Rumor has it that law review & journal offers went out to Michigan Law students recently. Congratulations to all of the new law review & journal members! I am *so* proud of you. But the tweets that follow are for the folks who might be disappointed with the news they received. /1

I've heard from some who are disappointed about not making law review or one of the other journals, and I wanted to offer a few thoughts on putting that news in perspective. /2

Some are disappointed about not having the law review/journal experience, some are disappointed about not having it on their resume, and some are disappointed about both. As far as the experience itself is concerned, here are some options you might consider as a substitute: /3

If you're disappointed about not making law review but you *did* make another journal--that is wonderful! Congratulations! You'll get much of the same experience on the other journals as you would on law review (but perhaps tailored to a specialty area, for example). /4

You can enhance that experience by serving on the Editorial Board next year, if that's something that interests you. Either way, I encourage you to take the note writing process seriously so that you can get good writing experience and have an opportunity for feedback. /5

If you now know that you won't be serving on a journal at all, you might consider serving as a research assistant for a professor. And if you would like tips about how to make that happen, let me know! /6

You can also get good research and editing experience in some seminars and practicum courses, which also give you the opportunity to get to know faculty members well. /7

As far as being disappointed about what this means for you career-wise, I would think of law review/journal membership as a proxy--it signals something about good grades and writing ability, as well as your ability to balance all of your commitments. /8

So if you're not going to be on law review but you are going to be on a different journal, that's sending a similar message about your ability. If you're not doing a journal at all, think about what other law school activities you can do to serve as a similar proxy. /9

Some examples: serving as a research assistant (see above), teaching assistant, or peer tutor; participating in a moot court competition; or taking a leadership role in other organizations. /10

Caution: I would not do these things *just* for the sake of having them on your resume. Try to find some things you enjoy! Also, be careful about overdoing it, especially in an uncertain year like this one. /11

I'd love to hear thoughts from other profs and law school alums on this topic, too. Please chime in! /12

I'm happy to chat with students individually as well. But let me just say this: If you're disappointed, frustrated, or confused about not receiving a law review/journal offer, those feelings are valid and you should give yourself space to have those feelings. /13

Not making law review or a journal does *not* define you, nor does it mean that you have to change your planned career path. /14

Finally, don't feel like you have to *do* anything about this right now. Take the time you need. But I hope this helps to give you some perspective while you're thinking about it. DMs are open. /fin