Self-study
I haven't seen a thread on this topic, but for those of us that are professional law school applicants, what is the best way to include our professional licenses, memberships, etc.?
I am a LEED Accredited Professional, and even my personal email signature reads "Name, LEED AP BD+C". I imagine architects would include "Name, AIA and/or NCARB" in their resume header, and Professional Engineers, "Name, PE", etc. - is it too jarring for me to do the same with LEED AP in my resume header? What if my admissions reviewer doesn't know what LEED AP means? Where in the body of the resume would be a better home for certifications, and how would your recommend formatting them?
Thank you!
It's both comforting and depressing to read so many experiences similar to mine. I'm really sorry for everything you all have gone through, and admire your conviction, and willingness to play along with the admissions game...
When I was applying to undergrad, I had a tutor who could help me out, but for the LSAT and law school applications, I had no such thing. There was no one to tell me "hey, if you can't take the September LSAT, don't bother applying until next year", or "hey, these 'deadlines' don't actually mean you can apply anytime close to them if you want to get in". Seriously: why do schools have such a long admissions period if they intend to fill the bulk of their incoming class spots right away anyway? I understand the concept of "first come, first served", but setting a deadline doesn't mean "first come, first served". Wouldn't it make more sense to give a hard but true deadline, and have a smaller window where applications are accepted and reviewed?
I graduated from Cornell, took over 160 credits to receive Dual Degrees (a BS and a BA), was able to swing studying abroad, minor in Music, and keep a 3.65 GPA by the end of it all. I worked for a large general contractor in DC, managing construction projects for five years, and held leadership positions within the company. When I was applying, I truly thought I had at least a solid application. For top tier schools, I met their deadlines; for my safeties, I got apps in earlier just because their deadlines were later.
My LSAT score was mediocre the first round (December 2017), and when I retook in February 2018, it did go up 5 points, but I still didn't break 160; I guess I get test anxiety, who knew? Anyway, I really thought my GPA, resume, and application would soften my disadvantageous LSAT score, but with that score, I applied all over. Still, I have been shell-shocked with my results:
I was originally waitlisted at 9, have since been accepted to 1 of those previously waitlisted schools (Northeastern), and have been removed from the waitlist/denied at 2 others (ASU and U Washington). I have only been accepted, and offered scholarships, at U Maine and Vermont. Everywhere else was a flat out rejection.
I want to pursue environmental law, but I don't want to be pigeon-holed, and even though I'm 28, I don't want to live in an isolated, small town in southern Vermont just yet in order to go to the school with the best environmental program.
For those who choose to reapply, is anyone concerned that your name and application will be tainted because you were rejected in a previous year? Will schools really see beyond "we already rejected her" and not just say "it had to have been for a real reason, not just timing - RE-REJECTED!" I don't want to rewrite all those essays again... do we all just resubmit our same application and hope better timing in the next cycle plays in your favor? Are there addenda for re-applicants?
I quit my 60-hour a week job to be able to study full time before re-taking the LSAT and to then apply to schools. I only say it wasn't a mistake because I had come to really dislike the job. :smile: If I reapply next cycle, it also means I need to apply to JOBS that would only employ me for a year at the most. I really can't see putting off law school any longer. I imagine those of you just graduating from undergrad must be in a similar boat, having to find jobs for a year. How are you feeling about this unpleasant surprise?
Any advice, comments are appreciated.