This post from My Legal Fiction got me thinking about myths of law school. Between movies, books, and law blogs, 1L has gained a mythical status. 2L has much less of a story behind it. But there are still a few myths, or at least bad advice about 2L.
Myth #1: 2L is where they work you to death
Yes, 2L is more work than 1L. However, no “they” forces you to do both journal and moot court, join a student group, or intern at the local DAs office. You work yourself to death. Don’t blame “the way law school is” when you’re strung out in November because you’re behind on the reading, you haven’t finished your citechecking, and you still need to spend 10 hours at work this week.
Myth #2: You must do either journal or moot court
If you are a highly ranked student at a highly ranked law school who wants to work for a large law firm or clerk for a judge, then yes, you should round out your resume with these expected credentials. If you’re anyone else, journal and moot court are just two of any number of things you could be spending your time on.
Myth #3: 2L is the most important time for getting a job
Maybe in 2007. Back then, landing a summer associate position during 2L OCI was the fastest ticket onto the gravy train. Now? You’re just being hired for another interview. With the Biglaw market no longer moving in lockstep on perks, salary, and bonuses, expect offer rates to summer associates to drop as well. Most people, even the top students, will be getting their jobs during 3L.
Myth #4: Grades aren’t as important in 2L
This is a corallary to both Myth #3 here and one of the 1L myths linked above. The odds of you landing a position that leads to permanent employment based on your 1L transcript are becoming so small as to be irrelevant. You need a strong academic record throughout law school to get hired.
Myth #5: 2L is the last useful year of law school
Again, maybe back when a sizable number of law students were set for employment in September of their 2L year. Now, what you learn in all three years is going to be important. 1L laid the very basic foundations. 2L is a time for surveying the more specific areas of the law, finishing up bar courses, and deciding what you might want to focus on during 3L, unless you’ve already made up your mind.
As law school changes with the changes in the legal industry, I think 2L is going to start to resemble 1L a little more, and vice versa. Students still eager for the crème de la crème of legal jobs will be taking on extracurriculars during 1L to distinguish themselves (often unsuccessfully) during 2L OCI. Everyone else will survive 1L and see 2L as an opportunity to show what they can do academically as 2L grades become more important.
But myth #1 is still the most important. 1L is only as scary as you allow it to be. 2L is only as much work as you decide to take on. And 3L is only boring if you choose to be bored.
