Secondary Journal or RA...2l extracurricular Forum

[Calbears123]

Assuming I don't write on to law review I have the choice between a secondary Journal or RA for next year.

Honestly I rather take the RA position. My Con Law prof (booked his class) asked If I wanted to help him research a few hours a week during the year. He is researching topics I'm interested in, clerked for Scalia, I think this might be a better opportunity then cite checking for one of my schools few secondary journals. What does TLS think? Will employers think look down at me choosing to RA over a journal.

I could do both, but I'm not sure I'd want to commit more time.

(Also waiting on Moot Court selection, but my school has a small moot court team so its unlikely imo.)

[stoopkid13]

Theres this thread which seems to imply that journals aren't super important, especially if you have other strong extracurriculars. In any case, grades are much more important anyway. http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=264204

Also theres a discussion kinda going on in the CLS thread which makes it seem like you should journal if everyone else is, because otherwise it looks weird. http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... start=3775.

I'm still not quite sure what to make of it.

[Avian]

Assuming I don't write on to law review I have the choice between a secondary Journal or RA for next year.

Honestly I rather take the RA position. My Con Law prof (booked his class) asked If I wanted to help him research a few hours a week during the year. He is researching topics I'm interested in, clerked for Scalia, I think this might be a better opportunity then cite checking for one of my schools few secondary journals. What does TLS think? Will employers think look down at me choosing to RA over a journal.

I could do both, but I'm not sure I'd want to commit more time.

(Also waiting on Moot Court selection, but my school has a small moot court team so its unlikely imo.)

Do both. First, you need to do a journal. It is true that being on a secondary journal will probably not give you a boost, but not being on one looks bad. Second, the amount of work between a secondary journal and being an RA should be very manageable.

[CanadianWolf]

If you are limiting yourself to one of the two, then take the research assistant position since it interests you more than participating on a secondary journal. Also, don't underestimate the value of your professor's recommendation & connections when seeking a law firm position.

Secondary journals are helpful if in an area of law in which you want to practice. Always helpful if you get published.

[emkay625]

Why are you assuming no LR? If you booked a class, my guess would be grades aren't holding you back there. Are you self-selecting out of it?

[pancakes3]

RA doesn't take up any time. LR/Journal is frontloaded because the learning curve is steep and then backloaded for when your note/comment is due. It's 100% doable to do both.