Table of Contents
Praise for prior editions
Finally, an accurate, well-researched, and insightful guide to the high-stakes law school admissions process. Richard Montauk asks the right questions, and he gets straight answers from the people who make decisions. Whether youre just getting started with the process or are simply looking for ways to fine-tune an application, this is great advice.
Susan Palmer, Associate Dean for Admissions, University of Virginia School of Law
Finally a guide that clears up the misconceptions and takes the mystery out of the law school admissions process. Quite simply, this book is the most thorough resource available to those who intend to apply to the nations top law schools. With solid advice from the admissions directors themselves on how to manage the admissions process and how to position and communicate your achievements, this book is a must-read if you want to maximize your chances and options.
Don Rebstock, Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Northwestern University School of Law
Law school is a big investment; this guide is a must for those who want to invest wisely. Through a combination of his own insight (based on decades of admissions consulting) and in-depth discussions with the countrys leading admissions and financial aid professionals, Montauk shows applicants how to maximize both their admissions and financial aid prospects. The best book on the subject.
Rob Schwartz, Assistant Dean for Admissions, UCLA School of Law
I highly recommend How to Get Into the Top Law Schoolsits unquestionably the best book ever written on the subject. Montauk has talked at length with all of the top schools admissions directors, and they have been refreshingly candid in sharing their views of each aspect of the admissions process. The result is a comprehensive work that will help eliminate applicants application anxieties. Absolutely required reading.
Janice Austin, Associate Dean for Admissions, University of Pennsylvania Law School
Montauk analyzes each part of the application process and provides a wonderful road map to guide you as you assemble a coherent, persuasive application. Follow Montauks advice and present yourself more effectively to the best law schools in the country!
Erica Munzel, Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions, University of Michigan Law School
Anyone who aspires to being admitted to one of the nations best law schools should take the application process itself very seriously. The preparation of the strongest possible application takes research and careful planning. How to Get Into the Top Law Schools contains very good advice from admissions professionals at highly competitive institutions that will help you to develop your application strategies as well as to determine which schools best match your interests.
Kenneth Kleinrock, Assistant Dean for Admissions, NYU School of Law
Richard Montauks book is a readable, comprehensive resource for individuals who are considering jumping into the law school admissions process. Through his well-established relationships with admissions deans at top law schools, Montauk has been able to compile accurate and honest information about how the law school admissions process really works. This book covers, in one source, all of the areas prospective students must investigate and considerfrom selecting to which schools they will apply to figuring out how to finance their legal educations. I give Montauks book an A+.
Anne Richard, Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, George Washington University Law School
Montauks information on law school admissions is virtually flawless and covers a broad range of topics with refreshing candor and unusual insight. This book not only contains very good advice directly from admissions deans, but also provides invaluable information and commentary aimed squarely at helping prospective lawyers manage the law school admission process effectively, maximize their options for law school, and choose paths that best fit personal interests and professional aspirations.
Todd Morton, Assistant Dean and Dean of Admissions, Vanderbilt University Law School
Required reading for anyone who is planning to apply to law school. Admissions directors from the most competitive law schools in the country provided Montauk with insightful information on every aspect of the admissions process, resulting in the most comprehensive piece ever written on this topic.
Derek Meeker, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, University of Pennsylvania Law School
Also by Richard Montauk
How to Get Into the Top MBA Programs, Fifth Edition
Dedicated to three instructors, coaches, and role models who helped several generations of young people realize their potential:
Betty Edwards
Jack Edwards
Tom Gauerke
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wish to thank those people who have been so helpful to the development and writing of How to Get Into the Top Law Schools:
First, the admissions deans at leading schools across the country who have been remarkably generous with their time and knowledge in discussing how admissions decisions are made at their schools. In particular, I would like to thank those I interviewed for this book and who have allowed themselves to be quoted throughout the text:
Elizabeth Rosselot (Boston College); Edward Tom (UC Berkeley/Boalt Hall); Rob Schwartz, Michael Rappaport, Andrea Sossin-Bergman (UCLA); Ann Killian Perry (Chicago); Nkonye Iwerebon, Venetta C. Amory, Jim Milligan (Columbia); Rick Geiger (Cornell); William Hoye, Dennis Shields (Duke); Anne Richard, Robert Stanek (George Washington); Andy Cornblatt (Georgetown); Josh Rubenstein, Joyce Curll (Harvard); Kip Darcy (Hastings); Sarah Zearfoss, Erica Munzel (Michigan); Kenneth Kleinrock (NYU); Don Rebstock (Northwestern); Renee Post, Derek Meeker, Janice Austin (Pennsylvania); Chloe T. Reid (Southern California); Faye Deal (Stanford); Monica Ingram, Shelli Soto (Texas); Todd Morton, Anne Brandt (Vanderbilt); Jason Trujillo, Susan Palmer, Albert R. Turnbull (Virginia); and Megan Barnett and Jean Webb (Yale).
Second, the financial aid deans and directors, similarly generous with their time and knowledge regarding financial aid matters:
Dennis Tominaga, James Ausemus (UC Berkeley/Boalt Hall); Biljana Vuletic, Veronica Wilson (UCLA); Ann Killian Perry, Michael Machen (Chicago); Charles De Rubeis, Alice Rigas (Columbia); Patina Janisko, Karla Vargas, Jane Deathe (Cornell); William Hoye, Kochie Richardson (Duke); Anne Richard, Tamara Devieux-Adams (George Washington); Charles Pruett III, Ruth Lammert-Reeves (Georgetown); Ken Lafler, Joyce Curll (Harvard); Katherine Gottschalk (Michigan); Joel Schoenecker, Stephen Brown (NYU); Don Rebstock (Northwestern); Anthony Henry, Derek Meeker, Janice Austin, Denise McGarry (Pennsylvania); Chloe T. Reid, Mary Bingham (Southern California); Faye Deal (Stanford); Monica Ingram, Linda Alba, Juan Zabala (Texas); Todd Morton (Vanderbilt); Jennifer Hulvey, Cynthia Burns, Jerome B. Stokes (Virginia); Patricia Barnes, Louise DiMeo, and Zina Shaffer (Yale).
Third, the career services and public interest program deans and directors