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Hi 7Sagers,
I'm putting together a brand new admissions FAQ for our admissions course, and I need your input! What questions do you have about the law school admissions process? Ask in the comments.
Please keep your questions general. You can post somewhere else if you have a question specific to you. Use the “like” button to let me know if you second someone else’s question.
Example of good questions:
Example of bad questions for this FAQ:
Thanks everyone. I'm looking forward to seeing you at tomorrow's webinar! Remember that we’re giving away a free edit!
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36 comments
@karolinaeverett379 said:
What is the theory behind the idea that applying early boosts your admission chances? How significant is the boost?
https://classic.7sage.com/admissions/lesson/affects-chances-getting-law-school/
The theory is that schools simply have more open spots at the beginning of the cycle. Also, applying early signals that you're organized.
That said, it doesn't matter if this theory is wrong or right, or even whether admissions officers themselves agree or disagree, because we know from the data that early applicants tend to fare better. (There is, of course, a huge variance, and what's true in the aggregate is not necessarily true for any individual.)
@karolinaeverett379 said:
With the lifting of the 3 times in 2 year rule, how many LSAT takes is too many??
There's no rule of thumb. 5, 6, 7 takes might raise eyebrows, but a lot of admissions officers would probably take Ms. 7-takes with a top score of 170 over Mr. 1-take with a top score of 168.
Are two academic references *really necessary? Or one academic and one professional acceptable?
No one said they're necessary, just good! One academic and professional is acceptable.
@adipick708 said:
I haven't been through the admissions part of 7sage much yet. Forgive me if there are already answers for these.
How to go about contacting schools about continued interest? Is there a best time? Letters vs knocking on the door?
https://classic.7sage.com/admissions/lesson/what-to-do-after-you-get-waitlisted/
How to negotiate scholarships?
https://classic.7sage.com/admissions/lesson/law-school-financial-aid/
My boss can't write. Can I edit his letter of recommendation?
If he's cool with it, sure!
@welschmeyer300 said:
What information should we prepare for our LOR writers?
It depends on how well you know them, but basically, you want to make their job as easy as possible. At the very least I would give them a résumé and a rundown/summary/reminder of the best work you did for their class (e.g., "I wrote a paper about how the past keeps irrupting into the present in Midnight's Children). If they gave you feedback, give it back to them: "You wrote on my Midnight's Children paper: "Beautifully conceived and beautifully executed." It might also help to show them your personal statement and/or go over some talking points.
Finally, just ask if they have fifteen minutes for a phone call. Talking to them about why you want to go to law school is a good way to garner some good will and also test their enthusiasm.
@ohnoeshalpme804 said:
Is taking the LSAT in November considered too late?
No! If you end up applying in December, you won't be early, but you won't be late.
Will studying full time for the LSAT look bad on your resume for law school? For example, If you had a 6 month gap in your resume to do LSAT prep will admissions officers consider that a red flag?
I'm still working on an FAQ, but in the meantime, I'll just start answering some of these questions here!
@leahbeuk911 said:
I know this is an old thread, but throwing it out here anyway. I've always wished that the admissions course addressed non-traditional students a little more. I've heard varying things on how applications should be different for non-trads. Is it more important to have a "why law" component in the PS? And/or also addressing "why now?" And after how many years out of undergrad do schools find it less important to have an academic LOR?
Many law school personal statement prompts are open-ended, and don't necessarily require a "why law," but admissions officers are going to be wondering why a non-traditional student is applying to law, especially if or she is switching from an established career. The longer you've been in the workforce, the more incumbent it is on you to show that your decision to apply to law school is well-considered and informed. It may help to say that you've spoken to lawyers about their jobs or otherwise indicate that you know what you're getting into.
You should always try to get an academic LOR, no matter how long ago you graduated. That said, if you graduated three, four, five, or more years ago (there's no specific threshold), admissions officers will find it increasingly understandable if you can't produce a letter from a college professor.
How does touring a school can help in the admission process? Is it better to tour a school before or after having submitted our applications?
I know this is an old thread, but throwing it out here anyway. I've always wished that the admissions course addressed non-traditional students a little more. I've heard varying things on how applications should be different for non-trads. Is it more important to have a "why law" component in the PS? And/or also addressing "why now?" And after how many years out of undergrad do schools find it less important to have an academic LOR?
@m073a314146 said:
@m073a314146 said:
@ohnoeshalpme804 said:
Is taking the LSAT in November considered too late?
This. How late is too late to be taking the LSAT for the cycle? EDIT: NM.. I went back over some of the videos. Got the answer.
What did you find @m073a314146 ?
It's in a previous webinar on admissions where they discuss what your odds are like as it gets later in the year. And always refer back to the deadlines of the particular school, too. For some schools, it may be too late. For many, it's fine. It allows you to apply in December, which isn't fantastic, but isn't bad. January starts getting a little late. But go through the "resources" tab and view the admissions webinars.
I think this one may contain it:
https://classic.7sage.com/admissions/webinar/admissions-overview-2018/
Around the 8 minute mark or so?
@m073a314146 said:
@ohnoeshalpme804 said:
Is taking the LSAT in November considered too late?
This. How late is too late to be taking the LSAT for the cycle? EDIT: NM.. I went back over some of the videos. Got the answer.
What did you find @m073a314146 ?
How to go about asking professor's for LOR
How much of my graduate school experiences should I mention in my personal statement? Do law schools value these experiences?
If you apply ED to a school in hopes of a scholarship, and the scholarship they come back with is not anything like what you expected, what, if any, options do you have being an ED or binding applicant?
If I know there is only one or two schools I would be able to attend to accommodate my personal circumstances such as location, should I still apply to multiple schools for potential scholarship leverage?
What months are considered early in the admissions cycle and what months are considered late in the admissions cycle?
Is early decision a large boost for in-state applicants in particular?
@ohnoeshalpme804 said:
Is taking the LSAT in November considered too late?
The answer is no! I’ve heard this from reputable admissions consultants. Early cycle is before November mid cycle is through December, late is anything after December
Can I refer to schools as their abbreviation (e.g. UVA Law) or should I always use the full name when writing a Why X?
When is an addendum necessary if you have a significant score increase? 5 points? 10 points? 15 points? How do you explain the increase other than the obvious of continuing to study or hiring a tutor?
Do I need to list all work experience (ie, from undergrad and on) or should I just include my most recent work experience?
Is it true that law schools look at your credit history and if they do what is the reasoning for it?
I am a NTS with a less than stellar GPA (3.04). I was told by a law school admission rep that I did not need to provide an addendum to explain my GPA because I have been out of school so long. Is this true across the board or would I need to contact each law school I plan to apply?
What constitutes real "work experience"? e.g. working part time in undergrad? Full time in undergrad? Or only full time once graduated?
How do you think admissions will now view multiple LSATs considering the fact that the restriction of 3 max has been removed?
What steps do you recommend taking to get yourself off of a waitlist?
How do you negotiate financial aid?
Are there any links or resources to scholarships that you know of?