1. 800. 973.1177
CAREER COUNSEL
An Insider’s Guide to Law School: 3L [by Hanna Stotland] Make the most of your third (and final) year of law school: Get some rest before entering the world of work.
Academics
intense as graduation approaches, you may
Bar Prep
By the time your third year rolls around,
also find that the nature of the work changes
Although the bar exam isn’t until late July,
whatever terror accompanied 1L courses will
in positive ways. 3Ls usually run the show at
you’ll probably take one part of it before you
be a distant memory. “Expect to be chal-
journals, so 2Ls are stuck with the scut work.
graduate—the professional responsibility
lenged, not tortured” in your last year, says
Take the opportunity to develop your leader-
exam. Depending on the state, over the sum-
Heather Parker, a 2000 graduate of The John
ship skills, and mentor 2Ls as they learn the
mer you will take some combination of the
Marshall Law School in Atlanta. “You can
ropes at your organization.
multistate bar exam, a state essay exam, and
absorb information much more easily and rapidly.”
a performance exam. For more information, Jobs
check out our article Behind the Bar.
If you end up without a tempting offer after You may find that the real difficulty lies not
your 2L summer, the job hunt will dominate
You can sign up for a bar exam review class
in staying up to speed in your classes, but in
your 3L experience. “The earlier you find a
any time (doing it early often allows you to
simply staying motivated. If your 2L summer
job, the less hectic third year will be,” says
lock in a low price), but try to do so by spring
went as planned, you will probably have your
Kevin Willen, a 3L at the Washington College
of your third year. The class runs from May
post-graduation job lined up already. As long
of Law at American University. Even if you
through July, wrapping up just before the test
as you don’t flunk out, your offer is safe. So
have an offer from a firm, you might want
date. Popular courses include Bar-Bri and
unless you’re in the running for a degree with
to defer it to apply for a public-interest fel-
PMBR.
honors (and you care about making it), grades
lowship or other special program. “Looking
are just as irrelevant as they were during the
for jobs didn’t help [make third year any
Tip: Sign up for a review class as early as
spring of your senior year in high school.
easier],” says Bigge, who explored public-
possible to lock in a low price.
service options despite having an offer from a Since the pressure is off, you finally have
prestigious firm. “I tried (and failed) to get a
Saying Goodbye
the opportunity to study what you like and to
fellowship; that was very busy and stressful.”
While most 3Ls say that they feel ready to
learn for learning’s sake. “You are going to
move on, they also encourage their 2L coun-
learn what you need to know for the bar when
If your school provides services to make the
terparts to enjoy the freedom of their last
you take the [bar review] class over the sum-
process easier, take advantage of whatever
year in school. “Take advantage of it, make
mer, so choose classes that truly interest you
help is available. “Be sure to make use of
plans to see people you don’t always get to
and that you have wanted to take since you
all that your school has to offer in the way of
see, explore the city you live in, pursue any
got to school,” says an NYU 3L. Chances are,
career services and mock-interviewing ses-
hobbies or things you have been wanting to
this is it for your academic career, so don’t
sions,” Parker recommends.
try—because your schedule will never be this flexible again,” advises an NYU 3L. You may
miss the chance to try a course in a new field. Tip: Since personal contacts are key to find-
also feel that your final year is whizzing by
Extracurriculars
ing jobs outside of the organized interview
much more quickly than the previous two. “I
If you’d rather not use this year to catch up on
process, attend as many networking events
did actually start to see the light at the end of
sleep, focus on extracurriculars. “I’ve worked
as possible.
the tunnel,” Parker agrees. “Your third year will be over before you know it.”
more this year than I have in years past, but that is entirely because of my activities,”
Remember that your first job is only that—a
explains David Bigge, a Harvard 3L.
first job—and that greater opportunities may
After three years of bonding with your
present themselves after you’ve spent a year
classmates, saying goodbye may be one of
in the market.
the roughest challenges of the last year. “I
While extracurriculars may become more
PAGE 1
continued on back