Where do I begin??Where do I begin??The Law School application process…it’s not that bad.

Christina Siders, MACareer Counselor

University Career Services LAW SCHOOL

WEEK

IntroductionsName, major and year in schoolWhen did you first become interested in going

to law school?What is the most intimidating part of applying

to law school?

Agenda

Checklist and time framesLSACChoosing a schoolLetters of Recommendation and LSDASLSATQuestions

The ABC’s of LSAC…LSAC: Law School Admissions Counsel◦http://www.lsac.org/◦Hub for everything law school◦Great for exploration and application specifics:

Information on legal profession and financial aid Listings of law schools and websites Administers LSAT, holds letters of rec, personal

statements, transcripts, and more.◦Consists of over 200 law schools as active users◦Free to use (fee applies for LSDAS)

So many schools, So many application fees…◦How to evaluate your options:

http://lsac.org/Choosing/evaluating-law-schools.asp Reputation does not only consist of rank Take into account some of the following:

Diversity of student body Student to professor ratio Faculty experience Library Student organizations Location Career Services office Bar passage rate

Choosing a SchoolAssess yourself realistically and apply to a range

of schools ◦The numbers game: profiles and the UGPA

search, individual appointments with UCS Career Counselors

◦http://officialguide.lsac.org/UGPASearch/Search3.aspx?SidString=

Read, talk, do: read about the universities online, talk to current and past students, attend an information session, and visit the campus.

For more information: http://officialguide.lsac.org/

More alphabet soup: LSDASLSDAS: Law School Data Assembly service

http://lsac.org/Applying/lsdas-general-information.asp

Consolidates info into a report to send to each school

Additional $121 to register Required by some schools

http://www.lsac.org/pdfs/LawSchoolCodes.pdf

Letters of RecommendationStep 1: Get to know your professorsStep 2: Determine the type you want written (targeted vs.

general)Step 3: Contact the professor to ask for a letterStep 4: Identify your recommenders and fill out the form that

accompanies your letter ◦ http://lsac.org/Applying/letters-of-recommendation.asp

Step 5: Have the professor write the letter and send it along with the form to LSAC (address listed)

Step 6: Monitor when your letters are sent to indicated schools – an email will be sent when it’s received

FAQ’s about the letters processWhat does the L descriptor mean?◦ Convenience for the applicant to keep their letters straight.

Example of how to use it:"Letter from Prof. John Doe" (one that's going to all schools) or

"Letter to Harvard from Prof. Jane Doe“ (a letter from a professor who went to Harvard Law and wrote a personalized letter to them)

Do I have to use the LSDAS for my letters?◦ No, but some schools do require it.

http://www.lsac.org/pdfs/LawSchoolCodes.pdfHow many can I submit?

◦ LSDAS will allow up to 4 general letters, unlimited targeted letters

The Addendum DebateWhat are they?◦Clear, concise explanations for flaws in your

applicationWhen are they most often used?◦A GPA that does not reflect your abilities◦A long gap in your college attendance◦Low LSAT score due to testing difficulties

The dreaded LSAT….WHEN can I take it?◦ Test dates: Jan., June, Sept., Dec.◦ http://lsac.org/LSAT/TheLSAT-menu.asp

WHAT does it test?WHERE do I register?◦ http://lsac.org/LSAT/lsat-registration-methods.asp

HOW can I prepare?◦ Prep materials available at: http://www.lsat.org/pdfs/LSATPreparationweb.pdf

Reading Comprehension SampleReading Comprehension Sample*Includes a passage (around 450 words)*

Question 1 It can be inferred from the passage that some of the

protagonist’s actions in Invisible Man are most likely to have been modeled on the

(A) actions of Ishmael in Melville’s Moby-Dick (B) most recurrent situations in Western myth and fiction (C) author’s personal experiences before he wrote the novel (D) actions of those African American literary char-acters who

question traditional blues attitudes (E) actions of those African American literary characters who

work to establish a single African American identity

Analytical Reasoning SampleAnalytical Reasoning SampleA medical clinic has a staff of five doctors—Drs. Albert, Burns, Calogero,

Defeo, and Evans. The national medical society sponsors exactly five conferences, which the clinic’s doctors attend, subject to the following constraints:

If Dr. Albert attends a conference, then Dr. Defeo does not attend it. If Dr. Burns attends a conference, then either Dr. Calogero or Dr. Defeo, but not both, attends it. If Dr. Calogero attends a conference, then Dr. Evans does not attend it. If Dr. Evans attends a conference, then either Dr. Albert or Dr. Burns, but not both, attends it.

Question 1 If Dr. Burns attends one of the conferences, then which one of the following

could be a complete and accurate list of the other members of the clinic who also attend that conference?

(A) Drs. Albert and Defeo (B) Drs. Albert and Evans (C) Drs. Calogero and Defeo (D) Dr. Defeo (E) Dr. Evans

Logical Reasoning SampleLogical Reasoning Sample

A study has shown that there are still millions of people who are unaware that they endanger their health by smoking cigarettes. This is so despite government campaigns to warn people of the dangers of smoking. Reluctantly, one has to draw the conclusion that the mandatory warnings that tobacco companies are required to print have had no effect.

Which one of the following, if true, would refute the argument in the passage?

(A) Many people who continue to smoke are aware of the dangers of smoking.

(B) Some people smoke cigarettes for legitimate reasons. (C) Government has had to force companies to warn potential customers

of the dangers of their products. (D) Some people who are aware of the dangers of smoking were made

aware of them by the mandatory warnings. (E) Smoking is clearly responsible for a substantial proportion of

preventable illness in the country.

Upcoming Law School Visits

The Insider’s Guide to Law School:University of Pennsylvania School of

Law, University of Chicago School of Law & University of Michigan School

of LawOctober 7, 3:00-4:30 pm

Norris, Northwestern Room

Harvard Law SchoolOctober 16, 12:00-1:00 pm

Norris, Armadillo Room

Boston University School of LawOctober 16, 2:00-3:00 pm

Norris, Rock Room

Columbia Law School October 19, 12:00-1:30 pm Norris, Big

Ten

Georgetown Law SchoolOctober 19, 3:00-4:00 pm

Norris, Arch Room

Stanford University School of LawOctober 28, 9:00-10:00 am

Norris, Wildcat Room

Yale University School of LawNovember 18, 4:00-5:00 pm

Norris, Lake Room

LAW FORUM: LAW FORUM:

Saturday, October 1710:00 AM–5:00 PMHyatt Regency McCormick Place2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive◦ Information available at:

http://www.lsac.org/Choosing/law-school-recruitment-forums.asp

PAD is providing a coach bus. Contact Makoa makoakawabata@gmail.com

Main Office 620 Lincoln Street 847-491-3700 to meet with a Career CounselorCareerLab Core Reserve Main Library, 2nd Floor North

Web www.northwestern.edu/careersEmail internship@northwestern.eduFacebook www.facebook.com/northwesternucs **all PowerPoints will be available on our Facebook page this week**Twitter http://twitter.com/northwesternucsLinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1926036

Questions?Questions?