Top Law Schools

When I searched for law schools and decided, TLS was an invaluable source of information. I hope the following benefits others.

As I was a slave to the man, and wanted a life, I spent 20 hours or so studying for the LSAT and took 2 PTs. I knew I was one and done.

Application Info:

C/O 2015
LSAT: 165 (one and done)
LSDAS GPA: 3.7
Background: Phd Organic Chem (Top 5 Chem school)
Work experience: 1 year, slave to the man but well paid.
Other: 9 journal articles, fellowships, TA.

Result:

Most regional schools (non T14) offered substantial scholarship. T25 were not that great on scholarships.

I decided to take a scholarship at a T50, about 85% academic scholarship. Loans for COL in a regional market.

For Summer Associate applications:

Rank: Top 10%
Law-related work experience: Judicial internships (1L summer).
IP background: See above
OCI applications (including IP fair): 30
Interviews: 24
Callbacks: 14 (NYC -2, DC - 3, Orange County - 3, Chicago - 4, Other - 2) (All but 2 were V20 - V100)

What I gathered from 8 STEM-background friends from my law school:

We were all top 1/3 after 1L year. All are going to GP or IP boutique firms. Lowest paid at 145K.
Half engineers, comp sci, and rest were advanced degrees in science.

Other IP people in my class: 2 only wanted to do prosecution. The other 2 had a hard time finding jobs with "soft" sciences, but still got very good jobs.

Preliminary conclusions from 3 years:

Would I have worked more for a higher LSAT score? No

Would I take a second LSAT? No

Did I work how I should in law school? Yes. Read the casebook, took notes in class, 15-20 page outline.

Did it suck going to law school with the young'ens? Not at all. Most of my friends were at least 5 years younger, and enjoyed them thoroughly.

Did I take IP-related classes? Yes, but only 10 hours/units worth.

What other classes did I take? First Amendment, Election Law, Federal Courts...you get the drift, take what you find interesting.

Do I regret attending law school? Sometimes, mostly because opportunity cost and the like. Check back with me in a few years.

If you have time to work more on the LSAT and are willing to re-take --> Go for it.

If you are fine with taking on more debt for a higher ranked law school --> Go for it.

Age / Family / Priorities are all relevant to the calculus.

Inviting others to post as well. Help out our brethren.

I like this thread. Hope for more replies.

Do you feel firms keyed in on your school name, gpa/rank, experience, or STEM degree the most?

Do you feel a non t14 or t25 would provide similar opportunities in the IP field compared to a t14? I hear mixed opinions since STEM/IP is "secure" compared to everyone else and that it is only your first job out of law school where your school/rank etc matter.

Did your stem background help get acceptances to schools that you were reaching for?

87mm:

1) I think STEM background was the focus. Most firms that I had CBs with talked with me about Chem and had specific openings for chem-related work. I will be working on various technologies, but my field of STEM seemed to be a determinative factor.

2) I do think non t14 and non t25 do provide excellent opportunities for STEMs. This was me and my peers I mentioned earlier.

2a) similar to a t14?

I would be very hard-pressed to say this. Those at T14's without STEMs have excellent job outcomes (a recognizable boost) from what I have read. Given that, a STEM at a T14 should have that extra boost.

2b) Secure?

Compared to other legal jobs, probably. Compared to others in my graduating class? Possibly.

I would not have attended law school but for my science background.

2c) Do I think it is only my first job out of law school where your school/rank etc matter?

I am not qualified to answer this. There will always be jobs where grades in LS matter.

3) Did your stem background help get acceptances to schools that you were reaching for?

I have no idea but I really don't think so. Many of the schools I was "reaching for" have so many qualified applicants without STEM backgrounds that I think they don't look at it much. Such schools will also likely have excellent employment outcomes even with a "guarantee" like me.