FinanceCareer #LawSchoolReroll #T14Law #InvestmentBanking #BigLaw #CareerSwitch
Stuck in Retail Banking and Eyeing High Finance? Consider T14 Law School!
So, you’ve found yourself navigating a narrow path in retail banking, despite your stellar GPA and impressive LSAT score. You’ve ticked the boxes with internships but couldn’t secure those coveted full-time offers in asset management, investment banking, or consulting. Now, you’re aiming for the big leagues – high finance or big law – and you’re considering rerolling your career with a T14 law school. Let’s dive into why this might be your golden ticket.
Why T14 Law Schools are a Game-Changer
Top 14 Law Schools, commonly referred to as T14, are prestigious institutions that open significant doors in both law and finance.
- 📈 Prestige and Networking: Yale, Harvard, Cornell, NW, UCLA – these names carry weight. Alumni networks are vast and influential.
- 💼 Career Opportunities: Top law schools have robust on-campus recruiting (OCR) processes that attract big law firms and investment banks.
- 💡 Brand Name: Having a T14 law school on your resume instantly boosts your credentials, making you a more attractive candidate in competitive job markets.
From Retail Banking to Law and Finance: The Transition
Navigating from a commercial banking role in a regional bank to high-stakes finance or law might seem like a leap, but it’s completely doable with the right strategy.
Leveraging Your Strong GPA and LSAT Score
Your academic achievements already place you in a favorable position. A 3.95 GPA paired with a 176 LSAT score is nothing short of extraordinary. This sets you up ideally for admission into one of the T14 law schools, where you can pivot towards a more desired career trajectory.
Simultaneous Applications: IB and Big Law
Yes, you can apply to both investment banking and big law simultaneously. Here’s how:
- Dual Focus: While in law school, you can apply for summer associate positions at big law firms and explore summer internship programs at investment banks.
- Networking: Utilize every networking opportunity provided by your law school – career fairs, alumni events, and guest lectures.
- Career Services: Leverage your school’s career services for application guidance, resume building, and interview preparation.
Practical Tips for Navigating the Switch
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the most out of your T14 law school experience to transition smoothly into high finance or big law:
📚 Research and Prepare
- Understand the Roles: Differentiate between various roles in investment banking and big law to align your career goals.
- Course Selection: Opt for electives that are finance-heavy if you’re inclined towards investment banking, along with core law subjects.
- Join Clubs: Be an active member of finance and law societies at your school to keep abreast of industry trends and opportunities.
💼 Internships and Work Experience
- Summer Internships: Secure internships early. Law students often intern at law firms, but with your finance background, aim for summer analyst positions in investment banks.
- Clinical Programs: Participate in clinical programs if available, to gain practical experience.
🤝 Networking and Mentorship
- Alumni Connections: Reach out to alumni from your law school who have transitioned into finance or big law.
- Mentorship Programs: Engage with mentorship programs offered by your school to get personalized advice and insights.
Is T14 Law School Worth It?
Absolutely, given your situation. It’s not just about escaping retail banking but about propelling yourself into a career with upward mobility and significant earning potential.
- Diverse Opportunities: A T14 law degree opens multiple doors – from becoming a top-tier corporate lawyer to securing a high-paying role in investment banking.
- Skill Set Diversification: You’ll gain a legal education that complements your finance ambitions, giving you a unique edge in the job market.
Final Thoughts: Your Last Hope Before 30?
It’s never too late to reshape your career path. Given your impressive academic credentials and the networking opportunities offered by T14 law schools, you are well-positioned for a significant career upgrade. It’s more than just a "last hope"; it’s a strategic move towards a promising future in high finance or big law. 🚀
In the end, make sure to balance your ambitions with some self-reflection on your career interests and lifestyle preferences. With the right strategy, a reroll with T14 law can indeed be the transformative step you need. Best of luck! 🍀
You’re selling yourself way to short
A near perfect gpa and LSAT is nothing to scoff at
A lot of target schools (for instance I know UVA) do a Joint JD/MBA program and it sounds like getting a good gmat score is not out of the realm of possibility for you.
In addition you do have work experience and internships. You can have it made, believe in yourself
No matter what happens remember your likely doing better than 90% of people your age ( even though it doesn’t feel that way ). Personally I think graduating from a top tier law school opens more doors in consulting than IB.
If you do end up graduating with a JD from a top school know you’ve done an outstanding job !
No name school? Who
Your best shit for IB internships are restructuring/maybe a m&a corporate law internship that can help you if you want to go into IB after graduating. As the other commenter mentioned JD/MBA is offered at a lot of programs and those joint degree holders go to restructuring the most
> Is there any other way from retail to high finance, and can I even get IB internships in Law school?
I think you should be networking, but if nothing rolls around by the time that you have to put down a deposit for law school then just go to a top law school IMHO. Definitely see if you can swing a joint JD/MBA program too.
Your plan sounds very reasonable to me. Your reasonable worst case is a good big law job, which seems like a pretty good outcome.
3.95 and 176 LSAT is T14 Law stats
Question, why did you take LSAT if you wanted to get into a grad school why not take GMAT? If I was in your shoes the first thing I’d say is that you’ll never miss your window. There are obvious windows for stuff like summer internships and such, but in general as long as you keep pursuing them you will land somewhere you’re satisfied with. Since you have good grades and can get good scores I would go to grad school if this is what you want to do, it’s possible that you can get a scholarship somewhere also but don’t put a lot of pressure on yourself that you didn’t get it yet, put pressure on yourself for getting into good school, good internships, future roles, etc.
Why law school?
You mentioned AM and IB.
With your stats you should be able to get into a good MBA.
Those stats are T5 worthy.
Only go to law school if you want to be a lawyer. I don’t care if it’s free. If you go that route you not only have to get lucky but you will likely give up earnings vs going to a big law firm.
Plz no unless you would be fine with being a lawyer.
How much do you want to make? Finance inherently is tied with client acquisition which is linked to sales FYI. so question is how much. I consultant with financial firms and my partner with law firms btw.
Your life is cooked bro just give up….. nah seriously man I understand having some career anxieties it’s totally normal but it seems like you seriously don’t appreciate how incredibly accomplished you are already. I mean a 176 and 3.95 is practically off the charts. There are untold numbers of of highly intelligent and successful corporate folks who live their entire life like this and it’s pretty sad tbh. Don’t be afraid to pat yourself on the back a little bit more my guy 🙂
If you feel you have no “upward mobility” in commercial banking you’re probably not networking enough.
I’m confused, just take GMAT or GRE and do a masters in finance at like NYU or Sloan. You could even apply at the same time as law school just to be safe. Law school doesn’t make sense in your situation.
Op, if it’s just about $ which it seems it is, why not start a business? Much higher upside than hoping to navigate the politics of high finance or big law which you may not be cut out for?
Go the regulatory route for a few years. FDIC, OCC or FRB
In a similar situation and having the same thoughts. Minus the incredible GPA though. Hoping I can score great on the LSAT