Just wanted to give you three updates regarding my law school admission counseling services:
1. Yes, I still have room for Fall 2009 applicants. I limit the number of clients I work with at any given point, but am currently accepting clients. (I've gotten a few emails inquiring about this, so I wanted to let everyone know).
2.My rates will be going up on September 15th. If you sign up before then, you will save more than $350 on my Option A "The Works" law school consulting package.
3. I have put together two "Power Papers" - "Six Secrets to a Successful Personal Statement" and "Tips and Tricks for Law School Admission: A timeline of hints for law school applications". Both of these papers will be included in the Option A package effective immediately.
I do offer a free initial consultation for anyone interested in having their own personal law school admission coach. Please see my website for more details.
Showing posts with label Hiring a Law School Admission Consultant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hiring a Law School Admission Consultant. Show all posts
Most Popular PreLaw Questions
I'm back from Maui and wanted to share with you the most common questions and issues I'm hearing this week from law school applicants. Hopefully this will make you feel better. (It isn't just you, really!).
1. Should I cancel my LSAT score?
I've blogged quite a bit about this. (See Thinking About Cancelling Your LSAT Score)Here is the link to a post I previously published about whether to cancel your LSAT score.
For details about how to cancel your LSAT score see LSAC.org.
Here are the basics from their web site:
2. How do I know whether I would benefit from working with an admissions consultant?
I was recently quoted in an opinion piece by Dennis Beaver, Esq. entitled "You and the Law: the Business of Getting You Into Law School."
The following is taken directly from that article:
Do you need a consultant?
"A good consultant gives you an added layer of guidance and confidence. However, if you are only applying to one or two schools, and your LSAT and undergraduate GPA is in line with what they are looking for, and there are no problem areas in you application, you probably do not need a consultant," [Ann Levine] was quick to point out. I respect that kind of honesty.
"Law School applicants who benefit the most have a weakness in their application, such as a low grade point average, poor LSAT score, an arrest, or have been out of school for a great deal of time. In today's reality of getting into school, they truly need the help of a good consultant," she [Ann Levine]adds.
In addition to the above, you may benefit from working with a law school admission consultant if:
(a) You are out of college and/or do not have access to a helpful and knowledgeable prelaw adviser.
(b) You feel overwhelmed by the process of applying to law school.
(c) You work better when you are held accountable to someone.
(d) You would like to get your parents/spouse/significant other out of the process and have access to an objective and knowledgeable third party to answer your questions and make sure you're making the right decisions for yourself.
(e) You don't know where to start and feel like you're spinning your wheels.
(f) You have a tendency to procrastinate.
(g) You are re-applying to law school.
(h) You simply want the best of everything and to arm yourself with every possible advantage in this competitive process.
3. Should I retake the LSAT in October?
This is a very hard question to answer on a personal basis in the blog format because it depends on so many factors. But if you took June and have decided not to cancel the score, then let's wait and see what the score is before you make this decision.
4. When is the earliest I can start submitting applications?
Most schools begin accepting applications September 1, but many do not begin reviewing them until November. What matters is when your application is "complete" - when all materials to be considered by the law school are received by the individual law school. The most common aggravating factor is waiting for a letter of recommendation - try to avoid this by asking for LORs early and making sure the people you ask are reliable and accountable.
5. Is it better to have a June LSAT score that doesn't reflect my potential and apply early, or to wait until October and have a better LSAT score?
WAIT! Please!
It is ABSOLUTELY much better to have a higher LSAT and have your application be complete in November than to have a lower LSAT and be the first application to be submitted. (Depending on the score differential, the same rule may or may not be true with the December LSAT but we won't worry about that quite yet since it's still June).
Here is a link to a guest blog post I answered on Integrated Learning about the importance of preparing for the LSAT the right way and taking it once (as opposed to taking it cold).
I hope this helps - and for everyone who has been asking whether you might have your LSAT scores before July 7th, I don't have solid insider info on that. But my guess is that you will have scores e-mailed out July 3rd. However, this is only a guess and it's not based on anything other than a hunch. Good luck to everyone. I'll be in the office Monday-Wednesday (June 23-25) this week, but won't be able to answer blog questions Thursday through Sunday. I will get back to everyone on the 30th. Thanks for reading, and I apologize for any sloppy formatting today -I'm still jet lagged.
1. Should I cancel my LSAT score?
I've blogged quite a bit about this. (See Thinking About Cancelling Your LSAT Score)Here is the link to a post I previously published about whether to cancel your LSAT score.
For details about how to cancel your LSAT score see LSAC.org.
Here are the basics from their web site:
We must receive a signed fax or overnight letter with your request within six calendar days of the test. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt of your request within four calendar days after your request was submitted, contact LSAC immediately. If your request has not been processed, you may submit proof that your request was received at LSAC within the required period. Documentation of proof of receipt will not be accepted beyond 14 calendar days after the test. You can also cancel your score at the test center if you are absolutely certain you want to cancel your score.
2. How do I know whether I would benefit from working with an admissions consultant?
I was recently quoted in an opinion piece by Dennis Beaver, Esq. entitled "You and the Law: the Business of Getting You Into Law School."
The following is taken directly from that article:
Do you need a consultant?
"A good consultant gives you an added layer of guidance and confidence. However, if you are only applying to one or two schools, and your LSAT and undergraduate GPA is in line with what they are looking for, and there are no problem areas in you application, you probably do not need a consultant," [Ann Levine] was quick to point out. I respect that kind of honesty.
"Law School applicants who benefit the most have a weakness in their application, such as a low grade point average, poor LSAT score, an arrest, or have been out of school for a great deal of time. In today's reality of getting into school, they truly need the help of a good consultant," she [Ann Levine]adds.
In addition to the above, you may benefit from working with a law school admission consultant if:
(a) You are out of college and/or do not have access to a helpful and knowledgeable prelaw adviser.
(b) You feel overwhelmed by the process of applying to law school.
(c) You work better when you are held accountable to someone.
(d) You would like to get your parents/spouse/significant other out of the process and have access to an objective and knowledgeable third party to answer your questions and make sure you're making the right decisions for yourself.
(e) You don't know where to start and feel like you're spinning your wheels.
(f) You have a tendency to procrastinate.
(g) You are re-applying to law school.
(h) You simply want the best of everything and to arm yourself with every possible advantage in this competitive process.
3. Should I retake the LSAT in October?
This is a very hard question to answer on a personal basis in the blog format because it depends on so many factors. But if you took June and have decided not to cancel the score, then let's wait and see what the score is before you make this decision.
4. When is the earliest I can start submitting applications?
Most schools begin accepting applications September 1, but many do not begin reviewing them until November. What matters is when your application is "complete" - when all materials to be considered by the law school are received by the individual law school. The most common aggravating factor is waiting for a letter of recommendation - try to avoid this by asking for LORs early and making sure the people you ask are reliable and accountable.
5. Is it better to have a June LSAT score that doesn't reflect my potential and apply early, or to wait until October and have a better LSAT score?
WAIT! Please!
It is ABSOLUTELY much better to have a higher LSAT and have your application be complete in November than to have a lower LSAT and be the first application to be submitted. (Depending on the score differential, the same rule may or may not be true with the December LSAT but we won't worry about that quite yet since it's still June).
Here is a link to a guest blog post I answered on Integrated Learning about the importance of preparing for the LSAT the right way and taking it once (as opposed to taking it cold).
I hope this helps - and for everyone who has been asking whether you might have your LSAT scores before July 7th, I don't have solid insider info on that. But my guess is that you will have scores e-mailed out July 3rd. However, this is only a guess and it's not based on anything other than a hunch. Good luck to everyone. I'll be in the office Monday-Wednesday (June 23-25) this week, but won't be able to answer blog questions Thursday through Sunday. I will get back to everyone on the 30th. Thanks for reading, and I apologize for any sloppy formatting today -I'm still jet lagged.
What a Law School Admission Consultant Can Do
I hate to hear stories about law school applicants who feel misled by law school admission consultants about their chances for law school admission. If you are going to invest in expert advice, it's important to work with someone who is candid with you from the very beginning. I thank Dennis Beaver, Esq. for asking me to respond to an article he wrote on how a law school admission counselor can (and cannot) help law school applicants navigate the admission process.
For more information about the ethical standards a graduate admission consultant should adhere to, learn more about AIGAC. Always check to see whether the person or company you're considering hiring is a member of this organization.
For my previous posts about considerations in hiring a law school admission consultant (which June LSAT takers usually do in June, July and August, and which October LSAT takers usually do in August, September, and October) see:
More information about the services I provide as a law school admission counselor is available at LawSchoolExpert.
For more information about the ethical standards a graduate admission consultant should adhere to, learn more about AIGAC. Always check to see whether the person or company you're considering hiring is a member of this organization.
For my previous posts about considerations in hiring a law school admission consultant (which June LSAT takers usually do in June, July and August, and which October LSAT takers usually do in August, September, and October) see:
- Nine Questions to Ask a Law School Admission Consultant
- Important Considerations in Hiring a Law School Admission Coach
- 12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Law School Admission Consultant
More information about the services I provide as a law school admission counselor is available at LawSchoolExpert.
LawSchoolExpert.com Gets a New Look!
Law School Expert has a whole new look and feel. Please check it out today!
Also, for all pre-law students (applying for Fall 2009 and beyond) I have launched a brand new website and consulting service PreLaw Expert and invite you to check it out. I am going to start dedicating a certain amount of time to assisting college students in building their experiences to help them become the kind of quality, well-rounded applicants sought by law schools.
I have a bunch of people to thank for their help in launching LawSchoolExpert and PreLawExpert :
First, the "Law School Expert" Team:
Lorrie Thomas (my web marketing genius), Michelle Shapiro (creative director), Dane Jacobsen (perfectionist web guy)
Second, my former clients that agreed to be featured on my new web site:
Shirley, Judd, Naomi, Brian, Peter and Jessica (see their smiling faces and success stories)
The dozens of clients who happily supplied testimonials about the law school admission consulting services I provide as their law school application coach.
Thank you to all LawSchoolExpert blog readers for your support, comments, and continued readership. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about my new websites.
Have a great day - and good luck on Saturday's LSAT exam!
Also, for all pre-law students (applying for Fall 2009 and beyond) I have launched a brand new website and consulting service PreLaw Expert and invite you to check it out. I am going to start dedicating a certain amount of time to assisting college students in building their experiences to help them become the kind of quality, well-rounded applicants sought by law schools.
I have a bunch of people to thank for their help in launching LawSchoolExpert and PreLawExpert :
First, the "Law School Expert" Team:
Lorrie Thomas (my web marketing genius), Michelle Shapiro (creative director), Dane Jacobsen (perfectionist web guy)
Second, my former clients that agreed to be featured on my new web site:
Shirley, Judd, Naomi, Brian, Peter and Jessica (see their smiling faces and success stories)
The dozens of clients who happily supplied testimonials about the law school admission consulting services I provide as their law school application coach.
Thank you to all LawSchoolExpert blog readers for your support, comments, and continued readership. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about my new websites.
Have a great day - and good luck on Saturday's LSAT exam!
9 Questions to Ask a Law School Admission Consultant
After getting past the LSAT, many law school applicants then look to hire a law school admission consultant. Here are some things to keep in mind when hiring a law school admission adviser:
1. Have you previously served as director or dean of admissions for any ABA law school? Or, were you merely a committee member or student recruiter? Do you have any experience making admission decisions?
2. How many years of experience do you have in law school admissions?
3. Do you have references from former clients? Can I contact 1-3 of them who are from the same area, who have the same LSAT/GPA credentials, who come from a similar background, who are applying to similar schools?
4. Have you ever practiced law? Why did you leave the practice of law? Are you a member of any state's Bar?
5. Do you have testimonials from former clients?
6. What kind of track record do you have of helping people get into schools where their numbers are at or below the 25th percentile?
7. Is this your full-time job?
8. How accessible are you? Do you guarantee 24-48 hour turnarounds?
9. Can you be reached in the evenings and on weekends in addition to normal business hours?
Applying to law school is stressful and overwhelming, but it doesn't need to be. With the right expert and coach at your side, you will feel supported and confident. For more information, here are additional posts on hiring a law school admission counselor and a law student's account of what's important in a law school admission coach.
Good luck to all December LSAT takers!
1. Have you previously served as director or dean of admissions for any ABA law school? Or, were you merely a committee member or student recruiter? Do you have any experience making admission decisions?
2. How many years of experience do you have in law school admissions?
3. Do you have references from former clients? Can I contact 1-3 of them who are from the same area, who have the same LSAT/GPA credentials, who come from a similar background, who are applying to similar schools?
4. Have you ever practiced law? Why did you leave the practice of law? Are you a member of any state's Bar?
5. Do you have testimonials from former clients?
6. What kind of track record do you have of helping people get into schools where their numbers are at or below the 25th percentile?
7. Is this your full-time job?
8. How accessible are you? Do you guarantee 24-48 hour turnarounds?
9. Can you be reached in the evenings and on weekends in addition to normal business hours?
Applying to law school is stressful and overwhelming, but it doesn't need to be. With the right expert and coach at your side, you will feel supported and confident. For more information, here are additional posts on hiring a law school admission counselor and a law student's account of what's important in a law school admission coach.
Good luck to all December LSAT takers!
12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Law School Admission Consultant
I just put down the new issue of preLaw magazine, featuring an interview with three people giving admission advice for law school. I have to admit, the article makes me a little mad and I rolled my eyes more than once at the advice being given. At least two of the people interviewed are law school admission consultants and all 4 have written books on the subject.
One person (and I'm not sure whether she has ever evaluated a law school admission file) said if you have under a 3.0 you may want to re-evaluate applying to law school. WHAT? I'm shocked at this advice. Lots of my clients have GPAs under a 3.0 (and closer to a 2.0) and they get into fine law schools. What if people reading this give up on their goals because of this one purported "expert's" comment? That's one of the comments that makes me mad.
#1 So, the first thing to ask a prospective law school admission consultant is: "Do you work with other applicants in my situation, or only applicants applying to "Top 20" schools?" You need to find someone who is excited to work with you and help you through this process, no matter what your goals or where you hope to attend.
Another person, whom I think is one of the great legal minds in our country but not a great law admissions theorist says (loosely): "Get good grades. Do well on the "law boards." And get professors who will write you letters of Rec." Wow. Genius advice ; ) - And I've never heard anyone else call the LSAT the "law boards"....
A lot of the advice in the article seems geared toward the person trying to go to a Top 5 law school, but in reality only 2% of all law school applicants are going to attend these schools. There are 200 law schools in this country for a reason and everyone who graduates and passes the bar is a lawyer. #2 Will the law school admission consultant you work with realize this and place the same importance on each piece of your application that they will on the applicant applying to Harvard?
#3 Also, how much time does the consultant have to work with you?
#4 Is the person also helping people applying to MBA programs? Giving career advice to recent grads? Doing a book tour? Practicing law? How high up will you be on the priority list of this very busy person? I've had clients who started working with two of the individuals interviewed in this article who then stopped and started working with me instead because helping law school applicants is all I do, full time.
#5 How responsive will the law school admission counselor be to your needs?
#6 Does he/she have someone else do editing? Who will actually be picking up the phone and giving you advice?
#7 Do you need to make an appointment or do you feel free to call and have an open discussion whenever you're feeling overwhelmed, confused or down?
#8 How does the person charge? If it's by the hour, is that conducive to you really taking advantage of the individual's expertise and asking every little question that comes up?
#9 How fast will your e-mails and phone messages be answered? How quickly will your essay drafts be turned around?
#10 Does the law school admission advisor give the same advice to everyone - does everyone fill out the same questionnaire or does he/she really take the time to get to know you and give you the advice and timeline that applies to your specific situation?
#11 Is the person willing to give you references of current/former clients with similar goals, credentials, and geographic region?
#12 And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, Has the person actually made law school admission decisions?
One person (and I'm not sure whether she has ever evaluated a law school admission file) said if you have under a 3.0 you may want to re-evaluate applying to law school. WHAT? I'm shocked at this advice. Lots of my clients have GPAs under a 3.0 (and closer to a 2.0) and they get into fine law schools. What if people reading this give up on their goals because of this one purported "expert's" comment? That's one of the comments that makes me mad.
#1 So, the first thing to ask a prospective law school admission consultant is: "Do you work with other applicants in my situation, or only applicants applying to "Top 20" schools?" You need to find someone who is excited to work with you and help you through this process, no matter what your goals or where you hope to attend.
Another person, whom I think is one of the great legal minds in our country but not a great law admissions theorist says (loosely): "Get good grades. Do well on the "law boards." And get professors who will write you letters of Rec." Wow. Genius advice ; ) - And I've never heard anyone else call the LSAT the "law boards"....
A lot of the advice in the article seems geared toward the person trying to go to a Top 5 law school, but in reality only 2% of all law school applicants are going to attend these schools. There are 200 law schools in this country for a reason and everyone who graduates and passes the bar is a lawyer. #2 Will the law school admission consultant you work with realize this and place the same importance on each piece of your application that they will on the applicant applying to Harvard?
#3 Also, how much time does the consultant have to work with you?
#4 Is the person also helping people applying to MBA programs? Giving career advice to recent grads? Doing a book tour? Practicing law? How high up will you be on the priority list of this very busy person? I've had clients who started working with two of the individuals interviewed in this article who then stopped and started working with me instead because helping law school applicants is all I do, full time.
#5 How responsive will the law school admission counselor be to your needs?
#6 Does he/she have someone else do editing? Who will actually be picking up the phone and giving you advice?
#7 Do you need to make an appointment or do you feel free to call and have an open discussion whenever you're feeling overwhelmed, confused or down?
#8 How does the person charge? If it's by the hour, is that conducive to you really taking advantage of the individual's expertise and asking every little question that comes up?
#9 How fast will your e-mails and phone messages be answered? How quickly will your essay drafts be turned around?
#10 Does the law school admission advisor give the same advice to everyone - does everyone fill out the same questionnaire or does he/she really take the time to get to know you and give you the advice and timeline that applies to your specific situation?
#11 Is the person willing to give you references of current/former clients with similar goals, credentials, and geographic region?
#12 And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, Has the person actually made law school admission decisions?
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