This post comes from an Ontario student, but it may apply to certain students applying in America/elsewhere as well.

U of T and Osgoode Hall, two of Ontario's -- nay, Canada's -- premiere law schools, do not want their applicants' resumes unless they're "mature" students (i.e. 5+ years out of post-secondary schooling). This presents a personal statement quandary for applicants like myself who are fresh out of the school game: do you tell that coherent, engaging story that omits several achievements, or do you try to fit in your achievements/extra curriculars where you can?

I feel that a lot of the personal statement resources offered throughout the internet are targeted towards students who can already use their resumes in the application process. Thus, they are implored to not "rehash" their achievements... but this advice does not seem as applicable to Canadian students who wish to apply to schools like U of T and Osgoode (among others).

What would you advise when presented with this difficulty? Do you sacrifice mentioning that award you received for graduating with the highest GPA in your department to talk about your (almost invariably) more personal accounts about volunteer positions/personal struggles/etc.? Do you sacrifice the telling of your accomplishments for consistency's sake?

Thanks for reading! If I could catch a glance from Mr. @David.Busis himself that'd be especially helpful :)

And don't say "because of it's ranking". I'm just curious based on your goals why you're choosing a particular school(s).

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that 7Sage editor @"maura.roosevelt" compiled the 2017 application requirements for T-15 law schools. You can find it here:

https://classic.7sage.com/admissions/lesson/application-requirements-for-top-schools/

We're working on even more free resources for you.

Should I also write "why x" essays if I am writing a diversity statement?

I honestly think it's really hard to write interesting why x school essays unless one has regional ties or other personal, compelling reasons to go particular schools.

Hi friends,

Congrats to everyone who took the LSAT on Saturday. Potential RC crises notwithstanding, making it through an administration is an accomplishment in and of itself, I think!

I'm shifting my focus towards applications to try and take my mind off the waiting time for scores to be released, and as I'm getting more specific with school lists, I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for getting a feel for the "culture" of the schools. Part of my motivation comes from wanting write a kickass "Why X?" essay, but the majority of my curiosity stems from a hesitance to shell out tons of cash if a school isn't going to be a fit for me. I've obviously read all of the website and application materials, but I haven't done the whole "apply to college" type routine for some years now, and my uncovering skills may be a lil rusty. I remember for undergrad, sites like collegeconfidential felt pretty helpful at the time, but I don't know what my resources are in that vein for law school.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks y'all!

First off, good fortune to the peeps taking the test tomorrow.

I have a question regarding a full scholarship. Hopefully yall could help (article links accepted). When a school gives a "full" scholarship, does that mean full tuition, full everything (COL, books, other fees)? Is there any such thing as scholarship that covers "everything"? Friend of mine just got a "full" scholarship but had to take loans out for rent. I went to a very cheap public undergrad school so me taking a loan out was literally a few thousand dollars. My entire undergrad debt is less than $7k so I'm not too familiar with scholarships and financial aid. During research, I'm hearing financial aid in law school is totally different and a nicer way of saying loan.

Long story longer, if the latter of my question exist (full scholly for everything) what are the approaches and ways to obtain that?

Your boy aint tryna pay $200k in debt! -in my Brooklyn accent-

Thanks peeps,

Namaste

I was hoping to get a sense of how long I can expect it to take to complete the application process. I understand that this is completely subjective and based on each person, but I am trying to figure out how realistic it will be for me to apply this cycle.

I was planning to take the September LSAT but I am not currently scoring as high as I would like. At this point I can expect between a160-165, the numbers indicate I will be on the lower side. I had a 3.82 undergrad GPA and I would rather not squander that with a mediocre LSAT. I have spent today contemplating if I should postpone until December, but this made me realize that if I did I would not have much time to actually complete the applications once I get my score. I understand there are some portions I might be able to complete before I take the test, but in effect that will take away time from actually prepping. I was really hoping to not need to wait another year before law school, but I am now thinking it is something I might have to consider.

Edit - One other question, will a school look consider the fact that someone already applied and got rejected during a previous cycle?

Hi everybody,

I keep on seeing this question on applications, and I'm not quite sure how to answer it. Does anybody have any idea?

Here's the question.

"Has your education in college, university, or professional school been interrupted for one term or more for any reason?"

Context: I took a leave of absence from a master's program (it was my second one that I was really just doing until I got a job that paid more than the stipend), and left the degree when I got a "real" job. Would that count as a term being interrupted? I left on good standing with the school, and could resume studies at any time.

Thanks in advance!

Politico just came out with a scathing report on USNWR and I am wondering if it is accurate to Law School rankings. The link to the article is below (ignore the political slant - I'm assuming they added that in the title for clickbait as the majority of the article is not political).

http://www.politico.com/interactives/2017/top-college-rankings-list-2017-us-news-investigation/

I've spoken to a couple of law students who have started out at one law school and transferred into a T14. Is this full proof? Or will a T14 look into your current law school's ranking for your consideration? I wonder about this often. Any and all stories welcome.

I'm having a bit of a hard time deciding whether or not I should include a brief period of volunteering on my resume.

Context: I volunteered with a legal advice centre for up to ~3 months (I have yet to work out the exact dates). The organisation has a training course for their volunteers to complete before they do solo work with clients. The course is meant to take many months to complete, and I didn't finish it before I left. Much of my experience at the organisation was spent shadowing trained volunteers and sitting in on cases. I stopped volunteering when it became clear I didn't have enough time to commit (1 full day per week + training), given my paid job and my LSAT studies. I left on good terms and was told they would have loved for me to stay. I was officially counted as a volunteer for this time period, but only as a trainee.

Question: Do I include this on a resume?

Arguments against:

Arguments for:

Just need as many 2nd opinions as I can with this one. I don't want to include anything which would make me seem like a flake, or make me seem like I'm struggling to pad a resume.

Hi everyone,

I'd like to introduce our newest editors, Clare and Maura. They've actually been working on your behalf already, but I haven't gotten around to welcoming them yet.

Clare graduated summa cum laude from Yale, where she won two different prizes—one for academics and character, the other for writing. She went on to receive her MFA in fiction from NYU, and her writing has appeared around the web. She's so razor-sharp that I always wrap myself in kevlar before I talk to her, but then I feel like a chump, because she's so nice too, and generous, and kevlar is so hot in the summer.

Maura graduated from Harvard and, like Clare, earned her MFA in fiction from NYU. She's taught writing at USC and at NYU, where she won an award for teaching excellence four years in a row. Her novel BABY OF THE FAMILY will be published by Penguin Random House in March of 2019. Maura's pen is so hot that she often melts her journal. Fortunately, she does most of her editing on a computer.

I can't tell you how excited I am to have these two on the team. They've already blown me away with their perspicacity. I know they can help make your application sing.

I graduated in the spring of 2015 and decided to go to law school in the past year. I have a 3.6 GPA and a 168 LSAT on the June test but I'm having a lot of issues with LORs. I can get two awesome LORs from a current and past supervisor but I know I should try to get one from a professor. My top pick is Georgetown right now and I'm wondering if it will look bad to only have employer LORs. I reached out to three of my professors and none have responded to my emails! I live in a different state than where I went to school so it's not really an option to see them in person. What should I do? Are the employer LORs enough?

Hi all, I am currently in the application process of Law School and was wondering if anyone had some sage words of advice on sending transcripts to LSAC as well as requesting LORs. #HELP

Hey guys,

I've been doing research online about Splitters (Low GPA, High LSAT Score vice versa) and a lot of it is outdated. Does anyone else have any splitter stories they'd like to share? I'm interested to know if T14s still accept splitters. Or what these splitters showcased aside from GPA and LSAT scores that made them valuable candidates.

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

I don't really see any information about LOR rules except how many.

I was hoping to apply last cycle and get my LORs submitted to LSAC but after decided to postpone. Should I ask my LOR writers to re-write it with a more recent date? Or will an older LOR be ok? They probably wrote these sometime between Sept-Dec of 2016.

I am sure they will rewrite it if I ask, I was extra sweet when they did it and gave hand written cards as thank yous.

Would it be extremely unattractive for admissions committees to see somewhat of a gap on your resume between undergrad and applying, due to studying for the LSAT full time? Or would the numbers speak for themselves?

Hi everyone.

I am quite concerned at the moment.

So my full first name is "Michael Jonathan". However, I just realized that my name is displayed as a shortened version: "Michael Jon" on my LSAC account and on my LSAT score reports. I believe when I made my LSAC account, I was not able to insert my whole first name.

Should I be concerned about this when I submit my law applications or do you guys think it is ok as they will match my LSAC account #? Also, should I submit a name change form to LSAC?

Thank you.

Hello!

Just a quick question: Following my undergrad graduation in 2015, I took 3 online economics classes from a local community college in order to fulfill prerequisites for a master's program I was planning on applying to. I ended up changing my mind and didn't apply, but I was wondering if I am required to have the community college send those transcripts into the LSAC? From what I understand only the undergraduate level work that you completed before receiving your degree is calculated in your GPA..

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice. I'm a non-traditional student who has wide variety of life experience. I'm having a tough time narrowing down a personal statement category. Here's the run down:

I'm 39

Graduated with my undergrad when I was 35. I bounced around different schools one was an upward transfer; the others were to satisfy vocational courses. I was able to finish my degree from the University of Colorado online when I was 35 while living in LA.

I moved to LA because I was (to some degree) still a stand up comic. Now I feel compelled to go to law school. I don't really want to draw attention to stand up, cause I probably said something stupid online at some point and I don't want that to hinder me. I've cleaned up social media pretty much, but still.

I'm an expert witness. I've testified several times in CA Worker's Comp courts regarding the value liens. I help attorneys and sometimes appear as a hearing rep in helping litigate work comp medical liens.

My dad was a felon. I don't want to play that card, but I do understand that hardships can be "inspiring."

I really feel like I have to explain why my transcripts are so incredibly ADD. My GPA is pretty good minus the first year and a half after high school. If I calculate it right, it should be a 3.7 and a graduated with honors. Should I do this as an addendum?

Hi

should I use past or present tense to describe my current job in resume?

Also, should I include hours per week? I did include them but they seem to clutter the page a little so I am considering removing them and keep the page as clean as possible.

Thanks! :)

Hi everyone,

I sat for the LSAT in June and scored well but also 6 points below my average from the previous 15 practice tests I had taken, so I am registered to re-take in two weeks. That said, I realize I will not get my score back until mid-October. My application is almost good to go. I plan to edit my essays a few more times, and my recommendation letters will hopefully be in by the start of October. Given the rolling nature of admissions, is there any difference between how my application would be received mid-September or early-October compared to mid-October?

Hey everyone! Happy first day of applications!!

I just had a thirty second question about my C&F Addendum. Specifically, what length, in general, should an addendum be? I know that the answer to this will vary based on the situation, but for a simple underage drinking violation in undergrad I was curious about how many words would hit the sweet spot of informative, yet concise.

Excited to hear your thoughts!

Thanks!

Hello Everyone,

So I am studying for the December LSAT in addition to trying to get the components of my law school application together. How exactly does the electronic application process work? Because I thought law schools do not get your application until said application is complete, but apparently you can send parts of your law school application in early and have the law schools wait on the score. Which is it?