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Hi folks--first post! This board was very helpful to me as a lurker and I just wanted to pay it forward and give back to the TLS community.

FYI, I do not work for Admissions, so don't hesitate to ask me difficult questions. I'll answer fully and honestly. Ask me anything about admissions, student life, living in Philly, employment outcomes, etc. I'm an open book.

Some information about myself:

-28 years old. Took several years off between undergrad and law school. Whatever you do, do NOT go K-JD. You'll regret it.
-Overrepresented minority
-Grew up in the greater Philadelphia area and hope to stick around for the long haul
-Straight-up public interest gunner--don't know much about BigLaw, but if you are seeking that route, I would definitely NOT recommend Drexel, TBH. I am seeking a position as a public defender, legal aid staff attorney, government attorney, or a small/mid-sized firm attorney specializing in immigration law, family law, disability law, or juvenile law. I am speaking with a networking contact who is interested in having me take over her immigration non-profit after she retires, once I graduate in 2017 (she is in her 70s). It's not set in stone, but it's promising. Currently interning at another immigration non-profit and will be doing a full-time Co-Op there next semester.
-My numbers are 3.82/164. I received a generous merit scholarship from Drexel. I wanted to keep my student debt as low as possible. Living with parents in the Philly suburbs to save money. Also received various outside scholarships.
-Strong softs--trilingual, published, non-profit Board Member, international NGO experience, TFA/Fulbright/Peace Corps-caliber postgrad WE. Prestigious undergrad.

If you were actually a 2L, your application year would be 2013-2014, not 2014-2015 like it says in your profile.

Are you BlueLotus?

TheSpanishMain wrote:Are you BlueLotus?

Yes.

this is weird

Nebby wrote:

TheSpanishMain wrote:Are you BlueLotus?

Yes.

That was easy.

do you have a summer associate position lined up? how is oci at drexel?

[carry on]

grand inquisitor wrote:do you have a summer associate position lined up? how is oci at drexel?

No SA lined up because I have zero interest in BigLaw. If you are BigLaw or bust, stay away from Drexel. I don't know how OCI went, but I can ask around and get back to you. A couple of Philly BigLaw firms do recruit at Drexel (I believe Morgan Lewis and Dechert came to our OCI).

I attended the Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair in Washington D.C., and I am still waiting to hear back from them (had three interviews at that fair). Drexel Career Strategies Office covered the cost of going to the conference, which is awesome. I am also direct applying to public interest agencies in the greater Philadelphia area (public defender, DOJ, legal aid, non-profit, etc.) In addition, I'll sign up for the PIPS Fair (a public service job fair in Philly) I'll keep you posted on how things go!

Bottom line--don't go here unless 1) you get a massive scholarship, 2) you have ties to PA and you're OK with staying in PA and 3) you're fine with working at a small firm/legal aid/local government.

You have to be at the tippy-top of your class to get Big Law. If that's your aim, Penn is just two blocks away.

I am a 2L at a Boston-area school, looking to do my 3L year as a visiting student at Drexel. Will Drexel help place me in the Philadelphia market? Follow up question, can I leave my 1L/2L school off of my resume?

.

cannibal ox wrote:I am a 2L at a Boston-area school, looking to do my 3L year as a visiting student at Drexel. Will Drexel help place me in the Philadelphia market? Follow up question, can I leave my 1L/2L school off of my resume?

Not legal advice, not a lawyer, not a law student/ not a U.S. Citizen/ not an illegal alien/ not a U.S. Patent attorney/ not a scotus clerk;

That being said, it's probably okay just to put your visiting school on your resume, and any Latin honors you so desire

cannibal ox wrote:I am a 2L at a Boston-area school, looking to do my 3L year as a visiting student at Drexel. Will Drexel help place me in the Philadelphia market? Follow up question, can I leave my 1L/2L school off of my resume?

Stoooooooooop.

Nebby wrote:

TheSpanishMain wrote:Are you BlueLotus?

Yes.

JFC.

OP's initial post sounded like some weird advertisement.

Do you find it annoying that Penn is literally RIGHT THERE. I always wonder that when I walk past on my way to school if the people struggling to find a job (because let's face it, there are a good chunk of Drexel 3Ls struggling) get sad walking past.

Auxilio wrote:Do you find it annoying that Penn is literally RIGHT THERE. I always wonder that when I walk past on my way to school if the people struggling to find a job (because let's face it, there are a good chunk of Drexel 3Ls struggling) get sad walking past.

The slums in Mumbai are literally a few blocks from the richest part of India.

Auxilio wrote:Do you find it annoying that Penn is literally RIGHT THERE. I always wonder that when I walk past on my way to school if the people struggling to find a job (because let's face it, there are a good chunk of Drexel 3Ls struggling) get sad walking past.

Most Penn grads head for the greener pastures of NYC, DC, etc. So the main competition in town are Villanova and Temple.

Again, I must stress that I am in a special position because of my connections (i.e. unless I have a falling out with the old lady running that immigration non-profit, I have a modest-paying but guaranteed job after graduation if nothing else pans out). Plus, I got a generous school scholarship, several outside scholarships, and parental support (live with family in the suburbs). Do not in any circumstance attend Drexel, Temple, Villanova, Widener or Rutgers-Camden with the intention of landing Big Law. Thankfully, I have no interest in Big Law.

Oh, and since so many people ITT think I am trolling or making shit up, I personally invite sincerely interested 0Ls to meet me at the Starbucks on 34th and Chestnut (coffee is on me). I'd be happy to give you a tour of campus, have you sit in on one of my classes, and introduce you to deans, faculty and staff. Just PM me.

Just got the scoop about OCI from a student on Law Review this past fall. PM if interested. (I don't feel right posting the body of someone's email on a public forum, even if I redact their name). Sent an email to Career Strategies too-still waiting to hear back.

Manali wrote:Just got the scoop about OCI from a student on Law Review this past fall. PM if interested. (I don't feel right posting the body of someone's email on a public forum, even if I redact their name). Sent an email to Career Strategies too-still waiting to hear back.

lol

how many students actually get gigs from drexel oci?

PourMeTea wrote:how many students actually get gigs from drexel oci?

About the top 15% according to lstreports

Nebby wrote:

PourMeTea wrote:how many students actually get gigs from drexel oci?

About the top 15% according to lstreports

Dude I know who went there said (I dimly recall) that only the top 20% can even participate in OCI so there's that.

ok what if i'm a 3L at BU? can i still participate?