When to write "eligible to waive into D.C." on resume Forum

[SDviaVA]

I have taken the MD bar and scored above 130 on the MBE section, which I understand makes me eligible to waive into D.C.

However, I have not taken the MPRE, which is also required for bar admission in D.C. (Maryland does not required it). I am signed up to take the MPRE in August.

From what I understand I would need to get a passing score on the MPRE and pay $500 - $600 to officially waive into D.C.

I would like to apply to jobs in and around D.C. as well as the rest of Maryland and I am looking for any edge I can get over other applicants. Can I write "eligible to waive into D.C." on my resume, given that I scored high enough to waive into D.C. on the MD Bar but I have not passed the MPRE? Or do I have to wait until I pass the MPRE to be "eligible?"

[Nebby]

I have taken the MD bar and scored above 130 on the MBE section, which I understand makes me eligible to waive into D.C.

However, I have not taken the MPRE, which is also required for bar admission in D.C. (Maryland does not required it). I am signed up to take the MPRE in August.

From what I understand I would need to get a passing score on the MPRE and pay $500 - $600 to officially waive into D.C.

I would like to apply to jobs in and around D.C. as well as the rest of Maryland and I am looking for any edge I can get over other applicants. Can I write "eligible to waive into D.C." on my resume, given that I scored high enough to waive into D.C. on the MD Bar but I have not passed the MPRE? Or do I have to wait until I pass the MPRE to be "eligible?"

Required for DC waiver:
MPRE

Requirement you have not met for DC waiver:
MPRE

Therefore, you are not eligible to waive into DC.

[SDviaVA]

I have taken the MD bar and scored above 130 on the MBE section, which I understand makes me eligible to waive into D.C.

However, I have not taken the MPRE, which is also required for bar admission in D.C. (Maryland does not required it). I am signed up to take the MPRE in August.

From what I understand I would need to get a passing score on the MPRE and pay $500 - $600 to officially waive into D.C.

I would like to apply to jobs in and around D.C. as well as the rest of Maryland and I am looking for any edge I can get over other applicants. Can I write "eligible to waive into D.C." on my resume, given that I scored high enough to waive into D.C. on the MD Bar but I have not passed the MPRE? Or do I have to wait until I pass the MPRE to be "eligible?"

Required for DC waiver:
MPRE

Requirement you have not met for DC waiver:
MPRE

Therefore, you are not eligible to waive into DC.

Yes, but wouldn't those who have not paid the application fee and gone through D.C.'s character and fitness screening also have not met some of the requirements?

In other words, under this logic when could you ever be "eligible" to waive into D.C. unless you have actually completed all the requirements and are admitted?

[A. Nony Mouse]

I think most employers will assume that if you passed another state bar, you can waive into DC. If you're really concerned, you could just put something like: Admitted to Maryland state bar (MBE score: [whatever number above 130]). Because I agree with Nebby that you're not currently eligible to waive in, without an MPRE score.

[Total Litigator]

You could also write "eligible to be an attorney" as a child under that logic... I would not write that.

Maybe indicate that your MBE score is high enough to qualify you to waive into DC.

[SDviaVA]

I think most employers will assume that if you passed another state bar, you can waive into DC. If you're really concerned, you could just put something like: Admitted to Maryland state bar (MBE score: [whatever number above 130]). Because I agree with Nebby that you're not currently eligible to waive in, without an MPRE score.

Perhaps the best way to go may be some middle ground like this.

[rpupkin]

I think most employers will assume that if you passed another state bar, you can waive into DC.

Yep. The auto-waive MBE score for DC is so low that almost everyone who has passed another state bar has it. If you get too cute with parsing the individual requirements on your resume, I'm going to read your resume and perhaps wonder if there's some troublesome eligibility issue you're not disclosing. You're better off just listing your current state bar admission.

[SDviaVA]

I think most employers will assume that if you passed another state bar, you can waive into DC.

Yep. The auto-waive MBE score for DC is so low that almost everyone who has passed another state bar has it. If you get too cute with parsing the individual requirements on your resume, I'm going to read your resume and perhaps wonder if there's some troublesome eligibility issue you're not disclosing. You're better off just listing your current state bar admission.

The other wrinkle in the equation is that my wife just got a great job in the D.C. area, so we are moving to the suburbs north of D.C. in Maryland.

Thus, I would like to apply to D.C. jobs, but it seems silly to apply to D.C. jobs with nothing about the D.C. bar on my resume. But perhaps I should just wait until after I get the MPRE results back sometime in September.