Top Law Schools

Hi, wanted to come on here and ask some advice for someone whose heart is set on applying to T14 law school and breaking into big law for corporate/finance law.

I'm currently a junior and have only had finance experiences before deciding to go to law school at the beginning of junior year. There are three possible paths im considering.

KJD: do not seek internships and just study as hard as i can for the LSAT this summer. I have 4.0 GPA and STEM degree. First-gen college student. probably tier 4 softs(only some internships, nonprofit volunteering, and club leaderships). Top choices being Columbia or NYU.

work in industry: have gotten some advice to work in finance industry, to distinguish myself when applying to big corporate law. The downside is that I doubt that I would be able to get anything prestigious except maybe for corporate finance.

work as a big law paralegal: I know some big law firms have structured paralegal programs where you work for 2 years and go to law school. Would love an opportunity like that, but i know those programs are SOOO competitive, and I do not have any legal experience on my resume. So probably have to cold email a lot of firms to find an internship this summer.

if you have any advice for any of these paths, LSAT, etc. I would really appreciate it!

Prepare for the LSAT. Take a prep course & do old LSAT tests as practice. You need to break 172 on the LSAT in order to feel confident about your chances of receiving an offer of admission to Columbia or NYU law schools.

Your perfect undergraduate GPA of 4.0 & your STEM degree should help you to stand out.

Regardless of which of the three paths to law school you choose, you should get the LSAT done as scores remain good for 5 years (if I recall correctly).

The formal 2 year paralegal programs are worthwhile as they do give you insight to daily life at a major law firm. Typically, Biglaw firms recruit for these positions at Top 15 National Universities as well as at several highly ranked LACs. (Are you willing to name your undergraduate school ?)

Getting a job in finance to distinguish yourself is fine, but you may never make it to law school if finance proves to be lucrative & satisfying.

Most important for Top 14 law school admissions is one's undergraduate GPA and LSAT score. Anything above a 3.90 GPA and above a 172 LSAT score gives you a solid shot at Columbia & at NYU. Along with an undergraduate STEM degree, you should be a very competitive applicant for admission to either law school. (Current median GPA for both Columbia law school & for NYU law school is about 3.90; current median LSAT for NYU is 172 and 173 for Columbia according to a quick online search.)

Consider:

https://justice.gov/eoir/JudgeHiringPolicy1