Should You Join Law Review, Moot Court, or Focus on Grades? A Strategic Breakdown

By Angelie Ala, Editorial and Research Manager - BCG Attorney Search

As a law student, you only have so many hours in the day. Between demanding coursework, internship applications, networking events, and exam prep, it’s critical to use your time strategically. One of the most common dilemmas students face is this:

Should you join Law Review, compete in Moot Court, or focus solely on getting the best grades possible?

The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on your goals, strengths, and the career path you’re aiming for. Below is a strategic breakdown of how each option contributes to your legal career—and how to decide which route is right for you.

Why This Question Matters

Law school is demanding. Between casebooks, cold calls, outlines, and the pressure of exams, your time and energy are limited, and every decision you make about how to spend that time has real consequences for your legal career. That’s why deciding whether to join Law Review, participate in Moot Court, or focus on your grades isn’t just a scheduling issue—it’s a strategic one.
These aren’t just extracurriculars. They are professional signals. Recruiters, judges, and hiring partners all use these activities, along with your GPA, to assess your potential fit for internships, clerkships, summer associate roles, and eventual full-time positions.
Each path you take in law school sends a message:

A high GPA signals discipline, strong exam performance, and consistency.
Law Review reflects exceptional writing, editing, and attention to detail.
Moot Court demonstrates advocacy skills, confidence, and the ability to perform under pressure.

Making the wrong call—or trying to do too much at once—can stretch you too thin and dilute your impact. On the other hand, choosing wisely can help you differentiate yourself from thousands of equally qualified candidates.

This question matters because:

Your resume will be competing against those with similar grades and backgrounds.
Employers will look for distinguishing experiences that align with the role.
You may only have one shot to make a strong first impression at OCI or during a clerkship application cycle.

The earlier you understand what each path offers—and what your ultimate goals require—the more effectively you can tailor your law school experience to support your future success.

Option 1: Focus on Grades

For many law students—especially in their 1L year—focusing on grades is the single most strategic move they can make. In fact, your GPA is the most critical factor in determining your initial job prospects, eligibility for prestigious opportunities like Law Review, and even whether you'll get interviews through On-Campus Interviewing (OCI). Before you worry about anything else, getting your academic performance right should be your foundation.

Why Grades Matter So Much

Law school grades are more than just letters—they’re a proxy for your legal aptitude, work ethic, and ability to perform under pressure. Employers, particularly those in BigLaw, often lack the time and resources to conduct thorough interviews with every candidate. So they rely on GPA as the first filter, especially during OCI, where firms often set minimum grade thresholds just to review your application.
If you're at a top law school, you may have some leeway. But if you’re at a regional or lower-ranked school, your grades can make or break your shot at competitive jobs. In many cases, grades are the single most important factor in landing your first legal position.

When to Prioritize Grades Above All Else

You’re a 1L or early 2L: Your GPA from the 1L year is the most important component in OCI and clerkship applications. At many schools, Law Review and other journals are “grade-on,” meaning your GPA determines whether you’re even eligible to apply.
You’re planning to transfer: If you're considering transferring to a higher-ranked law school, your 1L grades are the primary (and sometimes only) factor admissions committees consider.
You’re aiming for BigLaw or elite clerkships: Top firms and judges demand academic excellence. If your GPA doesn’t meet their cutoff, they won’t even read your resume.
You’re still unsure about your long-term path: A strong academic record keeps the most doors open—including clerkships, government roles, and fellowships—because it shows you're disciplined and capable of mastering complex material.

What Focusing on Grades Actually Means

Prioritize exam prep over everything else: Your final grade usually hinges on one exam. Spend time outlining, practicing past exams, and mastering the professor’s expectations.
Be strategic about your schedule: Don’t overload yourself with activities, clinics, or competitions during the 1L year. Give yourself the bandwidth to perform at your best academically.
Seek help early and often: Use office hours, study groups, and academic support programs. Law school is challenging, and seeking help is a sign of maturity, not weakness.
Know when to say no: If Law Review or Moot Court opportunities present themselves but threaten to overwhelm your schedule and lower your GPA, remember this: No credential is more universally valuable than strong grades.

Strategic Risks of Ignoring GPA

Some students assume that prestigious activities, such as Law Review or Moot Court, can compensate for weaker academic performance. Unfortunately, this is rarely true. Many top employers won’t even consider candidates below a certain GPA threshold, no matter what else is on the resume. Additionally, without strong grades, your options to pivot into clerkships, government, or academia shrink significantly.

Grades are the foundation of your legal career. Everything else—journals, competitions, internships—builds on that. Especially in your first year, when so much is riding on exam performance, focusing on academics is often the most effective way to position yourself for long-term success.
If you’re ever in doubt, remember this rule of thumb: grades open doors, and everything else enhances your entrance through them. Prioritize accordingly.

Option 2: Join Law Review (or Another Journal)

For many law students, joining Law Review—or another reputable journal—is one of the most prestigious and career-enhancing decisions they can make during law school. While grades often get you to the interview stage, Law Review is the credential that can help you stand out once you’re there. It signals to employers, judges, and academics that you’re not only smart but detail-oriented, disciplined, and capable of high-level legal writing.
However, before diving in, it’s essential to understand what Law Review entails, what it conveys to potential employers, and when it makes strategic sense to pursue it over other opportunities.

What Is Law Review?

Law Review is a student-run legal journal that publishes scholarly articles by professors, judges, and students. Membership is typically earned through high academic performance ("grade-on"), a writing competition ("write-on"), or a combination of both. Members help edit and cite-check submissions, and many also write their own “notes” or articles for publication.
Most law schools also offer secondary journals that focus on specific topics, such as international law, business law, or constitutional law. While not as prestigious as the flagship Law Review, they still offer meaningful writing and editing experience and look impressive on your resume.

Why Employers Value Journal Experience

Exceptional writing and research skills: Law Review demonstrates that you can write clearly, edit rigorously, and analyze legal arguments at a high level—skills every legal employer values, especially in litigation, appellate work, and clerking.
Attention to detail: Bluebooking, cite-checking, and line editing are tedious but essential tasks. Doing them well demonstrates your ability to handle precision-driven work, which is crucial in both transactional and litigation practices.
Prestige and selectivity: At top law schools, particularly those with a Law Review, it is regarded as an elite credential. It signals that you’re among the most capable and disciplined students in your class.
Clerkship credibility: For students considering a judicial clerkship, membership in a Law Review is often a near-requirement, particularly for federal courts and appellate judges. Many judges look for this experience when reviewing clerkship applications.

When Joining Law Review Makes Strategic Sense

You’re interested in litigation, appellate practice, or clerking: These career paths demand strong writing and analytical skills, exactly what Law Review experience demonstrates.
Your grades are already strong: Law Review enhances a strong GPA but won’t compensate for a weak one. If you already meet grade cutoffs for your target jobs, Law Review can push you into the top tier of candidates.
You enjoy legal research and writing: The work can be intense and meticulous. If you find satisfaction in shaping arguments, editing, and scholarship, it may be a great fit.
You want to publish a legal note: Having a published note on your resume—especially on a niche or trending topic—can differentiate you in clerkship, academic, and policy-oriented job markets.

Time Commitment and Considerations

Law Review is demanding: Expect to devote a significant amount of time during the school year to editing, cite-checking, and note writing. It can feel like an additional course or job.
Balancing Law Review and academics is crucial: If joining Law Review would cause your GPA to drop, it may not be worth the trade-off, especially if you’re still in the OCI or clerkship pipeline.
Secondary journals can still be valuable: If you don’t make Law Review or want to pursue a specialty interest (e.g., IP or human rights), joining another respected journal can still enhance your resume and skills.

Law Review vs. Moot Court vs. GPA

Here’s how Law Review compares when thinking strategically:

Law Review vs. GPA: Prioritize grades first. You often need them to qualify for Law Review in the first place.
Law Review vs. Moot Court: If you prefer writing to speaking and want a clerkship, Law Review likely holds more value. If you’re aiming for trial work or public speaking roles, Moot Court may be more aligned.

Joining a Law Review is a powerful way to enhance your credibility, refine your legal writing skills, and demonstrate your commitment to academic excellence. It’s especially valuable for students aiming for clerkships, litigation, or long-term scholarly engagement. But it should complement strong grades—not replace them—and be pursued only if you're ready for the rigor.
In the right context, Law Review isn't just a line on your resume—it's a signal to employers that you’re someone they can trust with high-level legal work.

Option 3: Compete in Moot Court

If you’re energized by advocacy, enjoy public speaking, and dream of a career in litigation or courtroom practice, Moot Court may be one of the most valuable activities you can pursue in law school. While it may not carry the same universal prestige as Law Review, Moot Court offers practical skills that translate directly into real-world legal work, especially for students who want to become trial attorneys, prosecutors, public defenders, or appellate advocates.
Moot Court isn’t just for extroverts. It’s a competitive and rewarding environment that hones research, writing, and oral argument skills in ways that classroom learning can’t.

What Is Moot Court?

Moot Court simulates appellate advocacy, where students write briefs and present oral arguments before mock panels of judges. Most competitions center on constitutional or statutory issues, and students are judged on both the strength of their arguments and the professionalism of their presentation.
Some schools have internal Moot Court teams or intramural competitions, while others send students to national tournaments where they compete against teams from across the country.

Why Employers Value Moot Court Experience

Demonstrates oral advocacy skills: Moot Court shows that you can speak clearly, persuasively, and confidently—skills crucial for litigators and courtroom lawyers.
Builds legal writing skills: Like Law Review, Moot Court involves intense legal research and brief writing, which are essential for many legal careers.
Proves performance under pressure: The ability to argue in front of a panel, field tough questions, and stay composed mirrors the demands of real appellate and trial work.
Shows initiative and leadership: Students who succeed in Moot Court are often team leaders, competition winners, or brief editors—roles that reflect maturity and drive.

Who Should Prioritize Moot Court

Students pursuing litigation or trial work: Moot Court is especially useful if you’re aiming to become a litigator in civil or criminal law, a government prosecutor, a public defender, or an appellate advocate.
Aspiring public interest attorneys: Employers in public interest fields often value practical advocacy experience as much as—or more than—academic accolades.
Those preparing for judicial clerkships: While Law Review is the traditional gold standard, strong Moot Court performance (especially with national accolades or best brief/oralist awards) can help distinguish you in clerkship applications.
Students who enjoy debate, competition, and fast thinking: If you thrive under pressure and enjoy making your case out loud—not just on paper—Moot Court may be your ideal arena.

What to Expect from the Moot Court Experience

Time commitment: Competitions can be intensive, especially at the national level. You’ll spend weeks or months preparing briefs, practicing oral arguments, and traveling to compete.
Team collaboration: Most programs involve teams, so you’ll build relationships and learn how to work closely with others—a valuable experience in any legal setting.
Judge feedback: One of the most rewarding aspects is the real-time critique from professors, practitioners, and sometimes sitting judges, which helps sharpen your performance and professionalism.

Moot Court vs. Law Review vs. GPA

Moot Court vs. GPA: As with any extracurricular, make sure Moot Court doesn't interfere with your academic performance, especially during 1L. Strong grades should remain your foundation.
Moot Court vs. Law Review: If your long-term goal is appellate litigation, Moot Court and Law Review are both strong choices. If you're more drawn to oral advocacy and trial work, Moot Court may be a better fit. Ideally, you can balance both—many top litigators were on both the Law Review and a Moot Court team.

Strategic Benefits of Moot Court

Makes your resume stand out in litigation-heavy markets
Gives you stories and substance for OCI interviews and clerkship applications
Builds confidence that translates directly into client-facing, courtroom-ready skills
Prepares you for real-world scenarios you’ll encounter early in your career

Moot Court is more than just a competition—it’s training for the kind of lawyer many students aspire to become. If you want to stand up in court, argue your case, and speak on behalf of clients, Moot Court is one of the most direct ways to prepare. It's a valuable credential, a confidence builder, and a launchpad for advocacy-focused careers.
Whether you pursue litigation in BigLaw or work in criminal justice or public interest, Moot Court experience helps you stand out not only as a student but as a future lawyer who’s ready to argue, persuade, and win.

So Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between Law Review, Moot Court, and focusing on grades isn’t about picking the most prestigious option—it’s about selecting what aligns with your strengths, interests, and long-term goals. Law school is demanding, and your time is limited. That means you need to be intentional.
Start by assessing your current position: Are your grades strong enough to open doors already? Are you better at writing or speaking? Do you see yourself in a courtroom or advising clients behind the scenes?
If you’re still unsure about your path, prioritize grades first. A strong GPA will give you more flexibility to pivot into Law Review, Moot Court, or other specialized opportunities later.

Here’s a strategic summary to help guide your decision:

Career Goal	Best Focus
BigLaw via OCI	Grades → Law Review
Judicial Clerkship	Grades + Law Review
Public Interest Litigation	Moot Court + Grades
Trial Advocacy / Criminal Law	Moot Court + Clinical Experience
Legal Academia	Law Review + Faculty Research
Transfer to Higher-Ranked School	Strong Grades First
Unsure / Exploring Options	Grades First → Then Add Law Review or Moot Court

Ultimately, the best choice is the one that moves you closer to your career goals while allowing you to perform at your best. Pick the track that complements your skills and showcases your potential.

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Final Thought

In law school, you can't do everything, but you can do the right things. Focus on what will give you the most long-term value based on your career goals. If your GPA is already strong, adding Law Review or Moot Court can elevate your profile. If your grades need improvement, prioritize your time and focus on improving them first.
Ultimately, employers look for focus, consistency, and excellence. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the page, or in the courtroom, make sure your choices reflect who you are—and where you want to go.

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