The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert, Second Edition

154 Pages·2013·1.24 MB·English

by  Ann K. Levine Esq.

The Law School Admission Game
Play Like An Expert
Second Edition
The New, Updated, and Expanded Version of the
Amazon Bestselling Law School Admission Guide
by
A K. L , E .
NN EVINE SQ
First edition copyright © 2013 Ann K. Levine Abraham Publishing, Santa Barbara, CA All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the publisher.
ISBN: 978-0-9838453-3-1
ePub ISBN: 978-0-9838453-4-8
Mobi ISBN: 978-0-9838453-5-5
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013938997
Printed in the United States of America
Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1 : THINKING ABOUT LAW SCHOOL
CHAPTER 2 : GETTING READY TO APPLY
CHAPTER 3 : YOUR GPA
CHAPTER 4 : THE LSAT
CHAPTER 5 : APPLICATION CHECKLIST
CHAPTER 6 : LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
CHAPTER 7 : BUILDING YOUR RESUME
CHAPTER 8 : EVALUATING YOUR STRENGTHS
CHAPTER 9 : EXPLAINING YOUR WEAKNESSES
CHAPTER 10 : THE PERSONAL STATEMENT
CHAPTER 11 : WRITING OPTIONAL ESSAYS
CHAPTER 12 : THE APPLICATION TIMELINE
CHAPTER 13 : FILLING OUT APPLICATIONS
CHAPTER 14 : CHOOSING A LAW SCHOOL
CHAPTER 15 : INTERVIEWS
CHAPTER 16 : WAITLISTS, DEFERRALS, HOLDS, AND RESERVE LISTS
CHAPTER 17 : TAKING TIME OFF BEFORE LAW SCHOOL
CHAPTER 18 : SCHOLARSHIPS
CHAPTER 19 : TRANSFERRING LAW SCHOOLS
CHAPTER 20 : HIRING A LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION CONSULTANT
CHAPTER 21 : LAW SCHOOL ADVICE
RESOURCES
APPENDIX A : SAMPLE RESUMES ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Acknowledgments
I am grateful to the following clients for giving me feedback on my first draft of
this book: Zoe Friedlander, Elvira Kras, Nataly Laufer, Rebecca Sivitz (who has
now helped me with all three of my books!), Stephen Pedersen, Jeff Smith, and
Erin Staab.
I would also like to thank my colleagues for their contributions: Ronald Den
Otter, Nathan Fox, and Matthew Riley. Feedback from Jocelyn Glantz and Elisha
Alcantara was incredibly valuable. I am happy, honored, and grateful to have
them on the Law School Expert, Inc. team. Thanks also to my aunt, Ruth Bloom,
for her editing skills and willingness to accommodate my schedule.
Without the support I receive at home from my husband, Brent, and my
daughters Haley and Nicole, and Therese Boberg, I would not have been able to
fit writing this book into my schedule.
Thanks to Marni Lennon for believing in me since I was a 1L, and for
continuing our friendship and adding her perspective throughout the book.
A shout out also to Lisa Jacobson, whose example and advice through the
years have inspired me to continue building and dreaming.
And, three books later, I still thank Gary J. Hill for firing me, Cindy Rold for
teaching me to become a perfectionist, and Phillip Manns for trusting me to be a
26-year old Director of Admissions. Without each of them, I could not in good
conscience call myself “The Law School Expert.”
INTRODUCTION
SO, you’re applying to law school. Like so many applicants, you could choose to
wing it—do it blindly and take that leap of faith hoping you’re doing it right. Or
you could recognize that the decisions to go to law school and where to go to
law school are ones that will follow you throughout your life. That’s why putting
effort into applying to law school is vital to a successful outcome. After all, the
bitter lawyers (and yes, there are quite a few) are usually those who did not do
their research, did not give themselves options, and did not make smart
decisions.
This book is focused on helping you make great decisions about every part of
the law school application process. How do I know this? Because I’ve written
this book before! The first edition of The Law School Admission Game: Play
Like an Expert has been the bestselling law school guidebook on Amazon.com
ever since its publication in June 2009. Thousands of copies have sold in print,
electronic, and audiobook forms. As of this printing, it has more than 80 5-star
reviews (and hardly any with fewer stars), and the feedback I receive from law
school applicants is gracious, appreciative, and enthusiastic. This expanded
version has new and updated information to make your decisions easier and your
applications more effective. A major bonus is that it is more relevant for the
current economy where applications to law school are significantly declining
(down 38 percent over two years as of this printing).
In addition to providing you with insider knowledge and concrete advice about
putting together your law school applications (whether you are bound for
Harvard or Florida Coastal or anywhere in between), there are more samples of
written materials, more examples of how people have presented themselves
successfully, and updates to reflect the current climate (and mechanics) for law
school admissions.
As Director of Admissions for two ABA-approved law schools, I reviewed
thousands of law school applications and made admission and scholarships
decisions. Nearly ten years ago, I started Law School Expert, a law school
admission consulting company. In that capacity, I have helped approximately
2,000 law school applicants through the admission process. The guidance in this
book is shaped by and benefits from the advice, experience, and feedback from
my clients who become successful law students and lawyers. Their law school
experiences have run the gamut: my clients (as a whole) have been admitted to
1
every ABA-approved law school in the country.
In this book, you will learn everything you need to know to apply to law
school, including:
•	What the LSAT exam entails, what you should do to prepare for it, and
how to select an LSAT prep program.
•	How you can best use your time in college to set yourself up to be
competitive for admission to law school (and to top law schools).
2
•	Issues unique to INTERNATIONAL and NON-TRADITIONAL
applicants.
•	Who should be writing letters of recommendation on your behalf, and
what they should say about you.
•	A thorough explanation of the different directions you can take with
your law school personal statement, and how to use this opportunity to
present yourself and maximize your opportunity to impress law schools.
•	How to explain potential weaknesses in your background, including
those pesky “character and fitness” questions (that require you to report
minor in possession tickets, DUIs, honor code violations, and sometimes
even speeding tickets), disappointing grades or LSAT scores, disabilities
(physical or emotional), or other obstacles overcome.
•	What the rolling admission process really is all about, how to take
advantage of it, whether it’s in your best interest to apply Early Decision or
Early Notification, when to take the LSAT, and when to apply to law school.
•	How to deal with those intimidating secondary and optional essays
including diversity statements, “Why this law school,” open-ended 250
word essays, “Tell us about your favorite literary character,” and other
essays that schools may ask for.
•	How to choose where to apply to law school based on your credentials
and goals.
•	The mechanics of completing applications and sending in materials to
Law School Admissions Council— LSAC.org (your soon-to-be favorite
website).
•	How to interact with representatives of law schools during forum and
recruiting events, campus visits, and interview opportunities.
•	What to do if you are waitlisted.
•	Choosing where to attend and how to negotiate scholarships.

That’s a lot of ground to cover. So let’s get started.
******************
1 Although some states have State Bar accredited law schools, I do not (as part of my law school admission
consulting practice) help people with those applications.
2 Throughout the book, I will capitalize “INTERNATIONAL” and “NON-TRADITIONAL” where I am
providing advice specific to applicants who fall into these categories. NON-TRADITIONAL applicants are
those who have spent either more than two years out of school before applying to law school or who took a
path through college that was not straight out of a high school and finishing in four years.