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Applying to Law School
The law school application process generally begins during the first term of the students' junior year or two years prior to applying. The process consists of choosing law schools and filling out the law school applications, taking the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), writing a personal statement and additional essays (optional and not available with all law schools), preparing a resume, sending transcripts, and choosing recommenders to write letters of recommendation.
UCS offers pre-law advising regarding the law school application process, as well as, offers guidance for those individuals considering a career in law. These services are available for current students and alumni. In addition to pre-law advising, UCS has also gathered and posted the information below to assist in the application process. The information listed is not comprehensive, and it is advised that students first review the website material and then set up a pre-law advising appointment by contacting the UCS reception desk at 203.432.0800.
* Academic Preparation
* The Application
* Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
* Writing the Law School Personal Statement
* Transcripts, Resumes, and Dean's Certification
* Letters of Recommendation
* Web Resources
Academic Preparation*
Although there is no required prelaw curriculum, law schools look favorably upon students who have acquired certain skills and taken a wide variety of courses. You should choose your courses, major, internships, and extracurricular activities according to your interests and strengths but be certain that you are acquiring these skills and knowledge areas as you progress through your undergraduate education and beyond.
Skills
In general, you should consider taking courses in the following areas, as your major permits: English, Literature, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Economics, Mathematics, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, non-Western studies, languages, natural sciences.
* Analytical and Problem Solving Skills
Includes critical thinking, tolerance for ambiguity, ability to structure and evaluate arguments, ability to apply principles or theories to new situations, and developing solutions to new problems.
* Analytical and Problem Solving Skills
Includes critical thinking, tolerance for ambiguity, ability to structure and evaluate arguments, ability to apply principles or theories to new situations, and developing solutions to new problems.
* Critical Reasoning Skills
Includes experience reading and critically analyzing complex texts, whether in literature, politics, economics, history, or philosophy, and the ability to read and assimilate large amounts of material in short amounts of time.
* Writing Skills
Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, mastery of language, grammar, and syntax. Includes analytical and interpretive writing, and writing works of substantial length.
* Oral Communication and Listening Skills
Ability to speak clearly and persuasively, to understand and interpret others' communications quickly, and to respond in an organized, critical, and composed manner.
* Research Skills
Ability to complete projects involving significant library research and the analysis of large amounts of information. Skill at planning a research strategy, analyzing, organizing, and presenting a large amount of material, and familiarity with computerized tools of research.
Knowledge Areas
* Broad understanding of history and the various factors (social, political, economic and cultural) that have influenced the development of the pluralistic society that presently exists in the United States.
Examples: history, American studies, political science
* Fundamental understanding of political thought and theory, and of the contemporary American political system.
Examples: political science
* Basic understanding of ethical theory and theories of justice.
Examples: philosophy, ethics
* Grounding in economics and an understanding of the interaction between economic theory and public policy.
Examples: economics, politics
* Some basic mathematical and financial skills. Examples: math
A basic understanding of human behavior and social interaction.
Examples: psychology, sociology
* Understanding of diverse cultures within and beyond the United States, of international institutions and issues, and of the increasing interdependence of the nations and communities of our world.
Examples: African and African American studies, history, American studies, East Asian studies, ethnicity/race/migration, international studies, Latin American studies, East European studies.
* (Summarized from the Prelaw Committee of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar)
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The Application
Applications can be obtained from the law schools in several forms. Those students who prefer paper copies can call the admissions offices directly and ask that materials be sent to them. Those students who prefer to obtain materials via the web can do so in two ways. Students who register with LSDAS can apply to law schools directly through the service, or students can download application materials from the website.
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Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
The LSAT is a half-day, standardized test administered four times each year at designated testing centers throughout the world. It is required that you take this test as part of the application process for ABA- approved law schools. The test consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions, including one reading comprehension section, one analytical reasoning section, and two logical reasoning sections. An additional section, known as the unscored or variable section is typically used to pretest new test questions or pre-equate new test forms. *
UCS advises that students sign up for the LSAT as soon as they are certain they are applying to law schools. Students should take the LSAT no later than the fall of their senior year (year prior to attending law school). It is highly recommended that students take it sooner if they feel prepared to do so. While UCS does not endorse preparation courses or materials for the LSAT, the office does provide sample tests for students to utilize. Contact the UCS office at prelaw.ucs@yale.edu, or 203.432.0800 for further information regarding the sample tests.
Information regarding test dates, deadlines, and fees can be viewed on the Law School Admissions Council at www.lsac.org. Copies of the 2007-2008 LSAT and LSDAS Information Book are available in the UCS Library.
* (Information provided by the LSAT and LSDAS Information Book, 2007-2008.)
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Writing the Law School Personal Statement*
Since most law schools do not include an interview as part of the application process, your personal statement is the only chance you have to "speak" directly to the admissions committee. It is best if you use this limited space to sell yourself, rather than as a place to "explain" a low grade or any other less than perfect aspect of your application. Effective personal statements usually read more like a story and less like a narrative resume. Be sure to write several drafts, and have several readers before finalizing your statement.
The Dos
Have a strong first sentence.
Write well--make it flow.
Keep it a reasonable length (2 pages).
Be specific and accurate.
Be truthful.
Have the statement support and be supported by the rest of your application.
Turn negatives into positives.
Mention sensitive subjects in an appropriate way, if you choose to disclose them.
Treat this statement like a 5 minute interview with the law school. Tell them what you're all about.
Type double-spaced and have good margins.
Make sure ink is dark enough.
Have several readers review your statement.
Put your name and LSAC number on each page after reviews.
The Dont's
Overuse the thesaurus.
Use cliches or quote others extensively.
Misspell words. Use your spell-checker, but don't rely on it completely!
Use the third person.
Title your statement.
Send multimedia presentations or accompanying photos.
Gush about law school or the role of law in society.
Be too cynical.
Come across as a "victim".
Be too specific about what you want to do with your law degree, unless your experience shows that it is a logical extension of what you've already done.
Focus too much on another person, even if they have been influential in your life.
Just list the activities and experiences that are already in your application.
* From the National Association of Prelaw Advisors
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Transcripts, Resumes, and Dean's Certification
Transcripts
Transcripts from each higher education institution, both undergraduate and graduate schools, need to be sent directly to the Law School Admissions Council. For information regarding transcripts, specifically foreign transcripts, visit the LSAC website.
Resumes
A resume should be submitted with your law school application. The resume can be up to two pages in length. It is advised that students use the two full pages if possible, elaborating on their experiences and education. Students can have their resumes reviewed by a pre-law advisor by setting up an appointment with the UCS receptionist, 203.432.0800.
Dean Certification
Dean Certification is need for only a handful of law schools, and will be indicated on the application. A written request listing the names and addresses of the law schools must be sent or hand-delivered to the Dean's Office in order to have the certification sent to each law school requested.
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Letters of Recommendation
Students should arrange to have three letters of recommendation for their application file. Two of the letters should be from individuals who can speak about the student's intellectual prowess and accomplishments within the classroom. An additional letter should be from someone who can speak about the student's character, focusing on your professionalism, enthusiasm, initiative, work ethic, and interests.
When considering recommenders, students should keep in mind, that it is better to ask someone who knows them well, rather than someone who is well-known. Once recommenders are chosen it is important to provide them with relevant information such as a resume, a transcript, a personal essay, a list of topics discussed in their class, or a list of projects and papers completed to aid them in writing a well-informed letter of recommendation.
Make sure to ask recommenders well in advance to write the letters, and make sure to send a thank you once the letters have been received. If you have questions or would like assistance in choosing your recommenders, set-up an appointment with a pre-advisor, 203.432.0800.
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Web Resources
American Bar Association
Law School Admission Council
NAPLA/Boston College Law School Locator ("The Matrix")
Financial Aid Information on the Web
FAFSA on the Web
FindLaw
Internet Legal Resource Guide
Attorney directory from Martindale
Law firms in Martindale Directory
Practice Tests for Logic Games
US News and World Report
Professor Brian Leiter's Web Site
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