7 waitlist, 1 accept), though i am going to my #2 choice (nyu).

that said, though, i've had a great time here, but it's not for everyone. some of the directors of private schools are shady as hell, they're a dime a dozen...i teach at a public girls high school in seoul and would recommend going public if you can, if you can deal with 1) being the only foreign teacher, 2) teaching classes of ~40 kids on average, and 3) having little to no support in terms of lesson planning.

good luck~

[PoliticalJunkie]

W/E helps if it's significant. After 5 yrs of running a non profit, my experience allowed me to gain acceptance and WL's from schools where LSP said I had less than a 25% shot of gaining acceptances.

Make sure the work is significant, interesting, and connected to what you want to do in the future. Being a paralegal or a legal assistant is not going to cut it.

[09042014]

So I am graduating in two months, with a 3.1 GPA. Not stellar, I know. But I am hoping to get into this teaching program in South Korea, where ESL (English as Second Language) teachers are hired for one-year contracts and either teach in public or private schools, working about 35 hours a week.

And then I want to take the LSAT and shoot for a 175.

Now, I know that people with otherwise mediocre (or rather less than mediocre) numbers have gotten into top schools because their work experience swung it for them, but I would like to know what kind of work experience can make such a difference. Would any top law school (T14) be impressed by someone who taught English to Korean students for a year? I mean, it's not exactly the same as inventing a new vaccine on your gap year, I realize this. But it does give you international experience and puts you in a position of responsibility and leadership, and isn't that what they look for out of an applicant's work experience?

What kind of work experience gets you into the T14? And I've also been told that you have to have a minimum of two years of work experience for it to have any effect on your application - is this true?

Any thoughts/advice will be much appreciated! =)

Northwestern with a 170 will get you considered, 172 will give you a good shot.

You'd have a good shot at Gtown with a 170+, UVA with a 170 + and ED contract. Mich and Penn are going to be tough. Maybe with an ED contract.

Cornell has been acting weird, and Duke is out. HYSCCNB is out.