2L can't find an internship; should I pay tuition? Forum

[marshalmatt]

Yes, my resume was reviewed by professionals. To answer your question-- no, I have never received an interview (other than with JAG, which I chose to reject) through OCI or otherwise.

Never received an interview other than JAG at a T20? Flame. OCI at all T20 schools guarantee at least 4-5 interviews for each student through lottery or other means, unless you only submitted a few bids (no person in their right mind would submit only a few bids in this economy).

[romothesavior]

Flame. OP subtly mentions facts pointing to a certain school, at a time when students are deciding which schools to send their deposit. You are 1) on the waitlist at this school, 2) bitter about your rejection or 3) have some irrational dislike for the school. You're fooling nobody. Nice try.

Nothing about this post indicates flame. Yes, I'm fairly certain which school OP is referring to, but I wouldn't have if I wasn't pretty familiar with this school. This type of experience isn't rare, even at a lot of great schools.

Also, this is your first post ever? Calling flame? Is this an alt or something?

[notveryhappy2L]

Flame. OP subtly mentions facts pointing to a certain school, at a time when students are deciding which schools to send their deposit. You are 1) on the waitlist at this school, 2) bitter about your rejection or 3) have some irrational dislike for the school. You're fooling nobody. Nice try.

Interesting. I think the description of my school that I provided here applies to the three Top20 schools I have had a chance to visit.

Never received an interview other than JAG at a T20? Flame. OCI at all T20 schools guarantee at least 4-5 interviews for each student through lottery or other means, unless you only submitted a few bids (no person in their right mind would submit only a few bids in this economy).

Thank you! I also think it's messed up.

[stratocophic]

Flame. OP subtly mentions facts pointing to a certain school, at a time when students are deciding which schools to send their deposit. You are 1) on the waitlist at this school, 2) bitter about your rejection or 3) have some irrational dislike for the school. You're fooling nobody. Nice try.

Nothing about this post indicates flame. Yes, I'm fairly certain which school OP is referring to, but I wouldn't have if I wasn't pretty familiar with this school. This type of experience isn't rare, even at a lot of great schools.

Also, this is your first post ever? Calling flame? Is this an alt or something?

I'm shuddering at the possibility that OP's referring to it as well Only thing that makes me question the identity is that OP also mentioned turning down a large scholarship at a similarly ranked school... which, as we well know, is pretty much the school's modus operandi. Gotta be one of the two... but which side of the $ is it on?

[rando]

Just wondering what they could have possibly said to you in order to make you turn down a large scholarship at a similarly ranked school to pay sticker at this current institution. . . ?

In an earlier post you insinuated that you were only looking for paid summer work. Is that right? I know a lot of 2L's at my current school as well as other similarly ranked schools around your top 1/3 mark that took unpaid work this summer. That is not unusual ITE.

[notveryhappy2L]

Just wondering what they could have possibly said to you in order to make you turn down a large scholarship at a similarly ranked school to pay sticker at this current institution. . . ?

I had never been promised anything prior to my matriculation to this school. I did, however, discuss career opportunities with adcomms and career service staff before I committed to this school. The picture they portrayed was similar to the picture they now portray for current 0L's, or in other words, far from my current state.

In an earlier post you insinuated that you were only looking for paid summer work. Is that right? I know a lot of 2L's at my current school as well as other similarly ranked schools around your top 1/3 mark that took unpaid work this summer. That is not unusual ITE.

First, I wonder what the caliber of your law school is. Is it similar or better than mine? If so, keep reading.

Second, I wonder if the people you refer to took these unpaid summer internships because they couldn't find any paid summer internships or for other reasons.

Third, yes-- I strongly prefer paid summer internships. I could probably get some unpaid summer internship. Who doesn't want a free secretary for three months? I am sure I could. But I have too much debt to have the luxury of not getting paid this summer; I'd rather wait tables and get $15/hour.

Also, I want to clarify something. I am not saying, "I can't get an internship so I hate my school and I hate my life." I actually like my school for many reasons and I can certainly see the advantages in coming here. I am just wondering if the fact that I'll be waiting tables this summer makes my 45k tuition payment next year justified.

[rando]

Just wondering what they could have possibly said to you in order to make you turn down a large scholarship at a similarly ranked school to pay sticker at this current institution. . . ?

I had never been promised anything prior to my matriculation to this school. I did, however, discuss career opportunities with adcomms and career service staff before I committed to this school. The picture they portrayed was similar to the picture they now portray for current 0L's, or in other words, far from my current state.

In an earlier post you insinuated that you were only looking for paid summer work. Is that right? I know a lot of 2L's at my current school as well as other similarly ranked schools around your top 1/3 mark that took unpaid work this summer. That is not unusual ITE.

First, I wonder what the caliber of your law school is. Is it similar or better than mine? If so, keep reading.

Second, I wonder if the people you refer to took these unpaid summer internships because they couldn't find any paid summer internships or for other reasons.

Third, yes-- I strongly prefer paid summer internships. I could probably get some unpaid summer internship. Who doesn't want a free secretary for three months? I am sure I could. But I have too much debt to have the luxury of not getting paid this summer; I'd rather wait tables and get $15/hour.

Also, I want to clarify something. I am not saying, "I can't get an internship so I hate my school and I hate my life." I actually like my school for many reasons and I can certainly see the advantages in coming here. I am just wondering if the fact that I'll be waiting tables this summer makes my 45k tuition payment next year justified.

I am still interested to know exactly what they told you. I guess our perceptions are just a bit different. I kind of view the whole admitted students thing as a car salesman routine. I expect some of their sales pitch to be biased. I am surprised it was so much different at one place than another.

I would imagine we go to similarly ranked schools considering you mentioned T20 in your post. Check my profile.

I would imagine that these people I am referring to could not get paid summer work, for the most part. I don't know specifically.

I think that if you have any intention of going into practice after you graduate then waiting tables this summer instead of taking an unpaid job is a mistake. But I think you know that. I sympathize with your debt. I am extremely debt averse myself and that is why I chose the school I did. I am sorry that you are in this situation.

[sawwaverunner]

stick with it. You have already invested so much time. Are you sure there is nothing wrong with your application? Like blatent errors. You should really approach your career center and really express your concerns. Your top 1/3 and the mark does suck yes... but you did something wrong. You need to figure out what you did and fix it.

There's no application. My resume looks great (albeit no full time work experience) and I received positive feedbacks from anyone who read my cover letter.

I will definitely complete my JD. My question is if I should pay for my 3L courses or just show up to classes and then say "stick it up your #$%" when they send me the bill-- just like they're saying to me right now.

Huh??

[notveryhappy2L]

Just wondering what they could have possibly said to you in order to make you turn down a large scholarship at a similarly ranked school to pay sticker at this current institution. . . ?

I had never been promised anything prior to my matriculation to this school. I did, however, discuss career opportunities with adcomms and career service staff before I committed to this school. The picture they portrayed was similar to the picture they now portray for current 0L's, or in other words, far from my current state.

In an earlier post you insinuated that you were only looking for paid summer work. Is that right? I know a lot of 2L's at my current school as well as other similarly ranked schools around your top 1/3 mark that took unpaid work this summer. That is not unusual ITE.

First, I wonder what the caliber of your law school is. Is it similar or better than mine? If so, keep reading.

Second, I wonder if the people you refer to took these unpaid summer internships because they couldn't find any paid summer internships or for other reasons.

Third, yes-- I strongly prefer paid summer internships. I could probably get some unpaid summer internship. Who doesn't want a free secretary for three months? I am sure I could. But I have too much debt to have the luxury of not getting paid this summer; I'd rather wait tables and get $15/hour.

Also, I want to clarify something. I am not saying, "I can't get an internship so I hate my school and I hate my life." I actually like my school for many reasons and I can certainly see the advantages in coming here. I am just wondering if the fact that I'll be waiting tables this summer makes my 45k tuition payment next year justified.

I am still interested to know exactly what they told you.

If you really have to know, I told them I had a strong interest in entertainment law. They said they could definitely make me Lady Gaga's entertainment lawyer for my 2L summer. I said, "Lady who?" (This was two years ago.) They said "Pa pa pa poker face." I said, "No. Give me Kanye or I'm outta here." What a coincidence. Apparently the career adviser I spoke to was a personal friend with benefits with an alum of our school (we have a VERY impressive alumni network in the So Cali entertainment industry) who does BIG LAW for oil refineries throughout the greatest state in the country. I said, "No! Kanye!" She said, "OK, OK. You are lucky that we're having this conversation in Atlanta, where hip hop is happenin'. I'll get you an internship with the best Homicide Investigation Unit St. Louis has to offer." I said that my armfire license had expired so St. Louis was a no go. She said, "Playing tough? Well, punk, the Irish Mafia in this town is the place for you. They don't like them Harvard alumni, so consider yourself lucky. I am getting you a summer internship with the guy from The Departed." I said, "Really? I actually like using my coats in August. Are you sure there's nothing available around the corner in St. Paul?" She smiled and said, "Twin cities? No. But I am from LA. Not the TTT part of LA you were discussing before. I am from the nicer part of LA, where the hot girls and the surfing jocks chill." So I thought, "Hot girls? Surfing jocks? That would make for an awesome highlight on my resume!" That's how I ended up in Nashville.

[rando]

Just wondering what they could have possibly said to you in order to make you turn down a large scholarship at a similarly ranked school to pay sticker at this current institution. . . ?

I had never been promised anything prior to my matriculation to this school. I did, however, discuss career opportunities with adcomms and career service staff before I committed to this school. The picture they portrayed was similar to the picture they now portray for current 0L's, or in other words, far from my current state.

In an earlier post you insinuated that you were only looking for paid summer work. Is that right? I know a lot of 2L's at my current school as well as other similarly ranked schools around your top 1/3 mark that took unpaid work this summer. That is not unusual ITE.

First, I wonder what the caliber of your law school is. Is it similar or better than mine? If so, keep reading.

Second, I wonder if the people you refer to took these unpaid summer internships because they couldn't find any paid summer internships or for other reasons.

Third, yes-- I strongly prefer paid summer internships. I could probably get some unpaid summer internship. Who doesn't want a free secretary for three months? I am sure I could. But I have too much debt to have the luxury of not getting paid this summer; I'd rather wait tables and get $15/hour.

Also, I want to clarify something. I am not saying, "I can't get an internship so I hate my school and I hate my life." I actually like my school for many reasons and I can certainly see the advantages in coming here. I am just wondering if the fact that I'll be waiting tables this summer makes my 45k tuition payment next year justified.

I am still interested to know exactly what they told you.

If you really have to know, I told them I had a strong interest in entertainment law. They said they could definitely make me Lady Gaga's entertainment lawyer for my 2L summer. I said, "Lady who?" (This was two years ago.) They said "Pa pa pa poker face." I said, "No. Give me Kanye or I'm outta here." What a coincidence. Apparently the career adviser I spoke to was a personal friend with benefits with an alum of our school (we have a VERY impressive alumni network in the So Cali entertainment industry) who does BIG LAW for oil refineries throughout the greatest state in the country. I said, "No! Kanye!" She said, "OK, OK. You are lucky that we're having this conversation in Atlanta, where hip hop is happenin'. I'll get you an internship with the best Homicide Investigation Unit St. Louis has to offer." I said that my armfire license had expired so St. Louis was a no go. She said, "Playing tough? Well, punk, the Irish Mafia in this town is the place for you. They don't like them Harvard alumni, so consider yourself lucky. I am getting you a summer internship with the guy from The Departed." I said, "Really? I actually like using my coats in August. Are you sure there's nothing available around the corner in St. Paul?" She smiled and said, "Twin cities? No. But I am from LA. Not the TTT part of LA you were discussing before. I am from the nicer part of LA, where the hot girls and the surfing jocks chill." So I thought, "Hot girls? Surfing jocks? That would make for an awesome highlight on my resume!" That's how I ended up in Nashville.

I'd say sue.

[romothesavior]

Just wondering what they could have possibly said to you in order to make you turn down a large scholarship at a similarly ranked school to pay sticker at this current institution. . . ?

I had never been promised anything prior to my matriculation to this school. I did, however, discuss career opportunities with adcomms and career service staff before I committed to this school. The picture they portrayed was similar to the picture they now portray for current 0L's, or in other words, far from my current state.

In an earlier post you insinuated that you were only looking for paid summer work. Is that right? I know a lot of 2L's at my current school as well as other similarly ranked schools around your top 1/3 mark that took unpaid work this summer. That is not unusual ITE.

First, I wonder what the caliber of your law school is. Is it similar or better than mine? If so, keep reading.

Second, I wonder if the people you refer to took these unpaid summer internships because they couldn't find any paid summer internships or for other reasons.

Third, yes-- I strongly prefer paid summer internships. I could probably get some unpaid summer internship. Who doesn't want a free secretary for three months? I am sure I could. But I have too much debt to have the luxury of not getting paid this summer; I'd rather wait tables and get $15/hour.

Also, I want to clarify something. I am not saying, "I can't get an internship so I hate my school and I hate my life." I actually like my school for many reasons and I can certainly see the advantages in coming here. I am just wondering if the fact that I'll be waiting tables this summer makes my 45k tuition payment next year justified.

I am still interested to know exactly what they told you.

If you really have to know, I told them I had a strong interest in entertainment law. They said they could definitely make me Lady Gaga's entertainment lawyer for my 2L summer. I said, "Lady who?" (This was two years ago.) They said "Pa pa pa poker face." I said, "No. Give me Kanye or I'm outta here." What a coincidence. Apparently the career adviser I spoke to was a personal friend with benefits with an alum of our school (we have a VERY impressive alumni network in the So Cali entertainment industry) who does BIG LAW for oil refineries throughout the greatest state in the country. I said, "No! Kanye!" She said, "OK, OK. You are lucky that we're having this conversation in Atlanta, where hip hop is happenin'. I'll get you an internship with the best Homicide Investigation Unit St. Louis has to offer." I said that my armfire license had expired so St. Louis was a no go. She said, "Playing tough? Well, punk, the Irish Mafia in this town is the place for you. They don't like them Harvard alumni, so consider yourself lucky. I am getting you a summer internship with the guy from The Departed." I said, "Really? I actually like using my coats in August. Are you sure there's nothing available around the corner in St. Paul?" She smiled and said, "Twin cities? No. But I am from LA. Not the TTT part of LA you were discussing before. I am from the nicer part of LA, where the hot girls and the surfing jocks chill." So I thought, "Hot girls? Surfing jocks? That would make for an awesome highlight on my resume!" That's how I ended up in Nashville.

Wow nice flame dude. You had me genuinely worried for a second.

[notveryhappy2L]

So here’s an update about my summer internship search: this week I got my first interview through school! It was a small law firm in a not overly interesting state—not something to write home about and not quite what I had in mind when I signed up for my Top20, but hey, at this point a small firm in a boring state would work just fine.

Oh, the only thing is that half way into the interview I found out that the internship would be (1) unpaid and (2) in the patent department of the firm and thus a non-science bachelors degree (like, say, my degree in economics, for instance) completely precluded me from taking this position. Great job on communicating to me the fine print CSO!

Interestingly enough, this wasn’t the awkward part of the interview. See, I’ve had very few interviews in my life to be able to tell what qualifies as an odd interview and what not, but I suspect this one made the cut. I walked into the office where the interview took place and said, ‘Hey thanks for seeing me… the weather is great… I’ve been planning on moving to your lovely state after law school my entire life… bla bla bla.’ And then I was asked, “So what’s up, [notveryhappy2L]?” And I am thinking to myself, ‘Yeah nothing man, so I’m excited to be here, let’s start the interview!’ “What do you want to talk about?” he then asked. WTF?? “Hmmm let’s talk about me..?” I said. And I spoke about myself (old hobby) for 5-10 minutes. He was very nice and personable. Awesome. And then I ran out of things to say about myself and… he just looked at me. Awkward. So I said, “Hey, I would love to hear about your firm.” For the next 20 minutes, I interviewed him about his firm (and learned that he was only looking for patent law interns; unless he shamelessly lied to me, that is. Not that he had to; I was one of dozens of hungry 2L’s at my school who competed for a spot in his small firm in his boring state, so he could have just not said anything if he thought I wasn’t a good fit). Good times.

On a different note, I am considering setting up a blog where I'll introduce new complaints about the employment prospects my law school provides and possibly some poetry. PM me if you would like to get a link.

[Andreeai]

Just wondering what they could have possibly said to you in order to make you turn down a large scholarship at a similarly ranked school to pay sticker at this current institution. . . ?

I had never been promised anything prior to my matriculation to this school. I did, however, discuss career opportunities with adcomms and career service staff before I committed to this school. The picture they portrayed was similar to the picture they now portray for current 0L's, or in other words, far from my current state.

In an earlier post you insinuated that you were only looking for paid summer work. Is that right? I know a lot of 2L's at my current school as well as other similarly ranked schools around your top 1/3 mark that took unpaid work this summer. That is not unusual ITE.

First, I wonder what the caliber of your law school is. Is it similar or better than mine? If so, keep reading.

Second, I wonder if the people you refer to took these unpaid summer internships because they couldn't find any paid summer internships or for other reasons.

Third, yes-- I strongly prefer paid summer internships. I could probably get some unpaid summer internship. Who doesn't want a free secretary for three months? I am sure I could. But I have too much debt to have the luxury of not getting paid this summer; I'd rather wait tables and get $15/hour.

Also, I want to clarify something. I am not saying, "I can't get an internship so I hate my school and I hate my life." I actually like my school for many reasons and I can certainly see the advantages in coming here. I am just wondering if the fact that I'll be waiting tables this summer makes my 45k tuition payment next year justified.

I am a 0L and the way I see it is that the only thing that will stick with you in life is what you do with your own hands.
1. That being said, entertainment law is one of the hardest to get in, and understandable why. For that reason, and considering the fact that I don't know the school you're going to, I hope you did your homework well in terms of the schools' connections, locations, etc besides what the admission people told you.

2. Unless you have been a waiter/waitress before, you will not make $ 15/hour ( with tips) because you will be the bus girl/guy who cleans up after everybody and get $ 7/hour.

3. Even if you got paid $ 40/hour it would still be worse than getting an unpaid internship. The way I see it, and again, I am speaking based on previous non-legal WE ( I am a 0L), the experience of a legal internship will overtake any money you could make doing non-legal related stuff.
This is because:
- the obvious experience is priceless
- the unpaid gig could lead to a paid position upon graduation
- you never know what connections you make while doing your internship.

It is a vicious circle, and not only in the legal field. If you don't have experience, it will be hard to get a job. But how would you get a job if you just graduated? By doing an a non-paid internship. I know law students are/have been used to getting paid internships over summer, but ITE you need to adapt to the situation and try to make the best of it.

I have been reading this forum for quite a while and have been speaking with law students and there is a consensus among all of them - hussle, hussle, hussle, network, network, network. That could mean volunteering, join the pro-bono schools' programs, clinics, RA, volunteer at your local courthouse, etc. Anything that could get you connections with people in the legal world.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope things will work out for you

[Leeroy Jenkins]

aaaand what school is this?

[notveryhappy2L]

With all due respect to all the (sweet and cute, whose good intents I appreciate) 0L's...

[Leeroy Jenkins]

With all due respect to all the (sweet and cute, whose good intents I appreciate) 0L's...

I'm not an 0L, so you owe me no respect as I am neither sweet nor cute.

[XxSpyKEx]

2L can't find an internship; should I pay tuition?

Fuck no. Also, demand a refund for the 2 years that you paid for.

[tingles]

“What do you want to talk about?” he then asked. WTF?? “Hmmm let’s talk about me..?” I said.

It sounds like you should do some practice interviews - either through your career services or with friends/professors, etc. You should be prepared when you go into an interview to do all the talking. The situation you mentioned isn't all that rare. I've been attending a bunch of sessions at my law school where law firm partners have essentially said that they do this sometimes to see whether or not the person will be able to not get flustered, immediately react in the situation, and begin talking about things that will show his/her analytical skills and ask intelligent questions.

[FKASunny]

If you really have to know, I told them I had a strong interest in entertainment law. They said they could definitely make me Lady Gaga's entertainment lawyer for my 2L summer. I said, "Lady who?" (This was two years ago.) They said "Pa pa pa poker face." I said, "No. Give me Kanye or I'm outta here." What a coincidence. Apparently the career adviser I spoke to was a personal friend with benefits with an alum of our school (we have a VERY impressive alumni network in the So Cali entertainment industry) who does BIG LAW for oil refineries throughout the greatest state in the country. I said, "No! Kanye!" She said, "OK, OK. You are lucky that we're having this conversation in Atlanta, where hip hop is happenin'. I'll get you an internship with the best Homicide Investigation Unit St. Louis has to offer." I said that my armfire license had expired so St. Louis was a no go. She said, "Playing tough? Well, punk, the Irish Mafia in this town is the place for you. They don't like them Harvard alumni, so consider yourself lucky. I am getting you a summer internship with the guy from The Departed." I said, "Really? I actually like using my coats in August. Are you sure there's nothing available around the corner in St. Paul?" She smiled and said, "Twin cities? No. But I am from LA. Not the TTT part of LA you were discussing before. I am from the nicer part of LA, where the hot girls and the surfing jocks chill." So I thought, "Hot girls? Surfing jocks? That would make for an awesome highlight on my resume!" That's how I ended up in Nashville.

Wow nice flame dude. You had me genuinely worried for a second.

Sorry about the necro, but this was hilarious