<p>Wachtell hires from a fairly small set of schools, but that set is certainly not limited to Harvard and Yale Law. You can bet that many of the top 14 schools are included in their on campus recruiting process (I know for sure that they visit Columbia Law and Penn Law). You must have outstanding grades, usually law review, often work experience before law school, an absolute passion for the law (M&A is particularly helpful) and an ability and desire to work more than you ever thought was humanly possible. You also need a driven, very social personality, who can work well with colleagues and instill confidence in your clients. Even if you have all of these qualities, there are no guarantees. </p>
<p>futurenyustudent, I thought that you were set on your investment banking career while living in Fort Lee, to be followed by your venture capital career (that is, after you get into Stern)?</p>