Take 1L RA position? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi, 0L here offered an RA position with at a t14 school for when I show up. I met a professor during a school visit, and he said he was interested in hiring me as an RA during my first year because I have solid backgrounds in math (statistics) and programming (useful for collecting and compiling statistics). He said that a lot of his research arguments backed up by statistics, and since math/science/engineering majors are hard to come by in law school, he would offer me an RA position for about 2x minimum wage (set by the school, not by him).

So I'm weighing this - surely it would be impressive to have an RA position immediately going into law school, but the time it took would surely detract from making social connections/studying, and everyone knows that first year grades are important as hell. The small amount of money isn't worth that much to me.

Any thoughts?

[vamedic03]

Hi, 0L here offered an RA position with at a t14 school for when I show up. I met a professor during a school visit, and he said he was interested in hiring me as an RA during my first year because I have solid backgrounds in math (statistics) and programming (useful for collecting and compiling statistics). He said that a lot of his research arguments backed up by statistics, and since math/science/engineering majors are hard to come by in law school, he would offer me an RA position for about 2x minimum wage (set by the school, not by him).

So I'm weighing this - surely it would be impressive to have an RA position immediately going into law school, but the time it took would surely detract from making social connections/studying, and everyone knows that first year grades are important as hell. The small amount of money isn't worth that much to me.

Any thoughts?

Don't do it. Maybe consider doing some work over winter break or maybe, maybe, if you feel comfortable once you have fall grades back, do a little bit of work in the spring.

[Cavalier]

I would advise against it. The money is trivial compared what you have the potential to make if you get decent 1L grades, and you may find yourself in need of the time.

[09042014]

How many hours a week? 20 - no way. 5 - yea why not. 10- maybe.

[Sup Kid]

How many hours a week? 20 - no way. 5 - yea why not. 10- maybe.

+1

[Anonymous User]

If the professor is willing to be flexible about assignment deadlines to work around your other obligations, you should definitely do it. I RA'd for a chill professor like that my 1L second semester and still had lots of time to waste on other things. If the opportunity had existed first semester, I would tell the old me to do it without hesitation.

Based on my own experience, I'd worry less about the number of hours (assuming it's under 15 or so) and more about the rigidity of the professor's intended work schedule for you. If he's going to need things on tight deadlines and be completely dependent on you to complete them, then it's probably not a good idea even if the total amount of work isn't very much.

[09042014]

If the professor is willing to be flexible about assignment deadlines to work around your other obligations, you should definitely do it. I RA'd for a chill professor like that my 1L second semester and still had lots of time to waste on other things. If the opportunity had existed first semester, I would tell the old me to do it without hesitation.

Based on my own experience, I'd worry less about the number of hours (assuming it's under 15 or so) and more about the rigidity of the professor's intended work schedule for you. If he's going to need things on tight deadlines and be completely dependent on you to complete them, then it's probably not a good idea even if the total amount of work isn't very much.

This is a really salient point.