Research assistant for 1L summer Forum

[p00persc00per]

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[barkschool]

An RA position looks like a fall back compared to anything else, unless particularly prestigious*.










*none qualify as such

[Clearly]

An RA position looks like a fall back compared to anything else, unless particularly prestigious*.










*none qualify as such

Even so, this over-states the importance of the 1L summer. If you're at a good school it doesn't really matter. I had friends RA, and I had friends at V5, each performed exactly how their grades dictated.

[Manali]

Do both the RA position and the internship. I know people who have successfully juggled both.

[Hand]

Do both the RA position and the internship. I know people who have successfully juggled both.

go away

[Anonymous User]

I was an RA over my 1L summer. I'm Canadian (at a Canadian law school) and I still managed to get a 2L SA position with a V5. I think a lot of what the decision comes down to is what your grades are like and also what work experience you have from before law school.

[zot1]

If it's in the field you're interested in and the professor is a big name in it, you'd be crazy not to do it. Professor himself would recommend you and that would matter for that field (based on the info you provided).

[Anonymous User]

Honestly do whatever you feel like. An RA position is NOT a fallback at all, people need to stop spouting that. T20 school, I know at least 5 people who were RAs and got biglaw jobs. 1L grades beats 1L summer job 10 times out of 10.

If it's a field you are truly interested in working, I would say do that and see if you actually end up liking it. Volunteer sucks a little, any chance at getting school funded scholarship for summer? Only people I know who didn't get paid 1L summer were judicial interns. Also you might be able to do both as some people say, but it depends on the professor. Some RA's require a lot of work, some you can do remotely with minimal check ins.

[chicago-gunner123]

I think a lot of what the decision comes down to is what your grades are like and also what work experience you have from before law school.

This. I would also make sure that the RA position is in a body of law you're interested in and can tell a story about in interviews. Might seem a little silly to RA with a teacher who only has you researching patent law if you have no interest in patent law and are trying to sell interest in working at a firm doing something completely different.

Still though, Grades>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>1L Job

[Anonymous User]

I was an RA my 1L summer and landed biglaw.

As long as you have a good story or two, and can act like you're interested/excited about the work you did, you'll be fine.

[SemiReverseSplinter]

Do both the RA position and the internship. I know people who have successfully juggled both.

go away

Why? I did this. My professor just hired two RAs instead of 1, so the expectation for each RA was part time. It's nice to get a little cash during the summer and most 1l internships turn out to be silly. Definitely doable.

[Manali]

If you're aiming for "non-prestigious" public interest (PD, DA, legal aid, etc.) doing exclusively RA for the summer will not look good (too ivory tower). Getting hands-on experience through internships is key for these sorts of positions. I reiterate-do both. RA work can be done remotely.

[Anonymous User]

I got to a T30 school and absolutely, at my school, RA jobs are for those who don't/cannot get anything else.

In some cases people mix them with a volunteer (unpaid) internship.

I agree with prior posters that your grades really matter more than where you work as a 1L. So get good grades. Over and out. Thanks.