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Law School background

Launched April 26, 2006
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Law School background

by grady » Mon Aug 27, 2007 11:45 am
In the context of applying to MBA programs, what's the best way to "spin" a mediocre legal background?

I received a full academic scholarship to attend a state-level law school right out of college, which I took.

I graduated law school (my grades were average), passed the bar on the first try, and then promptly went to work for a very prominent company in the motion picture industry - been here 2 years.

In other words, despite the fact that I'm licensed, I've never actually practiced law.

I want to get the MBA to further my career, and curious about the best way to couch my law school experience.

Cheers,
-Grady
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by Amy » Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:37 am
Hi grady,

For the purposes of MBA admissions, I don't think it matters at all that you never actually practiced law. It sounds like you have great work experience, and your law degree helps you to understand contracts, etc, I'm sure. Are you working in the legal department?

Good luck!

Amy
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by beatthegmat » Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:39 pm
Posting on behalf of grady:

Hello Amy,

No, not the legal/business affairs department - I'm an agent-in-training at a major hollywood talent agency, currently working for the head of our motion picture department. I'm concerned that since my grades were very "middle of the pack" in law school, and since my law school wasn't a top-20 school, that regardless of whatever GMAT score I can post that I will be perceived either:

(1) not a strong enough student

(2) someone who is just "running" from a legal career

(3) someone who is "collecting degrees" without any real direction So I'm looking for thoughts on how to best spin my situation.

Thanks! -Grady
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by Amy » Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:30 pm
Hi Grady,

I'd be most concerned about your "collecting degrees" point. Many lawyers I know want to run from a legal career, so I'm not particularly worried about that - it's common. MBA programs will mainly be looking at your undergrad grades. Law school is a much more academic program than b-school, so I would caution against thinking that you will be judged in a similar way.

For you, I would focus on your story. Why did you decide not to practice law? What are you learning now? How is your career trajectory forming, and how does your past, present, MBA and future goals align? I don't think it matters that you made the choices you did, as long as it all makes a logical pattern and shows that you are headed somewhere deliberately. If you can't explain why you need an MBA when you already have a law degree, that's a problem.

I know that in the entertainment industry a JD and MBA are often interchangeable, so I do wonder why you think you want an MBA?

Good luck!

Amy
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