Ann K. Levine Esq. - The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert, Second Edition

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
Ann K. Levine, Esq.

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, youre applying to law school. Like so many applicants, you could choose to wing itdo it blindly and take that leap of faith hoping youre 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. Thats 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 Ive 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 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).

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 its 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).