Law students looked down upon?

Question

Hey guys,

I recently spoke with an admission consultant who said that having been in law school is not a plus and if anything would be a negative for an app to a top B-School. He indicated that regardless of what my GMAT was I had no shot at H or S (also a GPA in line with both school's average). I just wanted a second opinion on this matter. Although it sounded very discouraging but I do think the gentleman was being very truthful in his analysis.

bb · Answer

Second opinions are always good, and the admissions consultant must have been truthful since he just ruled you out as a potential client. 
My guess would be that top schools do not view getting multiple degrees in multiple fields as a positive - a sign of weakness/lack of direction/degree collection. 
I do know some "friends" who have both a JD and an MBA, but none of those are from top 10 schools (georgetown and something else).

If your goal is Top 5/Top 10, I would recommend working for 3-5 years and then come back to it or possibly go through the Executive Program - those are much easier to get admission with an advanced degree already in place.

ADD: if you are aiming for non-top-10, I would still apply.

NorthQuebec · Answer

any opinion bb?

bb · Answer

I hit the "wrong" button or actually the "right" button but just a tad too early :oops:

AlexMBAApply · Answer

There are a handful of attorneys who get into full-time programs each year (usually not the top programs as bb said).

The thing is the top schools are trying to avoid what I call the Boy Scout Syndrome -- people who spend their professional lives collecting credentials in the mistaken belief that they are always one credential short of getting to the next level -- so they pick up a JD, then maybe an MBA. Oh, and then a CFA, then a CPA, then a PMP, maybe becoming Six Sigma certified, then continue to add more "professional badges" that they can pin on their resumes, like adult boy scouts.

If they get even a hint of Boy Scout Syndrome from you, they would rather go with someone else. Not because credentials in and of themselves are bad, but its the mentality of using credentials as the primary means of career advancement (or even worse, as a crutch) that in their view is career limiting.

You advance in your career by either being exceptional at building stuff, or selling stuff. And you become exceptional by actually *doing* it and getting promoted or recognized for the stuff you build or sell - not by the badges you collect and pin on yourself.

Yes, credentials can help *initially* to open that door a little more, but for most people with JDs and MDs who are looking for a career change, what's preventing them from truly progressing in a business career usually has little to do with the fact that they don't have an MBA.

NorthQuebec · Answer

Thank you both for the advice.

I will certainly consider what you have both said. Also I know this might be hard to do but for the M7 programs how much emphasis will a school give for a high GMAT (lets assume 98th to 99th percentile)? About what percentage of an application will be based on the GMAT?

Thanks

AlexMBAApply · Answer

At a top school, a low GMAT can keep you out, but a high GMAT won't get you in. It becomes meaningless beyond a certain threshhold (usually above 700).

NorthQuebec · Answer

Well that certainly puts it in perspective, so I guess the GMAT weight is no where near the weight a LSAT is for law school.

*Edit* Alex what about rankings though... the GMAT certainly has a big impact on rankings ... its just hard for me to think that say a Columbia would throw away a 770 insurance agent for a 700 Investment Banking analyst who was laid off at Lehman ... assuming both are socialable, had decent essays, comparable GPAs and if they got an interview both did similarly well.

NorthQuebec · Answer

Alex and bb,

Sorry to keep bothering you guys about this subject, but would corporate law experience from a Vault 50 firm be considered "highly" like IB and MC work? Speaking with a past consultant ... he just made it seem like lawyers were a BIG NO on this side of the street...

Law students looked down upon?

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