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Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:21 pm
by HRomanus
What is the appropriate level of commitment to extracurricular activities, whether organizations in law school or in the surrounding community?

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:26 pm
by Nelson
Just be a real person and do things that interest you. If you're that concerned about your biglaw chances, don't go to Emory.

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:45 pm
by HRomanus
Nelson wrote:Just be a real person and do things that interest you. If you're that concerned about your biglaw chances, don't go to Emory.
Separating the Emory question, what impact do extracurricular activities have on hiring?

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:59 pm
by SemperLegal
HRomanus wrote:
Nelson wrote:Just be a real person and do things that interest you. If you're that concerned about your biglaw chances, don't go to Emory.
Separating the Emory question, what impact do extracurricular activities have on hiring?

Normally I don't like to spread this around, but:

Call back %= [(100-USNWR Ranking)*("GPA-Curve"/GPA)] + 1.78(WE/Age) + .85(Hours extracurricular/40*weeks in term)

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:04 pm
by First Offense
SemperLegal wrote:
HRomanus wrote:
Nelson wrote:Just be a real person and do things that interest you. If you're that concerned about your biglaw chances, don't go to Emory.
Separating the Emory question, what impact do extracurricular activities have on hiring?

Normally I don't like to spread this around, but:

Call back %= [(100-USNWR Ranking)*("GPA-Curve"/GPA)] + 1.78(WE/Age) + .85(Hours extracurricular/40*weeks in term)
Wow - way to just ignore being on two secondary journals.

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:13 pm
by rad lulz
.

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:21 pm
by HRomanus
rad lulz wrote:1L Extracurriculars are a talking point for people with no other good talking points
What about after 1L? Are extracurricular activities beneficial on your resume or for networking?

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:22 pm
by thesealocust
rad lulz wrote:
Don't go to Emory if you want biglaw

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:50 pm
by Cellar-door
HRomanus wrote:
rad lulz wrote:1L Extracurriculars are a talking point for people with no other good talking points
What about after 1L? Are extracurricular activities beneficial on your resume or for networking?
After 1L do a journal, moot court or both. Your school extracurriculars are unlikely to make impressive resume lines and are unlikely to be of much use in networking.

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:45 pm
by cotiger
Nelson wrote:Just be a real person and do things that interest you. If you're that concerned about your biglaw chances, don't go to Emory.
Jesus. This.

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:52 pm
by HRomanus
cotiger wrote:
Nelson wrote:Just be a real person and do things that interest you. If you're that concerned about your biglaw chances, don't go to Emory.
Jesus. This.
I currently volunteer with the National Park Service (I'm a former ranger) and enjoy it. But I don't want to spend my weekends at MLK in Atlanta - time that could be spent studying, socializing, or sleeping - if it won't contribute to my overall success - whether it is biglaw or something else. Same with other clubs on campus. Will extracurricular involvement play a role in employment beyond a conversation piece?

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:12 pm
by cotiger
HRomanus wrote:
cotiger wrote:
Nelson wrote:Just be a real person and do things that interest you. If you're that concerned about your biglaw chances, don't go to Emory.
Jesus. This.
I currently volunteer with the National Park Service (I'm a former ranger) and enjoy it. But I don't want to spend my weekends at MLK in Atlanta - time that could be spent studying, socializing, or sleeping - if it won't contribute to my overall success - whether it is biglaw or something else. Same with other clubs on campus. Will extracurricular involvement play a role in employment beyond a conversation piece?
Haha sorry, so it seems like you do have actual interests. My bad. There's just so many kids on here who struggle with the concept of doing something for a reason other than how it will affect their next round of hoop-jumping.

I imagine extracurriculars are going to have the same effect as they would in any other job interview: possibly something to talk about, but not something that will get you the job if they wouldn't want you anyways.

Re: Appropriate Commitment to Extracurricular Activities

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:30 pm
by HRomanus
cotiger wrote: Haha sorry, so it seems like you do have actual interests. My bad. There's just so many kids on here who struggle with the concept of doing something for a reason other than how it will affect their next round of hoop-jumping.

I imagine extracurriculars are going to have the same effect as they would in any other job interview: possibly something to talk about, but not something that will get you the job if they wouldn't want you anyways.
Yea I actually love to get involved with things. I am an officer in my Rotary Club and volunteer 8-16 hours a week with the NPS in addition to working as a non-profit field executive. I am just wary of being too involved if it distracts from those things that improve employment outcomes rather than being one.