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trialserrors
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Lawyer with limited work experience, chances of T15 admission? 08 Mar 2025, 18:47
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Hi everyone!

Is there a realistic chance of getting into a T15 MBA as a lawyer with limited work experience (20 months full-time and 2 years part-time in a law firm during my studies). Legal education, including the bar exam, takes almost 10 years in Europe, so it's not really possible to have more work experience in your late 20s if you go that route. I'm very interested in the business side of the law and would like to develop the skills that I could use as a business lawyer and perhaps open the door to more executive positions within companies. I'm trying to minimize the risk of submitting a full application (particularly recommendation letters) when there's technically no chance in the first place. Also, do you have any advice on how I could strengthen my application given this background?

Thanks in advance.
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Lawyer with limited work experience, chances of T15 admission? 09 Mar 2025, 02:00
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Your candidacy will be a sum of multiple inputs, work experience being just one of many. The PT experience alongside FT studies is mostly not counted as work experience. I would recommend pushing out your plans of applying by at least 1-2 years. This additional time will help you enrich your profile, achievements, and even build ammo for your recommendations. In addition, it gives you time to research schools and network with lawyers who have made it to T15. Not all lawyers are treated at par, because the legal experience should be relevant for your post-MBA career also. Any insights you collect may help you do a course correction, if needed.
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Lawyer with limited work experience, chances of T15 admission? 09 Mar 2025, 14:06
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Your background as a lawyer with 20 months of full-time experience is not necessarily a dealbreaker for T15 MBA programs, especially if your legal work has strong business exposure. Schools value diverse backgrounds, and your interest in business law and executive roles could be a compelling narrative. To strengthen your application, highlight leadership, problem-solving, and any business-related experience from your work. A strong GMAT score, well-crafted essays, and impactful recommendations will also help. Consider networking with current students or alumni from your target schools to understand how lawyers have positioned their applications successfully.
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Lawyer with limited work experience, chances of T15 admission? 09 Mar 2025, 15:06
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Thank you for your helpful replies. Given the situation, I'm also considering applying for a one-year Master's in Management in Europe. How would you compare the potential benefits of the two (MBA, MiM) to my career path? Is the MBA clearly superior or can a MiM of a well regarded business school open doors into corporate jobs as well (f.e. General Management)?
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Lawyer with limited work experience, chances of T15 admission? 09 Mar 2025, 17:53
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Having worked with many corporate lawyers on their b-school applications, I would say, waiting another 1-2 years will enrich your experience. My guess is that as you are at the start of your career, you would be working more on due- diligence pieces and have lesser exposure to business aspects. A few years of work can add to this experience and make you a more attractive candidate.


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Lawyer with limited work experience, chances of T15 admission? 10 Mar 2025, 22:56
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HELLO @ trialserrors,

While a MiM suits entry-level positions, an MBA is superior for executive roles due to its leadership training and networks.
Your profile presents both challenges and opportunities for T15 MBA admissions. Focus on highlighting client-facing responsibilities and leadership from your legal work. To strengthen your application, target a strong GMAT score, craft a compelling career narrative, and secure impactful recommendations. Consider delaying your application to pursue high-impact projects and network with alumni. With strategic positioning, your legal background can be a differentiator, increasing your chances of T15 admission.
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Lawyer with limited work experience, chances of T15 admission? 10 Mar 2025, 23:57
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trialserrors - Part-time experience would unfortunately not count for B-schools.

The full-time (20 months) is a bit on on the lower side for US Top-15 (check out stats here).

Taking a year or two would help you position your profile well for these competitive programs, including securing a strong GMAT/ GRE score, gaining work experience, researching the programs, building your overall profile, and so on.

Check out this article: 10 ways to improve your profile as an MBA applicant


Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet | Request a free profile evaluation
W: https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com | LinkedIn


trialserrors
Hi everyone!

Is there a realistic chance of getting into a T15 MBA as a lawyer with limited work experience (20 months full-time and 2 years part-time in a law firm during my studies). Legal education, including the bar exam, takes almost 10 years in Europe, so it's not really possible to have more work experience in your late 20s if you go that route. I'm very interested in the business side of the law and would like to develop the skills that I could use as a business lawyer and perhaps open the door to more executive positions within companies. I'm trying to minimize the risk of submitting a full application (particularly recommendation letters) when there's technically no chance in the first place. Also, do you have any advice on how I could strengthen my application given this background?

Thanks in advance.
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Lawyer with limited work experience, chances of T15 admission? 13 Mar 2025, 21:43
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Hello trialserrors,

You should look at getting at lest ~2 more years of work experience if you wish to pursue your MBA dreams at one of the top 15 schools.

All the best!
trialserrors
Hi everyone!

Is there a realistic chance of getting into a T15 MBA as a lawyer with limited work experience (20 months full-time and 2 years part-time in a law firm during my studies). Legal education, including the bar exam, takes almost 10 years in Europe, so it's not really possible to have more work experience in your late 20s if you go that route. I'm very interested in the business side of the law and would like to develop the skills that I could use as a business lawyer and perhaps open the door to more executive positions within companies. I'm trying to minimize the risk of submitting a full application (particularly recommendation letters) when there's technically no chance in the first place. Also, do you have any advice on how I could strengthen my application given this background?

Thanks in advance.
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Lawyer with limited work experience, chances of T15 admission? 14 Mar 2025, 00:59
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trialserrors
Hi everyone!

Is there a realistic chance of getting into a T15 MBA as a lawyer with limited work experience (20 months full-time and 2 years part-time in a law firm during my studies). Legal education, including the bar exam, takes almost 10 years in Europe, so it's not really possible to have more work experience in your late 20s if you go that route. I'm very interested in the business side of the law and would like to develop the skills that I could use as a business lawyer and perhaps open the door to more executive positions within companies. I'm trying to minimize the risk of submitting a full application (particularly recommendation letters) when there's technically no chance in the first place. Also, do you have any advice on how I could strengthen my application given this background?

Thanks in advance.
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Hi trialserrors,

Part-time experience is not counted as part of your work experience for your B-school applications.
With 20 months of work experience, you are slightly on the lower end for T-15 programs.
To significantly improve your chances of admission, consider gaining a couple more years of strong work experience to better position your profile.

Additional Key Strategies:
GMAT/GRE Preparation: Dedicate sufficient time to your test preparation and aim for a strong, competitive score for top-tier MBA programs.
Thorough Research: Research each program's strengths, specializations, and culture to find the best fit for your career goals.
Compelling Essays: Craft essays that effectively highlight your unique experiences, career goals, and fit with the program.
Strong Recommendations: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your leadership abilities, work ethic, and potential.
Networking: Connect with alumni from your target schools to gain insights and potential mentorship.
Interview Preparation: Practice common interview questions and develop effective communication skills.

By focusing on these areas and leveraging your strengths, you can increase your chances of admission to top-tier MBA programs. Feel free to schedule a complimentary call with our MBA consultants. You can also connect with them via call or WhatsApp at +91 7780769732.