Opinions on opportunities based on WE prior to law school Forum

[Anonymous User]

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[Voyager]

Well, it could play a pretty huge role.

Have you considered going for the DOJ Honor's Program or the SEC Honor's Program? Law firms will also dig it. So would clients

Really, though, you have a great angle for one of the Honor's Programs. They are really the thing to do if you can swing it. Pay is much lower than big law pay but the work is much more fun and you run your own show (particularly at the SEC).

On top of that, after 3 or 4 years, you will highly sought after by firms.

[Anonymous User]

I really don't know much about those programs. Do you have a link that may be helpful to learn more about them?

[Anonymous User]

Any idea on how well the Master's degree will play?

[hi_im_josh]

Don't do it--think about the opportunity costs.

[vanwinkle]

Generally having any WE is pretty valuable these days in terms of job hunting. I think (CCN) + (WE) + (type of WE similar to field you're pursuing) = WIN.

You'll still need to get pretty solid grades, but whatever your GPA is, you're going to get interviews and offers that others at your school with similar GPAs won't. If you can use that job as a real selling point for yourself, and you can get solid grades, you should be pretty well set.

[jackalope11]

I had several years experience in both private and public sectors prior to my applications. By and large, I think that the schools' claims at the value WE are somewhat overstated in many cases. The rankings are just too important for them right now.

I will say that I think that it helped with $$ once I was accepted to schools, but not as much with being accepted as you might think. Where I had the numbers, I think the WE may have made me more competitive... However, it didn't help with any reach schools in the slightest.

Also, I know of at least one school that apparently doesn't even factor in WE even when providing scholarships. They look at your #'s and award based solely on those factors. I am sure there are others.

[FeuerFrei]

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[Anonymous User]

Don't do it--think about the opportunity costs.

Did a NPV to aid in my decision (nerdy, I know), and I will be fine. Obviously, I am going to shoot for the best grades I can get, but it is a little nerve racking to be leaving a good career behind. This is my passion, however, so regardless of the money, this is what I want to do. I know the legal field is high on prestige, so I am hoping that CCN + Econ Master from top university + Experience at the Fed = Win. Thanks for your opinions.

[Anonymous User]

Can you go part-time and keep your current job? Sounds very risky to me.

[jackalope11]

I had several years experience in both private and public sectors prior to my applications. By and large, I think that the schools' claims at the value WE are somewhat overstated in many cases. The rankings are just too important for them right now.

I will say that I think that it helped with $$ once I was accepted to schools, but not as much with being accepted as you might think. Where I had the numbers, I think the WE may have made me more competitive... However, it didn't help with any reach schools in the slightest.

Also, I know of at least one school that apparently doesn't even factor in WE even when providing scholarships. They look at your #'s and award based solely on those factors. I am sure there are others.

He's talking about how much will WE help him land a job, not get into LS

Roger that... RC fail on my part.

[Anonymous User]

Can you go part-time and keep your current job? Sounds very risky to me.

Actually got pretty much a full ride to GW part time, with tuition assistance from work. It was a hard decision, but I decided that I wanted to give law school my full attention. I should note, I received about 60k from the CCN school that I am attending. I did my master program while working, and it was very demanding.

[Anonymous User]

OP here, I am interested in hearing more opinions on how my opportunities may change based on my experience. Also, should I do anything differently in my job hunt? Any chance for a 1L SA?

[edcrane]

Your WE/MA will likely be quite helpful during your search for employment for 1L summer. Your WE/MA will remain helpful but play less of role during 2L OCI, at least with respect to big firms.

[Anonymous User]

Your WE/MA will likely be quite helpful during your search for employment for 1L summer. Your WE/MA will remain helpful but play less of role during 2L OCI, at least with respect to big firms.

So, you don't think it will help much with OCI for big firms? Even if I am looking to do finance related legal work?

[Anonymous User]

I don't want to dissuade you if law really is your passion, but in your NPV calculations, how much are you assuming that you're going to be making once you graduate? The thing is that even from CCN (they're all fantastic schools), there is no guarantee that you'll be able to get into BigLaw or any of the honors programs mentioned. Also, how long are you assuming you'll make a BigLaw salary coming out of law school? I understand that within 4-5 years, most attorneys are no longer working in a strictly legal capacity. Even if you look at schools like CCN or HYS, look closely at how many of them continue working as lawyers.

The other consideration is that even if you do make more as a lawyer and so the NPV works to your advantage, consider the number of hours you'll work for the money. I don't know what your hours are like at the Federal Reserve, but I'd guess that BigLaw firm hours are longer.

There are many, many law students who would love to be in your position right now, making close to six figures in what sounds like a comfortable job.

I'm sorry to be such a "negative nancy." I just don't want yet another person regretting starting law school. More important than asking current law students, make sure you ask attorneys who are in positions that you'd eventually like to be. Your WE is terrific, but at law school, GPA is unfortunately the most important metric. Law review probably is next.

I hope that whatever you choose to do that things turn out well for you. Best of luck.

[edcrane]

Your WE/MA will likely be quite helpful during your search for employment for 1L summer. Your WE/MA will remain helpful but play less of role during 2L OCI, at least with respect to big firms.

So, you don't think it will help much with OCI for big firms? Even if I am looking to do finance related legal work?

Correct. There are two reasons for this: tons of your colleagues will have very impressive backgrounds, and 99% of the challenge of finance related legal work is procedural rather than substantive, so your background really doesn't make you a significantly better candidate. On the other hand, you might have a bit of an extra edge at firms with "financial institutions" practices (e.g., Deb or DPW), provided you express some interest in the practice area during the interview.

[Anonymous User]

I don't want to dissuade you if law really is your passion, but in your NPV calculations, how much are you assuming that you're going to be making once you graduate? The thing is that even from CCN (they're all fantastic schools), there is no guarantee that you'll be able to get into BigLaw or any of the honors programs mentioned. Also, how long are you assuming you'll make a BigLaw salary coming out of law school? I understand that within 4-5 years, most attorneys are no longer working in a strictly legal capacity. Even if you look at schools like CCN or HYS, look closely at how many of them continue working as lawyers.

The other consideration is that even if you do make more as a lawyer and so the NPV works to your advantage, consider the number of hours you'll work for the money. I don't know what your hours are like at the Federal Reserve, but I'd guess that BigLaw firm hours are longer.

There are many, many law students who would love to be in your position right now, making close to six figures in what sounds like a comfortable job.

I'm sorry to be such a "negative nancy." I just don't want yet another person regretting starting law school. More important than asking current law students, make sure you ask attorneys who are in positions that you'd eventually like to be. Your WE is terrific, but at law school, GPA is unfortunately the most important metric. Law review probably is next.

I hope that whatever you choose to do that things turn out well for you. Best of luck.

OP here, I did it with many values and with a few interest rates. Basically, it is not a question of whether I should go, just wondering how my background will effect my employment options. I have a very good reputation here at the Fed, and some real good contacts in the Legal Division, so coming back here could always be an option for me. My goal, however, is Biglaw doing something finance related. Thanks for the concern though, don't think these thoughts have escaped me. I am nervous giving up my career, but it is something I have always wanted to do. Thanks for the well wishes!