Information is power. Check out Prelaw Guru’s FREE law school application and personal statement tips!

EXPLORING LAW SCHOOL TIPS

How do I find out if I want to be a lawyer?

The legal profession is not one to enter lightly. It’s a commitment of thousands of dollars and many years of personal and professional sacrifice. Watch this video to learn more about how to explore the legal field.

As mentioned in the video, conducting informational interviews with lawyers can be helpful and eye opening. To prepare, read Mastering the Informational Interview by Marci Alboher. Back to top.

I just started college. How do I prepare for law school?

Whether you just started college, or have been there for a while, watch this video for two major pieces of advice on preparing for law school. Back to top.

I’m not sure if I want to go to law school right now. How do I decide?

Watch this video, then read Ed Tom’s Top 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Go to Law School. Ed is the Dean of Admissions at Berkeley Law. He’s been in this business for over 25 years. The man knows his stuff. Answer his questions with brutal honesty. Back to top.

LSAT PREP TIPS

How do I study for the LSAT? Part I

Watch this video for valuable LSAT prep advice from successful LSAT test-takers. Back to top.

How do I study for the LSAT? Part II

Watch this video for more helpful LSAT prep tips and an inspiring story from one of Peg Cheng’s students. Back to top.

APPLYING TO LAW SCHOOL TIPS

How and when do I apply to law school?

You apply to law school in the fall, about one year prior to admission. For example, if you want to attend law school in the fall of 2014, you would apply in the fall of 2013.

It is highly recommended that you spend the summer writing your personal statement, resume, addendum and other materials. If your materials are ready to go and you have your LSAT score, you can apply as soon as applications open in September and October. That is the best-case scenario. If you are taking the October LSAT, apply in November as soon as you receive your LSAT score. That is the second best-case scenario.

Why apply in the fall when most deadlines are in March or April? Because if you apply in the spring, your application will be late. Many admissions decisions will have already been sent out. Also, if you are on the edge of a school’s numbers, it’s a good idea to apply in October or November when less people have applied. Back to top.

 

How do I choose which law schools to apply to?

To ensure your success in the admissions process, you should apply to a diverse pool of law schools. Most people should apply to 10% Safety Schools, 50% Solid Schools, and 40% Stretch Schools. For example, if you are applying to 8 schools, you would choose 1 safety, 4 solid and 3 stretch. Use our Law Schools Tracking Sheet to understand the difference between Safety, Solid, and Stretch Schools. Back to top.

 

How do I prepare for a law fair or forum?

Do not wait until the day before a law fair or forum to prepare yourself. You need at least a week to sufficiently prepare. Print out and read our Law Fair Tip Sheet that tells you exactly what to do before the fair, at the fair, and after the fair. Admissions officers will appreciate your preparation. Read it. Absorb it. Do it. Back to top.

What is the biggest mistake people make on their law school application?

Watch this video to figure out how you can avoid making the mistake that so many applicants make. Back to top.

LAW SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENT TIPS

Why is the personal statement so important to the law school application?

Watch this video to find out why it is incredibly important to spend time writing a stellar (not okay or good) personal statement for your law school application. Back to top.

How do I write a law school personal statement?

First, read this one-page Law School Personal Statement Tip Sheet. This tip sheet will help you understand what to do and what not to do when writing your personal statement.

Next, read this 16-page Law School Personal Statement Packet.

The packet contains seven personal statements and four diversity statements from real students that Peg Cheng worked with when she was a prelaw adviser at the University of Washington. All of these students were admitted into great law schools and many received substantial scholarships.

It is recommended that you print out and read each of the statements twice. The first time, just read the statement. The second time, pay attention to the values and lessons learned by each applicant and write them down. Also, notice how each applicant structured his or her statement. Understanding how these students wrote their essays will help you to write your own. Back to top.

I have a boring life. What do I write about?

If you think you have a boring life and have no hope for writing an interesting law school personal statement, you should absolutely watch this video. Back to top.

How do I find ideas for my personal statement?

Everyone has stories--many of them, in fact. Asking yourself open-ended questions and writing down your answers without judgment and without editing yourself is an effective way to unearth the stories that reside within you. Watch this video to learn more about how you can mine your inner self for memorable personal statement topics. Back to top.

I read the Personal Statement Packet and I don’t have a tragic story to write about. Now what?

If after reading the packet you think that writing a great personal statement is only about having a tragic life story, you are missing the point. Watch this video and then go back and read the essays again. If you read more carefully, you will see that lessons can stem from all kinds of experiences, not just negative ones. Experiencing trajedy is not a requirement for writing a great personal statement. Back to top.

LAW SCHOOL ADDENDA TIPS

How do I write a law school diversity statement?

One of the most overlooked parts of the law school application is the diversity statement. Watch this video to figure out if you should write one. If yes, follow the tips listed in the Personal Statement Packet. The packet includes four great diversity statements for you to read and analyze. Back to top.

How do I write a law school addendum?

You should write an addendum (a separate and short essay) for weaknesses in your application like a low LSAT score, low grades, withdrawals from classes, a leave of absence and more. You need to have a good reason for it though such as an illness, significant family issues, economic issues, etc. Watch this video for more details, and for more help on writing an addendum, check out our No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum. Back to top.

How do I write a Criminal Record Addendum?

When it comes to having a criminal record, you should disclose. When in doubt, disclose. Watch this video for more details. Back to top.

Are optional essays really optional?

Most of the time, optional essays are only optional if you do not want to get into that law school. But in some cases, "optional" can actually mean optional. Contact the law school admissions office for clarification and watch this video for more details. Back to top.

 

FOR MORE HELP, check out our NO B.S. GUIDES.

 

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