For many students, these first two months of the year are filled with preparation, questions, and doubts. Chief among them is this: What's better--to apply late in the admissions cycle (i.e., right around now), or to wait and apply right at the beginning of the next one (i.e., in September of this year, thus postponing law school for a year)?Most students asking this question have similar sets of circumstances (they typically revolve around … [Read more...]
LSAT Podcast Episode 78: What’s the Deal With Addenda?
As we move deeper into this year’s admissions cycle, applicants naturally wonder what, if anything, they can still do to improve their acceptance odds. In this week’s episode, Dave and Jon offer advice on a critical decision: how and when to submit law school addenda, informing admissions committees of the circumstances behind less-than-stellar application elements and allowing them to better interpret blemishes on your record. If you’re on the … [Read more...]
Admissions Mental Health: One Student’s Story
In the first part of this blog, PowerScore CEO and LSAT Bibles author Dave Killoran discussed the stresses of applying to law school. The following story is from a student applying to Top 14 law schools this cycle.I write to you on a Wednesday afternoon. In the law school admissions world, Wednesday is typically the day when a few selected applicants are lifted from their depths of despair into the utopia that is being an admitted student. … [Read more...]
Which Law Schools Offer Part Time Programs?
Part-time programs can be a great option for students who need to continue working full time while attending law school. If you’re trying to decide if this is the right move for you, check out this blog post here that lists the pros and cons of attending a part-time law program. Looking for the right fit? The following law schools offer part time programs:American University (Washington) Brooklyn Law School California Western School … [Read more...]
When Should You NOT Contact the Admissions Office?
I recently received a question from one of the students in our law school admissions counseling program: I was checking the status of one of my applications through the status checker that's provided by the school, and I saw that they had put me in the "reviewed, no decision made" category. What can I do to make them speed up the process? Should I send them an email? I don't really have much to update, but I can tell them that I saw the status … [Read more...]
Waiting on Law School Decisions? Don’t Forget Your Mental Health
In many sports, the “silly season” is the name given to the offseason, when there are no games but there is a lot of deal-making going on. In law school admissions, I think of the silly season as the period we are in now: from January until roughly May. This is when many law school decisions will be handed down, and negotiations over financial aid take place. But while this is a benign nickname for this period, it is also one of the most … [Read more...]
What’s the Deal with Addenda?
There is now a PowerScore LSAT PodCast episode that expands on this popular blog post: Episode 78: What's the Deal With Addenda? There are several things that can cause students to freak out when applying to law school. Some students worry about the relative “prestige” of their undergraduate institution and how schools will view that during the admissions process. Some have concerns about their choice of major, letters of recommendation, or … [Read more...]
Law School Personal Statements: The Drafting is Never Done
At this time of year, many students are trying to write their personal statements. It can be incredibly tough, so don’t give up! Over the years I’ve read thousands of personal statement drafts, and I want to share one of the most important tips: When you think your draft is final, it’s not. That may seem overly harsh, so let me explain.The Goal is Perfection, and Perfection Takes Time I get it: writing about yourself is no fun and feels … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 10, Don’t Be Afraid
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Don't Be Afraid Well, we're at the conclusion of this 10-part series on … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 9: Proof
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Proof Once you self-edit and have others read and give feedback on your … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 8: Involve Others
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Involve Others We get it, it can be really hard to show your writing (be … [Read more...]
The Trap of “Why X” Essays
Many law schools allow you to submit an extra, optional essay that addresses why you would like to attend that school. For example, Duke Law School allows applicants to include the following: “You may submit an essay providing additional information about why you have chosen to apply to law school in general and Duke in particular. We are interested in the factors that have prompted your interest in a legal career and the ways in which you think … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 7: Edit
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Edit Once you have your first draft and a break under your belt, it's time … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 6: Step Away
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Step Away The most important part of writing a personal statement is, … [Read more...]