Working full time is stressful, time-consuming, and tiring.  Getting into law school for most people is stressful, time-consuming, and tiring. The two usually don’t mix well.  In addition, applying to law school adds unbudgeted expenses, adding financial stress.

The following pointers will help grease the wheels for non-traditional applicants considering applying for law school while they work.

Get Letters of Recommendation Early and Aggressively

One of the biggest challenges for students who have been out of school for some time is obtaining letters of recommendation from former professors.  You should contact your professors early on in the process and remind them of who you are in an introductory email (or if you have the opportunity, in person).  Many professors know the drill, and will be happy to support your goals, even if their memory of you is fuzzy.  Bottom line, don’t put this off or you will be stuck with a letter of recommendation from the guy in the mail room.  

Manage Your Time Efficiently As You Prepare For the LSAT

Aspiring law students that work full time don’t have the luxury of a lot of free time.  If this sounds like you, you should consider taking an online LSAT course that will allow you to prepare for the LSAT at the office while you avoid traffic, or on your commute.   These classes are often much cheaper than traditional classroom courses, and provide LSAT study schedules to ensure you are on pace.

Seek Support

The last thing you should do if you are a non-traditional law school applicant is keep it a secret.  Even if your employer does not support your change in career, you should let friends and colleagues know about your decision, so they can provide support as you embark on this challenging task.  At minimum, this will give you an excuse why you no longer have any free time!

Pursuing a law degree after you have been in the workforce if a challenging task, but not impossible.  Hopefully the advice above makes it somewhat easier.

If you have a disability, and need accommodated testing, you may be wondering what to do for the LSAT. Accommodations are only given to those who apply for them, so here are the 3 steps you should follow to prepare an application:

 1. Learn the policies

The first step is to learn how accommodations are handled by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Visit the LSAC website to review the policies, and download the brochure.  While most testing modifications will not impact your LSAT score report, and won’t be disclosed to law schools without your consent, receiving extra time is different. Getting extra time during the timed sections will result in your score not being averaged, and you won’t get a percentile rank.

2. Get documentation

It is a good idea to collect supporting documents ahead of time. The LSAC has a separate due date for this application, so having everything assembled early is important. The letters you’re gathering should not only state what kind of disability you have, but also explain why you require the accommodation you’re applying for. If you’ve received similar accommodations in the past, documentation of this may help your application.

3. Send the Application

The best time to mail the application and supporting materials to the LSAC is immediately after you’ve registered for the LSAT. Anything received before you have a test date will not be accepted.  After the LSAC has evaluated your request, they will notify you of their decision.

Hopefully, this post has helped you obtain the accommodation you needed. Now that you know how your disability will be attended to during the LSAT, you have one less worry as you prepare for the LSAT.

Everyone acknowledges the LSAT as an important part of applying to law school.  But why is the LSAT important?  This post will reveal some reasons why the LSAT is important.

1.     The LSAT is important because it is the first part of your legal education

Many students view the LSAT as a hurdle to be jumped over or a beast to be mastered.  Students would be better served to look at the LSAT as the first opportunity to hone skills they will use in law school and as attorneys.

The LSAT is the first step of your legal education

LSAT scores correlate  with law school success, but not simply because some students have figured out the magic secret of the exam.  Rather, these students have developed the skills that the LSAT tests — the very same skills that are needed to excel in law school.  While many LSAT prep courses cater to short term gimmicks and tricks to beat the exam, students should choose an LSAT prep course that focuses on teaching transferable skills that will lead to success on the LSAT and beyond.

2.    The LSAT is important for financial aid

Your LSAT score could help you significantly if you are worried about paying for law school.  Some schools offer partial or full tuition scholarships based on the combination of LSAT score, GPA, and other factors.  You’ll want to do well on the LSAT since it’s the one thing you can really change to improve your financial aid offers.  And if you’re applying to a school which has a set minimum LSAT score for scholarships, it’s pretty easy to see how important the LSAT is if you need that money.

3.    The LSAT is important to law schools

Law schools need good LSAT scores (among other things) to move up in law school rankings.  Also, all law schools want students who will add positively to their academic reputations.  Since law schools make the LSAT a priority, you should also, mostly because it leads us to our fourth point.

4.   The LSAT is important for getting in to law school

Last but certainly not least, the LSAT is important for admission to law school.  It is a standardized test, which means that the LSAT is meant to be an objective means of measuring students’ ability.  It can help or hurt other aspects of your application.  If your major didn’t include pre-law courses, a great LSAT score will show you have potential as a law student.  If you don’t do well on the LSAT, law schools may think twice about whether you can handle the challenges of legal study, even if other parts of your application look good.  In a recent interview with LSAT Freedom, a Dean of Miami Law School even admitted that the LSAT is given too much weight by students and law schools alike.

For those of you looking for effective LSAT apps or any kind of LSAT preparation in app form for your IPad or IPhone, you now have some excellent options.  LSAT Freedom recently partnered with Silicon Valley-based Arcadia Prep to offer various new LSAT apps for Apple devices.  These LSAT apps collectively provide comprehensive LSAT preparation covering all aspects of the exam and, in particular, offer detailed explanations for every question on the past three exams.

Arcadia Prep and its LSAT Apps

Arcadia Prep, based in Silicon Valley, offers IPad and IPhone apps that provide exam preparation for several of the major standardized exams, like the SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT.  Arcadia Prep has taken the best prep materials and made them available in interactive, modular problem sets and packages, so that students can personalize their preparation based on what matters most to them.  This format helps students master the material in a way that suits their busy lifestyles.

Arcadia Prep also provides help using advanced study tools, such as the ability to ask questions and play recorded explanations provided by experts and your peers.

Simply put, using an Arcadia Prep app is like having a personal tutor in your pocket.

The New LSAT Apps

LSAT Freedom partnered with Arcadia Prep because we have a common focus and goal in helping prepare students for difficult standardized exams, but through an online medium that provides unique customization and personalization as well as flexibility, affordability, and convenience.

Therefore, partnering together and engineering a set of LSAT apps was a no-brainer given the number of students today who own IPads and IPhones.  Using these LSAT apps while on the go, sitting in a library, or simply at home on your living room couch gives you the flexibility to study for the LSAT on your schedule and on your terms.  There is no need to shackle yourself to a pre-determined schedule of one-size-fits-all classes.  Instead, you have the power in your hands in the form of these LSAT apps.

LSAT Freedom and Arcadia Prep are offering FIVE different LSAT apps . . . .

The LSAT apps themselves are offered as “in-App purchases” within Arcadia Prep’s existing LSAT app, which is FREE.

1) LSAT Prep Mini-Review

This LSAT app provides a comprehensive mini-review of subjects covered by the LSAT combined with detailed analysis of example questions to explain these subjects.  This Mini-Review provides straightforward instruction by Harvard Law School graduates and shuns synthetic gimmicks in favor of a laser-like focus on the logical principles underlying the LSAT.  It specifically includes 13 LSAT tutorials provided by LSAT Freedom in its LSAT prep course.

2) Official December 2011 LSAT Questions with Video Explanations

This LSAT app provides detailed video explanations for every question on the December 2011 LSAT.  The best method of LSAT preparation is reviewing actual LSAT questions from the most recently-administered LSAT exams and explanations of those questions because it allows you to learn from the types of questions that will likely appear on the next LSAT.  These explanations also provide straightforward instruction by Harvard Law School graduates.  By understanding the logic behind the LSAT, you will be better prepared for the questions that appear on the exam.

3) Official October 2011 LSAT Questions with Video Explanations

This LSAT app provides detailed video explanations for every question on the October 2011 LSAT.

4) Official June 2011 LSAT Questions with Video Explanations

This LSAT app provides detailed video explanations for every question on the June 2011 LSAT.

5) Official 2011 LSATs Bundle

This app provides detailed video explanations for every question on the June 2011, October 2011, and December 2011 LSATs.

These LSAT apps will help you prepare for the LSAT effectively . . . .

Preparing for the LSAT through an online and mobile format that is convenience and customizable for you is the best way to prepare for this exam.  If you haven’t already, check out Arcadia Prep’s LSAT apps and take advantage of them.  Also, look out in the future for additional LSAT apps from LSAT Freedom and Arcadia Prep!

Every year, thousands of students prepare for the LSAT abroad.  Students traveling abroad often hesitate to do so since the demands of LSAT prep are compounded by the demands of studying abroad and the anxiety of making the most of your abroad experience.  This needen’t be the case.  For example, with an online LSAT course, you can prepare for the LSAT while you are commuting,  soaking in your new environment in a cafe, or simply in your down time.

If you are not studying abroad and simply live abroad, there may be less pressure on your time, however, you still need to find the best way to prepare for the LSAT abroad.  One thing potential law school students living abroad should remember is that the LSAT is used only in the United States, Canada and Australia.  This means you’re going to have a hard time finding a classroom LSAT prep course anywhere else in the world, and an even harder time finding one that fits your schedule.  However,LSAT Freedom’s online LSAT course  caters to individuals living abroad looking to prepare for the all-important LSAT, by making the best LSAT instruction available anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

Bottom line is the preparing for the LSAT abroad carries with it many additional issues that are easier to deal with if you are a domestic student.  Administrative issues, such as registering for the LSAT and finding the right LSAT test center are made more difficult.   With these additional concerns, finding a convenient and efficient way to prepare for the LSAT abroad is paramount.