Top Law Schools

Particularly for Northwestern.

If you have to ask, you don't have it.

Pearalegal wrote:If you have to ask, you don't have it.

That's a great line. Could be the new 'that's what she said' type of thing.

OP-what are you talking about, specifically?

My guess would be either something that helps you with your law career or something that looks good. So business job for someone who wants to do corporate law, or I guess it's good just to show you can work in a business environment for several years and get used to the 'feel' of corporate America. Working as a paralegal or an engineer would also work. Things that look good would be things like the Peace Corp, Teach for America or teaching in general, or a Not-for-profit.

Things that don't help: Bartender, waiter, courier, etc.

Just an educated guess on my part.

I'm just wondering what type of work experience is Northwestern, or any other for that matter, is looking for. I'm still in undergrad but working part time for a litigation firm.

jrobby6 wrote:I'm just wondering what type of work experience is Northwestern, or any other for that matter, is looking for. I'm still in undergrad but working part time for a litigation firm.

I think Northwestern is looking more for a few years out of UG working full-time. Its the whole maturity, dedication to law thing.

Pearalegal wrote:

jrobby6 wrote:I'm just wondering what type of work experience is Northwestern, or any other for that matter, is looking for. I'm still in undergrad but working part time for a litigation firm.

I think Northwestern is looking more for a few years out of UG working full-time. Its the whole maturity, dedication to law thing.

This.

It's the idea that you have the experience of working and earning wages in general, which is a different experience than attending college and living off loans. Almost any kind of full-time work that comes after you've graduated is sufficient. Of course, some work will probably carry greater weight than others; AmeriCorps is worth a lot more than waiting tables in most adcomms' eyes, I'm sure. But the idea is that work demonstrates "exposure to the real world" and a sign you've developed additional maturity and responsibility compared to a fresh graduate.

I take it as working full time in a meaningful career type job with no support from mommy and daddy. Experience where you actually utilize your UG degree towards something meaningful.

What if you worked full time while going to school?

LvingLegend wrote:What if you worked full time while going to school?

In my view, this really isn't possible. Full-time employment is more than just 40-hours a week. It means working during the day on weekdays - something that can't be done during college.

LvingLegend wrote:What if you worked full time while going to school?

Then you're the ideal candidate for BigLaw and they'll rush you through law school right away.

vanwinkle wrote:

LvingLegend wrote:What if you worked full time while going to school?

Then you're the ideal candidate for BigLaw and they'll rush you through law school right away.

Haha. But I really do think its more about moving away from undergrad (and everything that brings with it) for Northwestern, not just getting a solid resume.

Pearalegal wrote:

vanwinkle wrote:

LvingLegend wrote:What if you worked full time while going to school?

Then you're the ideal candidate for BigLaw and they'll rush you through law school right away.

Haha. But I really do think its more about moving away from undergrad (and everything that brings with it) for Northwestern, not just getting a solid resume.

Well, being serious, I agree with you. It's about getting real-world experience and maturing beyond the point you're at when you graduate. You can try to demonstrate that you developed that maturity by balancing full-time work and your studies, but it'll probably be a lot harder to show; in contrast it's probably assumed by default that if you've worked after graduating you've had time to mature and develop that new perspective a bit.

Pearalegal wrote:

vanwinkle wrote:

LvingLegend wrote:What if you worked full time while going to school?

Then you're the ideal candidate for BigLaw and they'll rush you through law school right away.

Haha. But I really do think its more about moving away from undergrad (and everything that brings with it) for Northwestern, not just getting a solid resume.

This isn't true.

Per my conversation with an adcomm over the summer, they really value full-time WE during college bc it shows a certain level of maturity, time management skills, etc. As long as it's full-time and a real/career job, it will count.

hopefulundergrad wrote:a real/career job, it will count.

I take a little bit of offense to this. I can understand that certain positions may be more impressive...but working full time in an office during school requires no more hard work and time management than waitressing.

LawandOrder wrote:

LvingLegend wrote:What if you worked full time while going to school?

In my view, this really isn't possible. Full-time employment is more than just 40-hours a week. It means working during the day on weekdays - something that can't be done during college.

It sure can