Include FedSoc on Resume? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I generally include club activity on my resume, but I'm not sure whether including FedSoc on my resume will be beneficial or detrimental given the current political climate. Frankly, I'm concerned about backlash from transfer admissions committees in more liberal parts of the country, specifically at schools in DC and NY. Should I take it off for the purpose of transferring, or are transfer committees less petty than I am anticipating?

[KijiStewart]

Leave it out.

[nrthwst4now]

I'd look at like this. At best it makes your application slightly (if even that) more appealing. However, that is a best case scenario that is not even likely. Worst case, they view you negatively (which I doubt they would).

So all in all, because it can't really help you why risk it?

GPA/Class Rank (by far most important)
Summer Job

are the two key things

[ExperssioUnius]

Are you involved in any other organizations in law school? If not, I'd list it because you'll want to indicate some engagement in the law school community other than just going to class.

Also, look and see whether the schools to which you are applying have a strong Fed Soc chapter. While admission staff may tend to lean left, schools with active Fed Soc chapters may care more about keeping dialogue on significant legal issues going at their institutions than what being a member of Fed Soc might say about your politics. I think that at a school like UVA, with a strong Fed Soc chapter, putting it on the resume would help you.

[Effingham]

Leave it out.

What a sad and petty world we live in. Yes, do leave out one of the only clubs in law school that verifiably helps your odds of getting desireable clerkships.

Expressio likely nailed it, with the caveat that I probably wouldn’t list any clubs unless you have a legitimate position/narrative beyond “attended for the free food.”

[minnbills]

Federal clerk checking in.

Unless you are applying to judges/organizations with a conservative lean (or who, for whatever reason that you know about, would actually like your involvement in a political organization) you should leave it out. You should follow the general rule of only including it on your resume if you have a good reason to think it will help you with the particular job you're applying for.

Generally, politics on a resume is a bad idea. There are absolutely people out there who will reject your application for having Fedsoc or the like on it. It's just not a risk worth taking. The same goes for any other political group like the ACS or even a straight up political party. Hell, a lot of resumes/firm bios I see from former hill staffers leave off the political affiliation of the congressperson the applicant worked for.

And as far as the earlier response arguing that the above is petty - get real. The FedSoc is pretty much single handedly pushing the judiciary to the right and even pushing through obviously unqualified candidates. Guess what? A lot of people aren't happy about it.

[sparkytrainer]

Federal clerk checking in.

Unless you are applying to judges/organizations with a conservative lean (or who, for whatever reason that you know about, would actually like your involvement in a political organization) you should leave it out. You should follow the general rule of only including it on your resume if you have a good reason to think it will help you with the particular job you're applying for.

Generally, politics on a resume is a bad idea. There are absolutely people out there who will reject your application for having Fedsoc or the like on it. It's just not a risk worth taking. The same goes for any other political group like the ACS or even a straight up political party. Hell, a lot of resumes/firm bios I see from former hill staffers leave off the political affiliation of the congressperson the applicant worked for.

And as far as the earlier response arguing that the above is petty - get real. The FedSoc is pretty much single handedly pushing the judiciary to the right and even pushing through obviously unqualified candidates. Guess what? A lot of people aren't happy about it.

Agree with this 100%. Look at the people fedsoc has been instrumental in pushing to the bench. Many of them are plainly unqualified. They care more about ideology than basic legal ability.

[Pomeranian]

For transfer admissions purposes, I'd probably take the gamble and leave it in. Ad Coms like intellectual diversity?