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Law School Admissions Time-line

By posted October 18, 2011

When planning to go to law school, it is important to plan early for the admissions process.  You need to worry about more than just taking LSAT practice tests.  Besides LSAT test prep and testing, you need to do everything possible to impress the law school admissions departments where you will apply.  This means that you need to start early and have a plan.

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Register with the LSDAS (Law School Data Assembly Service) immediately.  All of your letters of recommendation (LORs), transcripts, and LSAT scores must go through this service provided by LSAC (the Law School Admissions Council.)  LSAC compiles this information and then sends it to the school you select.  Without the LSDAS registration, you cannot proceed with other steps in the admissions process.

Obtain LORs.  Even if your school allows non-professors to give LORs, it is always best to choose professors.  The LOR is a great chance for a knowledgeable educator to tell the admissions council how and why you will be a great law student.  This is better than obtaining an LOR from a prominent politician or graduate of the law school.  Those people are welcome to contact someone at the school on your behalf, but your LORs should be from professors.  You need to provide personal background and education information in bullet form to assist the writing.  Do not assume the professor knows exactly what to tell a law school, so it is wise to stress what facets of your abilities you would like highlighted.  The professor needs to speak to your reasoning and writing abilities.  The LOR needs to explain how you will make an excellent law student.  Start this process early.  You do not want to rush the writer, and you need to take the time to prepare the supporting information before asking for professors.

Have transcripts sent from all of your schools to the LSDAS.  Some schools can be slow to process transcript requests.  Sometimes there are errors.  It is good to do this early, too.  You do not want a mundane error to cause you to miss the ideal application periods for your choice schools.

Work on your personal essay and resume right away, and submit these to the LSDAS.  Do not wait until after getting your LSAT score.

Finally, you have to use the LSDAS to sign up for the LSAT.  Additionally, there are some test prep materials available on the LSAC website.  It takes a number of weeks for the LSDAS to send your test results to each school, so budget for this time.

The lesson to be learned is that you should work on all the other areas of admissions before taking the LSAT.  LSAT is the biggest component of the admissions process, and it is also the most time consuming.  Yet these other areas can provide unexpected delays if neglected until after getting your LSAT score.  Plan ahead to make your application package as good and timely as possible.

Try this LSAT reading comprehension question for test day practice!

 

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When are the 2011 LSAT test dates?

By posted August 1, 2011

You should be focused on LSAT test prep leading up to the LSAT exam date you choose. The LSAT test is offered 4 times a year. You’ll want to be aware of the law school admission deadlines and application requirements when choosing your test date. You will receive your LSAT score approximately 3 weeks after you take your LSAT and you may not take the LSAT more than 3 times in a 2 year period.

2011 LSAT test dates:

Exam Date:          Register By:            Late Registration:

2/12/2011               1/11/2011                   1/18/2011 Mail &  1/21/2011 Online/telephone

6/06/2011               5/03/2011                   5/10/2011 Mail & 5/13/2011 Online/telephone

10/01/2011             8/30/2011                    9/06/2011 Mail & 9/09/2011 Online/telephone

12/03/2011             10/31/2011                 11/07/2011 Mail &  11/11/2011 Online/telephone

 

To see an example LSAT question you should check out this logical reasoning question here. Good luck!

Register to take the LSAT at http://lsac.org

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A Balancing Act: The Key to Law School Sanity

By posted January 28, 2011

Right now, it might feel like prepping for the LSAT or applying to law school is the most stressful experience in the world.  A mentor once told me, though, that a legal career is like a hot dog eating contest in which the prize is more hot dogs.  The harder you work and the more successful you are in your endeavors, the more work will come your way.  Studying diligently for the LSAT and spending hours on your personal statement might get you into a top school, but you’ll find at that point that the REAL challenge is beginning.  And that’s when it becomes crucial that you start caring for your physical and emotional well-being, as your intellectual development becomes more rigorous.  There are a few things that you can begin doing even before you begin law school that will help your transition and establish the good habits that will prevent you from having a stress-induced breakdown.

  • Start an exercise routine, if you don’t already have one.  The many benefits of exercise to not only your body but also your mind are well-documented.  An exercise program provides you with a consistent outlet for the nervous energy that builds up during hours of studying.
  • Take up a hobby or interest that has nothing to do with law.  Making friends outside of the law school will give you a welcome respite from the obsessive conversations that 1Ls tend to have about their studies.  And accomplishments that are unrelated to your academic career—volunteering or creative arts, for example—will bolster your self-esteem even during those days when you feel like the least intelligent person in your class.
  • Minimize annoyances and distractions.  Before you begin law school, do some spring cleaning in your own life.  Eliminate unnecessary clutter, organize the cupboards and files that you’ve been meaning to get to for months, and handle routine health issues like visits to doctors and dentists BEFORE your studies commence.  Taking a morning off to get your teeth cleaned instead of going to your Torts class is probably not the end of the world, but why burden yourself with any additional concerns outside of your studies and your non-law outlets?
  • Realize that there’s no way you can prepare for everything that will be thrown at you in law school, and accept that the experience will sometimes feel like more than you can handle.  Feeling overwhelmed and under-prepared is part of the 1L experience; the process of re-learning how you think and express yourself can seem daunting, but the best way to overcome those feelings is to remember that you’re not alone.  Everyone in your class will struggle with the same issues at one point or another.  Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, whether that means talking to a supportive professor, spending time with friends, or seeking the services of your school’s counseling staff.

Law school is tough, but it’s also an extremely rewarding experience, one that I personally would not trade for anything.  The best way to maximize your education and minimize your stress is to enter your first year calm, well-rested, and prepared for whatever academic and emotional curveballs you might be thrown.  And remember, those three years go by quickly, so take time to enjoy the new ideas and friends you’ll be exposed to!

Find out how Grockit can predict your performance on the LSAT.

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Choosing a Law School: It’s More than Just a Numbers Game

By posted January 20, 2011

The legal field puts a high premium on prestige, and a big part of that is the school that you go to.  Some law schools offer nearly automatic access to the most desirable jobs in the country (the Ivy League in particular, but there are others as well), and those schools are at the top of most students’ wish lists.  Of course, the most highly regarded law schools are extremely selective, and are out of reach for most students.  This is why applicants generally try to apply at “safety” schools as well as “reach” schools.

It’s easy to feel like the law school application process is about nothing but numbers—your GPA, your LSAT score, U.S. News and World Report rankings… and it’s that last one that causes the most long-term trouble for some people.  If your law school choice strategy comes down to accepting an offer from the highest-ranked school that accepts you, you may be doing yourself a grave disservice, especially if you’ve applied indiscriminately.

As you begin the process of choosing the schools to which you will apply, it’s important to remember that law school is meant to be a springboard to the career you’ll have for the rest of your life. Taking that into consideration means that you’ll need to assess more than just a school’s ranking; here are a few things that can play a part in your decision:

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Law School: Creating Your Brand. The Art of the Personal Statement, Part 2

By posted January 12, 2011

So, you’ve brainstormed about what makes you special, and organized your thoughts into the outline of an essay that talks about your experiences and personal attributes, as well as showing how those factors led you to seek a legal education.  Now it’s time for the really scary part of this process: you’re got to write the essay itself.  That leads us to Step 3 of this 4-part process.

3. Write

Even though organization is key to the final product, it can be stifling when you first start to write.  So if there’s one idea that seems less daunting to write about than another, start there.  The trick to writing is getting that first word, sentence, or paragraph on the page; after that, everything seems to follow more easily.  The beauty of the digital age is that computers allow us to rearrange and edit as much as we want, so take advantage of that; starting with the body of your essay, for example, and then creating the introduction and conclusion later, is much easier for some people.

Remember how you spent time thinking about your “brand”?  Now is when you need to make that work for you.  In each section of your essay, bring in references to who you are and how you will enhance the law school’s student body.  Instead of just saying that you are diligent and compassionate, say that your experience training to run a marathon taught you the value of consistent hard work, and the time you spent volunteering with Habitat for Humanity showed you how important it is to empathize and help the less fortunate members of society.  Find ways to make the things that you’ve done support your contention that you’ll bring something great to the law school.  And remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect yet; you’ll probably be coming back to Step 3 at least once after you’ve worked through Step 4.

4. Edit

Do NOT underestimate how crucial this step is; editing is about far more than correcting your spelling and punctuation.  The first issue here is making sure that your writing is well organized.  Return to the outline that you wrote in Step 2, and shift things around if necessary.  Make sure that each paragraph begins with a strong topic sentence that adequately introduces the ideas that you explore in the following sentences.  Check to see if your “brand” is touched on throughout the essay.  Only then should you be concerned with copyediting.

Run the spell-check, of course, but also read through on your own, VERY carefully.  If your typo is a correctly-spelled but inappropriately used word, it won’t set off the spell-check.  For example, if you say “statue” instead of “statute,” your computer isn’t going to tell you that you made a mistake.  Look for correctly used commas, semi-colons, and other punctuation marks; consult a resource on English language mechanics if you have any doubts about usage.  And for heaven’s sake, make sure that you mention the correct law school in the essay.  Countless applicants have torpedoed their own chances by sending the essay for School A to School B, and vice-versa.  An admissions committee will probably assume that if you didn’t take the time to look for errors in your copy, you won’t be a very conscientious law student; since law school admissions can be incredibly competitive, a sloppily-edited personal statement could very well be the thing that makes the difference between “Congratulations!” and “We regret to inform you…”.

Once you’ve fully completed editing, ask several people whose writing skills you trust to look over your essay and offer suggestions.  Ask them how they perceive your “brand,” and whether they came away with a clear and cohesive sense of you as an individual.  Of course, have them keep an eye out for errors as well.  When you’ve gotten their feedback, return to Step 3 and incorporate the suggestions that you find valuable into your re-writes.  Repeat this as necessary until you get an essay that you’ve proud of… or until your application is due, whichever comes first.  J

Just remember, even though the personal statement can be tough, it’s a great chance for you to show the law school that you have something of value to add to their community.  Seize that opportunity and build an essay that maximizes your chances for law school admissions success!

Check out part 1 of this series: Creating Your Brand: The Art of the Personal Statement, Part 1

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Law School: Creating Your Brand. The Art of the Personal Statement, Part 1

By posted January 4, 2011

Law school admissions officers read hundreds of personal statements every year; one of the most important things you can do to improve your chances of getting into your dream school is to make sure that your essay makes a great first impression.  Most law schools will provide you with a general question and a page or word limit; exact requirements will vary from one school to the next, so it’s important that you take the time to confirm exactly what your limits are for the essay.  The application itself or the program’s website should tell you what to do, but it’s never a bad idea to confirm with the admissions office via phone or email.

There are four steps to the process of creating a great personal statement, and we’re going to look at the first two of them here.

1. Brainstorm

Take some time to think about what makes you special.  Law schools look for diversity, and that doesn’t just mean ethnic or gender diversity; they want to find an interesting blend of people with unique backgrounds and experiences.  If you’re diverse in one of the traditional ways—usually, this means that you’re from a race or ethnicity that is underrepresented in the student body—then you can absolutely discuss that in your application.  But you can look for other ways that you would increase the diversity of the student body as well.  Are you an athlete, a musician, or an entrepreneur?  Have you participated in meaningful volunteer work, overcome a significant challenge like a serious chronic illness, climbed a mountain, or written a novel?  None of these things are necessary to the law school admissions process, but they definitely help make an application essay more interesting.

There are many things that you can and should use in your personal statement to present yourself as an interesting, well-rounded person who will not only benefit from a legal education but who will also make the law school a better place in some way.  This is your chance to think about what those things might be, and jot them down.  Don’t be afraid to think outside the box here, and don’t dismiss any ideas at this stage; just get them down on paper, and deal with them in more detail in Step 2.

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Visiting Law Schools/ Admitted Students Days

By posted October 6, 2010

You have made it past the LSAT, survived the application process, and are now receiving offers of admissions. Congratulations! You may think your work is over and it is time to sit back, relax and simply pick a school, but until you have visited the law school itself your work is not done.

Visiting the law schools you are applying too is not always possible, especially since, on average, students apply to seven schools. Thus, it is even more imperative that once you know the schools you have been admitted to, that you either go and visit on your own, or attend one of their admitted students events. Even though the general curriculum varies little from law school to law school, all other factors that make up the graduate experience can vary greatly.

While some of these factors, such as size of the student body, location, job placement percentage, and starting salaries can be easily analyzed and compared on paper, others, such as the general atmosphere, approachability of professors, or overall competitiveness are difficult to gauge unless you take a trip to the school itself.

Now you might be saying to yourself that trips to visit law schools can be expensive and, like I said above, the curriculum is pretty much the same everywhere so those other factors can’t really matter that much. To the first point of cost, many schools will refund some or all of your travel expenses if you attend one of their planned events. As to the second concern, whether or not the environment of a school is one that you will do well and feel comfortable in is at least as important as the statistics given all over a school’s webpage.

While visiting law schools you will get the chance to meet students and professors, possibly meet other potential classmates, and to familiarize yourself with the school overall. This experience can convince you that one school is not the place for you, or conversely that another school is absolutely perfect.  When deciding whether or not to visit a school or attend an admitted students day remind yourself that this school is where you will be spending the next three years of your life so try to do all you can to make sure it is a place you will like!

Find out how Grockit can predict your performance on the LSAT.

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Law School Applications: What Do You Need to Disclose?

By posted September 8, 2010

If you’ve started your law school applications already, you may have noticed that they ask you to tell them about prior run-ins you may have had with the law.  The exact language varies from school to school—some ask about crimes with which you were charged, others about anything you were convicted of.  Many students wonder what to do about their personal disclosures, as they’re afraid that the particular skeletons in their closets will keep them out of law school.  The rule to follow, though, is simple: if in doubt, disclose it.

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There are a few good reasons for this.  First and foremost, for the average law student, those past peccadilloes won’t be enough to make the difference between admission and rejection (more on this later).  But an even better reason is that the worst case scenario if you hide something is basically the complete decimation of your future.  You see, one of the main reasons that schools require these disclosures is that they’re in the business of turning students into lawyers.  And lawyers, in the U.S. at least, must be admitted to a state bar.  State bars require character and fitness certifications, and they’re very thorough; while your character is being evaluated, any crimes that you’ve committed, been charged with, were accused of, etc., are probably going to come to light.

If the bar finds that you’ve willfully concealed anything, it can be grounds for denying your application, which means that your pricy legal education may very well not lead to a career as an attorney.  So, basically, when schools ask for disclosures, one of the things they’re evaluating is whether your prior actions were bad enough to keep you from being admitted to the bar.  If they were, the utility of a legal education becomes questionable, and the school may be doing you a favor by not encouraging you to spend your money on a diploma that you might not be able to use.

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Welcome to Grockit’s LSAT Blog!

By posted July 26, 2010

If the LSAT and law school are in your future you’re at the right place.  Grockit’s expert instructors offer decades of LSAT teaching and curriculum writing experience who’ve been through the law school admissions process themselves, and are here to help make the process as painless as possible for you. We are here to help guide you through the LSAT and test day experience and help prepare you for the rigorous, challenging, and intense days of law school that await you. Practice real LSAT questions written by the LSAC on Grockit and make sure to return to this blog often — you don’t want to miss anything!

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