Dave and Jon are here with another Student Mailbag episode, this time tackling questions covering the LSAT-Flex and their expectations about its future (including what it’ll mean long-term for students), general prep advice on identifying inconsistent errors post-PTs and on the difference in memorization as a learning tool vs the development of genuine knowledge, and a whole host of admissions inquiries from rolling admissions after the November LSAT to applying as an older/nontraditional applicant to alumni connections and how they factor into acceptances. Don’t miss it! … [Read more...]
10 Bad Reasons to Go to Law School
There are a lot of great reasons to go to law school, but there are just as many bad ones. Below we list some of the top ten bad reasons for going to law school. If you find yourself saying, "But that's my reason!" you may need to take time to re-evaluate if law school is the best path for you. Parental Influence Although having the support of your family is certainly important, following a parental wish in this case is misguided. Dealing with something as life-determining, costly and as involved as attending law school is certainly an undertaking, and having your family backing you is not … [Read more...]
Quick Tips: Crafting a Top-Notch Personal Statement
Apart from your LSAT and undergraduate GPA, the personal statement is certainly the most important aspect of your law school application. It's the one part of your file that is solely you. It's your voice, your experiences, your story, told in your words. Every day, as we help students put together exceptional applications as part of our law school admissions consulting programs. Here are some tidbits of personal statement wisdom that we hope will help you create a top-notch, unforgettable, impactful essay.What to DoWhen you write your personal statement, one of your guiding … [Read more...]
Is LSAT Prep Worth the Cost?
On Reddit the other day I saw a comment that stuck with me: “The LSAT costs $200 so I don’t think I should pay more than that to prepare for it.” While on the one hand I completely understand the presumption that preparing for this test shouldn’t require much expenditure, on the other hand I also think that perspective only captures part of the picture. So let’s take a closer look!LSAT Prep Can Be Expensive Of all people, I’m well aware that LSAT preparation can be costly. We offer courses that cost over $1000 and have tutoring packages that run even higher than that. So there’s no … [Read more...]
Why Does It Take So Long for LSAT-Flex Scores to Come Out?
Once the LSAT-Flex is over, one of the most common complaints is that scores should come out more quickly. Since we live in an era where tests are electronic, it is a reasonable complaint. So, why does it take so long for LSAT scores to appear? Couldn’t they get them out a lot earlier? To best understand what happens once you finish the LSAT-Flex, let’s take a look at each phase of the process. Test Administration The first and most substantial delay actually comes before most students take the LSAT. Typically, we think of the LSAT as being given on a single day. However, that’s not the case … [Read more...]
How Do Law Schools View Multiple LSAT Scores?
One of the questions a lot of test-takers ask regards taking the LSAT more than once. "How will the law school I want to go to react to more than on LSAT score? Will it hurt my chances?" Having more than once score show up on your Score Report is a source of stress for many applicants. So, let's shed some light on the subject. First, Some Backstory In the past, when applicants had more than one score, schools used to average all of the scores when making admissions decisions. This also effected the report of admitted applicant scores that goes to the American Bar Association. Since the LSAT … [Read more...]
Using Rankings to Decide Where to Apply to Law School
Rankings are everywhere. Whether it's law school, business school, college, or even high school, chances are there’s someone out there who’s come up with a ranking system. Their sheer ubiquity means that rankings are the one aspect nearly every applicant consults when making application decisions. These numbers certainly have their use, particularly at the start of the selection process when you need solid indicators to help you narrow down your choices. However, it's useful to know a few things regarding rankings and their usage. Rank Does Not Equal Quality Although the schools in the “top” … [Read more...]
Are Law Schools Extending Their Application Deadlines?
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly changed the Law School application landscape. Students are taking the LSAT-Flex at home, school tours are virtual, fall classes may be online, everything is going digital. In an effort to help students navigate these weird times, some law schools are extending their application deadlines. Although some top law school application deadlines had passed pre-pandemic, many have implemented extensions or are making exceptions on a case-by-case basis. If your application has been negatively affected by the crisis (March LSAT-takers, for example), contact the … [Read more...]
LSAT Podcast Episode 53: To Debt or Not to Debt? That is the Law School Question
Dave and Jon turn their focus away from the ongoing LSAT-Flex saga to tackle another pressing consideration looming over many applicants these days: how to navigate multiple acceptances and choose the school that’s right for you! In particular, they explore several applicants’ unique circumstances, from school rankings and prestige to estimated debt to ultimate career goals, and offer detailed advice on what they believe is the best decision for each person. … [Read more...]
Should I Take the LSAT Before Deciding Where to Apply to Law School?
When applying to law school, timing is everything. You need to know which LSATs you should take and when to submit your applications. Getting your letters of recommendation on time is completely dependent on when you ask for them. Same with getting your transcripts. As you can see, timing is a big factor in the admissions process! Below is an ideal timeline for getting into law school. Before & During the Admissions Process Before we get into the timeline, there are a couple of things that need to be in the works and happening while you're going through this process. Let's go over … [Read more...]
LSAT Podcast Episode 49: Student Question Mailbag, Law School Admissions Part 1
Dave and Jon continue to answer student questions in the latest episode, this time focusing on law school admissions and how things are likely to play out in this year’s cycle! Here they address dealing with waitlists, requesting letters of recommendation, balancing schoolwork and test prep through the summer, the coronavirus’s impact on deadlines and rolling admissions, and finally taking a year off to improve scores and scholarship offers. … [Read more...]
4 Things to Do Before Starting Your Law School Applications
Most would-be law school applicants focus on what they'll have to do once they start the law school application process. But what they don't realize is that there is plenty they need to do before they even start the engine on the law-school-mobile.Here are four things that any law school applicant absolutely should do before they embark on their professional school journey: Determine Your "Why" Why do you want to go to law school? What about law are you passionate about? Do you know where you want your career to go after you graduate? It's not enough to apply just because your parents … [Read more...]
Full List of Announced 2020 & 2021 LSAT Dates & Deadlines
If you plan to take the LSAT in 2020 or early 2021, there are plenty of dates to choose from. LSAC has released the dates for the rest of the year and the total is a whopping 9 test dates in 2020 and 3 already announced for 2021!Not sure which LSAT to take? Check out the Top 100 Law School Application Deadlines to help you decide.No matter which LSAT you take, know that you don’t have to go at it alone. We offer tons of free resources to get you on your way! Keep tabs on our blog, forum, podcast, webinars, and free help area. You can also enroll in a course, work with a tutor, or … [Read more...]
Why is My LSAC GPA Different from My Transcript GPA?
One of the steps to getting your law school applications ready is sending LSAC your college transcript(s) for processing. They take your transcripts, convert your grades to a 4.0 scale, and calculate an overall GPA for you. This is your “LSAC GPA”. To the surprise of some students, their LSAC GPA is different from their transcript GPA. Not necessarily in a good way, either. But, why is that the case? Let's Talk BasicsYou have to submit transcripts from all undergraduate institutions you have attended. No exceptions. It doesn't matter if you didn't graduate from one of them or if one is … [Read more...]