How important is job history on a law school application?

I will be applying to law school next year and I am concerned about my lack of job experience. I've been working consistently since I was 16, but either in sales or in the childcare industry. Will these type of jobs badly affect my chances of getting into an excellent law school?

I attend a very prestigious school with a decent GPA and am an athlete as well as a board member of a large club.

Should I try to get a job in another field in order to boost my application? If so, what type of positions should I be looking for.

Thanks!

The short answer is that it isn't a big factor. Most law schools focus on your LSAT score, your undergraduate GPA, and your personal statement, with each school giving more or less weight to each of those three depending on its philosophy. The vast majority of law students are coming directly from finishing their undergraduate degrees and have had no opportunity for significant employment before they apply to law school. My opinion is that your time would be better spent getting into some additional leadership positions or doing some volunteer work. These sorts of things can help you look like a more "well rounded" candidate to the selection committee. However, one way your job history could HURT you is if you have any kind of negative history, such as having been fired or disciplined by a past employer.

One good reason to consider working part-time in a law office before going to law school would be to see what the nuts and bolts of the practice of law are. Many students choose to go to law school without fully understanding what awaits them after they graduate. Many times these graduates are unhappy with the work they end up doing, but feel stuck because it is the only way they can earn enough to keep making payments on their $100,000+ in student loans.

I was in law school for a year...hated it and left. Everyone I spoke with strongly suggested having some experience in the field, before you drop a ton of money on law school. However, I did that, and it didn't really do much in terms of my decision making process.

Overall, to answer your question, I personally think it would boost your chances if you volunteer at Legal Aid or took a position as a legal assistant. I just randomly called attorneys in the phone book and asked if I could intern with them (which eventually led to a PT job). I wound up working for the attorney I interned with for almost 4 years.

Good Luck!

not at all. whats more important is volunteer work, donations, school activities/involvement etc.

I'd strongly suiggest some volunteer work (or a job) and be active in your school. Colleges love seeing applicants that are involved in their schools, doesn't matter how, could be school paper, chorus, pep rallys etc... just be involved. they like seeing kids that are busy, and don't have too much time on their hands for trouble or slacking.

Your grades are much more important than your job. Try to be captain or organiser or have some other important role in your sport. Being on the board of the club is so much better than just being a member of it

It's not a huge factor, but having work experience is a plus. Some of the admissions deans really liked mine and I did nothing law related. Even if it's not a huge plus, it's something.

At least you have work experience. I know people who apply to law school with no job experience because mommy and daddy paid for everything. Try doing some volunteer work too, it always looks good on an application.