Help for non traditional international applicant Forum

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

Hello everyone,

Have lurked around for a while, learning the jargon and otherwise educating myself. I am from India and am considering going for a JD program (from hopefully a T-14) starting fall 2017. I have done a good amount of research online over the last few weeks. Would love your inputs on a few queries, which follow my background given below.

I would be 29 by the time I plan to matriculate (with a full time experience of 6 years) did graduation in engineering from India (T-10 school, best multidisciplinary university in the country) and then an MBA from a T-4 B-school. I am also a certified Financial Risk Manager from GARP, USA. Subsequent to that, I have experience in large Indian power sector corporates in roles ranging from project finance, regulatory and legal affairs, policy advocacy in private public partnership space, corporate strategy role as an adviser to Chairmen of leading Indian industrial conglomerates. Thereafter, I led the co-founding of a clean energy for-profit company focusing on turnaround of stressed energy sector projects across south Asia. We focus on developing projects which have substantial socio-economic development impact on local communities.
Over the last five years, I've been closely involved in driving the legal and regulatory affairs of my employers and my company - I have led the drafting of several documents - financing agreements with the US Exim bank; contractual agreements ; petitions in some landmark cases in the power sector, written submissions, affidavits in quasi-judicial bodies and tribunals. I have had the chance to brief several senior lawyers including the present attorney general of the country. I have absolutely loved the law side of my work - be it preparing briefs, drafting large contracts or arguments in petitions, poring over acts and policies or arguing in quasi judicial regulatory commission. With my business background, I am absolutely looking forward to get a JD from a top school in the US because - I would want to practice in the US at least for 6-8 years and I have heard great things about the JD course from my lawyer friends and my research corroborates it. I know I need to do well in the LSAT first for that. I scored a 160 in my first diagnostic (that was the first test I was taking after 5 years) without prep and am planning to take the June test. I hope to get somewhere into the around 170s in the June test.

With my background, do you think JD is a good idea from the perspective of -

1. Career after - I wish to work in a business setting - a consult or a bank or as an in-house counsel to a large corporate (perhaps in the infrastructure space) or alternatively in a biglaw firm focusing on infra/energy sector - if you could touch upon the ease of getting a job and a work visa as well

2. Family and money - I am married and my wife plans to move with me if and when I join law school. She is a doctor and plans to study further in the states or take care of kid(s) for a bit, if we plan. I don't have a lot of savings and am hoping for a half to full tuition and loaning the rest from private lenders with a cosigner.

3. Choice - My top choice at present appears to be NU in view of the class with experienced people and focus on business like pedagogy. Their placements in business/corporate appears to be good as well.

4. Life at LS and performing up to the mark in view of my career plans after JD and the fact that I am married and may need time for family - I was an excellent student in school but only a top 30%ile student in grad and postgrad (could you please comments on how that would be rated by LSAC - above average or superior or average). I have been excellent in entrance examinations and have scored single digit country ranks and percentiles in excess of 99.9. However, in college, I was just outside the top quartile (grad and postgrad). That said, the colleges attracted the top brains from India and B-school life in India is very very rigorous.

5. Chances of getting in - What do you think could be my chances in t-14 (NU or others) with some $$, assuming (best case) I get a 170 - in view of my educational background (do you think it offers diversity??), my WE in legal and regulatory setting and my experience in an international setting, I also have overcome a few personal problems and prejudices which I would want to reflect in my PS or DS.

6. any other issues you would want to comment on.

Many thanks for reading my long post. Will appreciate if you could answer even in brief. I would also be grateful if you could lead me on to Indians would have pursued JD from a T-14 subsequent to completing studies in India.

Thanks and regards,

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

Do I post on a specific thread to get increased views/replies? Kindly let me know. Above was my first post. Thanks,

[Abraham Lincoln Uni.]

Before a student applies to law school, he/she must determine the cost, time, and location of the school. Law school is not easy but manageable if a student prioritizes and plans accordingly.

An admission committee generally reviews the student’s application as a whole prior to making a decision, which includes GPA, letters of recommendation, LSAT score, personal statement, extracurricular activities, and supplemental application. Application cycles differ each term so it is difficult to say if a scholarship will be awarded and exactly how much because some years are more competitive than others.

Since you stated you have a family, you may look into part-time law school programs, which is generally four years as opposed to three years.

If you are interested in working for a big firm or in-house counsel for a large company, you may either graduate from a well-known university with high employment statistics for that area of law or you may go to a smaller university and enroll in the part-time program and work in a particular firm to gain additional legal and practical experience to make yourself more marketable when applying for jobs. One alternative is not necessarily better than the other because it depends on your time, availability, and financial situation.

[Tls2016]

The first thing you need to do is take the LSAT.
You can send your credentials in for evaluation as well.

Please note that you will need to get work with a law firm that will sponsor your visa. That means biglaw firms for the most part. Also be aware that there is a risk you won't get a visa and will have to return.

Also, rules for studying and practicing medicine here are very strict. But your eye can look into those. As I vaguely recall, a doctor has to leave the US after a certain number of years.

You need to focus on T14 schools that will maximize your chance at biglaw.

There is a thread for international students and they may be able to advise you better regarding your credentials.

[Tls2016]

This is the thread for current international applicants.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... l+students

[Margaret99]

I don't understand how to rate a undergrad university/college in India. I am from a college under Mumbai university, so what is it? AA, superior, etc.??

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

Many thanks everyone for taking time out and replying.

I had checked out that thread earlier but thought starting a thread may be a better idea. New to the TLS forum.

Again, thanks for your time.

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

Hello all,

I am back with a highest LSAT score of 167. (3 successive attempts - increasing slope, can't take again until September 2018)

Indian; Graded Superior by LSAC; Engineer and MBA from top Indian schools; Have a Financial Risk Manager certification as well; Worked in policy advocacy and regulatory roles; co-founded a successful project management company in renewable energy; speak four foreign languages and have 6 years of full-time experience; overcome prejudice and socio-economic alienation.

I want biglaw and close to full ride. Geography is not a concern; ties - relatives are all across the US and sibling in North East.

Outside shot (with schol) at T-14? Or only T-20?

Which schools would you recommend with my ambitions?

Any help would be greatly appreciated