Hi everyone!

Ann Perry, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of Chicago Law School, is coming on the 7Sage podcast next week -- and we want your questions!

Post your questions on the Reddit thread linked below by Friday at noon, ET, and we'll put them to Ann on your behalf!

https://www.reddit.com/r/7SageLSAT/comments/1wzcww6/ask_ann_perry_associate_dean_for_admissions_and/

Hey everyone,

Before I say anything, I just want to note that I’m not selling any sort of service, so please don’t dm me. I’m just someone who works full-time in a position where I often have to critique essays, and I wanted to give some advice. Here goes:

1) Don’t write like that

One mistake I see a lot of people make is that they try to channel their inner Henry James or Tolstoy. Paragraphs upon paragraphs of flowery, ornamental prose. Please, please, please don’t do that. Few people, especially in their 20s, can write that kind of style well. If you think you can, reconsider.

Don’t get me wrong, I love those authors, but you need to write to your audience. In this case, that audience is a tired AO who’s already read 20 other applications, many of whom are probably trying to do the same thing. These essays can be tedious to read, and often make you sound pretentious. You will get far more mileage from a clear, moderately detailed style than you would from rewriting Gravity’s Rainbow.

2) Be willing to cut

I know, every part of your PS is very important, but knowing when to take Off Yeller out back is a crucial writing skill. I see so many people try to cram the sum of their entire lives into 2-3 pages, and that’s almost certainly not going to be effective. It would be much, much better to just pick a story or two and draw out the details in those. Where were you? How did you feel? What were you thinking?

3) The punchy sentence probably isn’t great

A lot of folks write a sentence that they fall in love with. They think it’s great, they thing it encapsulates their entire message. This is… usually not the case. I find that these sentences come off as dramatic, and sometimes leave me with a feeling of ‘okay, and what else?’ It might sound really noble to talk about how you want to use the power of law to protect the little guy in this grand, sweeping statement, but you’re probably better off using that space to say what you specifically want to do with your career. Do you want to work for a PI organization? Do you want to do administrative law? Mention that.

Take all my words with a grain of salt. I’m not an admissions officer, never have been, but I also wouldn’t say that I’m proposing anything revolutionary. Just remember the words of Kelly Johnson: keep it simple, stupid.

I’ve completed my personal statement, but I’ve noticed some school indicate on their application that they want to know “why you would be a good fit for x school of law” or “why are you applying to x school of law” within their personal statement instructions. Are we supposed to be writing alternate versions of our personal statement that are tailored to be more school-specific? I was thinking of just adding a paragraph on with how my statement material relates to the specific school and their values/offerings. Is anyone else encountering this??

Hi! I’m looking for help with personal statement and other essays. I have a 172 LSAT and 3.98. Willing to negotiate prices!

Hi everyone. I finished all my applications early September(!!!) my personal statement/why law was based on my work in victim services. I recently started work as a paralegal in a criminal defense firm (lol), should I send updated resumes to schools or just leave it as is. Worried this update would derail my narrative or would it make me stronger bc I am understanding the criminal system even more?? Thanks!

Hi, I hope this admissions cycle and LSAT studying is going smoothly for everyone!

I'm hoping for some advice and/or insights on how to approach an alumni interview? I have mine with Georgetown next week and I am trying to get a better idea of what to expect.

I haven't interviewed with a law school before but being asked for an interview is a good sign right..?

Everywhere I have been seeing says to get your application in as soon as possible as the longer you wait, the more it minimizes acceptance/scholarship funds. I took the LSAT in September and got a 150 (had some personal life things going on) and am registered to take the test again in November. While I understand ambitious, I want to get within the 165`s. If I take the November test and not satisfied, am I hurting myself by taking the LSAT again in January?

Keep in mind, I am a nontraditional student who works a demanding job, that requires variable hours and travel schedule.

Hi folks, as I go through the NU application, I'm struggling with the questions below:

1. What are your career interest(s) immediately after law school? (maximum characters 500)

2. What are your long-term career goals? (maximum characters 500)

What are they looking for here? Especially if I don't have any specifics? I know I want to go to a big law firm somewhere in Chicago or California, and maybe want to pursue some AI/SEC practice group, but I'm pretty flexible and don't really know. Somehow this feels like a trick idk maybe I'm paranoid LOL.

LMK thoughts!

Hi guys!

I need help formatting my diversity essay.

Many have a short, one-page, double-spaced requirement, so there isn't much room to tell my story, and that is where my issue comes in.

Should I focus more on my story, or mention more about the school? If so, how am I supposed to do that? I find myself explaining my diverse background, why it made me who I am, and why I specifically look for diverse communities/spaces/environments, and that I would look for and contribute to the school by making a community (I would do this by tying it back to my story, trying not to give details on here).

Should I be focusing more on their diversity statements? They all feel the same to me... I think explaining my story gives them real information about who I am and what I bring to the school, rather than restating what they already know.

I am writing my diversity statement for all my law school apps if this helps!

Hi! I am looking for guidance on whether it is appropriate to include a customer letter of recommendation in my law school applications.

For context, I am a manager and run a before- and after-school program that becomes a summer camp in the summer. I have been in childcare for about 10 years and have been with my company for the last 5 years. I grew within the company, starting as a counselor, then assistant manager, and now I run the program and handle hiring for my entire area (over 10 schools), including interviews, background checks, DCF clearance, etc.

I have built a professional relationship with the family that has been in the program since shortly after I started. The dad even tried to recruit me to work for the school district where he is employed. He offered to write me a law school letter of recommendation after hearing that this is my last year at my job. Can I even accept that?

Please let me know your thoughts because I am not sure if I am even allowed!

Looking for feedback/advice/other's experiences with creating a law school resume, as an older applicant.

From what I've researched, most schools are happy to see "relevant" work experience AND the various jobs/part-time jobs you've had along the way--within reason.

I've worked as a server, nanny, barista, etc....in addition to my more recent professional roles. When listing these jobs, is it important to include each one for "timeline" sake or would it be preferable to list a more general section like "Server, 2018-Present" and briefly outline what that looked like.

Alternatively, should this be left off the resume entirely and simply included under the "work history" portion of each school's application?

Any and all feedback welcome!

Hoping someone on staff sees this - for whatever reason (maybe erroneous ABA 509 data?) the University of Oklahoma is marked as not offering interviews in the Interviews page and as such does not let you mark that you conducted an interview in the school tracker. I just completed an interview with them last week, and there are numerous Reddit threads from lawschooladmissions from the last 2-3 years with people talking about having interviews requested by OU. It also appears that these interviews are mandatory for all out of state applicants. If someone could update this, it would be greatly appreciated

I remember this was once addressed on the 7Sage podcast, but I do not remember the answer or episode. In writing a personal statement, how do you decide whether it's appropriate to share a diagnosis if it's relevant to your story? I know I could be general and just say neurodivergent, or I could be specific, or I could completely not mention it at all.

Hi, looking for folks who can review my essays and in turn I can review yours! Looking for constructive criticism and anyone who excelled in writing. I think my strongest skill is writing, editing, and proof reading but I've been having a hard time looking at my own writing lately, especially for apps. I'm looking for people who can provide honest feedback! Dm me for email exchange if interested!

Curious if I should literally list every school I am applying to. Should I just list schools around the same ranking and geographic region? I do not like this question.

Hello,

So, this is a bit of an odd question. I had a relative that taught at one of the universities I’m applying to (not at the law school). Learning that I had this familial connection was what initially made me interested in this school, and I fell more in love as I researched. But would it be tacky to mention this connection?

In reading through law school applications, I've noticed that most schools do not list specific requirements for resume submission. However, 7sage says that applicants should "never make any text on your application smaller than 11-point font under any circumstances." But, if there are no specific resume font-size requirements listed on a given application, does it really matter if my resume is in 10 point font instead of 11 for that application? If an admissions counselor can tackle this, that would be much appreciated.

Context: I got a 176 on the September LSAT, and am ready to finalize my applications before sending them off, but I need to get Letters of Recommendation first.

I am in a bit of a confusing situation with regard to what to do for my LoRs due to the following:

1) I have been self-employed as an SAT/ACT tutor since pretty much right when I graduated in 2021. As a result, I do not have a supervisor or manager that can speak to my abilities, and as I understand it, asking clients (i.e. students' parents) is considered a bit of a no-no.

2) I essentially took my last class in Fall 2020, so I'm about six years out of college. I went to undergrad from 2017-2021. I was a transfer student from 1 year at a CC. I then went to UVA for about 2.5 years. During those 2.5 years, most of my courses were either large lecture hall courses or conducted entirely online due to the pandemic, leading to pretty impersonal/surface level interactions with my professors. I've reached out to the two professors who I had multiple, smaller-sized classes with, but I've yet to hear back two days later, though I'm not sure if this is atypical.

3) Many, if not most, of my universities that I'm applying to require 2 recommendations.

Any tips for how I should go about this?

Attending my first LSAC forum in a couple of weeks! Any suggestions on what to bring? Like resume just in case, or anything else?

I feel like I don't quite know how to write this essay.

Hello! I am planning on applying to law schools at the end of October. I am currently in the revision part of my personal statement and I have been looking into the editing options but everything seems so expensive. Can anyone send me someone they used maybe a 7sage tutor or even a law student that they used to revise their letter. I am sending it to family as well but I would like someone with some knowledge about the law application process. Also if anyone wants to offer some advice for law school applications that would be greatly appreciated!!

Hello,

I am in need of some advice/guidance, as I would be considered a non traditional applicant. I have worked in corporate nearly 14 years, and I am currently pursuing my Doctorate degree in Business at the University of Florida. I would like to attend law school after completing the program. I am also a recently divorced mother of two. So that self doubt is trying to take over. I am a bit nervous as to how admission boards will view me, especially considering my gpa for undergrad was a 3.12. My GPA for my dual masters is 3.65, and currently have a 4.0 in my doctorate program…….with time, came wisdom. I know that the undergrad gpa is what’s counted, so how heavily will it be held against me? Also, are there any school suggestions that may align better with my situation?

Thanks in advance.

I just started filling out the Employment section for an application. It states "List all employment including internships." At two of my employers, I was promoted several times and had multiple positions.

Should I create a separate entry for each position, or just include the employer as a single entry?

I am taking the January LSAT, with scores being released on February 3rd, and one of my top schools deadline is February 1st. Will they still review it?

Hello! I have gotten conflicting advice on how to write my personal statement. I have seen LSAT tutors say to write it about a specific story and how that taught you something that drives you to go to law school. I talked with my Pre-Law advisor at school and she gave me opposite advice. She told me to briefly talk about the moment I realized I wanted to go to law school and then for the rest of the essay talk about skills that I have that make me a good candidate for law school. Which of these is a better style? I can put a brief overview of the two different kinds that I have written that may give a little more context. Which of these options are stronger?

Option 1: I start off talking about a TikTok where a nurse doesn't believe older people should receive life saving care like resuscitations. I then go into how this TikTok upset me because I have first hand seen how the healthcare system has failed my loved ones due to discrimination based on age and preexisting conditions. I then dive into how seeing medical malpractice first hand showed me I needed to not be complacent and pursue a career in law.

Option 2: I start off talking about the TikTok and the instance of medical malpractice I have witnessed in a much shorter and more objective manner. I then state I want to go into law so that I can help to change systems for the better. I then talk about experiences and qualities that I have that would make me a good lawyer. I talk about my fundraising experience, internships with law firms, and a research paper I did on a social issue and the solution I proposed.

I think my first option is stronger but my advisor said the second one is better. I also would ideally like to start my career working in corporate law and then do elder and healthcare law on the side as more pro bono work. Should I mention that or would that harm my admissions chances?