It’s been a busy couple of weeks at Law School Expert!
Here’s what I’ve been up to:
LSAT scores were released…while I was on an overnight camping trip with my daughter…without internet or phone service! On one of the busiest days of the year for me, I was pitching a tent and starting a campfire. While I have to say, I was pretty impressed with myself for starting a legitimate campfire, upon returning to civilization I spent countless hours putting out fires (sorry for the cheesy pun), talking to June test takers worried their LSAT score were too low for their desired school(s).
Nathan Fox of Fox Test Prep asked me to be part of a very exciting project he is working on, “Crowdsourcing the June 2013 LSAT,” where he is reviewing every question from test. I was given a recent LSAT question and asked to work my way through it, explaining my reasoning, thought process, and final conclusion.
In my latest article for AboveTheLaw.com, “Three Law School Admission Myths Debunked,” I dispel common beliefs like applying to law school earlier is better, taking the LSAT for a third time is bad, or transferring after 1L year is a solid plan.
Lastly, Evan Jones of Lawschooli.com recently interviewed me about my new book The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert, Second Edition (we love 5-star reviews on Amazon.com!), common law school application mistakes, and personal statement topics. Check out “Law School Admissions Advice – Interview with Ann K. Levine” for the full interview.
Stay up-to-date with all things law school admissions by following me on Twitter @annlevine.
12 Responses
Hi Ann,
I was wondering because my GPA is low 2.8 but LSAT ok 174 is it possible for a law school to pay for the tuition, if they are competing for rights to students with high LSAT scores? Or does my low GPA disqualify me from this chance?
RachelReyes, if you pick the right schools, you’ll definitely get scholarship offers!
Hi Ann,
I am preparing for the LSAT now and plan to take the test in October. I have a series of questions. I’ve only taken two practice tests- cold 151 & 154 (after reviewing first test) but I just purchased LR & LG Bibles and the 10 New Actual Test book and plan to study intensively within the next month before school begins back, as well as during the Fall. I usually do really well in standardized tests so I’m not all that concerned about raising my score with adequate studying as well as a weekend PowerScore course I plan to take. My major concerns are:
1. My GPA now is 3.341. Major is Acquisition Management, a concentration essentially under Marketing. I’m wondering should I apply to law school for Fall 2014 or possibly wait until Fall 2015 so my overall GPA can be considered which will for sure be at least 3.4, aiming for a 3.5.
2. Which GPA is really looked at-LSDAS, major, or overall?
2. I’ve worked full time pretty much the whole time I’ve been in school and I have an internship this Fall as well. I’m taking 18 credit hours. I am wondering should I wait to take the December LSAT since I will not have much free time to study. Or once again, just wait until Fall 2015 to apply so I can really focus?
3. Lastly, do you think that the personal statement, school involvement, fact that I have worked full time while being a full time student, and my Summer/Fall internship at a law firm could help to overcome my lower GPA? (I’m not trying to get into top 10 law schools- I’ve looked at Emory University, University of Colorado, UNC, UTatAustin, UGA, UofFlorida, Florida State, and University of Richmond to name a few.)
Thank you!
Hi L Starks,
The cold test doesn’t count for anything. It’s only purpose is to scare you into studying. Glad you’re not fazed by it.
1. I would try applying with your current GPA and then update the schools after each successive semester.
2. Cumulative GPA has most weight; degree GPA and upward trend are subjective considerations.
3. I love that you’ve worked so much! If you will have more time to study, wait until December. If you still don’t have time then absolutely wait and apply next fall.
4. All of this matters and will absolutely help you overcome your GPA.
Hope this helps!
Hello,
I have a question regarding URM admissions. After reading many law school admission blogs and articles, the general consensus is to apply early- before Thanksgiving. Does this advice apply to URMs? I will sit for the October LSAT, and hope to score in the mid-160s. However, if I dont, I will sit for the December exam. Will I be at a disadvantage if I apply in late December?
Kindly,
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Applying with a December LSAT is absolutely fine. Most of the chatter about applying early was from before the big drop in application numbers. In the last two years, my clients who applied with December LSAT scores (submitting applications in mid-January) got fabulous results.
Ann,
I have ordered your book from Amazon and hope to get some valuable information during the law school admissions process. In the meantime, I wanted to ask you a couple of questions. I am 40 years old and graduated from the University of GA in 1996 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Secondary Education with a 2.75 gpa ( I took some hard classes and therefore my gpa suffered) and a year later acquired my paralegal certificate (aba accredited) with a 3.8 gpa. I have worked ever since 1997 as a paralegal and supported my husband through his goals of becoming a physician. Now that he is practicing and I am done having kids, I see no better time than the present to capture thet elusive law degree.
Currently, I am to devoting 5/6 hours of studying daily until the december lsat but I have never taken it. Should I take the Oct Lsat (but I just started studying?) too? I am hoping that my Lsat will be stellar so my gpa is not such a weighty issue. Second, will the low gpa hurt my chances if the lsat proves less than stellar? Will my background and my story (helping husband thru med school and helping him start his own practice, mean anything? I worked really hard these past years and don’t know if I would stand out at all with this background. I think you are always your worst critic so it helps to get someone else’s point of view. Additionally, my main objective after the Lsat is to apply to the S.J. Quinney law school, since we live in Salt Lake City. Any and all help is appreciated.
Hi Yasmin,
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book. Wait for the December LSAT – you’re not ready for October.
Don’t overthink the rest – your background is what it is and you have enough legal experience to make the point that you certainly know what you are getting yourself into with law school!
Hi,
I have spent the last 3.5 years in the Army as an officer. I have had several different duty positions on two different duty stations. My changes in positions have all been promotions to positions of greater responsibility and would be seen as positive career development by someone familiar with military organization and duty positions. However I am concerned that an admissions officer might not know that a battery executive officer position for example, is a competitive leadership role and requires substantial knowledge of administrative procedures.
I do not want to spend space on a two page statement explaining duty positions. Do admissions officers deal with enough military applicants to know the meaning of some of the basic duty positions, or understand that several assignments in less than four years is not nessisarly a sign of not committing to a job?
Thanks,
Foss
Foss, Your resume and letters of rec can explain the competitiveness of the positions. It is absolutely understood in the military that you move around (and up) and don’t stay in one place or position for long.
Dear Ann,
I graduated college in 2011 from a large public university. I’ve had a few jobs since graduating, and in the past few years, have worked at 3 big law firms (Finance/Accounting.) I don’t believe that any of my professors at this point would remember me well enough to write me a great recommendation (if they agree to at all,) and I would be most confident in recommendations from two of my previous supervisors from the same firm.
Would law schools view two LORs from the same firm unfavorably? I am also hesitant to ask my current supervisor as I plan to continue working up until I start law school, and do not want to jeopardize my position in any way.
Thanks!
Sarah
It’s ok to have the two letters from the same firm, or from a previous firm. It’s understandable why you wouldn’t have an academic letter.