Putting "admitted to law school" on a resume? Forum

[bdm261]

What's everyone's opinion on this? First off, I know it shows potential employers that I'm definitely not going to be there come Fall 2013, but in any cases would it be advisable?

I've been considering using it when I apply for part-time legal jobs at law firms because I figured it shows them that I'm competent enough to at least get admitted somewhere and that I've made a career choice that I'm committed to.

I was thinking of putting a line that says "Admitted as J.D. Candidate to XXX Law School, Beginning Fall 2013" in my Education section under my undergraduate credentials.

[rebexness]

[Pumpkin_Pie]

This is something you should talk about during the interview if they ask, not add to your resume.

[Nova]

In my experience, indicating that you are leaving, even for a part time job, is sort of the kiss of death.

This.

Dont do it.

[DougieFresh]

You need to think about the advice that has been offered here and the kind of person and the kind of lawyer you want to be. Being honest and open enough to build trusting relationships is not a skill that you can just turn on. It takes practice and it takes time to develop.

In my experience, dishonesty is never a good idea.

[cynthiad]

You need to think about the advice that has been offered here and the kind of person and the kind of lawyer you want to be. Being honest and open enough to build trusting relationships is not a skill that you can just turn on. It takes practice and it takes time to develop.

In my experience, dishonesty is never a good idea.

No one's suggesting op be dishonest. If they're specifically asked if they can commit to longer than a summer, obviously they should tell the truth. But generally part-time work doesn't require a guarantee that you can stick around for a specific length of time.

[PickMe!]

In my experience, indicating that you are leaving, even for a part time job, is sort of the kiss of death.

This.

Dont do it.

+2

[DougieFresh]

No one's suggesting op be dishonest. If they're specifically asked if they can commit to longer than a summer, obviously they should tell the truth. But generally part-time work doesn't require a guarantee that you can stick around for a specific length of time.

Consider how that honesty or dishonesty could be perceived by any potential firm that may be looking to hire op.

And I dont think this eliminates op from finding a part time gig either, rather that the focus of his search should be on gaining experience and building quality relationships in the legal field. Specifically reaching out as a future law student hoping to learn from successful lawyers would be ops best move in this situation.

Relationships matter.

[de5igual]

No one's suggesting op be dishonest. If they're specifically asked if they can commit to longer than a summer, obviously they should tell the truth. But generally part-time work doesn't require a guarantee that you can stick around for a specific length of time.

Consider how that honesty or dishonesty could be perceived by any potential firm that may be looking to hire op.

And I dont think this eliminates op from finding a part time gig either, rather that the focus of his search should be on gaining experience and building quality relationships in the legal field. Specifically reaching out as a future law student hoping to learn from successful lawyers would be ops best move in this situation.

Relationships matter.

no...law firms would just think you're a moron for putting a red flag like that on a resume.

[rad lulz]

No one's suggesting op be dishonest. If they're specifically asked if they can commit to longer than a summer, obviously they should tell the truth. But generally part-time work doesn't require a guarantee that you can stick around for a specific length of time.

Consider how that honesty or dishonesty could be perceived by any potential firm that may be looking to hire op.

And I dont think this eliminates op from finding a part time gig either, rather that the focus of his search should be on gaining experience and building quality relationships in the legal field. Specifically reaching out as a future law student hoping to learn from successful lawyers would be ops best move in this situation.

Relationships matter.

no...law firms would just think you're a moron for putting a red flag like that on a resume.

This.

[lizaregina]

Just to present an alternate perspective, I did this for positions I knew were going to be 1-2 years long.

I put:
•Accepted for matriculation by Harvard Law School, with possible deferral for up to two years

And it worked out really well for me with potential employers.

[Yasy13]

I've always heard you should NEVER put anything on your resume that isn't already occurring. If you got into school, that comes up in interview, you don't put it on your resume. It's not dishonest to leave it out, but it IS unprofessional to put it on.

[hume85]

Just to present an alternate perspective, I did this for positions I knew were going to be 1-2 years long.

I put:
•Accepted for matriculation by Harvard Law School, with possible deferral for up to two years

And it worked out really well for me with potential employers.

I actually think this isn't a terrible idea for someone in this person's situation. If it is a short term job, they are expecting you to leave, and HLS impresses people like little else. Just make sure to sell them on why the short term job is a very important part of your career development and arc.
But if the school is some random T1 on done, then don't put it on your resume. Few people will be impressed.

ETA: I say this, because more than one of the employers with which I interviewed recently where impressed that I got into Penn. It seemed to be something which helped me get a job offer. But I also put on cover letters, not my resume.

[sinfiery]

Just to present an alternate perspective, I did this for positions I knew were going to be 1-2 years long.

I put:
•Accepted for matriculation by Harvard Law School, with possible deferral for up to two years

And it worked out really well for me with potential employers.

Yeah, as my UG lacks dat prestige, if I was able to put something like this in my attempt to apply to short-term finance related jobs, I could definitely see it being the reason I get an interview. Especially since it isn't implausible to go back into the field after LS.

[chadbrochill]

ETA: I say this, because more than one of the employers with which I interviewed recently where impressed that I got into Penn. It seemed to be something which helped me get a job offer. But I also put on cover letters, not my resume.

Nice, how did you spin it? My experience so far has been like what rebex said, any of this law school business is a kiss of death no matter what kind of job.

[magp90]

I currently work at a law firm, and I know for a fact that they would not have seriously considered me if I had told them that I had been admitted and were definitely going to leave them within a year-ish.

I told them during the interview that it was a possibility but that I might even continue to work there part-time there once I went to law school (or defer, etc) ... but I did explicitly tell them that law school was in the cards. It can be a positive thing in that they may respect you more, and (in my experience) they've even taken me under their wing in a way, because they know I want to do similar work. So it can work to your advantage as long as you don't openly convey the idea that you're using them.