Categories: Advice, Financing a Legal Education, LSAT, LSAT Prep, Law School Admission Trends, Law School Rankings, Wait lists, waitlist
Tags: LSAT Prep, success stories, US News Rankings, waiting list
 No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome!
Yes, I miss Glee. But in the meantime, it’s been an exciting few weeks and I want to share a few highlights with you. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. I was interviewed for US News’ article, “As Law School Tuitions Climb, So Does Demand.” It’s worth a read, just don’t get to caught up in the negative comments about law school. You know how I feel about those. But I do hope that the article inspires more of you to consider scholarships over rank, at least to some degree. (The article was even picked up by Above the Law).
2. Speaking of US News…. are you sitting down? This may shock a few of you who’ve been following my blog for a while. I am going to be the Law School blogger for US News. Starting August 1st, I’ll be writing weekly columns on all things related to the law school admission cycle. Pretty exciting stuff. And, yes, I’ll even be sharing my thoughts on rankings : )
3. Another waiting list success story: One of my favorite clients, (ok, they’re pretty much all favorite clients), just found himself at a crossroads. After working on law school applications with me for two years (he wasn’t happy with his LSAT the first time around and decided to wait), he was in his car, followed by a moving truck, on his way to Tulane Law. He was excited about Tulane: great school, nice scholarship, near his girlfriend’s family. Then, he was somewhere near my hometown in Alabama when he got the call – he was pulled from the waiting list at Emory!!! He called me, totally panicked, excited about the opportunity but feeling like this was a major curve. After asking what his girlfriend thought he should do (go to Emory) I told him, “You’re three hours from Atlanta- GO!” Here’s a situation where ranking prevailed - Emory is #20 and Tulane is #45, and he really loved Emory when he visited. I offer this story as encouragement for all of you who are still on wait lists: Fight, fight, fight!!!
4. I’ve been talking to a lot of people who are wondering whether it’s too late to get started studying for the October LSAT. The answer is my favorite of all answers – it depends. Are you working full time and going to school? Then, yes, it’s too much to start fitting LSAT prep into that mix. But if you have time to dedicate, give it a shot! If a month from now, in mid-August, you find you haven’t been able to dedicate yourself to the effort then put it off until December. But if you have time to really start concentrating on it, do it! I told one of my clients this week that, come Monday, I expect her to have a study schedule set up. If you take my advice on this, you won’t have to call me (or ask on the blog) telling me you didn’t prepare adequately for the October LSAT, terrified that December is too late in the game to be competitive.
Ok, that’s about it for today. I had a wonderful week in Maui, and this weekend we’ll be going to my husband’s 20th reunion for high school. I hope your summer is going well!
Categories: Application Timeline, LSAT, LSAT; Rolling Admissions
8 Comments »
Way back when, I took the June LSAT.
If LSAT prep courses and law school admission consultants (or, of course, the Internet) had existed back in 1995, I hope someone would’ve told me a few things. Among them:
1. Since I’d only studied for one month, on my own, and was not a naturally brilliant standardized test taker, I should’ve waited until the October test administration. Especially since I’m also a morning person. I should have learned more about the option of canceling my LSAT score. If this is you, and you are taking the LSAT with the advantage of all of the resources I lacked, then consider canceling your LSAT and registering (today!) for the October test. If any of these terrible things happened to you and you did not see my blog post on Friday in time to decide not to take the test, please cancel your June LSAT score. Click here for other reasons to cancel your LSAT score.
2. If you are keeping your LSAT score, use this time wisely. LSAT scores are usually released by email on the third Friday after the test, so perhaps on June 25th. During the next 3 weeks you can be very productive. Here are some of my suggestions:
TODAY: Do nothing. Eat chocolate. See a guilty pleasure movie. Go out with friends. Do all of the things I told you on Friday NOT to do this weekend. Do them tonight. So what if it’s Monday? Go OUT. Stay away from discussion boards. Please. I beg you. It does you no good to know how total strangers would’ve dissected the dinosaur game. Seriously. Trust me on this. I know you won’t listen to me on this, but I promise you’ll regret trolling the forums today.
In the next three weeks, you can spend time on your resume, start putting together ideas for a personal statement, and ask people for letters of rec. You can register for LSDAS if you haven’t already and start getting your transcripts sent there by EVERY college you’ve attended. This would be extremely productive, and you’d be ten steps ahead of everybody else if you followed through with this plan.
3. In Law School Expert blatant self promotion, here are two other tools that you may find helpful during this time:
The Law School Admission Game: Play Like An Expert - My bestselling law school guide is available on Amazon.com and on my website.
Law School Bootcamp – a series of 10 webinars with me on topics including: setting up an application timeline, crafting a fantastic law school resume, brainstorming and drafting your personal statement, Letters of Recommendation, Tips and Tricks on Applications, and so much more. I’ve already done three webinars (and if you sign up for the series you can watch the recorded webinars) but I’m actually going to REPEAT the first three again due to the demand for them. You can sign up for one or all ten, or any combination that works for you – it’s made to work for your needs. The dates are set (but subject to change) and you can see the calendar here. If you can’t make a particular webinar, you can always watch it anytime after it’s given. If you can watch it live, you get to ask me questions throughout the webinar related to that day’s topic. All you need is a computer and a phone (or headset) to listen in. Please feel free to leave any questions in the comment section of this blog post. You can sign up here, and spaces will fill up because I’m limiting enrollment to 25 for each webinar.
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Hope everyone is feeling great about today’s test, but I know most of you are feeling exhausted, upset, anxious, and nervous. These feelings are all completely normal. Just remember you don’t have to decide today whether to cancel your LSAT score. Sleep on it and hang in there!
Categories: LSAT, Multiple LSAT scores
Tags: Cancel LSAT score, cancelling LSAT score
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Did you feel just a bit ill yesterday during the LSAT? Were the desks so small you were in a bad mood the whole time? Did the proctor start the test two hours late? If you’re applying for Fall 2011 admission, and the June LSAT works for your schedule, cancelling and retaking the LSAT in June is probably a great idea. Here’s a collection of some of my previous posts on cancelling an LSAT score:
Deciding Whether to Cancel Your LSAT Score
Considerations in Cancelling Your LSAT Score
For details about how to cancel your LSAT score, click this link.
If you have decided to retake the LSAT but you are not not sure whether to cancel your score on the February LSAT, be informed about which law schools average multiple LSAT scores for their index formula and which law schools count the highest of multiple LSAT scores.
Also, here’s a post that talks about taking the LSAT multiple times.
Be sure to read the comments of each post too because I give advice to readers that might apply to your specific situation.
Categories: LSAT, LSAT Prep, LSAT; Rolling Admissions, Low LSAT
Tags: February LSAT, LSAT, LSAT Prep, Taking the LSAT
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For all of you February LSAT takers, here’s the best 45 minutes you’ll spend this week – Listen to my Blog Talk Radio show with four elite LSAT Tutors talking about tips for test day. Listen to it online or download it through iTunes (BTR- Ann Levine)
Also, I’ve been hearing from a lot of people who are just deciding late in the game to apply for the Fall 2010 law school admission cycle and their practice LSAT scores definitely demonstrate that they aren’t ready. I do not advocate a last minute approach to LSAT prep or to the law school application process. To me, it usually means the person hasn’t really thought through the choice and applying to law school with an unknown (but predictably very poor) LSAT score is really throwing good money after bad. Here’s how to know if you’re really ready to take the LSAT.
For those of you who are ready, good luck this weekend!
Categories: LSAT, LSAT Prep, Low LSAT
Tags: LSAT help, LSAT tutor
5 Comments »
People learn in different ways, and nothing makes that more obvious than LSAT preparation.
Whether you’re attacking the test for the first time or you’re unhappy with past performance, an LSAT tutor might be the answer for you. Big prep companies often take college kids with high LSAT scores and make them tutors. They are pretty much given a script and told what to do, but that doesn’t make them necessarily good teachers. You need to know who you’re getting before you sign on the dotted line. An effective LSAT tutor needs to be someone who respects your learning style and who knows how to get ideas and concepts across to you in a way you can relate to.
I have some suggestions for where to find an LSAT tutor, and I’ve broken them down into 3 categories: Companies that specialize in private tutoring and who hire high quality teachers, LSAT prep companies who also offer private tutoring, individuals who are known LSAT tutors, and websites where tutors advertise their services. Thanks to the wonders of Skype, you don’t even need a tutor in the same city where you live so you can shop around.
Tutoring Companies – My clients have been incredibly happy with these two options for private tutoring. Inspirica offers tutors in Boston, Philadelphia and NY in person, and “Inspirica Anywhere” via skype. Advantage Testing is in 17 locations and I’ve had several clients work with the Los Angeles office and see big payoffs- from high 140s/low 150s on their first LSAT attempts to high 150s after using Advantage. The director of the Los Angeles office and a Master Tutor for Inspirica participated in my Blog Talk Radio show last June on Last Minute Tips for LSAT Takers.
LSAT Prep Companies – I’ve been really impressed with the operations at AtlasLSAT and they do offer private tutoring. Those tutors go through a crazy screening process by prep company standards.
Individual Tutors – Here are some interesting options that came up when I did a google search for LSAT tutors:
Tutor Nation
Manhattan Review
Find A Tutor
Tutor Match
LSAT Blog (Steve Schwartz – I’ve heard from a number of people who had great experiences with him, and I actually quoted him on LSAT prep in my law school admission guide book. )
LSAT Experts
Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s a great place to start when searching for an LSAT tutor.
Categories: LSAT, LSAT Prep, LSAT; Rolling Admissions, Low LSAT, Multiple LSAT scores
Tags: re-taking the LSAT
16 Comments »
I hope everyone had a good weekend, but since LSAT scores came out I’m sure a lot of you were distracted and unable to enjoy your normal pursuits.
A common question over the weekend was, “If I take the LSAT again in December, is it too late to be competitive for Fall 2010 admission?”
No. It’s not too late. I had clients last year who were admitted to Harvard and Columbia with December LSAT scores. It’s not too late. The key is deciding whether you are set up to be successful with an LSAT that is only 6 weeks away. Here are some factors to consider:
1. Was the problem with your LSAT score in September a lack of sufficient preparation? If so, December is too soon to make a dramatic improvement in your score.
2. If the problem with your September LSAT result was a strange testing circumstance (illness, medication side-effects, noise, terrible proctors, missing an uncharacteristic amount of questions on a particular section, etc.) then it is feasible to raise your score significantly.
The next thing you’re going to ask is: Do I submit applications BEFORE I take the December LSAT? Here are the factors to consider:
1. You only have 6 weeks to maximize your December LSAT score? Why would you cut into such a short time frame by spending time on applications? Especially when those schools aren’t going to review your application without your score. And especially if you have other obligations (school, work, family) that are going to demand your time in the next 6 weeks.
2. You can work on applications starting December 6th and still get things submitted sooner than most December LSAT takers.
For more about your decision regarding retaking the LSAT, see “Re-taking the LSAT“
Categories: LSAT, Personal Statement Tips, Webinar
Tags: personal statements, retaking the LSAT, September LSAT
13 Comments »
You’re exhausted after today’s LSAT. I hope you’re taking the rest of the weekend to enjoy yourself. When you’re done doing that, you might be thinking about whether to cancel your LSAT score. (Click the link for information about how to decide whether to cancel). If you are keeping your LSAT score, then it’s time to get your personal statement, resume, letters of rec and any addenda in order.
If you decide to retake the LSAT in December using a different preparation method, my upcoming Blog Talk Radio show about How to Choose an LSAT Prep Course should be on your “listen” list.
For personal statement help, you may want to consult the chapter in “The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert” offering concrete tips, strategies, and “do’s and “don’ts” for the personal statement. (It’s now available on Kindle too!). The resume chapter also offers very direct instructions for how to present your experiences in a way that law schools will appreciate. The book also discusses good letters of rec and bad letters of rec – how to ask for a letter and how to know whether to use a letter of rec. This is the time when these chapters will be helpful to you.
Also, readers of the LawSchoolExpert blog are invited to register (FREE!) to MSU Law School’s upcoming webinar. I will be presenting: “Crafting Your Best Personal Statement and Other Winning Tips for Law School Admission” on Tuesday, October 13th at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST. RSVP here.
Good luck to everyone who is taking the LSAT this morning! I look forward to hearing from you.
Categories: LSAT, Law School Admission Deadlines, Uncategorized
9 Comments »
A reader of my book sent me this great question today:
Ms. Levine,
I am currently reading your book The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert in preparation for my upcoming application process. In Chapter 3, you discuss the best time to apply to law schools. While I understand the importance of applying early, say October, I have a “special situation.” Because I did not feel fully prepared for the September LSAT, I’m taking it in December (December 5th). Should I send in my applications prior to this date or wait until I receive my score? The applications would be sent in by the end of December regardless.
Any suggestions you offer will be much appreciated! Your book and blog have proved very helpful already.
Best,
C
My response to C is as follows:
This depends on whether you know you’re applying to certain schools no matter what – for example, if there’s only 1 law school near you and you’re unable to move to a new location for law school or whether you are building a schools list with more flexibility than that. For most people, I advise that you wait for the score to choose where to apply because it’s difficult to know where you might be competitive.
You can still create your personal statement, resume, and make sure your letters of rec are underway. Just hold off on submitting applications until you have your score at the end of December.
I hope that helps.
Ann
Categories: LSAT, LSAT; Rolling Admissions
Tags: December LSAT, LSAT, Rolling Admissions, September LSAT
4 Comments »
I received this e-mail from a blog reader:
Hi Ann, I have read your blog and numerous discussion boards that say a December LSAT score puts me at a disadvantage in the admission cycle. I do not feel ready for the September test but I would like to know if I can send in my application before I get the score? I am 27 with a GPA below 3.0. I would appreciate your insight and advice. – TG
I want to start by thanking TG for agreeing to allow me to respond to this question for the benefit of all of my readers. Any disadvantage of applying later is more than made up by getting an LSAT score a few points higher than you would’ve gotten on the September LSAT. I am a huge proponent of rolling admissions, but a better LSAT score is ALWAYS better. You can still submit applications by early January when schools are up and running again after the holidays. Postponing the September LSAT until December is NOT the worst idea in the world. See this post from last year: Not Hitting Your Goal LSAT Score?
As far as applying earlier goes, your applications cannot be reviewed without your LSAT score. They’ll just sit in the office waiting for that score report. If you absolutely know where you’re applying (say, if you’re staying close to home and there are only a few schools nearby) then submit your applications in early December so the schools can gather the reports from LSDAS, etc. But in September, October and November I’d rather see you concentrating on the LSAT than on your application materials – assuming you have limited time to spend on the business of applying to law school.
The following is a brief excerpt from my book, “The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert“ addresses the issue of how to know if you should go ahead and take September or wait until December:
How do you know if you’re really ready for the LSAT? If you don’t feel ready to take the LSAT, your instinct is probably right. You have a few options. You could take the test and if your score is halfway decent, you can apply. This is a poor strategy that usually goes worse than you expected and becomes something you have to later explain on your applications. Plus, it’s a huge ego-deflater to see a low score. Make sure to take many timed practice tests with five sections. It’s an endurance test and a speed test, so you must practice under these conditions. Practice in distracting conditions, not in ideal ones. It is better to take a test in a noisy coffee shop than in the silence and ideal environment of a library carrel of the 7th floor of your campus library.
TG, I hope this helps you and everyone else wondering exactly the same thing. As always, I welcome comments, feedback and questions.
Categories: LSAT, LSAT Prep, Low LSAT
31 Comments »
Here’s a previous post entitled “I have my June LSAT Score: Now What?” that might be helpful to many of you today.
There is no shame in re-taking the LSAT. Two guidelines about studying for September:
1. If you did much better (consistently) on practice exams than on the real thing, you don’t need to sit through another prep course – just maintain the skills you already have and check out Knewton and TestSherpa and other inexpensive tutorial methods. Also, get working on your application materials – don’t wait for the new score to start your personal statement, resume, LORs, etc.
2. If you weren’t hitting practice exam scores much higher than your actual score, you need a new and improved way to prep for the September exam: Try a different prep course, or if you didn’t take a prep course, trying one (even an online/inexpensive version) or a private tutor might make all the difference for you.
No matter what you decide, don’t let this first score haunt you. It doesn’t preclude you from enjoying a successful career – it’s just part of how you determine your strategy going forward.
Categories: LSAT, LSAT; Rolling Admissions, Multiple LSAT scores
Tags: canceling LSAT score, keeping LSAT score, LSAT, Multiple LSAT scores
25 Comments »
Ok, it’s over. It’s done. Today was LSAT day.
What do you do next?
1. Decide how you feel about keeping your LSAT score:
“Canceling an LSAT Score: Will this hurt you? No. It just puts that much pressure on you for next time. So, when should you cancel? If you completely screw up by leaving an entire section blank, misbubble the last ten questions, or become violently ill in the middle of the exam, you should probably cancel. This is especially true if the score would be so demoralizing to you that you would be unable to live with yourself. Another reason to cancel is if you already have one LSAT score that you’re content with and you’re pretty sure you don’t want to have to explain to law schools why the second score is lower.” (The next paragraph goes on to discuss reasons not to cancel an LSAT score)
Also see my previous post on this subject:
2. Stay away from discussion boards. It doesn’t matter what some anonymous person says about what answer was right to which question. This will only make you crazy. The only person you should be speaking to about your LSAT test is your tutor. Stay away from anyone else who took the test and start to think about the next 3 weeks and what you can accomplish to be productive (work on LORs, personal statements, resumes, etc.
Good luck – and feel free to ask questions!
Categories: LSAT, LSAT Prep, LSAT; Rolling Admissions, Low LSAT, Multiple LSAT scores
Tags: Cancel LSAT score, Cancelling the LSAT, LSAT, LSAT noshow
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What a great radio show this morning! Wow!
We heard great tips for the week before the test from 4 very experienced LSAT tutors:
Josh Morrison of LogicPro, Donald Viscardi of Inspirica, Bara Sapir of TestPrepNY, and Paul Siemons of Advantage Testing.
Listen to this morning’s program at my BlogTalkRadio show. It’ll be the best 45 minutes you’ll spend in the week before the June LSAT. If you’re taking the September 2009 LSAT, it’ll really help you decide how to pick an LSAT tutor/prep program because we highlighted four very different (and each effective for the right person) approaches. You can listen on your computer or download it to your iPod.
Thanks also to Bara Sapir for offering a wonderful 30-minute sample of TestPrepNY’s sample LSAT exam preparation audio program.
If you have questions based on anything discussed in the program, leave a comment here. You can ask the question to me, or to a specific tutor from our panel. I look forward to your questions and comments! And, if you find the show helpful please let me know that too. Your feedback helps me determine future blog and radio show topics.
Categories: LSAT
3 Comments »
Good post today here on how (and whether) LSAC’s new cancel policy.
P.S. The only real sigificance of this policy is that not showing up for the test counts as a “cancel” so it counts as one of the 3 times you can take the LSAT in two years. If this is your first LSAT attempt, you shouldn’t be concerned…. Listen in to my Blog Talk Radio Show on Monday. Part of what we’ll be discussing is how to know if you’re ready for the test.
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Ann K. Levine, Esq., former director of law school admissions for two ABA law schools, is a law school admission consultant and owner of Law School Expert,
