If you’re looking for information about hiring a law school admission consultant or coach for the Fall 2011 law school application cycle, here are some resources you might find helpful:
- AdmissionsDean.com put together a list of categories and services offered by different admission consultants for law school applicants. This is a new website, and they are adding some really useful content and a compilation of resources for law school applicants, so definitely check it out.
- 9 Important Things to Consider When Hiring A Law School Admission Consultant
- Chapter 5 of my book is entitled “Hiring a Law School Admission Consultant“
I don’t like to use the blog as a sales pitch, but for those of you applying for Fall 2011 admission to law school and are considering working with me as your law school admission coach, I want to warn you that my rates are going up on February 20th because I will now have a professional proofreader/editor check things in addition to just my eyes checking (although I do think I’m a great proofreader and editor, it never hurts to have back-up and the added confidence that comes with a second reader). If you sign up before February 20th, you’ll be able to take advantage of my Fall 2010 rate, which is a great deal! I will also be adjusting the packages slightly based on recent changes in law school applications, like the common usage of optional essays.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
6 Responses
Just wanted to plug Ann as someone who did NOT hire her. I absolutely spent as much money applying to colleges I shouldn’t have in order to cover my bases as I would have for her basic service (resume/addendum). Thought it was a lot of money at the time. Funny how rejections change your perspective 🙂 More important to get an enthusiastic “yes” than alot of rejects. Her expertise would have made the process much less stressful for me. Learn from my mistakes. Sign up now!
I second, she was one of the best parts of my application process. =) I do not know if I would have even got in if it had not been for her guidance.
Heather
Awww, you guys!Thanks so much for that!
Hi Ann,
How can you tell if a law school admissions consultant is a fraud? I’ve encountered some who have created their own references to provide potential clients? How can someone be sure that the consultant they hire is legit and so are their references? Ann, how can I as a potential client be sure of your servicesThanks,
Leslie
Hi Leslie. Thanks for writing. I hate to hear these stories! Here are some tips for checking legitimacy:
1. Ask to speak to people whose testimonials are on the website, and with more than one reference if you’re not satisfied with the legitimacy of the first.
2. Check to make sure the consultant is a member of the Association of International Graduate Admission Consultants (http://www.Aigac.org). They really check people out. When I signed up a few years back, they scrutinized my website, interviewed me, etc. This goes a long way toward legitimacy.
3. Talk to the person. Do they sound like they know what they are talking about? Do they have experience making admission decisions, as opposed to simply saying they were on an Adcom as a student member (for example)?
4. Did the person go to law school? Where? Why isn’t he practicing law? This is a totally fair question.
5. Can you pay by credit card? If so, you have some inherent fraud protection.
6. Does it sound too good to be true? Then it is. Does the person claim to be a miracle worker and make everything sound guaranteed and easy? This makes me suspicious. I always err on the side of being candid during an initial consultation, assessing the person’s weaknesses in addition to the strengths.
7. How long has the person been in business as a full time consultant? Does the person also practice law or engage in other ventures, or is this really his or her sole focus?
8. This sounds sort of strange, but you could try asking other consultants you speak to whom they would refer you to if they were not able to take on more clients. For example, if I were for some reason unable to work with you, there are certain colleagues I would refer you to. If the person you’re trying to hire isn’t on my list, and isn’t on Anna Ivey’s list (for example), then that might tell you something.
I’d be happy to talk to you any time – you can reach me at 877 LAW SKOL or through my website . I also welcome suggestions from other readers that might answer Leslie’s question.
thanks that was really helpful!
-Leslie