A few application questions regarding how to describe things Forum

[magezzz]

A few things I'm uncertain about, and would be pleased if I could get some opinion for, are:

1) As a Canadian applicant, should I explain why I'm applying to a U.S. law school?

2) Is it common for references to be customized for each school I will be applying to? If so, what degree of customization?

3) I sort of work full-time. According to my province, I don't, but if you count unpaid/unrecorded hours I do. Would it hurt me in anyway (as an applicant, during the character and fitness review, etc) to say that I've been working full-time without evidence for it? I have evidence of part-time obviously, from payments I receive. (My supervisor would also say I work full-time if asked about me)

Thanks for your thoughts, much appreciated.

[Yardbird]

First off, welcome to TLS!

1) As a Canadian applicant, should I explain why I'm applying to a U.S. law school?

I would assume you don't have to but if you want to mention it that wouldn't be a bad idea.

2) Is it common for references to be customized for each school I will be applying to? If so, what degree of customization?

People usually don't have LORs customized for each school (unless they have very willing recommenders).

3) I sort of work full-time. According to my province, I don't, but if you count unpaid/unrecorded hours I do. Would it hurt me in anyway (as an applicant, during the character and fitness review, etc) to say that I've been working full-time without evidence for it? I have evidence of part-time obviously, from payments I receive. (My supervisor would also say I work full-time if asked about me)

If its not a full-time position in name, I don't think it shouldn't be called something it isn't. I work "full-time" right now in school at 40 hours a week. Its a part-time position though, so I didn't count it as full-time work experience (if I did it would have been 3 full years of full-time work experience).

Hope this helps!

[The Platypus]

If its not a full-time position in name, I don't think it shouldn't be called something it isn't. I work "full-time" right now in school at 40 hours a week. Its a part-time position though, so I didn't count it as full-time work experience (if I did it would have been 3 full years of full-time work experience).

One way to get around this issue is to write it in the description, something like:

Widget Maker, Widget Company, Inc.
-Worked 40-hours a week for three years whittling widgets
-Responsibilities: widget making, widget wielding, widget burning

[magezzz]

Thanks to both you of, and thanks for the welcome.

I like the idea of just writing the hours without stating full or part time. Part of my question still remains though, which is I wouldn't necessarily be able to provide paperwork that proves the 40-hours per week. Would that be a problem as a school might ask for proof, or during the character and fitness, etc?

Thanks for the help!

[JCFindley]

Thanks to both you of, and thanks for the welcome.

I like the idea of just writing the hours without stating full or part time. Part of my question still remains though, which is I wouldn't necessarily be able to provide paperwork that proves the 40-hours per week. Would that be a problem as a school might ask for proof, or during the character and fitness, etc?

Thanks for the help!

The school won't ask for proof. It might only be an issue when you sit for the BAR and they do a background check.

[magezzz]

Thanks for the comments, they've been helpful.