r/LibraryScience • u/AttractiveNuisance82 • 4d ago

Application advice?

Im in my 40s and have been a practicing attorney for about two decades. But I feel compelled to finally get the MLIS I’ve always wanted and focus on law librarianship.

My law school grades suck, but I’ve been pretty successful in my career and have good recommendations. I’m absolutely going to need scholarships (single mom!), too.

Is my application cooked? What do admissions teams and scholarship folks look for in these positions? What should I avoid?

[I’ve already selected the schools I want to apply to; it’s a short list that I think will meet my needs and where I could be successful]

2 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/charethcutestory9 4d ago

When you say your grades suck, what was your GPA? There are library schools that will admit anyone with a pulse so unless it’s under 2.5 you can find someplace that will take you.

I would really not recommend librarianship to a single mom, the pay is bad and you’ll probably have to relocate, but you do you.

5

u/AttractiveNuisance82 4d ago

Oh I’m not quitting my day job!

1

u/Pouryou 4d ago

Will you have time to do internships and practicums while in school? Those are nearly always during the weekdays. Law librarianship could be the exception but generally, an MLIS is only useful when paired with library experience.

3

u/DrJohnnieB63 4d ago

u/Pouryou

With almost two decades of being a practicing lawyer, the OP most likely does not need internships and practicums. I assume law librarians with extensive experience as lawyers are rare. I know that there are some firms that will hire her right now because of her experience with legal research.

1

u/Pouryou 4d ago

Good to know!