Summer is right around the corner, but for aspiring law school students, the summer months are a time to rack up valuable volunteer hours and internship experience. We know firsthand just how difficult it is to get into law school, so we’ve compiled some helpful tips from law schools across the country to help you secure admission into law school!
1. Know When to Apply (Hint – Apply early!).
Answer from the University of Minnesota Law School – “Applying early can help an applicant a great deal. With a rolling admissions process, the most space in an incoming class is available at the beginning of the application cycle. As the cycle progresses, the applicant pool becomes considerably stronger. Also, applicants can set themselves apart from their peers by identifying in their application why they are interested in attending the University of Minnesota Law School, specifically. Students are encouraged to cast a broad net when searching for law schools, but our Admissions Committee is often impressed by applicants who take the time to tailor their application for Minnesota.”
2. Crush your LSAT/Bar.
Taking the bar exam is simultaneously one of the most rewarding and nerve-wracking things that many recent law school graduates do. Those who are completing an LL.M. degree and haven’t yet taken the bar should plan carefully for the exam, as taking it more than once can be both expensive and time-consuming. For more tips on sitting the bar, visit the University of Southern California website.
If you’re sitting the LSATs instead of the bar then you will need to hunker down ASAP. Some schools place a considerably high value on your LSAT score, while others give it equal weight, so don’t stress too much if your don’t have a standout score. The University of Minnesota Law School says “The LSAT score is an important part of the application, but it does not determine the success of an application by itself,” while Arizona State University states that “the LSAT score is one indication of an applicant’s ability to succeed in the study of law, [but] we do not assign any particular weight to any of the pieces of the application.” So in conclusion, study hard and do your best on the test, but an average score is not the end of the world if you have other strong attributes.
3. Acing the Application Essay.
If you’re applying to multiple law schools, sending a “one size fits all” essay is a bad idea. You need to stand out and tailor your essay to the school you’re applying to, and not all schools have the same essay guidelines. Here are some tips from law schools at the University of Denver, Arizona State and Baylor for writing your essay. Remember to always read over your essay multiple times once you’ve finished it. If you’re not sure how to correctly proofread for the best results, search around online for tips. Even resources such as this “what is proofreading” article could help you decide on how to best approach checking your essay for errors.
- Significant personal experiences beyond what may be reflected in your transcripts and on your résumé.
- Characteristics and experiences that you will bring to law school and the legal profession that distinguish you from other applicants.
- Long-range career plans and goals that you intend to pursue with your law degree.
- Applicants will write thoughtfully and specifically about the experiences, challenges, and events in their lives that will allow them to contribute to class discussions in a unique way.
- Any aspect of the applicant’s background that would allow him or her to distinctively enrich the law school environment.
4. Work Experience Can Set You Apart.
A large portion of students apply to law school right after the receive their undergraduate degree, which means they probably don’t have a lot of work experience, but going the extra mile to get some experience on your resume can set you apart from the rest. For example, Baylor University said work experience is a great way to stand out from the competition. “Work experience oftentimes weighs favorably in the admissions process, but the lack of work experience does not necessarily put an applicant at a significant disadvantage.”
5. Letters of Recommendation.
Just like your essay, your letters of recommendation need to be tailored to your specific school. Some schools want a minimum number of letters, while others only want them from someone who knows you in an academic capacity, so research what each law school wants. For example, Arizona State Law School wants “letters of recommendation from people who know the applicant well and have taught or supervised the applicant and can speak specifically to the applicant’s abilities and potential,” while the University of Minnesota Law School says “applicants who are still in college or recent graduates should choose recommenders from an academic setting, [but] if an applicant has been out of college for more than two years, letters from an employer may be submitted.”
Related sources: US News How To Get In: Arizona State, Baylor, Denver, Minnesota
