Please help! Advice needed! Forum

[corgiterrier17]

Hi all,

I am applying to law schools next year (Class of 2020) and I have some concerns regarding my application planning and career.
I don't think I can apply this cycle because I just started studying LSAT, and I think even if I get great score in December, completing apps in January would make me less competitive for admission and scholarship (I am aiming for T6)...I got 150s on my diagnostic and I don't think it is likely to get 170+ in two months, even if I study LSAT full time. What do you guys think?

Another thing is, I have done a couple of internships (Biglaw, government) after I graduated last year but never had full-time "job."
Yesterday, I was offered a job at a very reputable firm for a paralegal position and my plan was to work there until I start law school in August/September 2017. But when I chatted with an interviewer at the firm (he's an attorney), he said working as a paralegal for 2 years may not be a good idea considering my career (especially if I want to go to Biglaw) after law school.

So my plan is to work there for 6 months and get a different profession.Then my application will say I have spent 3 years after undergrad doing two internships, working as a paralegal for 6months, and working in a different profession (probably in PR/management) for 2-3 months. Does this sound really bad?

I would really appreciate your advice!

[North]

There is nothing bad about making money as a paralegal for two years while you study for the LSAT. The most competent person in my summer class was a paralegal for two years. Use the time to make money, get a 170+, and figure out whether you actually want to be a lawyer. IMO, don't go without at least a 170 (or I guess like 169 with medians these days), keep paralegaling until you get there.

[cheesy143]

I don't know if changing jobs and having jobs for just a few months is a good idea. I don't know why that attorney told you that wasn't a good idea...a lot of people do that(I'm doing it now!) I think especially if its an area you want to work in you should take the job and get some experience and an idea of what being an attorney is like and how a law firm works

[corgiterrier17]

I don't know if changing jobs and having jobs for just a few months is a good idea. I don't know why that attorney told you that wasn't a good idea...a lot of people do that(I'm doing it now!) I think especially if its an area you want to work in you should take the job and get some experience and an idea of what being an attorney is like and how a law firm works

I think what he meant was I've already spent a year doing internships after graduation and working as a paralegal for another 2 years might disadvantage me for recruitment for BigLaws.

[PrayFor170]

I don't know if changing jobs and having jobs for just a few months is a good idea. I don't know why that attorney told you that wasn't a good idea...a lot of people do that(I'm doing it now!) I think especially if its an area you want to work in you should take the job and get some experience and an idea of what being an attorney is like and how a law firm works

I think what he meant was I've already spent a year doing internships after graduation and working as a paralegal for another 2 years might disadvantage me for recruitment for BigLaws.

I don't see any disadvantages. You can network, and as long as you get decent 1L grades it doesn't matter that much. I'm no expert but I've seen lots of law students working as paralegals for several years before starting 1L.

There's no need to concern too much about which cycle. Law school will always be there so apply when you are absolutely ready, that is, make sure you've performed your absolute best on LSAT.