Hello law school applicants! I am currently accepting suggestions for blog topics..... Fire away by leaving a new comment here - and please give yourself a name (rather than "Anonymous").
I look forward to answering your questions.
Ann
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Your Law School Admission Questions Answered!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I'm curious to know what, excluding LSAT and GPA, is the best aspect of an application to work to improve in order to increase your chances of getting accepted.
ReplyDeleteI have a question about gap years and LSAT taking.
ReplyDeleteMy college provides some very valuable LSAT prep classes that I would like to use before taking the test. However, it's very likely I will want to work for at least two or three years to earn some money, gain some more maturity, and ensure that a law degree is the best choice for me. When should I take the LSAT before or during my academic break?
Is it possible to take the LSAT up to three years before your application? Will law schools look negatively on this?
Long story, but my mom enrolled me for the LSAT when I was still in college thinking it was a class. The lack of communication led me to showing an 'absent' on my account. That was 3yrs ago.
ReplyDeleteNow, after teaching for three years I found my way back to the law school application process and, after a summer of studying, took the LSAT this past October. My average on practice tests was 154, and I scored a 158 two nights before the exam.
October testing came, and I woke up sick as a dog. I trudged my way in and felt horrible about the test afterward, but was told it was all in my mind. Hoping there was a small chance I scored my average and wanting to get through the application process by Thanksgiving, I didn't cancel my score. It ended up being a 148, shattering any hope I had of attending my dream schools, let alone any school.
I gathered myself and studied harder for December, and feel exceptionally good about the test -- 158 good.
My question is where do I go from here? Do I have any chance of getting in (if indeed I score a 155+) to say, Marquette or Syracuse? Should I explain all of these shortcomings? I am not one to make excuses and certainly don't want to come across like that in the application process. Any help would be much appreciated.
If what I'm really interested in is A) making the world a better place but have serious interest in B) holding public office, is law school really the best option for me, considering I don't really want to practice law? As you might expect, the "future" question is a very big one with lots of variables. I already have a master's degree, but I'm fairly certain at least one more degree is in my future. I just don't know what yet. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Ann,
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion is a discussion on Letters of Recommendation.
Multiple LSAT scores would be a great topic, especially since the new ABA requirement is relatively new, there is SO MUCH speculation and rumor about the admissions process regarding score averages/higher scores etc. Do multiple scores require an addedum? Are three scores worse than two cancellations? Should I cancel even if higher scores are reported? Perhaps try and steer clear of the "it depends" answer.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Love the blog!
Lawyer180
Ann,
ReplyDeleteI would like to hear what you have to say on the topic of non-traditional students, those who have been out of school for 6 years or more. Are UGPA and LSAT less important? Obviously, resume credentials and personal statement take on a more important role showing off what you have been up to during those years.
Do you have any tips for someone in this category?
I happen to fall into this category. I have spent the last four years as executive director of a small non-profit I helped co-found. It is an interesting story and I have gained experience in a wide range of areas. I am having trouble identifying what to highlight in my resume. Specific accomplishments or all of the duties and responsibilities I held.
I appreciate your blog and advice.
I earned a 4-year Bachelor of Music (Musical Theatre) degree from a private conservatory. I was a successful actress for 4 years and traveling around the world with my artistic vocations. In addition, I climbed the ladder in between artistic jobs as a Litigation Paralagel (never waited tables:)) at a mid-size NYC law firm.
ReplyDeletePresently, I have over 4 years experience in a mass tort plaintiffs' pharmaceutical, personal injury & products liability atmosphere. Currently, I am the lead Paralegal on one of my firm's products liability cases. The majority of my tasks in recent months include the voluminous drafting of pleadings, plaintiffs' fact sheets, review of medical records, case summaries for attorneys and many other intricate responsibilities. I have been involved from the initial intake with potential clients to a case reaching final settlement.
I have now dedicated my career goals to the assessment of law school and I am currently 99.9% ready to start studying for the 6/2009 LSAT exam.
I achieved the aspirations I had in the Arts and now I am engrossed with my legal affairs. I saw your posting in re to "pre-law degrees" worthy of consideration during law school application and admissions review.
In your opinion and with my noted background, do you believe I have the type of diversity with my arts degree and legal job experience to be a good candidate for an Ohio state law school?
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Ann, you're the best.
ReplyDeleteWhat you do you think about law school calculators like on the lsac website or www.hourumd.com? Do they generally help or hurt applicants expectations?
Kiki
Addendums: Who should write one, how long should they be, and do they really make a difference?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Potential topics that may be of particular interest at this point in the cycle...
ReplyDelete1) Negotiating for more money- when to start, how to go about doing so
2) Writing letters of continuing interest for wait list applicants
Thanks Ann- and Happy Holidays ALL!
Hi Ann.
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you. Exactly how binding is early decision? I know you sign a contract saying you with withdraw applications to other schools and make a deposit, but what happens if you simply don't do that?
I'm not saying this is an advisable thing to do, but as a former admissions officer, can you shed some light on what would happen if someone were to do that? Would other schools black list the applicant?
Thanks.
Nathaniel
Does geographic diversity matter? I don't expect being from Boston makes a difference for Stanford applicants, or being from Los Angeles would help getting into NYU.
ReplyDeleteBut would coming from Arkansas help getting in to Cornell, or from Wyoming help getting in to Vanderbilt?
Thanks,
Anthony