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Q&A Responses From the August 28 Dean's Roundtable Discussion
Tajira McCoy
Member Administrator Admissions Consultant
Greetings 7Sagers!
As promised, Dr. Riley and I are going to address some of the most common questions from last night's Q&A that we weren't able to get to. We'll be adding questions and responses to this thread through the end of the week!
Warmly,
Taj
Comments
In regards to personal statements and diversity statements, is it possible that the essay may be subject to discrimination when discussing personal identity information such as being Muslim/Arab. Is it better to avoid such details?
I don't believe you should avoid details about your background. You can still be professional in your writing and be true to yourself. Also, I believe that most admissions officers will be blind to whatever personal beliefs they may have and want to recruit a diverse class to have diverse discussions in their law classes. This only benefits each student, the legal profession and society in general. Lastly, if a law school does not want this diversity, then that law school may not be a good fit for you anyway.
If I take the LSAT for a total of 4 times, will that reflect badly on my application?
I hate to sound like a broken record, but it depends. It depends on when the tests were taken, are the scores very different, or are they all similar, etc. From my experience, if I saw 4 or more scores, I understood the applicant was trying to increase their score. However, some may put more emphasis on the applicant's judgement about retaking the LSAT multiple times, especially when their scores are practically the same. If there is a good reason, an addendum may be appropriate to explain why take it so many times. In the end however, admissions officers will focus on the highest of the four scores for admissions and scholarship purposes. Remember, this is just a small part of your application in total. Your academic record, your personal stories and passion for the law will play a role in the overall decision as well.
What are you looking for in LORs? Are there certain traits or topics I should ask my professors to write about?
In general, an AO wants specific details about you. For instance, how do you interact with your classmates or coworkers, are you organized, are you timely with assignments or projects, etc. It would nice if the recommender compared you to other students or coworkers as well. For example, some professors will state details of what percentage you rank compared to all of the students they have taught (e.g., top 1%, 10%...).
How many times would you recommend taking the LSAT to maximize your score?
From an admissions perspective, it's not about taking the LSAT multiple times to maximize your score; rather, it's about putting in the preparation to get your PTs consistently landing in a place that sets you up to perform at your very best. Taking the LSAT before you're really prepared or before you're landing consistently near the numbers that you're trying to reach does give AOs the impression that you weren't as prepared as you could have been. Similarly, taking multiple exams in a row can also show that a candidate is not giving themselves enough time to adequately prepare. Ideally, you'll take the LSAT once or twice.
If I'm applying in late November is that considered on time and will there still be good amount of scholarships left?
It depends on the school. For some schools, by late November it's possible that they've received close to half of their application volume for that cycle, which could equate to thousands of applications. For others, their application pool may not hit this point until January. Additionally, some schools award scholarship with their offers of admission while others do scholarship considerations after offers go out. It'll be a good idea to check in with schools directly to get a sense of their timelines.
What are some activities, jobs or volunteerism that law schools would like to see in a gap year?
From an admissions perspective, we don't have specific jobs or activities that we want you to take; rather, we want you to gain experience that you're interested in gaining. I do not recommend selecting something simply based off of what you think might impress a law school. Engage in the things you are most interested in because you're bound to be more active and motivated to perform well if you're doing something that you enjoy or that gets you closer to your goals.
What are some activities, jobs or volunteerism that law schools would like to see in a gap year?
This all depends on you and your interests, needs and wants. I have seen many different things in the categories of work and volunteering. I highly recommend that you do something besides just sitting on the couch. Just make sure it is something for your growth. Whether it is financial, educational, or for your health (mental and/or physical). Lastly, do not do something believing that it is what law school AOs want to see on your resume. Do it for you.
Is there a recording of this roundtable discussion for those who weren't able to make it?
Hi @ivettem15910,
Thanks for your question! Yes, the discussion is being edited for sound quality and will be added to our podcast soon!
Any advice for international students who want to meet students and professors before sending in applications?
Virtually tends to be the most ideal way to connect if you aren't able to visit in person. Many schools offer virtual tours, information sessions, and student panels. Some candidates reach out to faculty members to spearhead programs or teach courses in the subject matter area that they are interested in to ask questions about these offerings that aren't easily found on the website. Sometimes candidates also reach out to student organizations that they're interested in being affiliated with to connect and to learn about the student experience; however, be wary of any admissions policies that may limit contact with current students to admitted applicants (sometimes the volume of communication can get overwhelming, and the students need to be able to focus).
Does reapplication hurt your chances of admission?
It depends. Reapplying with the exact same materials and numerical indicators is not a good idea––admissions teams are unlikely to make a different decision if they're reviewing the same materials for a second time. Changes to the numerical indicators (an improved LSAT score), the timing of the application submission, and improved written materials that demonstrate growth and additional experience can be extremely helpful.
Do law schools consider the undergrad institution's grading system? My undergrad doesn't award A+ 's, so my LSAC GPA won't be as high as it could've been.
The LSAC calculates a cumulative GPA to bring people onto an even playing field. AOs look very closely at your CAS report and read through transcripts to see patterns in performance and courseload. For information on how they do that, see here: https://www.lsac.org/applying-law-school/jd-application-process/cas/requesting/transcript-summarization.
Will the LSAT changes that started Aug 2024 be taken under consideration if there are multiple LSAT cancellations (for ex, for the last two LSATs before the Aug 2024 test change)? I was told that your highest LSAT score is what really matters.
The highest LSAT score is what is reported to the ABA; however, admissions teams will see and can consider your overall performance, including cancellations and fluctuations. Each school has different policies on how they view these components. When there are multiple LSAT cancellations, context via an addendum is typically helpful. It's not clear why an admissions team would need to take changes to the LSAT starting in August into consideration for two cancellations that took place prior without providing context.
Do you have a lesser chance of getting accepted / scholarships if you apply Jan/Feb?
It depends on the school. For some, more than half of their application volume may have been received by that time, so it would be likely that a good number of seats and scholarship dollars may have been awarded thereby decreasing chances.
Are chances higher of admittance if you apply early decision? Would you be considered twice, once for ED and once for regular decisions or if you're rejected early then is it over?
This varies from school to school. Some schools have the same acceptance rate for their early decision programs as for their regular application pool, so the answer in that instance would be no. Whether ED applicants who are not admitted ED are rolled into the regular pool is dependent on the school, so it's a good idea to research the specific programs at the schools on your list.
When is the deadline to apply to law school?
Every school sets their own deadlines, so you'll want to research the schools on your list.
Do law school’s look closely at the writing assessment? How is it looked at in comparison to a personal statement?
It depends. Each school has their own admissions policies. In my experience, law schools can and do look closely at the writing assessment––it's a raw sample of writing and gives us a chance to assess your writing with the guarantee that there's been no outside feedback on it. While the writing assessment is about writing quality and ability to be responsive to the prompt and craft an argument, the personal statement serves a different purpose. It can be an indicator of writing quality, but it's also meant to tell AOs about you as a candidate.
Would you say that attending a prestige/top undergraduate institution hold any significance in the committees decision making—attesting to the rigor of the academics and curriculum?
Attending matters far less than performance. The institution and the program can be taken into account, though how they are is dependent on each particular law school.
If your stats are below the median, what are your chances of receiving a scholarship?
It depends on the school, the types of scholarships they award, and the other factors within your file. Need-based awards are not dependent on your stats, while merit-based ones are.
I’m interested in working abroad for a year but am still indecisive about this idea, so I am not sure if I want to apply this cycle or next cycle. How bad does reapplying look? Would it be better for me to hold off a year?
It's best to apply when you know you're ready to attend. In some instances, it can't be avoided, and it becomes necessary to ask for a deferral to join the school a year later; however, many schools have very limited instances in which they will grant a deferral (and if they don't grant a deferral, an applicant would have to reapply). Often, deferrals are granted for military deployment, completion of another graduate/professional program, or unavoidable family circumstances. If you end up reapplying, you have opportunities to provide context within your materials.
How do you view a P grade during covid and a R (retake) grade on a transcript? Does it matter if the college did or did not factor it in the GPA?
Each school had different grading policies at the start of COVID, which are printed on your transcript so that we have a sense of whether all classes moved to pass/fail or whether students were allowed to opt for pass/fail rather than graded courses. Retaken courses do tend to be visible on transcripts––both the first grade performance and the subsequent one. typically these are ones that should be explained in an addendum.
Do you have any advice for reapplicants? Especially those that were waitlisted the first time - aside from raising LSAT scores, how can we give our applications the boost it needs this time around?
The goal is to strengthen the overall application. Improved stats, earlier app submissions, additional experience, new LORs, and stronger written materials that demonstrate growth from the time of the first application can all factor into a reapplicant gaining admission in a subsequent cycle.
How many schools can you apply early action to that are binding? What happens if you're accepted into both?
Typically, you can only apply to one binding program at a time. If you are then rejected from a binding program, you could feasibly apply to another binding program assuming you are still within the deadline. You'll want to read the requirements closely to see what limitations are placed on the other types of applications you can submit.
If I've been out of school for two years, will schools expect a professional reference? I'm scared of being penalized by my current employer, and simultaneously know that I can get 2-3 strong academic references.
Admissions teams are aware that sometimes a candidate cannot ask their current employer for a letter for fear of adverse consequences. Strong academic letters are typically sufficient, though occasionally there will be a school that asks specifically for a professional letter. In those instances, you can share with that school your circumstances and consider asking a supervisor from a former job.
How should we ask for fee waviers? And how early can we start asking for them?
Once the application opens, candidates can typically begin requesting fee waivers; however, you'll want to pay close attention to schools' websites, as some have specific fee waiver programs and have instructions posted on how to apply for them. If a school doesn't have a program or request instructions posted, you can email their office to request one. Some schools may ask for your stats if they offer merit-based fee waivers, while some will honor a fee waiver request if you've been approved for LSAC fee waivers.
Will I still be able to have a fair shot at scholarships if I send out all my applications by December 2024?
This will depend on how each law school awards scholarships. Most law schools will state if they have a scholarship application and when it will be available and when the deadline will be. If it is not clear how scholarships are awarded, nor if scholarship funds run out by a certain date, an email to the admissions office is recommended to ask.
Is it advised to apply to a school if you’re below their GPA median but above their LSAT median?
I believe an applicant should apply to an array of law schools. A few schools that are target, a few that are safeties, and even one or two that are reach schools. The reason is, the numbers are only part of the equation. If you have a great story and passion for why law, great leadership and communication skills, admissions committees may give you a shot in being a student at their law school. There are applicants admitted below the 50th and 25th percentile medians. Who knows, you may be one of those admits.
Seconding all of the questions that have asked about applying later in the year! Does applying by the end of the year, or even into January, put you at a significant disadvantage (in terms of spots available and financial aid)?
I would not say it puts you at a significant disadvantage. This will vary from law school to law school however. Some applicant pools are more competitive than others. It will depend. However, I am sure that an applicant that may be considered very strong that applies later in the cycle, will probably have a shot at being admitted. You will have to judge if you are strong candidate for each particular applicant pool. Lastly, it is always better to apply earlier in the cycle, but it is even better to submit an application that is polished as opposed to one that is thrown together.
Does it look bad to have taken the LSAT in Sept and again in Oct?
Not at all. Most AOs know that applicants who take the LSAT more than once are just trying to get the best score possible. And, they will consider the higher score of the two for admission and scholarship purposes.
Looking for general advice for a non-traditional student, what are you looking for in a student that already has a well established career in another field? Do other advanced degrees hold additional merit when looking at various applicants?
In general, law schools are looking for academically strong applicants with great communication, leadership and organizational skills. This comes in many different forms. Age is not a factor to keep someone out of consideration. The advice for non-traditional students holds true as it does for all applicants...tell your story of why law and any other information you want to relay to an admissions committee. Do this in well written statements in your own authentic voice. Advanced degrees are positive factors (unless the applicant did not perform well). The issue is most applicants do not have them. Thus, they are not one of the major factors like the LSAT score and UG record which every applicant has when applying.
Does it look bad to have an undergrad LoR but no graduate school LoR?
Given the recency of the graduate program, it may seem a little odd not to have an academic letter from your graduate program, but if you have academic and professional letters overall, you've covered your bases. I'd be more concerned if you went to undergrad and grad school and didn't have any academic letters submitted.
If I played a college sport, would it help to get a letter of recommendation from a coach as well? (Given that sports mentality is another aspect of personality and values)
In my experience, admissions committees focus the vast majority of their attention on academic or professional letters only.
If I finished my bachelor’s degree a year ago, but my professors are out of office and I can’t get an academic letter of recommendation, can I have two professional ones instead?
Most law schools will expect at least one academic LOR if you've only been out of undergrad for a year. The professional LORs will be helpful, but remember that you're applying to a school, so the academic perspective is important.
There was mention that there’s no limit on academic letters unless you’ve been out of school a long time. Can she speak more to that? What if you’ve been out of school for 5 years and realistically cannot get an academic LoR? Will professional letters suffice in that scenario?
So if you obtained LORs when you graduated or can obtain academic LORs still, AOs will gladly receive them because these attest to you within an academic setting. That being said, if you are 5+ years out of school, having only professional letters is typically acceptable. If you are only 2 years out, or anywhere less than 5 years out, some law schools will require an academic letter.
If you have a professional letter of rec, does it need to be on employer letterhead?
Ideally, yes.
Should reapplicants address the reason why they didn’t commit the previous cycle in an additional statement? What would you recommend to reapplicants?
Often, applicants will address their status as a reapplicant in a Why X School statement. Alternatively, if a school doesn't accept a Why X statement but they do ask specifically about why you're attracted to their program or how you'll engage to their community as a part of their PS prompt, you can address the fact that you are a reapplicant there. Without context, there can definitely be question marks about why you opted not to commit if previously offered admission.
In regard for the early decisions, in a situation that where a candidate binds to an early decision to a school but finds out they did not get enough aid to cover full cost. What would you say the candidate decide what to do next?
It is not advisable to apply to a binding early decision program that does not have guaranteed scholarship if you know that you have to receive a certain amount to make attendance feasible for you. Doing so leaves you in a position without options and often you receive this decision prior to any financial offers from other schools that you can use to justify an award or increase in scholarship award should one be offered. In applying to a binding early decision program, you are communicating to that school that they are your top choice and that you will immediately commit and withdraw all other applications if admitted regardless of financial offering. Further, most binding early decision programs do not offer scholarship awards that cover full cost. If that's what you need, then binding early decision is likely not the best option for you.