There are several steps that every law school applicant must
complete before being admitted to law school. Each step is essential and
provides its own set of challenges. The following tips will guide you through
some of the most important steps and prepare you for the tasks that lie ahead.
Choose the Right Law
School
Choosing the right law school will not only make it easier
to get the education you need and the job you want after graduation, it will
also make it easier to get accepted. Law schools look for students who are a
good fit. They want students who are able to handle the curriculum and who will
either blend in well or help make the student body diverse for a very specific
reason. If you choose a school based on your academic abilities and
professional goals versus name and rank alone, you are much more likely to meet
the very important "match requirement."
Give Yourself Time to
Prepare for the LSAT
LSAT scores are not the only
factor considered in the admissions process, but they are a major factor. Law schools will use your LSAT
scores to determine whether or not you have the skills and knowledge essential
for success in law school. In short, a high score will make it look like you
have what it takes to keep up with the smarter students in class. The LSAT is
harder than most standardized tests. However, it is possible to get a good
score with a decent amount of preparation. Take at least six months to prep
through books, online resources, and if necessary, an LSAT prep course.
Register with the
LSDAS
The LSDAS (Law School Data Assembly Service) is the LSAC's
Credential Assembly Service for JD applicants. Nearly all ABA
Write an Effective
Personal Statement
The personal statement is a very important aspect of any law
school application. Admissions committees will use this document to sort you
out from other applicants and determine whether or not you would be a valuable
addition to their law school. Your personal statement should be concise,
interesting, and professional. More importantly, it should be personal. If your
finished statement sounds like it could have been written by anyone who wants
to become a lawyer, then you need to rewrite it until it explains why YOU want
to be lawyer. Making your personal statement unique is one of the easiest and
most effective ways of demonstrating who you really are to admissions
committees.
Choose Your
Recommenders Carefully
Law schools want to see recommendations so that they can discover
what other people think about you. To make a good impression, you will need to
choose your recommenders carefully. The best recommenders are past professors.
These individuals will be able to accurately describe your ethic or your
ability to work in an academic environment. Employers are also acceptable if
you aren't able to find enough (or the right) professors. The key, in any
regard, is to find someone who can recommend you with the right amount of
conviction and provide details to support that conviction.
Guest post from education writer Karen Schweitzer. Karen is
the About.com Guide to Business
School
