Top 5 Mistakes Made When Re-Applying to Law School

Each year, I work with people who were either unsuccessful in their attempts to apply to law school previously or were unhappy with their options at the end of the admission cycle. There are absolutely things you can to to bolster your applications, but here are some common mistakes people make when reapplying to law school:

1. Sending the same personal statement and letters of rec to the same law school that rejected you last year.

2. Thinking that simply getting an internship/paralegal position in a law firm will make all the difference in the world, even when you have a letter of rec from an attorney.

3. Attempting to "go back to undergrad" to improve your UGPA. It doesn't work. And getting a paralegal certification isn't going to impress anyone. But do take care to update your transcripts (see this post about reapplying to law school).

4. Not Retaking the LSAT when you didn't prepare adequately the first time. (See this previous post for more about how the LSAT factors in when you are reapplying to law school)

5. Failing to evaluate your schools list with a candid view of your credentials.

Re-applicants get into law school all the time, but the trick is overcoming any weaknesses you may have (inadvertently) shown the school in the previous admission cycle. Here's more about reapplying to law school.

Are you Re-Applying to Law School?

One of my clients forwarded a great tip to me today and I want to pass it on to you:

For people that are resubmitting their law school applications for the second year: If you applied before you graduated last year, you need to resubmit final academic transcripts to LSAC, so that your LSDAS reports reflect the most current information. You can go on your account at LSAC and check the date on which your transcript was processed this will tell you whether or not you've submitted the most current version of your academic record(s).

Re-Applying to Law School & the LSAT

I just received this comment on another posting and wanted more readers to benefit from the response:
"I am in the 30+ range and did the LSAT years ago and got a 144 and did not get into the schools I wanted. I am going to do it agin this fall (September). What would you suggest that I do to get to at least 150 or more?"

This comment raises a number of issues - more than meets the surface - and I will try to address them here.
1. Something that's important to remember about the LSAT is that it's an aptitude test. Anyone who tells you to shoot for a certain score and not take the test until you're sure you're going to get that score does not understand this exam. As I've said before, I could study for a year and still not get a 180. So, while it's possible for you to get a 150, and a 150 might even be the right score for you, having a specific goal in your head isn't the right way to go about it.

2. What is the right way to go about it? If a client asked me this question, I'd first want to know what you did to prepare last time. Did you study on your own? Take a prep course? Which prep course? How dedicated were you? How much time did you spend? If you did everything the "right" way, what is your standardized testing history? I would try to determine, based on statistics and on my experience with similar applicants, whether you are a good candidate to re-take the exam. If you are, I would suggest strategies that fit your lifestyle, budget, and abilities.

3. Where did you apply? I'd want to see whether you applied to schools that are right for you given your qualifications, experiences, and goals. After all, if you applied to Top 10 schools then even getting your score above 150 isn't going to be productive. One thing I do with people in your situation is evaluate the schools you're considering and suggest others that I've seen exhibit a little more flexibility around the LSAT.

4. How strong was the rest of your application? You have to give them a reason to look beyond your LSAT score. This reason is different for every candidate, and it's why I urge applicants to stay away from "one size fits all" advice. (which leads to #5...)

5. Brett McKay at Frugal Law Student asked me how a law school applicant might save money by working with me. (The full interview will be posted on his blog early next week). Applying the right way, to the right schools, and preparing adequately for the LSAT the first time you take it are all things that will save you money (and time and agony) in the long run.

I guess what I'm really trying to say is this: Call me! Let's talk about how I can help you meet your goals. Check out testimonials on my web site from people who were in similar circumstances. And, please check out previous postings about low LSAT scores so you know that things are not hopeless.