Acceptance prospects for over 40 year old Blk male with 170 LSAT and 3.1 GPA

[Lindbergh]

Yeah, as noted, there's never anything wrong with extra info, I just think it's vital that the OP understands the placement differential b/t HLS and lower T14 schools.  I'd be surprised if any HLS grads had much difficulty with SEC/Justice jobs, given that most HLS grads are seeking the top biglaw jobs.  Either way, there's no question that it's harder from GULC, where many students are seeking such jobs.

I'm also not sure how networking with other students would help much in obtaining government jobs -- it would seem internships, etc., would be the key for this, along with the most impressive degree possible.

I think you are making an unwarranted assumption that employers examine applicants in comparison only to their classmates and not to a larger pool of applicants from all schools. 

Actually, I'm not.  I'm rather making the warranted assumption that employers DO examine applicants in comparison to the larger pool, where HLS is basically the cream of the crop.  If they only compared them to their classmates, then this might be an argument for choosing GULC, as he'll probably do better relative to them than he would in the more competitive HLS student body.  You may or may not be making this unwarranted assumption, but it's not clear.

Indeed, all other things being equal, a school that sends more students to a particular agency may give its students the upper hand; the school has strong ties to the agency and its students are a known quantity. 

It might, except that a HLS degree is far more marketable than a GULC degree in pretty much every context.  It strains credibility to think that the SEC or DOJ would choose yet another less-qualified GULC applicant over an HLS applicant simply because GULC applicants have already flooded their organization with resumes and entry-level employees.  (Do D.C. Biglaw firms prefer GULC applicants over HLS grads just because GULC students have already flooded those firms?  No.)  The people who run these agencies aren't stupid, and they know which schools have the most rigorous entrance requirements, and the most competent graduates (generally speaking).  If anything, being a more rare HLS applicant would add desired diversity to their organization, even if they were peer schools -- which they're clearly not.

I'm not saying that this is enough to overcome the real advantage Harvard  students have over students from other schools in general. 

It's not, trust me.  I know plenty of students from both schools who have tried to do government work, and it's far easier for the HLS grads. 

I just think your reasoning is faulty. 

That's because you apparently misunderstood the actual reasoning at work here.  No biggie.

FWIW, the advantage is at least in part due to the fact that Harvard's OPIA is so strong -- and such a priority for the school.)

Not really.  The advantage is primarily because employers at the SEC and DOJ, just like the employers at top biglaw firms, know HLS is a better and more impressive school, and therefore prefer to hire from there.  It's pretty simple, really.

Also, it's obvious you have never looked for a public sector job if you don't believe networking is valuable (for both internships and post-grad jobs).

It's more obvious that you've never attended HLS (or know anyone who has) if you think an HLS student has to "network" with other students to obtain a public sector job.  This might be more of an issue at a school like GULC.

No, I am an immature female in my 30s.  But having been out of school for a long time and having deep roots in my community don't stop law school from occasionally being alienating.  I am very thankful for my friends, who make studying, applying for jobs, student organizing, and just being at school easier.  I imagine the same will be true for the OP.

Most mature males over 40 I know are either fairly independent emotionally, or have a wife / s.o. that fulfills their emotional needs.  They don't tend to need hand-holding in the grad school context, and they're not likely to sacrifice career prospects in order to acquire a theoretically more supportive academic environment.  (Men, of course, are different from women in many ways.) 

That said, the OP is welcome to clarify his own thoughts on the matter, and give us more guidance as we attempt to provide advice.  I just know, as a male who knows many other males, that this wouldn't generally be an area of concern for us.

But bottom line, it will be easier for him to obtain the desired jobs from HLS, and he should be aware of this as he balances it against other considerations, whatever they may be.  We're not helping him if we pretend otherwise.

[naturallybeyoutiful]

It's more obvious that you've never attended HLS (or know anyone who has) if you think an HLS student has to "network" with other students to obtain a public sector job. 

I disagree.  Networking is invaluable for HLS grads going into either the private or the public sector, and OPIA is devoting significant time and resources to creating and maintaining the connections that help HLS public interest students secure some of the most coveted positions in that sector.

[Lindbergh]

It's more obvious that you've never attended HLS (or know anyone who has) if you think an HLS student has to "network" with other students to obtain a public sector job. 

I disagree.  Networking is invaluable for HLS grads going into either the private or the public sector, and OPIA is devoting significant time and resources to creating and maintaining the connections that help HLS public interest students secure some of the most coveted positions in that sector.

Actually, in retrospect, this is true.  Very few HLS students obtain jobs through on-campus interviews, and most get them through friends they meet during school. 

In light of this, I'll wait for the OP to provide further guidance before posting further.

[Lindbergh]

It's more obvious that you've never attended HLS (or know anyone who has) if you think an HLS student has to "network" with other students to obtain a public sector job. 

I disagree.  Networking is invaluable for HLS grads going into either the private or the public sector, and OPIA is devoting significant time and resources to creating and maintaining the connections that help HLS public interest students secure some of the most coveted positions in that sector.

Actually, in retrospect, this is true.  Very few HLS students obtain jobs through on-campus interviews, and most get them through friends they meet during school. 

In light of this error on my part, I'll wait for the OP to provide further guidance before posting further.

[Miss P]

It's more obvious that you've never attended HLS (or know anyone who has) if you think an HLS student has to "network" with other students to obtain a public sector job. 

I disagree.  Networking is invaluable for HLS grads going into either the private or the public sector, and OPIA is devoting significant time and resources to creating and maintaining the connections that help HLS public interest students secure some of the most coveted positions in that sector.

Actually, in retrospect, this is true.  Very few HLS students obtain jobs through on-campus interviews, and most get them through friends they meet during school. 

In light of this, I'll wait for the OP to provide further guidance before posting further.

Your sarcasm is misplaced.  I used to participate in hiring decisions for both interns and post-grad fellowships at a major national legal non-profit where we had hundreds of applicants from HYS and the rest of the T14.  Unless people had extraordinary cover letters or experience -- relative to the pool, not to law students in general -- demonstrated ties to the organization, advocacy from OPIA (and its peers at other top schools), and recommendations from people who worked with us were usually the decisive factors in whether we invited people for interviews.   

FWIW, I also know several HLS grads who were unable to get the government and public sector jobs they wanted and ended up working in the private sector or in different fields than they had hoped.  I think you are overestimating the (conceded) advantage of an HLS degree.

[Miss P]

Yeah, as noted, there's never anything wrong with extra info, I just think it's vital that the OP understands the placement differential b/t HLS and lower T14 schools.  I'd be surprised if any HLS grads had much difficulty with SEC/Justice jobs, given that most HLS grads are seeking the top biglaw jobs.  Either way, there's no question that it's harder from GULC, where many students are seeking such jobs.

I'm also not sure how networking with other students would help much in obtaining government jobs -- it would seem internships, etc., would be the key for this, along with the most impressive degree possible.

I think you are making an unwarranted assumption that employers examine applicants in comparison only to their classmates and not to a larger pool of applicants from all schools. 

Actually, I'm not.  I'm rather making the warranted assumption that employers DO examine applicants in comparison to the larger pool, where HLS is basically the cream of the crop.  If they only compared them to their classmates, then this might be an argument for choosing GULC, as he'll probably do better relative to them than he would in the more competitive HLS student body.  You may or may not be making this unwarranted assumption, but it's not clear.

I did misunderstand you.  I thought you were saying that it would be harder to get a SEC/DOJ job from GULC because you would be compared to a larger pool of applicants than you would at HLS (where there are fewer people going into government work).  Instead, you were making the more supportable assumption that HLS applicants look better than GULC applicants in general and one way to rise above the mass of GULC applicants is to be from a better school.  I do not, however, understand your argument about the relatively small number of HLS students who go into government work.  Could you please explain it to me?  Taking as a given HLS grads' general advantages in the job market, what difference should this make for the OP?  Is this just your diversity argument?  It proves a bit much.

***

ETA: OP, I'm sorry we've derailed your thread like this.  Lindbergh and I have a difficult relationship.  You will likely get in everywhere you apply (though nothing is guaranteed), and I hope you find the observations of conscientious students like Naturally helpful as you make your decision.  Good luck!

[TSWSBTD]

Firstly, 

Thanks for the immense feedback since my last visit. As stated in the OP I am a trader for an investment bank; thus the last 2 weeks have been a circus; hence the late responses. Naturally,  your description of the social terrain at HLS is important, but as Lindbergh stated career change is my primary objective.

That being said, I had not thought of the 'crowded' market for GULC students seeking gov't positions. It's definitely a consideration I must impute.

Being a divorced male having neither a  mortgage nor other debt, borrowing $100k plus for the best education attainable is not a problem; in fact it seems a requirement for overcoming the age discrimination.

Naturally, you mentioned my background for finance and or business litigation practices of BIGLAW firms would be attractive. Could you weigh that against the age factor? 

Thanks again!!

Oh yeah, a prior respondent mentioned my grades were so far in the past it should not matter. One of the reason for the low GPA was that 5 weeks of my first quarter at Stanford were spent laid up with re constructive knee surgery(track athlete) and once I transfered to the University of (football) Miami I worked full-time for two years as an engineering for IBM.

[CTL]

You're kidding!  You have absolutely nothing to worry about re: acceptance to the best law schools in the country.  You will almost certainly have no problem finding work in biglaw as well.  It sounds as though you are a truly exceptional applicant.  Best of luck!

[TSWSBTD]

Comotellamas,

So the BIGLAW age discrimination, in your opinion, would not as much of an issue?

[CTL]

I think you will encounter age discrimination in any industry with a career change at 40, but I do NOT think that it will necessarily prevent you from a great career in biglaw.  You have a lot of valuable experience and knowledge of the financial sector which would be a huge asset to a firm.  Moreover, you will most likely bring with you a network of potential clients. 

Age discrimination might come into play in a bigger way when trying to get on the partner track.  You might have to think hard about what you want and where you want to be career-wise before taking offers at a particular firm.  A bit of research into the culture and opportunities at the firms you apply to should mitigate the negative possibilities you might run into. 

This is all speculative, so take what I say with a big grain of salt.  I'm 0L right now, but I'm just trying to think about some problems ripe for pondering in your future.