Work Experience is proving to not matter this cycle. Forum

[bilbobaggins]

WE counts if you're in the ballpark. If you're not in the ballpark, numbers-wise, chances are someone with similar WE as you is and they'll get the admit over you. No school wants a super homogeneous class, and chances are there's someone out there with better numbers who did similar things blah blah blah.

This whole thread sounds a lot like whining.

WE does count in some circumstances.

Kids who go straight through can be awesome and they can suck, just like everyone else. The awesome ones I know generally regret going straight through, but are mature enough to realize they haven't had real world experience like some of us have.

[finalaspects]

This thread is so refreshing and entertaining!

Thanks to the OP for starting it. However, some of your replies and your avatar do tend to portray you negatively.

Without attempting to insult the OP (even though this may sound like it), his/her application may have a flaw or "turn off" for one particular adcomm... An applicant with a 1-point higher LSAT got in before you. How do you know your total application package was better in every aspect except that LSAT point? Could it be this adcomm got a negative vibe from your file? Or maybe the other applicant had stellar softs AND a higher LSAT. Your data is incomplete, so no assumption should be credited or discredited completely.

FWIW, I am a weak splitter (#s in profile) with 10 years WE (making over $200K/year for 5 years before the crisis in late 2007) and I believe my WE made up for my GPA in one of my admissions. I also believe I have a great PS (I have overcome crazy adversity through HS and UG), a believable "why Law?" essay and sterling LORs. In my mind, these factors probably allowed my file to be considered similarly to an applicant having a GPA right at the 25% level. I do not believe any of these factors would make up for a lower LSAT.

i wish there was an actual formula/system in place that allows you to make up for GPA by work experience. LSAT i understand as you can take it again. but what if you just messed up the 4 years in college... can't make it up?

[stratocophic]

LSAT/GPA are easily quantified and compared. LoRs are letters of recommendation, not letters of unbiased, objective, and qualified analysis of the applicant's ability to succeed in law school. They're generally fluff pieces, and should be treated as such.

This.

[reasonabledoubt]

I'm like a tailor makin these fine threads
To debate what be inside all ya heads
You don't believe work be were it's at?
You wanna think it's all about dat lsat?
Yeah they wanna see that high 176 score
They wanna see you be dat PT whore
I'm just sayin they should wanna see more
Cause i'm like Abe Lincoln, 7 years but 164 score

[jmaan]

I'm like a tailor makin these fine threads
To debate what be inside all ya heads
You don't believe work be were it's at?
You wanna think it's all about dat lsat?
Yeah they wanna see that high 176 score
They wanna see you be dat PT whore
I'm just sayin they should wanna see more
Cause i'm like Abe Lincoln, 7 years but 164 score

170

[Kobe_Teeth]

I'm like a tailor makin these fine threads
To debate what be inside all ya heads
You don't believe work be were it's at?
You wanna think it's all about dat lsat?
Yeah they wanna see that high 176 score
They wanna see you be dat PT whore
I'm just sayin they should wanna see more
Cause i'm like Abe Lincoln, 7 years but 164 score

Is that part of your personal statement?

[D. H2Oman]

I'm like a tailor makin these fine threads
To debate what be inside all ya heads
You don't believe work be were it's at?
You wanna think it's all about dat lsat?
Yeah they wanna see that high 176 score
They wanna see you be dat PT whore
I'm just sayin they should wanna see more
Cause i'm like Abe Lincoln, 7 years but 164 score

170

Yeah but what does that equal in years of work experience?

[reasonabledoubt]

I'm like a tailor makin these fine threads
To debate what be inside all ya heads
You don't believe work be were it's at?
You wanna think it's all about dat lsat?
Yeah they wanna see that high 176 score
They wanna see you be dat PT whore
I'm just sayin they should wanna see more
Cause i'm like Abe Lincoln, 7 years but 164 score

Is that part of your personal statement?

No, but it was included as a rap addendum.

[jmaan]

I'm like a tailor makin these fine threads
To debate what be inside all ya heads
You don't believe work be were it's at?
You wanna think it's all about dat lsat?
Yeah they wanna see that high 176 score
They wanna see you be dat PT whore
I'm just sayin they should wanna see more
Cause i'm like Abe Lincoln, 7 years but 164 score

170

Yeah but what does that equal in years of work experience?

7 years = 5-6 points according to op so about [strike]28-34 years[/strike]
edit math fail..according to op about 170 years lol

[D. H2Oman]

I went to high school during the Reagan administration.

[Kobe_Teeth]

I'm like a tailor makin these fine threads
To debate what be inside all ya heads
You don't believe work be were it's at?
You wanna think it's all about dat lsat?
Yeah they wanna see that high 176 score
They wanna see you be dat PT whore
I'm just sayin they should wanna see more
Cause i'm like Abe Lincoln, 7 years but 164 score

Is that part of your personal statement?

No, but it was included as a rap addendum.

Maybe that's why things aren't going so well for you this cycle.

[Kobe_Teeth]

I went to high school during the Reagan administration.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[vanwinkle]

i wish there was an actual formula/system in place that allows you to make up for GPA by work experience. LSAT i understand as you can take it again. but what if you just messed up the 4 years in college... can't make it up?

It seems like (median-or-higher LSAT) + (at least 4-5 years of WE) = acceptance, at least for many schools. There are additional variables that are different depending on the school in question (a GPA cutoff of 3.0 or higher at some schools) and of course the schools in the T6 have so many applicants with both high LSAT and GPA that they can easily exclude those with low GPAs and regularly do so no.

There does seem to be a fairly robust system in place for making up for a low GPA, it just requires some looking into the specific school you want to attend and seeing how they traditionally treat high-LSAT splitters. There's plenty of such information available, and some schools (UVA, NU, WUSTL) seem to be much more splitter-friendly than others. The knowledge is out there, you just have to go get it.

[reasonabledoubt]

I went to high school during the Reagan administration.

Dude, you're bragging because you're younger than 30? And that's funny? Umm, ok... you're really awkward.

[Kobe_Teeth]

I went to high school during the Reagan administration.

Dude, you're bragging because you're younger than 30? And that's funny? Umm, ok... you're really awkward.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[D. H2Oman]

I went to high school during the Reagan administration.

[strike]Dude, you're bragging because you're younger than 30? And that's funny? Umm, ok... you're really awkward[/strike]. Damn kids....GET OFF MY LAWN

[jmaan]

I went to high school during the Reagan administration.

Dude, you're bragging because you're younger than 30? And that's funny? Umm, ok... you're really awkward.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

itd suck to be over 30 and applying to law school

[jmaan]

I went to high school during the Reagan administration.

[strike]Dude, you're bragging because you're younger than 30? And that's funny? Umm, ok... you're really awkward[/strike]. Damn kids....GET OFF MY LAWN

i swear ur pulling these just to make me lol

[stratocophic]

I went to high school during the Reagan administration.

[strike]Dude, you're bragging because you're younger than 30? And that's funny? Umm, ok... you're really awkward[/strike]. Damn kids....GET OFF MY LAWN

177 on this three post exchange.

[reasonabledoubt]

I went to high school during the Reagan administration.

Dude, you're bragging because you're younger than 30? And that's funny? Umm, ok... you're really awkward.

itd suck to be over 30 and applying to law school

You're very ageist. Good luck with that.

[reasonabledoubt]

I went to high school during the Reagan administration.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Look at how immature you are.... Life fail awaits you. Almost poetically, this thread concludes with what is perhaps the greatest reason to factor extensive work experience into admissions considerations.... maturity. Grow up.

[clevinger33]

I went to high school during the Reagan administration.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Look at how immature you are.... Life fail awaits you. Almost poetically, this thread concludes with what is perhaps the greatest reason to factor extensive work experience into admissions considerations.... maturity. Grow up.

--ImageRemoved--

[vanwinkle]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Look at how immature you are.... Life fail awaits you. Almost poetically, this thread concludes with what is perhaps the greatest reason to factor extensive work experience into admissions considerations.... maturity. Grow up.

--ImageRemoved--

Well played, sir.

[stratocophic]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Look at how immature you are.... Life fail awaits you. Almost poetically, this thread concludes with what is perhaps the greatest reason to factor extensive work experience into admissions considerations.... maturity. Grow up.

--ImageRemoved--

--ImageRemoved--

[sra_sundance]

Thanks for entertaining me all afternoon at work!

TLS didn't let me down today when I had so little to do.