. Forum

[tuna_wasabi]

.

[UVA2B]

Hi all,

Just wondering to what extent adcom pays attention to an applicant's work experience. Out of my entire app, I personally think that work experience is one of my stronger points: Worked/interned in bulge-bracket i-banking, followed by some economic policy-related internship, and am now working at an international organization specializing in monetary policies (famous or infamous, depending on the country. Greece probably doesn't look at the organization too fondly).

If I do get accepted to a JD program, my target after graduation is related to international trade and investment policies, so my work experience really is tied to my entire app's narrative. I understand that law school is numbers-driven, but can it offset an LSAT score?

No, it can't offset an LSAT score. Really solid work experience will in slight ways be a plus for your application, but it won't bump you up significantly in the numbers-driven side of law school admissions. Think of it this way: it might help you be the first 170/3.8 a school takes, but it won't push you ahead of the 171/172/3.8 unless that candidate has a really crappy application otherwise.

[snowball2]

If I do get accepted to a JD program, my target after graduation is related to international trade and investment policies, so my work experience really is tied to my entire app's narrative. I understand that law school is numbers-driven, but can it offset an LSAT score?

You aren't going to graduate from law school as a specialist in anything. While your experience may help later on, you may well find other interests. As for a leg up on other applicants - better than a similarly-credentialed person without such experience, but that's about it. GPA+LSAT is 99% of the equation.

[tuna_wasabi]

.

[Pozzo]

Many thanks! Would this also not matter at Y or S, given their more random review process? More specifically, do T14 differentiate 1 or 2 points that much?

I have not yet received my LSAT score, but by the time I submit my application, I am hoping to get a 172+ (My GPA for both schools are above their 75 percentiles).

Will not likely help at Y or S. It's solid work experience, but not the unicorn-level stuff that really stands out. And yes, 1-2 points can make a huge difference, especially if you're on the bubble.

[Yugihoe]

Got into Harvard with a 171 ~3.9 probably because of workexp (3 years in finance)

[tuna_wasabi]

.

[Pozzo]

Many thanks! Would this also not matter at Y or S, given their more random review process? More specifically, do T14 differentiate 1 or 2 points that much?

I have not yet received my LSAT score, but by the time I submit my application, I am hoping to get a 172+ (My GPA for both schools are above their 75 percentiles).

Will not likely help at Y or S. It's solid work experience, but not the unicorn-level stuff that really stands out. And yes, 1-2 points can make a huge difference, especially if you're on the bubble.

Thanks for the input Pozzo! Haha I don't think it's unicorn-level stuff either--definitely not an MOH recipient here. My main worry is how they will view my work experience as part of the entire app. WE is one of my stronger points, but given the nature of my work, I could imagine that the adcom will wonder why this kid is applying to LS at all, especially since my personal statement AND recommendations will be heavily tied to econ in some way. I really may have overthought this matter...

They will view your work experience how you present it. I was in a similar situation when I applied, close to seven years WE and a graduate degree, neither with any real connection to law. I used my personal statement and application as a whole to create a through line that tied it all together. I performed about as expected with my numbers. So, while my experience didn't necessarily help my application, it definitely did not hurt it.

[tuna_wasabi]

Many thanks! Would this also not matter at Y or S, given their more random review process? More specifically, do T14 differentiate 1 or 2 points that much?

I have not yet received my LSAT score, but by the time I submit my application, I am hoping to get a 172+ (My GPA for both schools are above their 75 percentiles).

Will not likely help at Y or S. It's solid work experience, but not the unicorn-level stuff that really stands out. And yes, 1-2 points can make a huge difference, especially if you're on the bubble.

Thanks for the input Pozzo! Haha I don't think it's unicorn-level stuff either--definitely not an MOH recipient here. My main worry is how they will view my work experience as part of the entire app. WE is one of my stronger points, but given the nature of my work, I could imagine that the adcom will wonder why this kid is applying to LS at all, especially since my personal statement AND recommendations will be heavily tied to econ in some way. I really may have overthought this matter...

They will view your work experience how you present it. I was in a similar situation when I applied, close to seven years WE and a graduate degree, neither with any real connection to law. I used my personal statement and application as a whole to create a through line that tied it all together. I performed about as expected with my numbers. So, while my experience didn't necessarily help my application, it definitely did not hurt it.

Gotcha, thanks Pozzo! My WE isn't as extensive as yours (no graduate degrees either)--graduated last year and have worked for only 2 years in total, if the gap year is included--but I will definitely keep this in mind!

[Hi-So - ArshavinFan]

Hi all,

Just wondering to what extent adcom pays attention to an applicant's work experience. Out of my entire app, I personally think that work experience is one of my stronger points: Worked/interned in bulge-bracket i-banking, followed by some economic policy-related internship, and am now working at an international organization specializing in monetary policies (famous or infamous, depending on the country. Greece probably doesn't look at the organization too fondly).

If I do get accepted to a JD program, my target after graduation is related to international trade and investment policies, so my work experience really is tied to my entire app's narrative. I understand that law school is numbers-driven, but can it offset an LSAT score?

It HELPS!

Take if from me ( in did Bulge brack i bank stuff as well, and worked for 1 of the MBB, Data analyst now - IT DEFINITELY HELPS. Kept coming up during my interviews and i got merit schooly on the stregth of the work experience and numbers - it really helps with the letters of rec as well. Employability matters to the top schools.

[cavalier1138]

It HELPS!

Take if from me ( in did Bulge brack i bank stuff as well, and worked for 1 of the MBB, Data analyst now - IT DEFINITELY HELPS. Kept coming up during my interviews and i got merit schooly on the stregth of the work experience and numbers - it really helps with the letters of rec as well. Employability matters to the top schools.

So you're saying that it helps when you already have good numbers? That's kind of exactly what everyone else has already said...

[Hi-So - ArshavinFan]

It HELPS!

Take if from me ( in did Bulge brack i bank stuff as well, and worked for 1 of the MBB, Data analyst now - IT DEFINITELY HELPS. Kept coming up during my interviews and i got merit schooly on the stregth of the work experience and numbers - it really helps with the letters of rec as well. Employability matters to the top schools.

So you're saying that it helps when you already have good numbers? That's kind of exactly what everyone else has already said...

LEt me correct myself - LSAT score number. My GPA is abysmal tbh for T13. so it definitely can help them overlook and put lesser importance on aspect of your application

[guynourmin]

It HELPS!

Take if from me ( in did Bulge brack i bank stuff as well, and worked for 1 of the MBB, Data analyst now - IT DEFINITELY HELPS. Kept coming up during my interviews and i got merit schooly on the stregth of the work experience and numbers - it really helps with the letters of rec as well. Employability matters to the top schools.

So you're saying that it helps when you already have good numbers? That's kind of exactly what everyone else has already said...

LEt me correct myself - LSAT score number. My GPA is abysmal tbh for T13. so it definitely can help them overlook and put lesser importance on aspect of your application

your GPA is more likely to get into a t13 than not with a 171+. Can you share what your t13 outcomes were that you think your work experience helped with?

[cavalier1138]

It HELPS!

Take if from me ( in did Bulge brack i bank stuff as well, and worked for 1 of the MBB, Data analyst now - IT DEFINITELY HELPS. Kept coming up during my interviews and i got merit schooly on the stregth of the work experience and numbers - it really helps with the letters of rec as well. Employability matters to the top schools.

So you're saying that it helps when you already have good numbers? That's kind of exactly what everyone else has already said...

LEt me correct myself - LSAT score number. My GPA is abysmal tbh for T13. so it definitely can help them overlook and put lesser importance on aspect of your application

In addition to what was already noted, undergrad GPA becomes less significant as it gets older. But there's a point of diminishing returns. Harvard is probably never going to admit someone with a 3.1, regardless of how recent the GPA is. But they might be more willing to admit an older (more experienced) candidate with a 3.6 and a high LSAT.