Is legal internships important for applying for law schools? Forum

[scarlettLi]

Could someone tell me whether internship experience matters for an applicant outside America who want to go directly into American Law Schools right after finishing bachelor's degree?

I'm currently a third year undergraduate studying law outside America...now preparing for the LSAT and will take the test in June.

The summer vacation is coming and I'm wondering whether I should take an Legal intern position in a law firm. If I did not do well in the June's test, I would probably have to take the October one then I would have to prepare for it during summer vacation. But if internships is important for applying, this summer would be my last chance to get one in a law firm before applying...Really struggling on this problem.

I've had an internship as a Judge Assistant in a Court. If internships do matter, will that experience be enough?

Could someone tell me whether internship experience matters for an applicant outside America who want to go directly into American Law Schools right after finishing bachelor's degree?

Thanks a lot!

[Catsinthebag]

It can't hurt, especially since you'll be coming here to get an LLM which would mean you are either looking to specialize in the area your LLM is in or you are looking to practice in the U.S.

If you don't get a legal internship, I don't think you'll certainly be denied entry to school here (but I am not 100% sure on that, highly doubtful, though). If you can get one, take it!

[heythatslife]

The most important question that needs to be clarified in your post: JD or LLM applicant?

[Traynor Brah]

Not at all important if going the JD route; however, if going for a JD, you will need to substantially improve your English. That's 1000 times more important.

[scarlettLi]

The most important question that needs to be clarified in your post: JD or LLM applicant?

JD. Thanks.

[scarlettLi]

It can't hurt, especially since you'll be coming here to get an LLM which would mean you are either looking to specialize in the area your LLM is in or you are looking to practice in the U.S.

If you don't get a legal internship, I don't think you'll certainly be denied entry to school here (but I am not 100% sure on that, highly doubtful, though). If you can get one, take it!

Thanks, but I am going for a JD program, not LLM. Would that hurt?

[scarlettLi]

Not at all important if going the JD route; however, if going for a JD, you will need to substantially improve your English. That's 1000 times more important.

Thanks. yeah...I do need to improve my English...

[Catsinthebag]

OP's English is pretty solid. I see the errors, nothing he should be fretting over right now.

[LSATobsessed]

I know some students who worked part time at Biglaw and midlaw firms during undergrad. They made connections and they managed to secure 1L summer associate positions with those firms despite shitty grades. It's worth a shot.

[Londonbear]

I don't think it hurts. It can help if your school does interviews and ask you why law school, then you can bring in your experience. You can also write about it in your personal essays. I don't think it's going to help substantially though. It's still going to be your LSAT that matters the most, and weighs so much more than any legal internship, especially if you're studying at a non-US university. I'd prioritize doing better on the LSAT than a legal summer internship if you can't juggle both.