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Hey everyone!
I am a 1L at a t10 school. Work experience=a year at a paralegal at a firm in NY. Ties to NY and Atlanta. Should I apply for a 1L position on Dec 1? My resume is already done, I just have to work on the cover letter... and send it out. Or do you think I have no shot?

I don't want to waste time that I would rather be putting in finals. Opinions appreciated.

Apply.

What kind of question is this? Getting your shit in early/on time is better than later/not on time. You cant be considered if you don't apply.

bdubs wrote:Apply.

What kind of question is this? Getting your shit in early/on time is better than later/not on time. You cant be considered if you don't apply.

OP here. I was going to apply after my finals are done. Everyone says mail merge is a crap shoot... so I was not sure.

Anonymous User wrote:

bdubs wrote:Apply.

What kind of question is this? Getting your shit in early/on time is better than later/not on time. You cant be considered if you don't apply.

OP here. I was going to apply after my finals are done. Everyone says mail merge is a crap shoot... so I was not sure.

My 2 cents, which are probably not worth much:

Write a tailored CL to your NYC firm and maybe reach out to someone who might have influence to let them know you are applying.

Write a generic CL to do a mail merge and send it off December 1, but don't do it if it might mess with your finals/grades.

bdubs wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

bdubs wrote:Apply.

What kind of question is this? Getting your shit in early/on time is better than later/not on time. You cant be considered if you don't apply.

OP here. I was going to apply after my finals are done. Everyone says mail merge is a crap shoot... so I was not sure.

My 2 cents, which are probably not worth much:

Write a tailored CL to your NYC firm and maybe reach out to someone who might have influence to let them know you are applying.

Write a generic CL to do a mail merge and send it off December 1, but don't do it if it might mess with your finals/grades.

This. Don't waste a ton of time doing tailored cover letters. But a generic mail merge won't be too time consuming and just might get you a few interviews.

Worth it for T30/strong regional/local ties? (to put in the effort of writing letters, editing writing sample, while cramming for finals)
Advice I'm hearing form career office/workshops 1) Not critical to apply Dec. 1st, 2) always tailor the cover letter, or they'll probably toss it.

Can anyone reconcile these views?

aPosseAdEsse wrote:Worth it for T30/strong regional/local ties? (to put in the effort of writing letters, editing writing sample, while cramming for finals)
Advice I'm hearing form career office/workshops 1) Not critical to apply Dec. 1st, 2) always tailor the cover letter, or they'll probably toss it.

Can anyone reconcile these views?

Can't speak specifically to t30 but:

1) Dec 1st is critical for some jobs, because the competition is so fierce. e.g.: big law firms. Some of them do wait till grades come out, but a lot seem to do interviews over winter break and then just wait on grades for confirmation.

2) I've heard mixed things about this. My sister works in (non-law) recruiting and says she always skips right to the resume. I'm sure a good cover letter can only help, but I doubt they'd toss your app without at least glancing at your resume first. You have to decide whether it's worth the time. Keep in mind that this is a very long-shot anyway but them having your resume gives you more of a shot than them not having anything from you.