2016-2017 Pre-Law Student Guide - University of Memphis€¦ · NAPLA Pre‐Law Guide/University of...
Transcript of 2016-2017 Pre-Law Student Guide - University of Memphis€¦ · NAPLA Pre‐Law Guide/University of...
Pre-Law Student Guide
TableofContents Introduction/Acknowledgements 1WelcomefromthePre‐ProfessionalAdvisor 2Pre‐LawAdvisingatTheUniversityofMemphis 3ExploringYourInterestinLaw 4PreparingforLawSchool/Academics 6LegalThoughtandLiberalArtsMinor 8LegalCareerChecklist 9DeterminingWheretoApply 10UnderstandingAdmissionsCriteria 12ApplyingtoLawSchool 13LawSchoolAdmissionTest(LSAT) 14CredentialAssemblyService(CAS) 16PersonalStatements 17LettersofRecommendation/Evaluation 19AdmissionsDecisions 21FinancingLawSchool 23LegalCareerResources 26
©2008NAPLAInc.Permissiontousethiscontentisgrantedtononprofiteducationalinstitutions.Allotherrightsreserved.
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IntroductionandAcknowledgementsThe2017‐2018Pre‐LawStudentGuidewaspreparedwiththeassistanceofNAPLA,withtheirpermissiontoaltertheoriginalguideanddistributetostudents.ThePre‐LawStudentGuidewasdesignedforcurrentandprospectiveUniversityofMemphisstudentswhoareinterestedinpursuingacareerinlaw.Thesestudentsshouldfamiliarizethemselveswiththecontentinthisguide.TheNAPLAPre‐LawGuideisbasedonCornellUniversity'sLegalCareersGuide,whichwasusedbypermissionofCornellCareerServices.NAPLAwouldliketoacknowledgethefollowingschoolsfortheircontributionstotheGuide:BinghamtonUniversity,BostonCollege,BostonUniversity,BucknellUniversity,ColumbiaUniversity,DukeUniversity,NortheasternUniversity,PrincetonUniversity,andTexasA&MUniversity.TheLawSchoolAdmissionCouncilprovidedinformationonstudyabroadtranscripts,andtheFinancialAidsectionisbasedonthe"FinancialAidToolkit"developedbythePre‐LawAdvisorsNationalCouncil(PLANC).ThisversionofthePre‐LawStudentGuidewaslastupdatedAugust2017.
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GreetingsfromthePre‐ProfessionalAdvisor
WelcometoPre‐ProfessionalAdvisingatTheUniversityofMemphis!Ilookforwardtoworkingwithyouthroughoutyourcollegiatecareerasyouprepareforthenextsteponyourjourneytoenteringthelegalprofession.ThisguidewasdesignedtoprovideyouwithanoverviewoftheresourcesavailableatTheUniversityofMemphis,aswellasoutlinethevariousaspectsinvolvedinpursuingacareerinlaw.MyroleasthePre‐ProfessionalAdvisoristoserveasaresourceforyou!Pleaseknowthatitisnevertooearlytomeetwithmetostartdiscussingyourplansanddevelopingatimelineforapplyingtolawschool.Iamavailabletohelpyoudeterminewhetheracareerinlawisagoodfitforyoubasedonyourskills,interests,andacademicperformance. Yourfirststepasapre‐lawstudentistosignupforourlistserv.Doingsowillenableyoutoreceivecurrentinformationaboutpre‐lawevents,volunteerandemploymentopportunities,andimportantdatesanddeadlines.Numerouseventsforpre‐lawstudentsareheldeachyearincludinganinformationfairwithadmissionsofficialsandatourofTheUniversityofMemphisCecilC.HumphreysSchoolofLaw. JointhePre‐LawListservbyemailinglistserv@listserv.memphis.eduandtypingSubscribePre‐Law‐Linthebodyoftheemail.Makesureyoudonotincludeanythingelseinthebodyoftheemail! Bynow,youareprobablywonderinghowyoucanguaranteeadmissiontolawschoolandtheshortansweris,unfortunately,youcannot.Thereisnomagicformulatoguaranteeadmissiontoanyprofessionalschool.However,therearemanythingsyoucandoattheundergraduateleveltopresentyourselfasacompetitiveapplicanttotheseschools.YoushouldsuccessfullycompletetherequiredcourseworkforyourdegreeprogramandspendsignificanttimepreparingforLSAT.Youshouldparticipateinstudentorganizationsanddevelopleadershipskills.Buildingstrongrelationshipswithyourfacultymemberswillprovideyouwithawidearrayofpeopleyoucanenlisttowriterecommendationlettersonyourbehalf.Youwillneedtostrengthenyourinterviewingandwritingskillsandmakesureyoucanclearlyarticulate,onpaperandinperson,yourmotivationforpursuingthisprofession.Youshoulddoresearchonthelegalprofessionandtheschoolswhereyouareseekingadmission.Usetheresourcesavailabletoyou,includingPre‐ProfessionalAdvising,tohelpyoustayontrack.Ilookforwardtomeetingwithyousoon!Bestwishes,JessicaCliffordKelso
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Pre‐LawAdvisingContactInformationJessicaKelso,Pre‐ProfessionalAdvisorLocation:107ScatesHallPhone:901‐678‐5454Email:[email protected] InadditiontoMs.Kelso,wehavethreeFacultyAffiliateAdvisorsavailabletomeetwithstudents:• ProfessorEbonyDawkins,PoliticalScience ([email protected])• Dr.VerenaErlenbusch,Philosophy ([email protected])• ProfessorMaryTucker,CriminologyandCriminalJustice ([email protected])Ourgoalistohelpstudentsnavigatetheapplicationprocessforlawschool,includingdevelopingatimelineforapplicationandtheLSATthroughindividualandgroupadvising.Workshopsonvarioustopicsrelatedtotheapplicationprocessincludingpersonalstatements,goalsetting,andestablishinga4yearplan,areofferedthroughouttheyear.StudentResponsibilities:
StudentsarestronglyencouragedtomeetwiththePre‐ProfessionalAdvisorearlyintheiracademiccareertodiscusstheirinterestinlawschoolanddevelopatimelinetoapplication.
Ourwebsiteisupdatedregularlywithupcomingevents.Studentsshould
emailthePre‐ProfessionalAdvisor([email protected])tobeaddedtoamailinglistfornotificationsofworkshops,guestspeakers,Pre‐LawSocietymeetings,etc.
Studentsshouldsetrealisticgoalsanddevelopaparallelplanforanalternateprofessionalschoolorcareerifadmissiontolawschoolisnotsuccessful.
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ExploringaCareerinLawAJ.D.,JurisDoctor,canleadtoawiderangeoflaw‐relatedcareersandcanopendoorstocareersingovernment,business,highereducation,communications,andnumerousotherfields.Lawschoolgraduatesareadministrators,teachers,librarians,andbusinessmanagersaswellasadvocates,judges,andpoliticians.Lawcanbearewardingprofession.Atitsbest,legalpracticechallengestheintellect,demandingtheexerciseofreasonandjudgment.Theethicsoftheprofessionrequireattorneystopromotejustice,fairness,andmorality;thus,legalemploymentcanbringparticularsatisfactiontothosewhoaspiretoworkwithinthelawtoseeksocialjustice.ExploringYourInterest*********************************************************Beforebeginningtheapplicationprocess,considercarefullyifalawdegreeisrightforyou.Itisnotnecessarytoknowwhatkindoflawyouwanttopractice,orevenifyouwanttopracticelaw,todecidetoattendlawschool.Thereareanumberofwaysyoucanexplorethefieldoflaw:
EmailthePre‐ProfessionalAdvisortobeaddedtothemailinglisttostayinformedoflaw‐relatedprogramsandopportunities.
BecomeanactivememberofthePre‐LawSociety.
TalkwiththePre‐ProfessionalAdvisoraboutyourinterestinpursuinglegal
studies.
ConductresearchonlegalcareersusingresourcesavailablethroughCareerServicesand/orTheCareerandPsychologicalCounselingCenter.
Investigateonlineresourcesthatprovideinformationonlegalcareers,law
school,employmentstatistics,andotherlaw‐relatedtopics.
Internwithalawfirmorlaw‐relatedorganizationtogainexposuretothefieldandtoexperiencetheworkenvironment.
TakeatourofTheUniversityofMemphisCecilC.HumphreysSchoolofLaw
andspeakwithalawstudentambassadoraboutthelawschoolexperience.ContacttheLawAdmissionsOfficeat901‐678‐5403toscheduleatour.
Conductinformationinterviewstolearnaboutthelegalprofession.Discuss
whatlawyersdoinatypicalworkday,personalattributesneededtobesuccessfulinalegalcareer,andsatisfactionsanddissatisfactionsofthefield.
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RealitiesofaLegalCareer*********************************************************Animportantstepinmakingadecisionistodistinguishbetweencommonlyheldexpectationsandtherealityoflegalpractice.Hourscanbeverylongandoftenincludeweekends.Legalworkcanrequirespendingconsiderabletimeintedious,painstakingresearch.Dependingonthetypeoflawpracticedandthelocation,entryintolawfirmscanbedifficultandsalariesmaynotmeetexpectations.Themarketfornewlawyersiscompetitiveforthoseseekingpositionsincitiesandfirmsthatareinhighdemand.Employmentstatisticsfortheclassof2015lawgraduatesbasedonresponsesfrom39,298(around98%ofallgraduates)revealthefollowing1:
67.7%ofrespondentsremainedin‐stateforemployment. Theaveragestartingsalarywas$83,797;themediansalarywas$64,800. Approximately51.3%oftheclasschoseprivatepracticeinlawfirms. Slightlyover29%tookpositionsinpublicservice,includingjudicial
clerkships,governmentagencies,andpublicinterestorganizations. Graduatesenteringbusinessaccountedfor17.2%.
Whileacorporatelawyerinaprivatefirmmayearn$100,000+thefirstyear,heorshemayalsoworktwelvehoursaday,sixorsevendaysaweek.Forthosegraduatespursuingpublicinterestlaw,themedianstartingsalaryisaround$45,000.Therearesignificantdifferencesincareerchoiceslawyersmake,frompublicinterestlawandgovernmentlawtoprivatepracticeinafirm.Therangeinstartingsalariesalonecanexceed$100,000.CareerchoicesofnewgraduatesarealsolikelytobeinfluencedbytheamountofdebtmostlawstudentsaccumulatewhilepursuingtheirJ.D.1 NALP Recent Graduates Class of 2015 ;NationalSummaryReportforClassof2015
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PreparingforLawSchoolLawschoolsareinterestedinyourabilitytodorigorousanalyticalresearch,towritewell,topresent,andtopersuade.Therefore,studentsshouldchooseavarietyofcoursesthatdevelopandenhancetheseskills.TheAmericanBarAssociationoffersanoverviewoftheskillsandvaluesimportanttopreparingforalegaleducationandacareerinlaw.ChoosingaMajor*********************************************************“Pre‐Law”isyourcareerfocus,notyouractualmajor.AlthoughtheAmericanBarAssociation(ABA)requireslawschoolapplicantstohavecompletedanundergraduatedegree,itdoesnotrequireanyonemajorinparticularnordoesitspecifyparticularprerequisitecoursesforadmission.Many“pre‐law”studentsmajorinwhatareconsideredtraditionalmajorsforadmissiontolawschool,suchashistory,philosophy,politicalscience,andEnglish,butitisbecomingincreasinglycommonforstudentstomajorinavarietyofotherfieldsandseek(andgain!)admissiontolawschool.Ultimatelyitisuptoyou!Chooseamajoryouareinterestedinandthendowellinthatmajorwhiletakingadvantageofopportunitiestodevelopstrongresearch,writing,criticalthinking,andcommunicationskills.Regardlessofthemajor,studentsadmittedtolawschoolexcelacademically,scorecompetitivelyontheLSAT,andareoverallwell‐roundedapplicants.Notsurewhattomajorin?Checkoutallthemajors,minors,andconcentrationsofferedattheUofM.YouwillbeadvisedinthedepartmentthathousesyourmajorbutshouldcontactthePre‐ProfessionalAdvisortobeaddedtothepre‐lawmailinglist.YouareencouragedtomeetwiththePre‐ProfessionalAdvisoratleastonceayear.CompileanImpressiveRecord*********************************************************AsolidGPA,particularlywithinyourmajor,isexpected,butawillingnesstogobeyondrequirementsdemonstratesanintellectualcuriositythatwouldbeadvantageousinthestudyoflaw.Academicexcellencereflectsdisciplineandabilities,thoughthevarietyanddepthofyourcourseworkwillalsobeseriouslyconsideredbyadmissionscommitteesasevidenceofyourinterestsandmotivation.Ingeneral,lecturecoursesprovideagoodfoundationforfurtherinstruction,whileseminarsallowyoutopresent,discuss,critique,anddefendmorespecificideas.Smallerclassesgiveyoutheopportunitytointeractwithfaculty.Gettoknowfacultywhomyoumightlateraskforrecommendations;makeyourselfstandoutasanindividualbyattendingofficehoursandaskingquestionsinclass.
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PlanningYourSchedule*********************************************************Itisunderstandablethatyouhavemoregoingoninyourlifethanjustattendingclass.Manystudentsbalancefamilyandworkresponsibilitieswithhomework,timeinclass,andstudentinvolvement.Inaddition,asapre‐lawstudent,youmaybegainingexperiencethroughvolunteering,internships,andleadershiprolesinstudentorganizations.Keepinmind,however,thatthereisnosubstituteforgoodgradeswhenapplyingtolawschool.Withdrawing/RepeatingCourses*********************************************************Mostlawschoolstakeintoaccountallgradesearnedattheundergraduatelevel,includinganyrepeatedcourses.ThismeansthatlawschoolswillconsiderbothyouroldgradeandnewgradeinyouroverallGPAcalculation.Youshouldalsoavoidwithdrawingfromacourseafterthefirstweekofclasswhenpossible.Apatternofwithdrawalsandrepeatedcoursesmayendupcostingyouintermsoftime,money,andlostopportunities.Studentinvolvement,volunteering,work,etc.,areallaspectsofawell‐roundedapplicantbutshouldenhanceratherthanharmyourGPA.ExtracurricularActivities*********************************************************Therearemanyelementsinvolvedinbecomingacompetitivecandidateforlawschool.InadditiontosuperiorgradesandstrongperformanceontheLSAT,lawschoolswillbeinterestedinyourextracurricularactivities,leadershipexperience,summerjobs,internships,andpublicservicesincetheyseekwell‐roundedcandidatesforadmission.Selectactivitiesthatinterestyou;theydonothavetobedirectlyrelatedtolaw.Overtime,getmoreactivelyinvolvedinfeweractivities,perhapsinaleadershipposition.Youracademicdepartmentmayhavedirectedstudiesandresearchopportunitiesavailable.Thisisagoodplacetostart.Inaddition,TheUniversityofMemphisprovidessupporttostudentsinterestedinobtaininganinternshipthroughtheOfficeofAcademicInternships.Thereareover150registeredstudentorganizationsatTheUniversityofMemphis.Studentsshouldreviewthedatabaseoforganizationsformembershipcriteriaandcontactinformation.ThePre‐LawSocietyhostsinformationalmeetingseachmonthontopicssuchasadmissions,LSATpreparation,andcareeroptionsinthelegalprofession.StudentscancontactthePre‐ProfessionalAdvisorformembershipinformation.AfullscheduleofeventshostedbythePre‐LawSocietyisavailableonthepre‐lawcalendarofevents.
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LegalThought&LiberalArtsMinor
TheLegalThoughtandLiberalArtsMinorisdesignedtoprovideaninterdisciplinaryliberalartsprogramforstudentsinanymajorwhointendtoenterthelegalprofession.Theminorwillbeofparticularbenefittopre‐lawstudentswhosemajorsaremoreprofessionalinnatureandwhoarenotexposedtothebroaderliberalartscurriculum.StudentswillbeintroducedtomajorintellectualtraditionsoftheWestandtoethical,social,andeconomicissuesofsignificancetoourtime.Thecoursesintheminorrequirethatstudentsreadcritically,thinklogically,andwriteclearly;allofwhichareattributesrequiredofpersonsinthelegalprofession.Studentsshouldvisit107ScatesHalltodeclareaminorinLegalThoughtandLiberalArts.Minor Requirements ********************************************************* Theminorconsistsof18semesterhoursofrequiredcoursesandelectives.Someofthesecoursesmayhaveprerequisites.Studentsareresponsibleforobtainingpermissionfromtheinstructortoattendanycourseinwhichprerequisiteshavenotbeenmet.
A.) RequiredCoreCourses
PHIL1611(ElementaryLogic) ENGL3604orENGL4602
B.) Electives:Selectonecoursefromfourofthefollowingfivegroups(eachcourse
MUSTbechosenfromadifferentgroup)
a. EconomicContextofLaw:ECON2010,2020,4210,4220,4250,4340
b. HistoricalContextofLaw:HIST3121,4506,3840
c. PracticalFoundationsofJurisprudence:CJUS3510,4521;POLS3219,POLS4212,4405,4504
d. TheoreticalFoundationsofJurisprudence:PHIL3411,3511,3514,3516,
4551;POLS3401,3402,3405 UNIV3580
e. CriticalReadingandThinking:any4000levelENGLliteraturecourse(4230‐
4461);ENGL4602ifnottakenaspartoftherequiredcore;anyupperdivisionPHILcoursenotlistedabove
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LegalCareerChecklist FreshmanandSophomoreYears*********************************************************
Selectamajorthatyouareinterestedinanddowellinit. Begintoformrelationshipswithprofessors,advisors,supervisors,etc.so
thattheywillknowyourworkwellenoughtoserveasrecommendationwritersinthefuture.
Expandyoureducationbyseekingsummerjobsorinternshipsinfieldsofinterest.
GetinvolvedinstudentorganizationsincludingthePre‐LawSociety. MeetwiththePre‐ProfessionalAdvisoronceayeartodiscussyouracademic
goalsandprogressinrelationtolawschooladmission.JuniorYear*********************************************************
MeetwiththePre‐ProfessionalAdvisortoassessyouracademic,extracurricular,andworkexperiencesandtodiscusstheapplicationprocess.
BeginpreparingfortheLSAT;ifyouareready,registerfortheJuneadministration.
Secureasummerjoborinternship,ifpossible,inalaw‐relatedfield. Researchlawschoolsandcompilealistoftentativeschools.
SeniorYear(orYearPriortoEnteringLawSchool)*********************************************************
Attendlawschoolfairsandprogramsofferedontheapplicationprocess. RegisterfortheCredentialAssemblyService(CAS)throughLSAC.org. Havetranscriptsfromallundergraduateinstitutionsyouhaveattendedsent
toCAS.ViewyourAcademicSummaryReportoncealltranscriptshavebeensummarized.
Askpotentialrecommendationwritersiftheyarewillingtowritelettersonyourbehalf.
TaketheSeptember/OctoberLSATifyoudidnottaketheLSATinJune. Begindraftingandrevisingyourpersonalstatement. ApplytolawschoolselectronicallythroughyourLSAC.orgaccount. TaketheDecemberLSATifyouareretesting. CompletetheFAFSAandotherneedanalysisformsaswellasany
institutionalfinancialaidapplicationsassoonafterJanuary1staspossible. Takeappropriateactiononacceptances,wait‐liststatus,andfinancialaid
offers.
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DeterminingWheretoApplyWith2accreditedlawschoolsintheUnitedStates,theprocessofdecidingwheretoapply,andultimatelywheretoattend,mayseemdaunting.Tomaketheprocessmanageable,beginassemblingalistofschoolsbasedonthecriteriathatareimportanttoyou,andthenreviseyourchoicesaccordingtoyourchancesofadmission.Donotletthesearchfor"longshots,goodchances,andsurethings"governyourselectionprocess.Selectingschoolscarefullywillhelpreducethetimeandexpenseofapplyingtoanexcessivenumberofschools.TworesourcesthatwillhelpyoudetermineyourcompetitivenessforschoolsaretheOfficialGuidetoABA‐ApprovedLawSchoolsandtheBostonCollegeOnlineLawSchoolLocator.Reputation*********************************************************Anumberoffactorscontributetoaschool’sreputation,includingfaculty,facilities,andcareerservices.Therearemanytypesofrankingsforlawschools,rangingfrompersonalrankingstotheUSNewsandWorldReportStandings.However,itisveryimportanttounderstandallrankingsaresubjective,andthemethodologyinmostrankingsisnotverysound.Therefore,itisbestforyoutovisitlawschools,talktoadmissionrepresentatives,andmakeaninformeddecisionaboutwhichschoolsbestmeetyourindividualneedsandinterests.Selectivityatlawschools,however,isonefactorwhichcanbequantified.Youcangaugeaschool’srelativeselectivitybycomparingthenumberofapplicantsacceptedtotheoverallnumberofapplications.TheOfficialGuidetoABA‐ApprovedLawSchoolscontainschartsandtablesofrecentadmissionscyclesatmostschoolsthatreflectselectivity.Schoolscanbedividedroughlyintothreegroups:
Schoolswithnationalreputationstendtoappearinvarious"topten"lists.Theseschoolsdrawstudentsfromanationalpoolandoffergeographicmobilitytograduates.
Schoolswithgoodregionalreputationsareattendedprimarilybystudentsfromtheregion,whomaywanttoremainintheareafollowinggraduation,butwhomayalsoseekpositionsthroughoutthecountry.
Localschoolsdrawstudentsprimarilyfromtheimmediateareawhowanttoremaintheretopracticelawfollowinggraduation.
Foramoredetaileddiscussionoflawschoolreputationandtheprocessforevaluatingschools,refertotheOfficialGuidetoABA‐ApprovedLawSchools.
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CriteriaforSelection*********************************************************Location:Istheschoolinanurbanareaorinasuburban/ruralsetting?Arethereothergraduateschoolsnearby?Istheschoollocatedsomewhereyouwouldbecomfortablelivingandwhereyouwouldpossiblybewillingtoworkfollowinggraduation?Doestheschoolattractapplicantsfromacrossthecountryorprimarilyfromthatregion?Costs:Whataretuition,housing,andtransportationcosts?Isfinancialaidexclusivelyneed‐based,oraremeritscholarshipsavailable?Doestheschoolofferaloanforgivenessprogramforpublicinterestlawyers?Whatistheaveragedebtburdenforgraduatesfromthisschool?Faculty/Classes:Whataretheacademicandexperientialbackgroundsoffaculty?Howaccessiblearethey?Whatisthefaculty‐studentratio,thenumberoffull‐timevs.adjunctfaculty,andthenumberoffemaleandminorityfaculty?Howmanystudentsareineachcourse?AreclassestaughtintheSocraticmethodorlecture?FacilitiesandResources:Istheschoolaffiliatedwithauniversity?Dostudentshaveaccesstocoursesfromarangeofacademicdisciplinestosupplementtheirlegalcurriculum?Isthelibrarylargeenoughtoaccommodateholdingsandpermitstudentstoconductresearchandstudy?Ingeneral,dothefacilitiesprovideacomfortablelearningenvironment?SpecialPrograms:Whatcoursesareavailableinspecializedareas?Whatjointdegreeprogramsofinterestareavailable?Whataretheopportunitiesforpracticalexperience,includingclinics,internships,etc.?Canyou“write”ontolawreviewsinadditiontobeingselectedbasedonclassrank?Whatspecializedinstitutes,journals,ororganizationsexistinyourareasofinterest?StudentBody:Whatisthesizeoftheenteringclass?Whatdoestheadmissionsprofiletellyouaboutthequalityofthestudentbody?Wheredidstudentsstudyasundergraduatesandwhataretheirgeographicbackgrounds?Istherediversityin
interestsandpersonal/culturalbackgrounds?Isthestudentbodyfriendlyoroverlycompetitive?Istheremuchinteractionwithfellowstudentsoutsidetheclassroom?
StudentLife:Istheschoollocatedinasafearea?Whatisthecostofliving?Whattypesofculturalopportunitiesarethere?Doestheschoolproviderecreationalfacilities?Whatisthegeneralambiance?
CareerServices:Whatadvisingandresourcesareavailabletohelpstudentsfindajob?Iscareercounselingavailable?Howmanyemployersrecruitatthelawschoolandwhoarethey?Whatpercentageoftheclasshaspositionsatgraduation?Inwhattypesofpositionsandgeographicareasaretheyemployed?Whatisthepercentageofgraduatesholdingjudicialclerkships?Howinvolvedarealumniincareeractivities?
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UnderstandingAdmissionsCriteria ObjectiveCriteria*********************************************************Lawschoolsconsidertheobjectivecriteria,GPAandLSATscore,tobethefactorsthatmostaccuratelypredicthowapplicantswillperformintheirfirstyear.
LawSchoolAdmissionTest(LSAT):ApplicantstaketheLSAT,ahalf‐daystandardizedtest,duringoneoffourtestadministrationsofferedannuallybytheLawSchoolAdmissionCouncil.Scores,whichrangefrom120to180,areusedbymostlawschoolsasacommonmeasurementofpotentialforsuccessinlawschool.
UndergraduateGradePointAverage(GPA):Applicantssubmit
undergraduatetranscriptstotheCredentialAssemblyService(CAS),whichconvertsgradestoacumulativegradepointaverageusingasetofconsistentvalues.TheGPAoffersadmissionscommitteesanothernumericalbasisforcomparingapplicants.
ApplicantIndex:ManylawschoolsasktheCAStocombineapplicants’LSAT
scoresandGPAswithweightedconstantstoproduceasinglenumberwhichcanbeusedtoassessandcomparepotentialfordoingwell.
SubjectiveCriteria*********************************************************AlthoughyourGPAandLSATscoreareaverylargepieceoftheadmissionspuzzle,lawschoolsalsotakeintoaccountsomesubjectivecriteria.
PersonalStatement:Applicantssubmitapersonalstatementaspartoftheapplicationprocessforalmostalllawschools.Admissionscommitteeslookforaconcise,detailed,well‐writtenstatementrevealingtheapplicant'sindividuality.Theywanttolearnfromthestatementwhotheapplicantisandwhatmakeshim/herqualifiedtostudyattheirlawschools.
LettersofRecommendation:Mostlawschoolsrequireapplicantstosubmit
lettersofrecommendationfromprofessorsoremployerstogainadifferentperspectiveontheapplicant’sacademicstrengthandpersonalqualities.Admissionsofficersfindmosthelpfulspecificexamplesofapplicants’motivationandintellectualcuriosity,anassessmentofcommunicationskills,andacomparisonwithpeers.
Experience:Thisfactorincludesundergraduatecurricularand
extracurricularactivities,internships,part‐timeandfull‐timeworkexperience.
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ApplyingtoLawSchoolAfterreachingthedecisiontopursuealawdegree,youwillwanttofileastrongandcompleteapplicationtoincreaseyourchancesforadmission.ThefirststepintheapplicationprocesswillbetomeetwiththePre‐ProfessionalAdvisororFacultyAffiliateAdvisor,whocanhelpyoucreateastrategyformaximizingyourchancesforsuccess.NextyoushouldopenanonlineaccountwiththeLawSchoolAdmissionCouncil(LSAC).LSACiscomprisedofthe205AmericanBarAssociation‐approvedlawschoolsintheU.S.and15Canadianlawschools,andwasfoundedtocoordinateandfacilitatetheprocessofapplyingtolawschool.ApplicationCosts*********************************************************Beawarethatapplyingtolawschoolisanexpensiveendeavor.Basiccostsinclude:
CASregistrationfee LSATregistrationfee LawSchoolReports Applicationfees(perschool)
YoumightneedtoaddothercostssuchasLSATpreparation,traveltovisitlawschools,etc.LSACoffersfeewaiversforthosewithademonstratedinabilitytopayforessentialpartsoftheapplication.ThewaiverscovertwoLSATspertestingyear(JunethroughFebruary);theCASregistration,includingatotaloffourCASLawSchoolReports;and,acopyofTheOfficialLSATSuperPrep.FilingYourApplications*********************************************************Rememberthatyourfileisnotcompleteuntilallparts,includingtherecommendationlettersandtheCASreport,havebeenreceivedbylawschools.Completingapplicationformsisafairlystraightforwardprocess.Schoolswillbeseekingbasicinformationaboutyou,includingyouracademicbackground,extracurricularactivities,andemploymenthistory.Youmaybeaskedtolistotherschoolstowhichyouareapplying;respondingtothisquestionand/orindicatinganinterestinfinancialaidwillnotaffectyourchancesforadmission.Betruthfulandforthrightasyoucompletetheapplications.Enclosearesumewithyourapplication,butbesuretorespondtoallofthequestionsontheapplications.Dean’sCertifications*********************************************************Adean’scertificationisrequiredbysomelawschoolstoconfirmthatapplicantshavenotbeeninvolvedinacademicordisciplinarytransgressionsasundergraduates.AttheUniversityofMemphis,thiscertificationishandledbyTheOfficeofStudentConduct(359UniversityCenter;[email protected]).
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LawSchoolAdmissionTest(LSAT) TheLawSchoolAdmissionTest(LSAT)isrequiredforadmissiontoallAmericanBarAssociation‐approvedlawschools.ThetestisadministeredfourtimesperyearbytheLawSchoolAdmissionCouncil(LSAC).Detailedtestinformationregardingdates,sites,registrationforms,fees,anddeadlines,aswellasregistration,isavailableonline.LSATtestsitescanfillquickly,especiallyinoraroundmajorcities.Itisadvisabletoregisterseveralmonthsinadvanceofatestdatesothatyoucantakethetestinaconvenientlocation.SchedulingtheLSAT*********************************************************TheoptimaltimetotaketheexamisJuneoftheyearyouapply,buttakingthetestinthefallwillstillallowyoutoseeyourLSATscorebeforeapplying.ScoresfromtheDecemberadministrationwillreachlawschoolsintimetocompleteapplicationdeadlinesatallschools.IfyoutaketheDecembertest,plantosubmityourapplicationsaroundthetimeofthetest.Youmay,however,decidetowaittoseeyourscorebeforesubmittingyourapplications.ApplicantsshouldnevertaketheLSATona“trialrun”andshouldbethoroughlypreparedforeachattempt.ContentandScoring*********************************************************TheLSATisdesignedtoprovidelawschooladmissionscommitteeswithacommonmeasureofapplicants'aptitudeforlegalstudy.Thetestconsistsoffivemultiplechoicesections,eachthirty‐fiveminutesinlength:
Onereadingcomprehensionsection Oneanalyticalreasoningsection Twologicalreasoningsections Oneexperimentaltestquestionsection(notscored)
A35‐minutewritingsampleattheendofthetestisalsonotscored;copiesofthewritingsamplearesenttoschoolswhereyouapply.Yourscoreiscomputedonascaleof120to180,basedonthenumberofquestionsyouanswercorrectly;thereisnodeductionorpenaltyforincorrectanswers,soitisadvantageoustoguessifyoudonothavetimetoansweraquestion.
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LSATPreparation*********************************************************BeginyourpreparationwithLSACmaterialsandthenassessyourprogress.Ifyoufeelyouwouldbenefitfromamorestructuredprogramofstudy,youmaywanttoconsidertakingacommercialtestpreparationcourse.ThereareanumberofcompaniesthatoffertestprepincludingKaplan,PowerScore,andPrincetonReview,aswellasvariousprintedstudymaterials.TheUniversityofMemphisdoesnotsuggestanyoneparticularmethodoftestpreparationoveranotherandencouragesstudentstoresearchalloptionsanddeviseastudyplanthatworksbestforeachindividual. Commercialcoursesareexpensiveandthequalityofinstructioncanbeuneven,soitisimportanttolearnwhowillbeteachingthecourseandwhatmaterialswillbeused.TalkwithotherswhohavetakentheLSATtolearnfromtheirexperience,especiallyconcerningtheeffectivenessofcoursesyoumaybeconsidering. MoststudentsconsiderthelogicalreasoningsectionstobethemostdifficultpartoftheLSAT.StudentsarestronglyencouragedtocompletePhilosophy1611:ElementaryLogicasameansofdevelopingskillsrelatedtoapproachingquestionsofthisnature. Ifyouareregisteredforatestbutfeelyouarenotfullypreparedorinaframeofmindtoperformwell,itmaybebetternottotakethetest;lawschoolswillnotviewyourabsenceonthetestdatenegatively.Plantobewell‐preparedandtotakethetestonlyonce,butifyoudonotbelieveyourscoreisrepresentativeofyourabilities,forexample,youwerescoringconsiderablyhigheronpracticetests,youmaywanttoconsiderretakingthetest.ScoreReporting*********************************************************LawschoolsarerequiredtoreportthehighestscoresforstudentsintheirenteringclasstotheAmericanBarAssociation.ThosescoresarethenreportedtoorganizationssuchastheLawSchoolAdmissionCouncilforuseintheironlineandprintinformation.Schoolsvary,however,inhowtheyconsidermultipleLSATscoresinmakingadmissionsdecisions.Thoughmanyschoolsusethehigher/highestscoreinreachingdecisions,someofthemorecompetitiveschoolsusetheaverageofmultiplescoresunlessthereisacompellingreasontousethehigher/highestscore.Mostschoolswelcomeanaddendumexplainingthepointdifferenceinscores,includinganyextenuatingcircumstancesandahistoryofperformanceonstandardizedtests.LSACwillreporttheresultsofallLSATsyouhavetakenwithinfiveyears;however,youmayfindsomeschoolswillingtoconsideronlyscoresreceivedwithinathree‐orfour‐yearperiod.
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CredentialAssemblyService(CAS)Tocentralizeandstandardizetheobjectiveapplicationinformation(GPAsandLSATscores)ABA‐approvedlawschoolsrequireapplicantstosubscribetotheCredentialAssemblyService(CAS).Thisserviceorganizesandanalyzesapplicantinformationinawaythatallowslawschoolstocompareacademicrecordsfromundergraduateschoolsthatusedifferentgradingsystems.CASRegistration*********************************************************YouregisterfortheCASthroughyourLSACaccount.Onceregistered,youwillthensendortaketranscriptrequestforms,availablethroughCAS,toeachcollegeoruniversityfromwhichyouhaveearnedacademiccredit.CASReport*********************************************************ThereportpreparedbyCASwillincludethefollowing:
Ayearbyyeargradeandcreditsummary. Photocopiesofallyourtranscripts. YourGPAforeachacademicyear,yourdegreeGPAforyourhomeinstitution,
andyourcumulativeGPAreflectingworkatyourhomeinstitutionandallotherinstitutionsyouhaveattended.
Adescriptionofyouroverallgradedistribution. ThemeanLSATscoreandGPAofstudentsatyourundergraduateschoolwho
havesubscribedtotheCASandyourpercentilegraduationrankamongthosestudents.
Upto12LSATscoresfromthepastfiveyears,includingcancellationsandabsences.
AnaverageLSATscore,ifyouhavemorethanonescoreonfile. CopiesofyourLSATwritingsample.
TheCASreportmayalsoincludeanapplicantindexdescribedintheAdmissionsCriteriasection.
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PersonalStatementsPersonalstatementsarerequestedbymostlawschoolsandprovideyouwiththeopportunitytogobeyondtheobjectiveaspectsoftheapplicationtodiscusswhoyouareandwhatisimportanttoyou.Yourpersonalstatementiscrucialsincethemajorityoflawschoolsdonotconductinterviewsaspartoftheapplicationprocess. Personalstatementsprovidelawschoolswithachancetoreviewyourwritingskillsandyourabilitytofollowinstructions.Personal Statement Content *********************************************************Schoolswillbeseekinginformationaboutyourbackground,personalqualitiesandleadershipskills,andmotivationtolearnwhatisuniqueaboutyouandwhatdistinguishesyoufromothercandidateswithsimilarGPAsandLSATscores.Yourgoal,then,willbetowriteaconcise,detailedstatementestablishingyourselfasanindividual.Aninterestingandpersonaldiscussionaboutyourself,onethatrevealsyourpersonalityandcharacter,willhelpyoucomealivetotheadmissionscommittee.Yourpersonalstatementisyouropportunitytohighlightyouraccomplishments,addressanyseriousobstaclesyouhaveovercome,andtouchonnoteworthypersonalexperiencesandhowthesehavebeenimpactful.Itisimportanttorememberthatyourpersonalstatementshouldnotbeanexpandedversionofyourresumeandthatithighlightsyouandwhatyoulearnedfromtheexperience(s),ratherthanjusttheexperienceitself.Someschoolswillaskyoutorespondtoaspecificquestionorsuggestatopicforyourpersonalstatement,butmostwillleaveitopen‐ended.Ifyouareapplyingtoaschoolwithaspecificprompt,itisimportanttoclearlyaddresswhattheyareaskingfor.Manyapplicantswillwriteonepersonalstatementandthenadaptittomeettherequirementsofeachschool.Thisisperfectlyacceptable,however,makesureyoudonotsendanessaydetailingyourexcitementaboutSchoolA’scurriculumtoSchoolBbymistake.Yourstatementshouldbeserious,honest,andsincere,andthetoneshouldbeconfidentandpositive;anynegativeinformationyoufeelcompelledorarerequiredtodiscussshouldbeaddressedinotherpartsoftheapplicationorinanaddendum.PersonalStatementFormat*********************************************************Personalstatementsaretypicallytwodouble‐spacedpages,thoughyoumayfindthatsomeschoolswillgivemorelatitudeinlength.Ifschoolsdonotprovideguidelinesonlength,itisadvisabletosubmitastatementthatisapproximatelytwopagesinlength.Afewschoolswilllimitthenumberofwordspermittedandyoushouldabidebytheirguidelines.
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Lawschoolswillbelookingforevidencethatyoucanwriteacoherentstatement.Followgeneralguidelinesforwritingessays:thereshouldbeintroductoryandconcludingparagraphs,eachparagraphshouldbeginwithatopicsentence,andthereshouldbeaclearlineofdevelopmentthroughthestatement.Supportyourideaswithconcreteexamplesanduseactionwordstoshowthereader,ratherthanjusttellthem.Allowthereadertodrawinferencesfromyourdescriptionsratherthanexplicitlystatingyourpositivequalities.Listingyourstrengthsisnevergood;rather,youwanttodevelopanessaythatshowcasesthosequalities(character,values,commitment,passion,etc.).Proofreadcarefully,asanytypographicalorgrammaticalerrorswilldetractfromthefavorableimpressionthestatementmightotherwisemake.Donotuselargewordsinanattempttoimpressreaders;instead,usesimplelanguagecorrectly,andrelyonwell‐organized,interestingcontenttomakeanimpression.Seekadviceandinputfromvariouspeopleonceyouhavewrittenyourpersonalstatement.Addendum*********************************************************Asmentionedabove,youtypicallydonotwanttodiscussnegativeinformationinyourpersonalstatement.Ifthereisaweaknessinyourapplicationandyouthinkyourexplanationwillhelpyourcause,youshouldaddressitintheaddendum.Yourdiscussionintheaddendumshouldbebriefandtothepoint;identifytheissue,describehowyoudealtwithit,andstatetheoutcome.Remember,anaddendumisnotasecondpersonalstatement.
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LettersofRecommendationMostlawschoolsrequestthatoneortwolettersofrecommendationbesubmittedonbehalfofapplicants.Eveniflettersofrecommendationarenotrequired,youarestillstronglyencouragedtosubmitthem.Admissionscommitteeswillbeseekinginformationnotprovidedelsewhereintheapplications.Recommendationlettersshouldincludeconcreteexamplesofintellectualstrength,judgment,motivation,andleadership,alongwithanappraisalofcommunicationskillsandacomparisontopeers.AppropriateLetterWriters*********************************************************Recommendationletterswrittenbymembersoftheacademiccommunitycarrythemostweight,sincetheycanaddressyourperformanceinanacademicsettinganddiscussyourpotentialforsuccessinlawschool.Lawschoolsvaluelettersthataddressastudent'swriting,classparticipation,research,analyticalskills,andotheracademicabilities.Theyareespeciallyinterestedinaprofessor'sassessmentofastudent,ascomparedtootherstudentsheorshehastaughtovertheyears.Atleastonelettershouldbefromaprofessorinyourundergraduatemajor,ifpossible.Asyouconsiderwhomtoask,rememberthatitisbettertohaveanin‐depthletterfromateachingassistantorlecturerwithwhomyouworkedcloselythantohaveacursoryletterfromarenownedprofessorwhobarelyknowsyou.Lettersfrompeopleoutsideacademiamaycarrylessweight,sincetheymaybeunabletoaddressthetopicofgreatestinteresttoadmissionscommittees:youracademicpotential.However,ifyouhavebeenintheworkforceacoupleofyearsormore,lettersfromsupervisorscanbehelpful.Lawschoolsaretypicallylessimpressedwithlettersfromwell‐knownpoliticianssincetheletterstendtobedemonstrativeinpraisebutcontaininglittletonoessentialinformationabouttheapplicant’sacademicskills.AskingforaRecommendation*********************************************************Makeanappointmenttomeetwithletterwriterswellinadvanceoftheapplicationdeadline.Askthem,"Doyoufeelyouknowmyworkwellenoughtowriteapositiveletteronbehalfofmyapplicationtolawschool?"Provideinformationaboutyourbackgroundtoassisthim/herinwritingadetailedletter:
Acopyofyourtranscript. Adraftofyourpersonalstatement. Aresume. Copiesofexamsorpaperswritteninhis/herclass. RecommendationformsfromCASorthelawschools. StampedenvelopesaddressedtoLSAC. Alistofdateswhenrecommendationsaredue.
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Besuretodiscusswaivingyourrightofaccesstoyourletters.Youmaywanttowaiveyourrightsinceyoumayfindsomewritersunwillingtowritelettersifapplicantshaveaccesstothem,andsomeadmissionscommitteemembersmaydiscountdisclosedletters.Ifyouhavenotbeennotifiedthatyourapplicationiscompletebyaboutonemonthbeforeadeadline,contacttheschooltoseeifyourrecommendationshavearrived.Speakwiththosewriterswhohavenotsentlettersyettoremindthempolitelyoftheapproachingdeadline.Afteryouhavereceiveddecisions,sendthank‐youletterstoyourrecommenders,andletthemknowwhereyouhavebeenacceptedandwhereyouintendtoenroll. NumberofRecommendations*********************************************************Youcansubmitadditionalletterseventhoughaschoolasksforonlyoneortwo.Threeletterswillbeacceptableatmostschools,andfourshouldbeconsideredtheabsolutemaximum. LetterofRecommendation(LOR)Service*********************************************************LORservicesareofferedasaconveniencetoCredentialAssemblyService(CAS)registrants,recommendation/evaluationwriters,andlawschools.Aletterdiscussesthequalitiesandcharacteristicsoftheapplicant'sability,academicandotherwise,tostudylaw.Lettersmaybesubmittedelectronicallyoronpaper,dependingontherecommender'spreference.UseofLSAC'sLORserviceisoptionalunlessalawschooltowhichyouareapplyingstatesthatitsuseisrequired.TheseservicesallowyoutouseyourLSAC.orgaccounttohaveyourLORsandevaluationssenttolawschoolsbasedoneachschool'srequirementsorpreferences.LetterswillbemaintainedforfiveyearsfromthetimeyouregisterforCASorfromthetimeyoutaketheLSAT,whichevercomeslast.
AdmissionsDecisions Thetimetableforreviewinglawapplicationsandinformingapplicantsofadmissionsdecisionsvariesfromschooltoschool.NotificationscancomeanytimebetweenDecemberandlatespring/earlysummer.Applicantsareinformedbye‐mailorletteroftheschools'decisions;candidatesareeitheraccepted,denied,orwait‐listed,whichmeanstheapplicantisconsideredadesirablecandidateandmaybeadmittedlater.Lawschoolsoftenplaceapplicantson"hold"or"reserve"priortoreachingadecisionandfrequentlynotifycandidatesofthisstatus.Applicationsofthoseonholdorreservearereconsideredatalaterdate,usuallybeforethefilesofthosewhohavebeenwait‐listed.
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EnhancingYourApplication*********************************************************Thereareseveralthingsyoucandotoimproveyourchancesofadmissionifyouareonreserveorhavebeenwait‐listed:
Writealettertothedirectorofadmissionstoinformhim/herofyourstronginterestintheschoolandtoprovideanupdateonyouractivitiessinceyousubmittedyourapplication.
Iftheschoolisyourfirstchoice,statethatyouwillattendifaccepted.
Ifyouareasenior,informtheschoolofaccomplishmentssinceyouapplied.PerhapsyouhavecompletedyourhonorsthesisoryouwereacceptedintoPhiBetaKappa.
Ifyouarecurrentlyworking,describeyourprofessionalresponsibilitiesandincludeanupdatedresume.
Sendanadditionalletterofrecommendationfromaprofessororemployer;however,thetotalnumberofrecommendationlettersonyourbehalfshouldnotexceedfour.
Visitthelawschooltodemonstrateyourstronginterest.Contacttheadmissionsofficetoarrangeatourandsitinonaclassortwo.Someadmissionsofficerswillagreetomeetwithapplicants,butgenerallythesediscussionsarenotevaluative.
MakingaDecision*********************************************************Anactualvisittothelawschoolsyouhavebeenadmittedtocanbeinvaluablewhenmakingyourfinaldecision.Notonlywillyoubeabletotakeatourofeachschoolandattendclasses,youhavetheopportunitytomeetfacultyandstaffandspeakwithcurrentstudentsabouttheirperspectiveonfactorsimportanttoyou,suchasaccessibilityoffaculty,careerservices,competitivenessofstudents,etc.Followupwithathank‐youlettertotheadmissionsofficestatingwhatimpressedyouabouttheschool.Ifyouareunabletovisittheschool,contacttheadmissionsofficetoinquireaboutcurrentstudentsandalumniwhomaybeavailabletospeakwithyou.Costandfinancialaidawardsshouldalsobeconsideredwhenmakingadecision.Ifyouwillbeenteringlawschoolwithdebtaccumulatedasanundergraduate,financialfactorscanplayanevengreaterroleinyourdecision.Ultimately,youneedtodecidewhichschoolisbestforyouandwhereyoucanthriveasalawstudent.Yourperformanceinlawschoolwillhaveasignificantimpactonthetypeofemploymentopportunitiesavailabletoyouaftergraduation.
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Youwilltypicallyberequiredtosubmitadeposittoeachschoolyouareacceptedto,toholdyourspace.Depositsmaybeduebeforeyouhearfromallschools.Contactschoolsthatacceptyoutoexplainyoursituationandaskiftheywouldbewillingtoextendthedepositdeadline.Onceyouhavereachedafinaldecisiononwhichschoolyouwillattend,notifyallschoolsyouwereacceptedtosothattheycanofferyourseattosomeoneelse.ReapplyingLater*********************************************************Ifyouarenotacceptedatalawschoolyouwouldliketoattend,considerretakingtheLSATifyoufeelthatyoucanimproveyourscore,orrevisingyourlistofschoolsifyoudecidetoreapply.Workingforafewyearscanmakeadifferenceintheadmissionsprocessandcanalsoprovideexposuretoanothercareerfieldthatmightengageyourinterest.
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Financing Law School Lawschoolisanimportantinvestmentinyourfuture.Considerthefinancialaidprocessasseriouslyasyoudothelawschoolapplicationprocess.Beforeyouapplytolawschool,spendmoneywiselyandpayyourbillsontimetoensureagoodcreditrecord.Badcreditwillaffectyourabilitytoborrowmoney.Ifpossible,payoffcreditcardsandotherconsumerdebtbeforelawschool.Thinkaboutyourpost‐lawschoolgoals.Salariesforlawyersvarywidely,dependingonthetypeofpracticeandregion.Lawschooldebtmayclaimasignificantportionofyourincomeasalawyer,soconsiderwaystokeepdebtataminimum,suchasstate‐supportedschoolsorschoolsthatoffermerit‐basedaid.Ifyouareconsideringacareeringovernmentorpublicinterestlaw,investigateloanrepaymentassistanceprograms(LRAPs)thathelplawschoolgraduatesrepaytheireducationdebt.FundingSources*********************************************************Itisoftensaid,“Ifyoulivelikealawyerinlawschool,youwilllivelikealawstudentonceyougraduate.”Frugalitycanbeyourbestfriendwhenpreparingforlawschool.
PersonalSavings/FamilySupport:Ifpossible,setasideyourownfundstohelppayforlawschool.Talkwithfamilymembersaboutwhethertheycanhelpwithlawschoolexpenses.Somestudentschoosetoliveathomeduringlawschooltoavoidpayingrent.
FederalLoans:Manystudentsrelyprimarilyonfederalloanprogramsto
financelawschool.Totalfederalaidisavailabletocover(butnotexceed)thelawschool’sstudentexpensebudget,whichincludestuitionandfees,roomandboard,booksandsupplies,transportation,andotherexpenses.Becauseyouareapplyingforgraduatestudy,youareconsideredindependentofyourparentsfortheseloans.
PrivateLoans:Creditisanimportantfactorinsecuringprivateloans.
Interestrates,fees,andtermsofrepaymentvarysignificantly.ItisbesttoworkwithyourlawschoolfinancialaidofficeBEFOREmakingadecisionaboutloansforlawschool.Bewareofdirectmarketingfromprivatelenders.Itispossibletofinanceyourlegaleducationentirelythroughfederalfinancialaidprogramswhichareregulatedbythefederalgovernmentandtypicallyhavelowerinterestrates.
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GrantsandScholarships:Grantsandscholarshipsareofferedbylawschoolsbaseduponcriteriasetbytheschool,whichcanincludeacademicmerit,financialneed,ethnicity,specifictalents,residencyorotherqualifications.Checkwitheachlawschoolearlyintheapplicationprocessformoreinformation.Lawschoolsmayoffermeritscholarshipstohighlyqualifiedapplicantswithanofferofadmission.Whenlawschoolsconsideryourfinancialneed,theymayrequirefamilyincomeinformationevenifyouareconsideredindependentfortaxpurposes,orforfederaleducationloans.Somestatesprovidelimitedgrantsforlawschool;therearenofederalgrantsforlawstudents.Certainnationalfoundationsandorganizationsoffergrantsandscholarshipsforlawschoolthroughacompetitiveapplicationprocess.
Earnings:TheAmericanBarAssociationsetslimitsonthenumberofhoursa
first‐yearlawstudentcanworkperweek.Afterthefirstyear,manylawstudentsobtainsummeremploymentandpart‐timeemploymentduringtheschoolyear.Thiscanhelpreducetheamountofmoneyborrowed.
ApplyingforFinancialAid*********************************************************Beforeyoubeginthefinancialaidprocess,checkyourcredit.Youcanorderafreecopyofyourcreditreportfromannualcreditreport.com;onceyoureceiveyourreportyoushouldreviewtheinformationforaccuracy.Certainloansmaynotbeavailabletoyouifyourcredithistorydoesnotmeetminimumstandards.Itisveryimportanttoapplyearlyforfinancialaid.Checkeachlawschool’swebsitefortheiraiddeadlines.Someschoolshaveprioritydatesforsubmittingfinancialaidinformation;studentswhoapplyearlierhaveabetteropportunitytoobtainlimitedgrantmoney.CompleteyourFAFSAassoonaspossibleafterJanuary1.CompletionoftheFAFSA(FreeApplicationforFederalStudentAid)isrequiredforallfederalstudentloanprograms.TheFAFSAisalsousedbysomelawschoolstocollectinformationfortheirowninstitutionalaid.BecausetheFAFSArequirestaxinformationfromthepreviousyear,itcannotbecompletedbeforeJanuary1.Someschoolshaveseparateapplicationsforfinancialaid,whileothersusethelawschoolapplicationortheFAFSA.Schoolsalsovaryinhowtheydistributetheirownfunds.DonotwaittocompletetheFAFSAuntilafteryouareadmittedtoalawschool.Youcanlistuptosixlawschoolswhereyouwantreportssent,andupdatethislistwithadditionalschools.Ifyouhavespecialcircumstances,providethisinformationtothelawschoolfinancialaidoffice.Thiscanbecriticalforlawstudentswhohavebeenworkingfull‐timeintheprioryearorwhohaveunusualmedicalorfamilyexpenses.
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FinancialAidDecisions*********************************************************Onceyouhaveprovidedallrequiredinformation,lawschoolscanofferyouafinancialaidpackage.Todetermineyourfinancialneed,schoolstaketheestimatedcontributioncalculatedbythefederalgovernmentonyourFAFSAandsubtractitfromtheschool’sstudentexpensebudget.Indecidingwhichlawschooltoattend,itisimportanttobalanceyourfinancialconsiderationswithothercriteria,suchasreputation,location,size,faculty,programsandplacementsuccess.Comparethenetofyourprojectedcostsateachschoolyouareconsidering,offsetbyanyoffersofgrantsorscholarshipsfromtheschool,todeterminetheamountyouwillneedtomakeupthroughloansorpersonalfunds.Onceyouhavechosenalawschool,expecttoreceiveimportantadditionalfinancialinformationfromtheschool.EventhoughyouhavealreadycompletedtheFAFSAandlawschoolfinancialaidforms,youmuststillapplyfortheloans.Yourlawschoolfinancialaidofficewillhelpyouidentifythecorrectprocessforsecuringfederalloans,and,ifneeded,privateloans.Doyourhomeworktocomparefeesandrepaymenttermsforallofyourloans,usingloancalculatorsavailableonfinancialaidwebsites.Keepgoodrecordsofallloantransactions.Borrowonlywhatyouneed,andnotmore,tokeepyourdebtlowandyourmonthlyrepaymentamountmanageable.FinancialAidResources*********************************************************
FederalStudentAid
Informationonpublicinterestlawprogramsandlawschoolloanrepaymentassistanceprograms(LRAP)
Studentguidetofinancialaid
Financialaidsearchengine
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LegalCareerResourcesTheLawSchoolAdmissionCouncilprovidesacomprehensivelistingofresourcestohelpprospectivelawstudentsexplorelegalcareers,considerlegaleducation,applytolawschool,andfinancetheirlawschooleducation.LawRelatedOrganizations*********************************************************AmericanBarAssociation(ABA)isthenationalorganizationofthelegalprofession.TheCounciloftheSectionofLegalEducationandAdmissionstotheBaroftheABAisidentifiedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEducationasthe“nationallyrecognizedaccreditingagencyforprofessionalschoolsoflaw.”CouncilonLegalEducationOpportunity(CLEO)assistseconomicallyandeducationallydisadvantagedapplicantsinpreparingforlawschool.LawSchoolAdmissionCouncil(LSAC)isanonprofitcorporationcomprising210lawschoolsintheU.S.andCanadathatprovidesservicestothelegaleducationcommunity.TheAssociationforLegalCareerProfessionals(NALP)isdedicatedtofacilitatinglegalcareercounselingandplanning,recruitmentandretention,andtheprofessionaldevelopmentoflawstudentsandlawyers.HEATHResourceCenterisanationalclearinghouseforpersonswithdisabilities.Thefollowingorganizationscanprovideadviceandhelptominoritycandidatesapplyingtolawschool:
ABACommissiononRacialandEthnicDiversityintheProfession HispanicNationalBarAssociation MexicanAmericanLegalDefenseandEducationFund NAACPLegalDefenseandEducationFund NationalAsianPacificAmericanBarAssociation NativeAmericanRightsFund