Managing Law School Student Loan Debt

Categories: Advice

No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome!

For my tips re: managing student loan debt as a lawyer, law student, and law school applicant, check out:
http://www.frugallawstudent.com/2007/07/30/interview-with-ann-k-levine-law-school-admissions-expert-and-coach/

Thanks so much to Brett at Frugal Law Student for taking the time to interview me for yesterday’s post, and for sending his great readers my way yet again.

Advice for Incoming 1Ls

Categories: Advice

No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome!

Check out Tips for Pre-Law Students for some good tips to help hold it together during those first days of law school. Good luck to all of my clients who are about to begin this adventure! This post is for you!

Re-Applying to Law School & the LSAT

Categories: LSAT, Re-Applying to Law School

4 Comments »

I just received this comment on another posting and wanted more readers to benefit from the response:
“I am in the 30+ range and did the LSAT years ago and got a 144 and did not get into the schools I wanted. I am going to do it agin this fall (September). What would you suggest that I do to get to at least 150 or more?”

This comment raises a number of issues – more than meets the surface – and I will try to address them here.
1. Something that’s important to remember about the LSAT is that it’s an aptitude test. Anyone who tells you to shoot for a certain score and not take the test until you’re sure you’re going to get that score does not understand this exam. As I’ve said before, I could study for a year and still not get a 180. So, while it’s possible for you to get a 150, and a 150 might even be the right score for you, having a specific goal in your head isn’t the right way to go about it.

2. What is the right way to go about it? If a client asked me this question, I’d first want to know what you did to prepare last time. Did you study on your own? Take a prep course? Which prep course? How dedicated were you? How much time did you spend? If you did everything the “right” way, what is your standardized testing history? I would try to determine, based on statistics and on my experience with similar applicants, whether you are a good candidate to re-take the exam. If you are, I would suggest strategies that fit your lifestyle, budget, and abilities.

3. Where did you apply? I’d want to see whether you applied to schools that are right for you given your qualifications, experiences, and goals. After all, if you applied to Top 10 schools then even getting your score above 150 isn’t going to be productive. One thing I do with people in your situation is evaluate the schools you’re considering and suggest others that I’ve seen exhibit a little more flexibility around the LSAT.

4. How strong was the rest of your application? You have to give them a reason to look beyond your LSAT score. This reason is different for every candidate, and it’s why I urge applicants to stay away from “one size fits all” advice. (which leads to #5…)

5. Brett McKay at Frugal Law Student asked me how a law school applicant might save money by working with me. (The full interview will be posted on his blog early next week). Applying the right way, to the right schools, and preparing adequately for the LSAT the first time you take it are all things that will save you money (and time and agony) in the long run.

I guess what I’m really trying to say is this: Call me! Let’s talk about how I can help you meet your goals. Check out testimonials on my web site from people who were in similar circumstances. And, please check out previous postings about low LSAT scores so you know that things are not hopeless.

LOR Tips for Non-Traditional Applicants

Categories: Letters of Rec, Non-Traditional Applicants

1 Comment »

Pete left me this comment and I wanted to answer his question so more people could benefit from the response:

“Do you have any tips for older folks (30+) who are still working their way through their undergrad degrees on applying to law school? As an evening student with a full-time job, I don’t have the same opportunity to build relationships through “face time” with my professors that more “traditional” students have. (Usually everyone’s ready to go when class ends at 10PM, the professor included!) I’m sure all hope is not lost, but what alternatives are there?”

First of all, understand that your efforts to get your degree are well appreciated by law schools. They understand that it takes self-financing and additional motivation and hard work to complete a degree while working full time.

Also, a lot of traditional college students suffer from the same lack of “face time” with faculty. It’s not just you. You need to think about what else you bring to the table – is there someone from work? A supervisor, a client, a vendor who can speak to your accomplishments and abilities? A community service organization that you’ve served? Also, remember it’s not too late to get to know a professor. If you did well in a class, call up that professor and see if he/she can meet you for coffee and get to know you and whether he/she would be willing to write a letter on your behalf based on your classroom performance.

Your situation is not unique, and law schools are prepared for it. It should help to know that Letters of Rec are the least important area of your application (unless they are terrible, then you are in trouble)….

P.S. The comment below is from a former client, currently attending U. of Florida School of Law. I solicited his input because it sounds like he and Pete are/were in similar circumstances.

How Many Law Schools Should You Apply To?

Categories: Advice

4 Comments »

I saw one of my competitors today give the very helpful advice that you should apply to anywhere between 1-27 law schools. Helpful, right?
They were right about one thing – location comes first. (See my previous postings about why this is true).
The answer to this question really depends on your professional goals, potential weaknesses in your application, and the strength of your experiences and how they are presented in your application. For example, if you have a problem in your application, like an arrest or academic probation, this rule doesn’t work for you. Likewise, if the city where you want to be only has 3 law schools you won’t find this to be very helpful.
That being said, a good rule of thumb is this:
1. Apply to 2-4 schools where your LSAT is at the 25th percentile.
2. Apply to 2 schools where your LSAT is at the 75th percentile.
3. Apply to 3-5 schools where your LSAT is in the mid-range of accepted applicants.

Why am I only counting LSAT? Because GPA is too subjective. A 3.1 from one school might be equivalent to a 3.6 at another school. An upward grade trend can also make a difference. If your grades are in the 3.0 range, this rule of thumb probably will work for you if your applications are strong and really sell your strengths.

A great option: Applying as a Transfer Student

Categories: Transfer Applicants

53 Comments »

Frustrated that your LSAT and GPA performance will limit your opportunities? Here’s something to keep in mind – If you finish your 1L year with good grades, you can transfer into some amazing schools. (Schools don’t have to report your LSAT and GPA to the ABA, therefore it doesn’t count in rankings).

Some examples – this year I had someone from Golden Gate get into William and Mary, and just today I heard great news that one client who I helped with his JD applications and again with his transfer applications got into Georgetown (from Catholic)! I also want to put in another plug for the ABA LSAC Official Guide to Law Schools – the only book any law school applicant absolutely must own. This year they added information about the number of transfer applicants accepted, and the number of people who transferred out. I will post more goodies about transfers another day – but this should at least put the idea in your head that there are more possibilities than you initially considered.

UC Irvine to Open Law School in 2009

Categories: Law School Location

1 Comment »

UC Irvine will be home to California’s next public law school. It’s sure to be competitive from the beginning – a state school in Orange County. (San Diego and LA are both inconvenient to those who live in Orange County due to traffic in the area). More information is available here.