Top Law Schools

Lots going on. Really interested in biglaw, namely corporate and advising VC firms. From NorCal. Wanting to try NY or SFBA.

I'm on track to graduate in 2022 (three-year track) with a BBA in econ from a relatively small and unknown school but with decent softs (top ten Mock Trial program). Currently have a 4.0 with 34 credits done. I've convinced myself that I'm intellectually capable of hitting 175+ particularly if I don't K-JD and have at least an extra year to study. Looking to study for LSAT my last summer if I K-JD. I will have turned 20 just before graduating that spring.

Any advice? I like thinking of things early not only to feel like I'm ahead of the curb (as quixotic as that might sound; I know I can't plan for everything that life throws at me) but as a motivator to keep working.

Keep your grades up, go to office hours, make sure you have people that can write you recommendation letters. Also, make sure that you are productive during the summers (e.g., with internships, volunteering gigs, or even an LSAT course). It rarely makes a difference, but there are certain options open to people that "plan ahead" and take the LSAT before they graduate (e.g., the HLS Junior deferral program).

There are plenty of firms in NYC or NorCal doing VC work (e.g., MoFo, Cooley, and Fenwick come to mind), but it is premature for you to be thinking about specific Biglaw firms. Your best bet for joining any top firm is to go to a top school, and law school admissions are almost entirely based on LSAT scores and GPA.

dvlthndr wrote:Keep your grades up, go to office hours, make sure you have people that can write you recommendation letters. Also, make sure that you are productive during the summers (e.g., with internships, volunteering gigs, or even an LSAT course). It rarely makes a difference, but there are certain options open to people that "plan ahead" and take the LSAT before they graduate (e.g., the HLS Junior deferral program).

There are plenty of firms in NYC or NorCal doing VC work (e.g., MoFo, Cooley, and Fenwick come to mind), but it is premature for you to be thinking about specific Biglaw firms. Your best bet for joining any top firm is to go to a top school, and law school admissions are almost entirely based on LSAT scores and GPA.

Thanks. Do you think that the more LORs, the better? Every professor I've had, spare maybe one, has said they would be willing to write one. My assumption is that I should just take letters from those with whom I have the strongest relationship or have known the longest. Is that correct? I just don't see a point to getting 12+ letters.

mastermonkey45 wrote:

dvlthndr wrote:Keep your grades up, go to office hours, make sure you have people that can write you recommendation letters. Also, make sure that you are productive during the summers (e.g., with internships, volunteering gigs, or even an LSAT course). It rarely makes a difference, but there are certain options open to people that "plan ahead" and take the LSAT before they graduate (e.g., the HLS Junior deferral program).

There are plenty of firms in NYC or NorCal doing VC work (e.g., MoFo, Cooley, and Fenwick come to mind), but it is premature for you to be thinking about specific Biglaw firms. Your best bet for joining any top firm is to go to a top school, and law school admissions are almost entirely based on LSAT scores and GPA.

Thanks. Do you think that the more LORs, the better? Every professor I've had, spare maybe one, has said they would be willing to write one. My assumption is that I should just take letters from those with whom I have the strongest relationship or have known the longest. Is that correct? I just don't see a point to getting 12+ letters.

You want 2-3. More or less is usually a bad idea, although older applicants can get away with 1.

The Lsat Airbender wrote: You want 2-3. More or less is usually a bad idea, although older applicants can get away with 1.

+1. I'd consider getting maybe 4 so that you can send what you consider to be the "best 3" for any given scenario, but I would not send more than 3 to any school. Prioritize the recommenders that know you best, think most highly of you, and are the most famous/well-regarded/well-connected.

The Lsat Airbender wrote:

mastermonkey45 wrote:

dvlthndr wrote:Keep your grades up, go to office hours, make sure you have people that can write you recommendation letters. Also, make sure that you are productive during the summers (e.g., with internships, volunteering gigs, or even an LSAT course). It rarely makes a difference, but there are certain options open to people that "plan ahead" and take the LSAT before they graduate (e.g., the HLS Junior deferral program).

There are plenty of firms in NYC or NorCal doing VC work (e.g., MoFo, Cooley, and Fenwick come to mind), but it is premature for you to be thinking about specific Biglaw firms. Your best bet for joining any top firm is to go to a top school, and law school admissions are almost entirely based on LSAT scores and GPA.

Thanks. Do you think that the more LORs, the better? Every professor I've had, spare maybe one, has said they would be willing to write one. My assumption is that I should just take letters from those with whom I have the strongest relationship or have known the longest. Is that correct? I just don't see a point to getting 12+ letters.

You want 2-3. More or less is usually a bad idea, although older applicants can get away with 1.

I’m pretty sure all schools require at least 2, but overall, yeah, 3 is fine. You’re right that what matters is the relationship with the letter writer, not how many letters you have. A glowing letter from someone who knows you and can speak really specifically to your strengths is also much better than a generic letter, regardless of the author’s status (a generic letter from a famous person doesn’t help you).

nixy wrote:I’m pretty sure all schools require at least 2, but overall, yeah, 3 is fine.

Should have been more clear - I meant academic letters of rec. A 35-year-old applicant coming off 12 years in the workforce is probably best served with whatever 1 letter they can scrounge up from a college prof and 1-2 more from professional sources.

The Lsat Airbender wrote:

nixy wrote:I’m pretty sure all schools require at least 2, but overall, yeah, 3 is fine.

Should have been more clear - I meant academic letters of rec. A 35-year-old applicant coming off 12 years in the workforce is probably best served with whatever 1 letter they can scrounge up from a college prof and 1-2 more from professional sources.

Oh, gotcha, yes, I agree.