how much does working for a prestigious law firm help your law school application? Forum

[dr.van.nostren]

I received an offer to work at a very well-known and prestigious law firm in New York City. However, it is entry-level and well below my normal salary requirements.

How much do you think the big law name at the top of my resume would help my application?

I have a pretty strong 6-7 years of professional experience already. 3.8 GPA from an Ivy League and taking the LSAT in October and November.

Thanks for your feedback everyone.

[nixy]

It's not going to make a material difference. If you think the experience would be helpful for you, personally (especially to learn what life in a big firm is like if you don't have experience in the legal sector), then take the offer. If it doesn't serve your interests other than a theoretical admissions boost, then don't. You already have professional work experience and LSAT and GPA carry by far the heaviest weight for admissions. And for schools that do care about softs (like YS and maybe somewhat H), working at a big law firm isn't going to be very interesting/influential and won't make you stand out.

[dr.van.nostren]

Rejecting them and very happy about it!

Thank you for the wise insight.

[Thom]

Is it ok to ask the backstory? Did you apply to be with them BEFORE you applied to law school? Is your main career a Paralegal and a nontrad student? Or did they seek you out randomly based on somehow?

[dr.van.nostren]

Background: I was sought out after I had already been preparing my applications for law school (took time off from work to study for the LSAT) and decided to take the interviews out of curiosity. I have a strong background in business admin so it was for an admin role. It was actually a recruiter who reached out to me on their behalf.