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Managing Expectations – Choosing Law Schools
Tweet Share on Facebook September 20, 2010 Comment (1)This week, I received three emails from people with 3.5 GPAs and low 150 LSAT scores. All three had the same question: "Can I get into a Top 20 school?"
Well, that depends.
This year I did have two clients (we'll call them Sue and Jake) with low 150 LSAT scores get into Top-30 schools, but they were exceptions to the rule. How do you know if you are also one of the few who have a shot? The key is to honestly assess yourself.
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Are You Really Ready for the October LSAT?
Tweet Share on Facebook September 7, 2010 CommentIt's four weeks away. I've been getting calls from people who aren't happy with their practice scores. The big question: Is there still time to bring my score up 5 points, or should I study three more months and take the LSAT in December?
To answer this question, I called on three LSAT experts. Here's what they had to say:
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Ask the Right People for Your Recommendations
Tweet Share on Facebook August 30, 2010 Comment (5)Letters of Recommendation ("LORs") allow a third party to speak to the law school on your behalf. There are two main points to consider when selecting people to write your LORs:
- Who does the law school want to hear from?
- What does the law school need to know about you?
[See what law admissions officials say about how to get in.]
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Making Friends with LSAC
Tweet Share on Facebook August 23, 2010 Comment (2)Embracing LSAC.org now, early in the admission process, will save you heartache later.
They are not merely the people who give the LSAT; they are absolutely instrumental in getting information from you to the law schools. The process will likely overwhelm you at first and will strike you as frustratingly bureaucratic. But take a deep breath and start reading the instructions carefully. In today's post, I'll highlight why it's important to endure this gauntlet and provide links to LSAC.org for more detailed information.
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Can You Really Go to Law School?
Tweet Share on Facebook August 16, 2010 Comment (13)What I am about to share is not politically correct. It will probably lose me a few friends who see me as a champion of law school applicants with problematic backgrounds. Through my four years as the Law School Expert blogger, you know me as the person who tells you that you can still go to law school despite an honor code violation, minor in possession charge, DUI, history of substance abuse, 2.7 GPA and/or LSAT score in the 140s. What I'm about to say shouldn't contradict any of the advice I've given in that regard. However, there are limits to the number of problems a law school will be willing to overlook. Going to law school is not a right. You have to earn it.
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Résumé Writing for Law School Applications
Tweet Share on Facebook August 9, 2010 Comment (5)The résumé you submit with your law school applications can make or break your chances of getting in. If you submit a one-page résumé meant for employers that fails to account for how you've spent your time outside of the working world, then you're doing yourself a disservice. This is no place for "Objectives" or a "Summary of Qualifications." Your résumé should highlight financial self-reliance, language proficiencies, exposure to different cultures, community service activities, professional responsibilities, and even hobbies that require dedication and commitment. By explaining all of your accomplishments, interests and skills on your résumé, you're given the freedom to use the personal statement to really add something new and interesting to your application.
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Law School Admissions Timeline
Tweet Share on Facebook August 2, 2010 Comment (5)Each part of the application presents a powerful opportunity to present your best self; each is precious real estate that must be developed and utilized to its fullest potential. I hope to use this column, this precious real estate, to provide information and strategies for law school applicants.
Before we can get into the nitty-gritty of personal statements, optional essays, résumés, addenda, letters of rec, school selection, LSAT preparation, etc...we need to talk about timing. Since it's the beginning of August, and we're on the cusp of the Fall 2011 admission cycle, the first thing to address is when you should be taking care of each of these items. That's today's topic—the application timeline. Then, when you check back each Monday, I'll provide detailed advice about each of the items on this checklist.
