As the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Scholarships, what are your day-to-day responsibilities?

My daily responsibilities change according to the flow of the application cycle as well as based on the needs of the given day.  Generally, I’m responsible for the big picture and goals of the Admissions Office for the law school and have oversight for ensuring that strategies and the details to achieve the goals are carried out and met.  These duties include outreach and recruiting of prospective students, the application process and reviews, and recruiting and yielding admitted students.

Additionally, I have responsibility for scholarships at the law school, including administering our policy and awards for our new and continuing students.

What do you consider the most significant parts of an application for admission, the parts which applicants should prepare the most carefully?

I think an applicant should consider the entirety of the application important; we wouldn’t ask for the information if we didn’t have a need or use for it.  That being said, as a reviewer, the objective indicators of the LSAT score and the UGPA work in conjunction with the more subjective factors and are only valuable in that context.  So, within our application, I find that a well-written personal statement and solid letters of recommendation are important beyond the objective factors.

However, applicants should remember that each member of the reviewing committee could find different components of their application valuable or significant; no two readers will necessarily have the same opinion on what is the most significant part of an application and it will always depend on the overall quality of the application.

Is there anything you frequently see on an admission application that you hope to never see again?

There are two things that I see on applications that are irksome and I hope each year not to see again.  First, I am always amazed by the lack of solid grammatical writing.  My advice… proofread!

Second, I hate to read excuses.  Explanations for grades, LSAT scores, or character and fitness issues are expected.  My advice is to own whatever the weakness is and then explain why you aren’t the same person or why it won’t be a behavior or result we will see at the law school level but don’t offer me excuses.

Finally, the poor and over- use of quotes.  The use of quotes can be far more dangerous a trap than I think applicants realize.  Done well, they can lift a personal statement to a new level.    Done not so well, they become a detriment.

What common pitfalls should scholarship applicants be careful to avoid?

I think there are three common pitfalls that I see regularly when it comes to scholarship:

1.       New law students shouldn’t believe that law school is going to be easy or anything like their undergrad or graduate school experience.  Work hard and stay focused; the award was given with the belief that you are capable of keeping it.

2.      Scholarship applicants and recipients often believe they should receive similar or increased awards from other law schools.  The reality is that all law schools have varying pools of applicants, have different missions or goals for their scholarship dollars, have distinct scholarship budgets, and have very different tuition and living costs.  My experience is that based on individual priorities and limitations, law schools award their scholarship dollars accordingly.  It is not necessarily true that a law school can always give you a scholarship award in an amount that fully reflects their desire to have you as a student at their school and it shouldn’t be mistaken as doing so.

3.      Failure to read the information provided and ask questions to clarify any confusion or concerns you may have about the scholarship award and the continued us of the award in the future.  A scholarship is a fairly common example of a unilateral contract where the law school acts as the offering party to the scholarship “contract.”

Are there any myths about the application process which you would like to dispel?

Yes, there are two.  One, I wish students would stop believing the much lauded myth that admissions decisions are based solely on LSAT.  I’ve worked at several law schools during my career, and while the LSAT score is an important objective factor in the decision-making process, I’ve never known it to be the sole factor dictating the end result.

And two, I wish students would stop believing that rankings tell them everything they need to know about law schools.  While they can be a valuable tool, a ranking is unlikely to tell you whether or not a law school has an environment and resources that complement your individual learning style.  Each student needs to understand what is needed for them to thrive and then find a law school that will help them be as fully successful as they are capable of being.

What advice would you give to an admissions applicant with below-average test scores but significant work experience?

My advice would be to take full advantage of the entire application.  Law schools like ours are looking at many factors to assist us in determining your ability to be successful in law school, and we have provided you with a number of tools that are meant to be formats for you to illustrate exactly that.  For example, utilizing the resume to highlight your work experience and advancement as well as areas of critical-thinking and leadership are key.

We also allow applicants to submit four letters of recommendation, although we only require two.  A student that has a weakness in their application by way of test scores really ought to be taking full advantage of the ability to submit all four, and be thoughtful about what kind of skills and traits represent their ability to be successful in law school.  That thought process should also assist the applicant in identifying the four people who should be writing letters speaking to that potential for success.

Does your program frequently have to turn away applicants whom you wish you could admit?  If so, what could those applicants have done differently to be admitted?

Each year we have more applicants that we can possible admit and seat.  Applying earlier in the review cycle could have increased their ability to be admitted.  Other applicants don’t full advantage of the complete application and use it to illustrate their ability to be successful in law school so the reviewing committee was left with too many unanswered questions to admit them.

Finally, we sometimes turn away students on the waitlist that could have received an admit decision because they failed to update their application, their contact information, or just stayed in touch with us sharing their continued interest in the law school.

How much faith do you have in the ability of an LSAT to predict success in law school?

I have faith that the LSAT, used properly, is a solid measure of some of the skills that successful students need and use in law school.  What that means is that the LSAT is only one of a number of tools and factors that I, and the entire committee, has to use to assist us in making a decision.  The LSAT is an objective and quantifiable factor, but there are other objective and subjective factors that have to be part of the decision-making process for us to “get it right.”

What do you look for in a recommendation letter?

I look for an honest and objective assessment from the recommender that the applicant has the necessary skills and traits to be successful in law school.  This includes an assessment of the reading and critical-thinking skills along with the ability to engage academically or professionally in the assessor’s given setting, and that there may have been real and solid examples of good writing skills, class participation, or leadership.  Finally, I look at the quality of the assessor; this should not be a mother or family-friend who has no real objective viewpoint to speak from.

Suppose an applicant has little or no experience relevant to your program, but has significant experience in other fields.  What can that applicant do to distinguish himself or herself in your eyes as a good candidate for your program?

Because we assume that many of our applicants will enter the application process with majors and work experience not necessarily in line with the practice of law, we try to be broad in our evaluation and understanding of their experiences and how they relate to and reflect the ability to be successful in law school.  And that is where the applicant can help themselves — using the components of the application to highlight those experiences and skills that readily translate or illustrate similar skills that are used by law students to excel.  This may begin by conducting research and asking questions to have a better understanding of how law school classes operate, the expectations of law students on a daily basis, and how law school exams are typically administered. Engaging with the Admissions Office in valuable conversations that lead to this increased understanding is an excellent way for us to become familiar with you and to have a sense that you are serious and focused on law school, and distinguishes you in a very positive way.

Joseph Fernandez offers hometutoring with Parliament Tutors.  He specializes in LSATTutoring.

3 Reasons Why Preparing for the LSAT is So Important . . . .

1) Preparing for the LSAT is possible

Some say the LSAT measures “natural intelligence” and can’t be prepared for, but this is one of those common myths about the LSAT.  You can, indeed, prepare for the exam.  Although the exam doesn’t require the process of memorizing  bunch of information and then spewing it out (like you would with a history exam), it does require that you know certain logical principles.  This, of course, requires preparation.

2) Logic requires practice

For many people, logic is a foreign concept, and it requires a heavy degree of learning and practice.  Even the most gifted students may not understand the importance of logic and preparing for the LSAT.  They might find it hard to improve their scores “working blind” from old tests.  Instruction and guidance taking these practice tests and studying for the real thing cannot be overvalued.  Logic is a difficult arena for many people.  It requires a careful introduction, specific focus and application, and then a lot of practice.  If you have never heard of things like conditional reasoning or structural reasoning, then preparing for the LSAT should move to the top of your list.

3) LSAC says you should prepare for the LSAT

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC), the company that administers the LSAT, advises all students to prepare for the test.  We here at LSAT Freedom also strongly encourage students to prepare.

Moreover, the fact that LSAC releases its own past LSAT exams so that students can access them and practice with them should illustrate the importance of preparing for the LSAT.  The exam writers themselves are willing to let you have a peek and have an opportunity to prepare rather than keep you in the dark!

The importance of preparing for the LSAT cannot be overstated . . . .

Like we stated above, for aspiring lawyers, preparing for the LSAT is paramount.  There are signs and indications all around you telling you to prepare for the exam.  The LSAT is the most important test an aspiring lawyer will ever take.  Thus, you should take the importance of preparing for the LSAT as seriously as anything else.

 What Does the LSAT Fee Waiver Cover?

Basic LSAT registration fees will be waived for two LSATs within the two-year period your fee waiver remains active. The Credential Assembly Service registration fee will also be waived, and you may order one copy of the Official LSAT SuperPrep^® from the LSAC website free of charge. When you apply to law schools, four law school report fees will be waived.  The LSAT fee waiver will not pay for any late fees.

Completing the LSAT Fee Waiver Application

Although the LSAC accepts paper applications, completing the online application is the fastest way to obtain a fee waiver. Log in to your LSAC account, read the fee waiver information, then complete the online application. You will be able to see if your application has been initially approved.

Next, you must print out and complete the fee waiver form. Mail the fee waiver form and your tax documents to the LSAC. All forms must be received by the LSAC within 45 days. Your file will be placed on hold until you are granted final approval. The hold does not restrict you from taking the LSAT; however, you will not be able to get your LSAT score until final approval.

You will be able to check your fee waiver status on your LSAC account, and you will be notified by email when the LSAC has granted final approval. Be aware that even if you have been granted a fee waiver, you must still complete the checkout process when registering for services.

We hope these tips help you get your LSAT fee waiver.

1) Admission ticket

You must have your ticket completed prior to checking in at the testing center.  Have a passport-sized photo of yourself ready to attach to the ticket.  Check the LSAC website for guidelines and examples of acceptable and unacceptable photos, since you wouldn’t want to be turned away from the test for having the wrong kind of photo.  Print out your ticket, then fill in your information, leaving the items that must be completed at the testing center blank.  Write the required information on the back of your photo, then tape or glue it to the ticket (staples are not allowed).  Now your ticket is ready to go.

2) ID

The identification you will need to bring should be government-issued, valid (not expired), and have your photo and signature on it.  Your name and other information on the ID must match exactly the information on your admission ticket.

3) Ziplock bag

Everything you’re bringing into the testing center will be stored in your bag.  The bag must be clear, and one gallon size or smaller.  Check the info boxes on the LSAC website or the pages you printed out with the admission ticket for details about what kind of items you may or may not have in your bag.

4) Pencils

Be sure to have sharpened #2 pencils in your bag, since testing centers will not give you pencils.  Mechanical pencils and ink pens are not allowed.

Now that you know the four essential things to bring to the LSAT, you are better prepared for the big day.

Some university studies provide hints on the best major for law school . . . .

According to a Chicago State University study, the top five most common majors in law schools are political science, history, English, psychology, and criminal justice. The five majors with the highest acceptance rates are physics, philosophy, biology, chemistry, and government service. A Columbia Law School study found similarly for entrants to this top-tier law school: political science, economics, history, the hard sciences and English topped their list. Let’s talk about a few of these to show why any of them might be useful as a major for law school.

English

Your parents might not have loved your English degree, but law school admission boards love it. Why? Because it teaches critical appraisal of texts (which might help with your LSAT preparation), and, above all, writing. You might actually be the only person who can read a law brief on day one of law school due to your superior command of commas and clauses.  Many people (although you wouldn’t know it) consider English to be the best major for law school.

Philosophy

Philosophy is another major you’re likely to be mocked for until you get into a top-notch law school. Philosophy provides an excellent basis for reading, analyzing, and constructing and deconstructing logical arguments. You’re going to be as well prepared for the LSAT as the kids taking Latin were for the SAT.  If there is such a thing as a best major for law school, Philosophy should be up there in the heat of the race.

Political Science

Whether your focus was on political theory or the mechanics of government, you know about the philosophy that underpins the law. You can write about it and explain it in a coherent fashion. If political science is not the best major for law school, it certainly is a very helpful major for law school, and that’s going to pay off big in your legal education, especially for those interested in public advocacy or lobbying.

The Hard Sciences and Economics

These two might not seem terribly similar. However, when it comes to getting into law school, they might as well be identical.  Each can states it case as the best major for law school. You’ve trained your brain to rigorously appraise data and draw conclusions based on that data. Further, you’re not likely to be fooled by logical fallacies.

History

History is a sort of combination between English, political science, and philosophy.  Think of it as what many consider the all-in-one best major for law school. You do a lot of reading and writing. Your studies include the great works of civilization and you’re encouraged to think critically about this canon. Further, history professors are notoriously hard-nosed about theses and the logic (or lack thereof) throughout an entire paper.

In the end, the best major for law school is what you make of it . . . .

Yet it is good to think about these things early on if you have aspirations of going to law school.  Nevertheless, trying to figure out the best major for law school isn’t as important as finding something you like.  You shouldn’t pick economics because you think it’s the best major for law school, and then you discover that you hate economics.  That is not the way to go.  Instead, balance the two interests: figure out what you like and then compare that to the majors above.  Remember, the best major for law school is also one that needs to fit your dreams, goals, and interests.