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I. Preparing for Law School
II. Admission Criteria
III. Choosing a Law School
IV. Applying
V. Financing Your Degree
VI. Helpful Websites
I. Preparing for Law School
A. Choosing a Major: There are no specific majors law schools prefer.
Your academic record should reflect a broad educational background.
Since communication and analytical skills are two important components
to succeeding in law school, choose courses that develop reading,
logical thinking, writing and research skills. Choose a major which
interests you and that you enjoy, therefore, leading to successful
completion of the major.
B. Learning about the Profession: Be sure the legal profession is
for you. You can do this by reading books (available in the Career
Center's library), talking with individuals in the profession, and
completing an internship in a legal office (an internship
database and directories are available through the Career Center).
The
Career Advice Network (CAN) is a group of UCSC alumni and professionals
who are willing to talk with current students and fellow alumni
about their careers. There is a good representation of lawyers in
the database. Be sure to talk with these people about the field
of law.
II. Admission Criteria
The primary factors for most law schools are your GPA (grade point
average)/narrative evaluations and LSAT scores (the admission index).
Other more subjective criteria include faculty letters of recommendation,
statement of purpose, extracurricular activities and work experience.
Some law schools will "forgive" a poor performance during
the first year if the junior and senior years show improvement and
excellence. Some law schools will assign extra points for difficult
courses, so do not load your schedule with easy, introductory courses
to improve your GPA. For alumni with narrative evaluations, some
law schools may attempt to transcribe your narrative evaluations
into a GPA. In other cases, more weight may be placed on LSAT scores.
Ask schools to which you apply how they evaluate your narrative
evaluations.
III. Choosing a Law School
There are many things to consider in choosing a law school. Beware
of law school rankings by such publications as U.S. News. The highest
ranked law schools in such reports may not be the best schools for
you. Choosing a law school which is appropriate for you will take
some research. Things you should consider include:
A. ABA Approval: Some law schools are not approved by the American
Bar Association. Some non-ABA law schools in California are California
bar approved. However, you may have difficulty sitting for the bar
in another state. Be sure to research bar admission limitations
of such schools.
B. Curriculum and Special Programs: What is the range and quality
of courses? Are special programs or activities offered? Are courses
offered in an area you may want to specialize (e.g., environmental
law)?
C. Faculty: What is the faculty to student ratio? What are the special
strengths of the faculty?
D. Bar Exam/Job Placement: What is the success rate of graduates
in passing the bar? Where are graduates finding jobs?
E. Student Body: Is the student body competitive or supportive,
diverse or homogenous?
F. Location: It will be easier to network and find a job after graduation
if you attend a school in the vicinity you wish to work.
G. Library: How extensive and accessible is the library?
H. Financial Support: What types of financial support are offered
by the institution?
I. Cost: What is the cost of the program and how much can you afford?
J. Chances of Admission: Research the average LSAT score and GPA
of admitted applicants to schools in which you are interested. This
information can be found in the ABA/LSAC “Official Guide to
ABA-Approved Law Schools” (also available on-line at LSAC.org).
The Boston College On-line School Locator (see section
VI) can assist you in choosing schools. Apply to as many schools
as you can afford (the average is 6-8). Apply to schools which are
your "ideal" school but you may have difficulty in admission.
Apply to schools whose average GPA and LSAT match yours, and apply
to "safety" schools where you have an excellent chance
of admission (but you are willing to attend).
IV. Applying
A. Deadlines: Law school deadlines vary and may extend as late as
April. Most schools have rolling admissions, e.g., they admit students
as applications are received. It is to your advantage to submit
your
application as soon as possible (attempt to have all your application
materials in by early November).
B. Materials: Most law schools will require completion of an application
form and a statement of purpose. The latter is very important in
admission consideration. These forms are sent directly to each law
school.
C. LSAT: All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test.
It is recommended that you take the test in June before your senior
year or October of your senior year for admission fall after graduation.
The advantage of taking it in June is that you may repeat it in
October if your score is low. However, if you are preparing for
final exams or your senior comp, it may be wiser to study for the
LSAT during the summer and take the October exam. The LSAT is a
half-day test consisting of five 35-minute multiple-choice sections
with questions on reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and
logical thinking. Four of the five sections compose your score,
with the fifth section used for testing new questions. A 35-minute
writing sample is administered at the end of the test (it is not
scored by Law Services, however, is sent to law schools to which
you apply). The LSAT is a score ranging from 120-180. The average
LSAT score is about 152, however, law schools vary in the weight
placed on the LSAT. You should be prepared to take the LSAT and
plan to take it only once. There are various study courses and books
to assist you in preparing for the exam.
D. LSDAS Registration: All applicants must register for the Law
School Data Assembly Service. The LSDAS simplifies the admission
process by collecting and sending application materials to law schools.
You do not need to indicate to Law Service where you want reports
to be sent; the schools to which you apply will request the materials.
You need to send official transcripts from all higher education
institutions. The Law Service will submit a copy of the transcripts,
your LSAT scores with writing sample, your letters of recommendation,
and a Law School Report to each school (the latter is a summary
sheet prepared by LSDAS which includes background information and
a summary of your transcripts and LSAT). LSDAS allows you to complete
all of your specific law school applications on-line. A common information
form will save you time.
E. Letters of Recommendation: Most law schools require 2-3 letters
of recommendation. You may send your letters to LSDAS for processing.
When you request letters from faculty, provide them with the following
items: The LSDAS form which must accompany the letter (available
on-line at LSAC.org),
a stamped, addressed envelope for mailing, a copy of your narrative
evaluation(s), a brief personal statement indicating why you want
to study law, and a copy of any papers you wrote for the course
with faculty comments. You may submit 4 general letters and unlimited
school-specific letters to LSDAS. Letters should be written by faculty
who can comment on your intellectual ability.
F. Dean’s Letter: Some schools require a Dean’s letter.
This should be completed by your academic preceptor at your college
and signed by the preceptor or provost.
V. Financing Your Degree
Most students apply for Federal Stafford Loans. In addition, some
law schools have their own special scholarships and financial aid
(be sure to check for early deadlines).
VI. Helpful Web Sites
LSAC
Prelaw Insider
Princeton
Univ.
of Rice Pre-Law Handbook
Boston
College Law School Locator
US
News
Internet
Legal Resource Guide
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