The Character and Fitness Board is looking for anything that speaks to one’s character. Most felonies can keep someone from practicing law, unless they happens many years earlier. But even low-level crimes, like drunk drinking can keep someone out if it is an ongoing problem. The key is to disclose everything on a law school application as they don’t generally admit someone who won’t be able to become an attorney.
Thanks for watching the videos! Unfortunately, I’ve never practiced in criminal law and procedure. Though I suspect that an expungement of the felony won’t help you on applications as they ask “have you ever been convicted of a felony.” Failure to disclose the conviction would be evidence that you’re not being honest.
5:19-6:24 So you're saying it's okay for a parent to make a call for their kid to get into law school when they know the faculty members.. However, when a parent doesn't have connections it's looked down upon if they call on their child's behalf. The fact that this behavior is so normalized in law school admissions departments that they actually reserve seats for these kind of students is sickening. Can't even have law in law school smh
First time I saw this was when I was serving on a law school admissions committee. We were asked to let a weak student into law school because of his connections. I fought it but lost.
I mean yeah of course it's not great but that's how everything works. No one there is looking fondly at the kid who's daddy got them in, but they know their boss is telling them to make it happen so they make it so.
I love the honesty. This stuff happens in every facet of life, including and especially politics and plea bargaining. The fact that he doesn’t pretend like it doesn’t happen makes me trust what he says more. Med schools like to pretend this crap doesn’t happen.
I am going to work in April, installing and servicing the ancestor, clients a built and delivered crying free inheritance plan with the Iterdiction trust Administration 105 security provisions going globally.
all those requirements?? awsome unfortinately in our country is accessible for everyone i optained 81% score in my baccaloréat exam ( semular to gcse in gb) and i was surprised by finding law students who 've got 50% in their baccaloréat
The holistic approach is often used to deny someone, not admit them. For example, when someone has committed a crime or has a significant disciplinary issue from college.
5:40 I remembered this part when I learned of the recent college admissions scandal. It comes across as if it's accepted people bribe or get into school just by knowing someone and not merit.
Splitters can still get into more competitive law schools, but often at the end of the admissions cycle when a law school has a better sense of what their entering class looks like.
Each law school has an application process. They use LSAC to create a standardized report with your GPA, LSAT score, and other information. Each law school will ask for additional information as part of their application process.
I know you mention the presumptive deny group if someone has a low GPA and LSAT score. However, what if someone is a splitter and has a high GPA but low LSAT score? My GPA for a particular school is higher than their 75th percentile mark but my LSAT score falls in their 25th percentile.
Hello Professor, thank you for such an insightful video. I hope this message finds you well. First, I’d like to state that I will likely be a ‘splitter’ as my uGPA is far lower than the median for the schools i will be applying to. However, I’ve been frequently scoring well into the mid 160s in LSAT practice exams (i will be sitting for the August 29th exam). I am currently an MBA candidate with an expected graduation date of Dec 2020. My question is, should i wait until I’ve completed the MBA program to submit my applications to the law schools? Or, since the graduate GPA does not impact the LSAC uGPA, would it be better to submit the applications as early as possible with the unofficial graduate transcripts? Wish you well. Thanks!
What are the most important things international applicants have to keep in mind? What usually causes their applications to be denied, if they otherwise have great GPA and LSAT scores?
I don't have much experience in this area, so I can only speculate. My guess is that a law school might limit the number of international students each year. This means you are competing with that pool, not all applicants.
Professor Thank you for spending the time to educate us on these guidelines. I'm 31 years old and I had a very poor GPA in undergrad where i majored in fine arts but minored in art history, (all my writing courses got relatively high grades due to my writing and analytical skills) . I'm currently taking high school courses to try to get into another undergrad to prove to admissions committee that I'm capable of doing well academically. Do you have advice on someone like me who's struggled, but still has that goal to work as a lawyer one day? Thank you.
Great to see you working on improving your skills. Keep in mind that once you graduate, no additional undergraduate courses you take will improve your GPA-those courses are ignored by LSAC in the GPA calculation. An admissions committee might look at them and might make decide to take a chance. You will want to spend a lot of time on LSAT prep so that you can earn a high score. I recall a couple of applicants in your shoes. They earned high grades in a masters program after a poor performance in college. We did take a chance on them. Wish you well.
@@Learnlawbetter Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I will still go back to school to further my education, even though I know now that they won't matter to the LSAC, but they will have mattered to me. I was going to score as high as I can on the LSAT regardless, so understanding what I'm up against is very helpful. Thank you professor.
Man, postgraduate education of any kind seems like a huge pain. Better to just finish an engineering or computer science degree in 4 years of undergrad, make good money right away, and save yourself from the pain and extra cost of time, money, and health that you go through in med, law, business school, or any other kind of postgrad.
Does applying to law schools during early admission increase your chances of acceptance? (even if your LSAT score is par/sub-par in comparison to their avg)
No, it doesn’t. Was just reading on Reddit that someone applied applied to NYU 309 days ago and was admitted today. If you are in the middle of what they are looking for, then early admission will likely help. Versus them holding your application for a few months.
Law school admissions is driven by LSAT and GPA. An advanced degree is not going to compensate for a low LSAT or low GPA. If you are applying to a law school, and your LSAT and GPA is in their bottom quartile, an MBA can help in a tie situation towards the end of the admissions cycle. As the law school is filling the final seats, they pull out the files and determine who gets one of the remaining seats. At that point, an MBA (especially with good grades) can help.
A few law schools take students in the low 140’s. Unlikely that you’ll get in with anything below a 140. GPA is another story, if the LSAT is high enough.
Learn Law Better So to get into a T-14 school, if your LSAT is 175 or above, do you think that will compensate for a gpa that is in the range from 3.85 to 3.9?
I don’t think any law school is pulling FICO scores. Also, traffic tickets should not be a problem-just disclose whatever is asked of you in the application. As to age, you can begin at any age. Might be a bit tougher for you because you’ve been out of school for a while. Also, there will be fewer job opportunities for you at graduation. Most of my older students started their own firms.
Sir, i recently subscribed to your channel an have been going through your videos. I had a question regarding the resume itself and have not been able to get a clear answer. I’m an officer in the army, soon to be applying to law school. Where in the resume would I put the courses I did in the military? I got certifications from said courses, and in the army it is considered TRADOC (ie school house). Examples include BOLC and Bradley Leaders Course. So would these go in the education portion? A certification portion? The work experience portion? Any advice would be appreciated.
Hello, thanks for the insightful information. However, can you share your views about early admission binding decisions and how to explore its possibilities. I think it will be helpful if there are strategies to manage putting students on hold for accepting early decision binding and overcoming its challenges.
This is a great topic. I was thinking about something for my next video in two weeks, and this looks like it might work for the time of year. Thanks for the idea.
I want to ask a question does my undergraduate college matters i mean for example if I attend ivy league college and apply to harvard and if I will attend state college an apply harvard will it make difference
I’ve had students start law school much older than 42. But you need to realize you will likely have fewer job options than others, and fewer years in the work force. This means not borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and instead looking for a value priced law school like North Dakota, or scoring high enough on the LSAT to get a full scholarship.
I’m 61. I just want to be able offer free legal services for those in need. I’m not worried about the cost of school or needing a paid position after graduation. I just need to get accepted somewhere. I would actually prefer a blue collar school. Online would be great. I saw my GPA slashed by the LSAC due to the number of credits I was awarded for my military schools that had no grade assigned. Also, my 4.0 earned by taking further classes at another University after graduating were not included because they say that it’s considered graduate work. Waiting for the LSAT results. I’ve been averaging 150-154 on practice tests. Is there any hope for me?
If you score 150 or above you should have no problem getting accepted in at least 50 law schools. The higher the LSAT the more options you’ll have. Hope you land somewhere you enjoy.
I usually have someone in there 40's or older every semester--have one right now in my Torts class. The advantage tends to me discipline and experience. Older students know more about the world and are willing to work hard to get what they want. The main disadvantage tends to be the the shortened career length and the cost of law school. What I mean is that most students can't afford to pay for law school, so they have to borrow money. Even good value priced law schools, like the University of North Dakota, still are not affordable to most without student loans. Most students then repay those loans over 30 years, so someone starting at 45 is looking at paying off their loans in their mid 70's. But with some discipline, loans can be paid off earlier. Also, the reality is that many employers don't want to hire someone who is older, so it might be hard finding a job. But if you are thinking about solo practice, then that won't matter.
Learn Law Better thanks. Being a Veteran eases the pain of tuition. I am thinking of the critical thinking and using it as a career builder. Possible CEO? Thinking of focusing on contracts law to go with my 20 years as a government contractor
Law school definitely teaches critical thinking skills, though once you become a lawyer people will think of you as a lawyer and not as something else. It would not be an easy jump from in-house counsel to CEO, though some lawyers to manager to make that career change.
Do top law schools (IVY-Top 20) care if you spend an extra year undergrad? I just finished my first semester at UMiami with a 3.9 as a transfer Junior. I would like to spread out my classes to have the best opportunity to succeed. I can graduate with a 3.7, 5 year average or a 3.62, 4 year average. So I think my choice to stay an extra year is the right one. In addition, will being on the Presidents list (4.0) or Provost's Honor Roll (3.75) multiple semesters be well noticed by the Ivy's?
Omg I just found you Chanel and I am a sophomore in high school but I have been interested on becoming a lawyer since I started middle school, but During freshman year and the half of freshman year U was sick so my grades were not great but right now they are way better, I wonder if that would affect my college application.
While it will affect your college application, law school in the US is a graduate program. Once in college focus on earning top grades as that is what law schools will look at.
Learn Law Better I wonder to what extent could a high LSAT (170+) compensate for a low GPA (3.4). Should students with those two apply for top law schools or not? Thanks a lot!!
Law schools don't measure skills to get into law school. Well, they do so indirectly by looking at your college GPA and LSAT score. To succeed in law school you need excellent writing skills because most of your exams are in essay format. As far as non-academic skills, I would say diligence is essential because of all the work you need to complete.
Hey Professor Baez, I've got a question about admissions. I get this is all speculative, but I'm curious your thoughts on this. I am a year out from my undergrad (changed my major, did 5.5 years) to get my accounting degree from a reasonably good state school. My first year and a half at a private I did very poorly, just having to get my act together. My last few semesters I did very well, but still ended with a cumulative 3.3 gpa. I have been working for a top 10 public accounting firm for almost a year and I am in process of getting my cpa license. My question is: if my goal is to get into a T14 law school, will it help my admissions chances if I acquire the cpa license first, or will the admissions council not give it much consideration (assuming I get that 175 lsat score, great letters of rec, etc to pad the admission packet)? Thank you for making these great videos! This has been great insight for someone who doesn't know anyone with experience in the legal profession!
My sense is that it comes down to two factors: LSAT and GPA. But law schools have a great deal of leeway with the bottom 20%, so the CPA might help if you are just below their bottom quartile.
Very informative thank you! If you apply in July right before the end of the cycle to start that august and you are under the median lsat by one point are your chances of being admitted good or bad?
Fewer options in July as many law schools don’t accept July LSAT takers. Probably a better chance at that point because they are wrapping up their cycle, which usually means accepting students below the bottom quartile.
Georgetown is a large law school, with many different electives. It is just a few blocks from the Capitol and the Supreme Court, which I wish I had visited as a student. If you attend, live on the Red Line metro so you can get to school quickly. Lot’s of opportunities to work at government agencies during the year, which I did for one semester.
Very helpful advice! I’m currently waitlisted. I have a STEM PhD and 3 years of work experience. Is there anything I can provide to the Admissions Office at this point to help?
A waitlist at this point means being patient. The law school has a certain number of seats they want to fill and they have done so. As they find out about those who’ve changed their mind they will go to the waitlist. Maybe contacting them once a month, indicating that you are still interested and asking them if they need anything else. That might get you bumped up a few spots. Good luck!
I've been out of undergrad for 10+ years did not do well for the first two years however I stepped it up the last two years while working full-time finished with a 2.5 GPA. My practice LSAT scores are 149-153. I'm applying to a lower-tier law school part-time program due to the fact I have 3 different businesses I run with a staff. I'm a non-traditional student as well. What are my chances or what should I be looking at?
With your stats you should be able to get into about 50 law schools. But you should plan on scaling back on your businesses. Not impossible to succeed doing two things, but very hard. Especially for those with lower indicators of success.
You want a letter from someone who can speak to your knowledge, skills, abilities, and potential. Most professors right generic letters, which are okay, but nothing exciting.
Hello, Do law schools see your undergraduate class list from lsac? And how is community college GPA factored into your overall GPA. Also does attending a community college inhibit one’s chances from being admitted to a top tier law school if there overall GPA and LSAT meets the schools numbers? Thank you.
I don’t know how LSAC calculates grades. They try to equalize scores between universities. For example, I attended an institution that graded on a 12 point scale. As to community colleges, that shouldn’t be an impediment. They only care about your overall GPA.
Hello How can I get full scholership in the top 60 universities in America as a foreign(Iran)? For the LLM programme I mean what should I have in my CV(e.g an essay, Moot court, .....) Thank you so much
I’m not familiar with any law schools offering full scholarships for LLM students. This is because LLM programs are viewed as income generators for law schools.
This would be rare, if they even exist. The full ride scholarships that exist are at the JD level. LLM programs are designed to generate revenue. I’ve heard of partial scholarships.
Do you recommend using a consulting service or firm to assist with the application process? If so, what specific criteria should we look for to determine which is best. Thank you.
The advantage to using a professional admissions consultant is that they can help present your application in the best light possible, and assist you in finding the best schools you can get into. I haven’t done any research on these services so can’t say what criteria I would use. I suppose someone with many negative reviews would be a red flag.
For those from countries where English is not the main language, there is also a TOEFL requirement that measures your English language skills. To be honest, without strong English skills, law school is very hard. This is because our exams are timed essays, which makes it hard for foreign students. But other than the TOEFL exam and evidence that you can pay for law school, the other requirements should be identical.
I loved the video! Quick question: I am going to be applying to some top 15 law schools (Northwestern, Duke, NYU, etc.) and also some more reach schools (Chicago, Harvard, Columbia). I will be applying with around a 3.72 GPA (from Brandeis University) and 171 LSAT. What would you say are the chances, purely based on scores, to get into any of these schools? Thanks!
Not really sure as I don’t have their stats in front of me. But if you look at their websites, look at their median scores for last year. If you are near the median, you should be in good shape.
1. Does LSAT provide scholarship? 2. Which country will be best for a international student, Canda/Usa? 3. Can they work their after graduation? 4. How much time needed to complete LLM? Is their any further degree needed after LLM? TNX IN ADVANCE
LSAT: If you go to the LSAC website (the administrators of the LSAT), I believe they offer limited scholarships--not sure if this applies to international students. US or Canada: I suspect that Canada is the better option for international students. This is because they are more open to immigration over the United States. After graduation: It will be difficult to stay in the US after graduation. Not impossible. but it will require a firm to apply for a work visa on your behalf. LLM: The LLM is the second law degree, after the JD. In the US and Canada, you need a JD to practice law. Depending on which State you want to practice in, you might be able to earn your first law degree in your home country and then get a US LLM. But not every State allows this. Over the years I've had foreign lawyers in my class, working on their JD because their foreign law degree wasn't any good for practicing law in the US.
That's a great suggestion sir ❤❤ I hv just completed my LLB.. So, should i apply for JD now? I mean is it another kind of course or programme -which i hv to attend? In simple- what is your suggestion for me for further step?
The JD is a three year program. I can’t recommend that you apply-that’s up to you. If you attend an elite law school you might have a better chance at finding a firm that will help you get a work visa after graduation.
Do top law schools accept international students if he has a great grades from turkey for example and is your undergraduate University ranking matter? Because I'm in high school and I'm afraid that top law schools don't accept students from turkey even if they have a good grades and high last score
LLM programs don’t have the same reporting requirements as the JD. You might want to send an email to a few top law schools, LLM admissions, to see what they tell you.
Scholarships are available. First, your undergraduate degree needs to be comparable to a US bachelor’s degree-I don’t know how they will view a degree from Turkey. Second, they will want a high TOEFL score. And a high GPA and LSAT score.
I have a 3.82 GPA and took the LSAT on Sunday (I typically score around 164-167) I'm praying for at least a 165, but hoping for a 167. Would applying for an binding early decision at a reach school like Vanderbilt Law School help my admission chances at that school?
They will only admit someone who fits their profile. If you are in the bottom quartile for them or lower, I would not expect them to admit early. They’ll likely waitlist till next March.
I graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 and am currently learning about the LSAT and considering my options. My resume, however, is less than stellar. I have had to take jobs to support myself and family, and they aren’t always the best jobs. As a candidate for a counseling masters (my undergrad degree is in psychology, the pre-clinical track), your resume is a consideration when determining whether you gain admittance. Is this another stumbling block to law school? If so, how do I mitigate it?
Your resume isn’t that important in the law school admissions process, other than at a few elite law schools. Every admissions officer is different, but GPA and LSAT are the two most important factors.
No, not in the United States. 100 years ago Latin would have been useful, but today there are very few Latin words left in the law. And the few that do exist can be learned quickly, like the phrase "res ipsa loquitur" (the thing speaks for itself).
Hi there! Love your channel. It's been highly informative for me as I navigate this process. One question, though. In your experience, would a slightly higher GPA make up for a slightly lower LSAT score during the admissions process? Naturally if an applicant's LSAT score is drastically low, there's not much to be done. But assuming their GPA (along with other materials) are on par with, or exceed the school's standards, will it make up for an LSAT that is a few points lower? Thanks! Keep the videos coming!
The LSAT is much more important than GPA. This is because GPA can vary widely depending on the major or college. The LSAT, on the other hand, is a standardized test.
It's really tough to find a legal job the summer before attending law school. I was able to do that, but only because a close friend's father owned a law firm. My friend got me a job there, where I was able to do some legal work that summer. If you just want to see what a firm does, many large firms have entry level jobs. These could include sorting mail, making photo-copies, or making deliveries to the courthouse. Not exciting, but these jobs can help you see how a firm works.
Not sure, but Harvard is an elite law school. They will look for someone that received perfect scores, or pretty close to it. They might also require a TOEFL score.
I started about 10 months before the exam. I signed up for the Kaplan Test prep, first taking the classes. I then did the practice exams. Once summer hit, I worked on LSAT prep full time over the summer. The key is taking practice exams, and then really analyzing the questions you got wrong.
I suggest viewing the LSAT as a marathon rather than a sprint. I recall a friend of mine who spent the weekend before the exam preparing and he did okay. But he is a bright guy and could have done much better with more time and practice. If you only have four months then come up with a schedule to use that time as best as you can.
Frederick Walzer I studied for 4 months. I did quite well, but obviously not as well as I could have had I taken more time. I used the 3 LSAT “Bibles” and did/analyzed about 30 full/partial practice tests. The most important thing I can emphasize is timing yourself. Once you’ve learned the skills, taking an LSAT practice test without the stress of a time crunch is useless and will actually hurt you come test day.
Not too many international students get in, but with top grades and a high LSAT score you should be able to get in. Law schools don’t care very much about your college major.
Hey. I m from Europe and i would like to go to a law school in Nyc. We take different exams from the ones that are in us. That means i have to take yout types of exams?
Yes, our exams use the essay format. Also, they are timed. This is why you must have strong English reading and writing skills to succeed at a US law school.
How long does end of cycle application responses take on average? Is it proper to call the admissions office if it seems to be taking a while (a month or two) for a response? Will law schools always respond to you one way or another?
Learn Law Better By the way I am not from the U.S. I am a law student here in Israel we have in our degree we have not mandatory courses that we need to choose from (family, criminal and so on). Is it the same in your country? If so I hope you can do a video to help me decide which area of the law to focus on. Thank you for making informative videos.
In the United States all, or most, law schools require students to take the following classes in their first year: Torts, Contracts, Civil Procedure, Property, and Legal Writing. After that, students are generally free to take whatever classes they want. Those who are interested in litigation will take those courses. I was interested in Tax so I took classes in that area.
I am planning on applying to law school next year. I have been out of college for about 6 years and have no contact with my old professors. How do I go about the letters of recommendation portion of the application?
Here is what LSAC has to say: “The most effective letters of recommendation are written by professors or work supervisors who know you well enough to describe your academic, personal, or professional achievements and potential with candor, detail, and objectivity. Letters that compare you to your academic peers are often the most useful.” So if you have a supervisor who can provide this for you that would also work. Keep in mind that these letters are often not read. This is because most decisions are based on GPA and LSAT score.
Luis - try to have lunch with the one who will remember you the most. Ask them for advice and let them know your goals. They may still write you a LOR. On top of that, have your managers write you a letter. If you work in a professional business you can even have a top ranking peer write you one. A professor LOR really helps, so I would try to connect with them anyway. Good luck!
Hello, I am a senior with a 2.6 GPA currently studying to take the LSAT. I have a decent resume and currently have 3 letters of recommendation from reputable professors who worked as judges, attended Harvard and worked in Washington. I plan on explaining why my GPA is so low in my personal statement, mentioning health issues, problems with a stalker, family matters and multiple car accidents. With being said, do you think I even have a realistic chance? Approx. what LSAT score should I be rooting for to balance everything else out?
It all depends on where you apply. With a 150 LSAT score you will be fine at about 50 law schools. A higher score means more options. The letters of recommendation are not very important. The two most important factors are GPA and LSAT.
Ashlay Leger hey! just wanted to check in on your progress. Have you already taken the LSAT/are you applying for 2020 or 2021? i’m also in a similar gpa situation, taking the LSAT in August and applying for 2021. Just want to offer some words of encouragement, since i know LSAT prep is TOUGH lol
I graduated undergrad with a liberal arts degree and a GPA around 3.2. Is there any chance of admission to a T-14 Law School with a GPA that low if I score extremely well on the LSAT? Also I am currently serving active duty in the military as an officer and I would like to know if that has any effect on the admissions process.
With an exceptionally high LSAT, you should be able to get into several T14 law schools. You military service is unlikely to make a difference, but it might depending on whether you are on the margins of who they are willing to accept. It comes down to what the admissions officer thinks about the military. By the way, thank you for your service.
Very nice video ;) Keep it up! Your one of the best lawyer youtubers ..Another example is "LegalEagle" you should do a video with him :) i will reccomend to him to make a video with you at his mext video :)) But first .. Do you want to make a video with him ??
Learn Law Better I am relevied :) I am gonna ask him at his next video . And then you should search for my comment and ask him how you could contact him. Or just comment yourself if you want but he would see my comment first because im his subcriber since veeeery long :) P.S. Sorry for my english im from romania and people here dont reeeaaly know english but csgo teached me english :))
It sounds like you are basically saying you all don't even give the person who paid the mandatory $85 - $130 application fee a read if you dont like their lsat score, which is unethical, immoral, and theft by deceit considering the website encourages ALL to apply by not including a disclaimer that claims certain scores will not be considered.
That is an astute observation. The admissions director read all of the applications and alerted the faculty committee to any extenuating circumstances that might warrant looking at a candidate with lower scores. One or two got in, but they were by far the exception. For example, anyone can send an application to Georgetown, but don’t expect something in the personal statement to sway the committee’s criteria. Yes, it can happen. But it is rare.
It depends on what you mean by "screwed", haha. Law schools are not like Medical schools; it's super easy to get into a law school. Any law school will take you. If your goal is just to get into A law school, you'll get in just fine as long as you get over like a 150 on the LSAT, which is super doable. But, remember that getting into a law school doesn't guarantee a secure future. Your GPA isn't super horrendous, but you'll need to get about a 170 or so on the LSAT for good schools to take you seriously. I would check out the stats on lawschoolnumbers.com/ and officialguide.lsac.org/Release/OfficialGuide_Default.aspx to see what schools you could get into with your GPA and LSAT scores. Honestly, if you can get like a 165 (which is totally doable), then you're in a good spot to get into a top 75 or even top 50 school.
I just got off the wait list. I'm so excited! It was my top pick. :) The waiting is agonizing, especially for someone who really likes to plan. What really helped was connecting with a former professor from undergrad. He was a Pre Law professor with the business school and after having lunch and asking him about law school in general, he wrote me a fantastic letter of recommendation, without my asking, and submitted it to the admissions director. My scores were in the lower end of what GSU admits, but I felt hopeful (not only that, I was also accepted/waitlisted in the other top law schools in GA). Having an interesting career pathetic prior to law school, connecting with good law firms and having them write a LOR as well as a professor who can truly attest to your skills is major. Especially if you're not a strong test taker like myself.
Congratulations! A letter of recommendation from someone that knows you well can make a difference at the end of a law school's admissions cycle. I hope it goes well.
Please share your insights into the law school admissions process, and post any questions you have.
Please tell me what is considered a serious crime:/
The Character and Fitness Board is looking for anything that speaks to one’s character. Most felonies can keep someone from practicing law, unless they happens many years earlier. But even low-level crimes, like drunk drinking can keep someone out if it is an ongoing problem. The key is to disclose everything on a law school application as they don’t generally admit someone who won’t be able to become an attorney.
Learn Law Better Thanks .
@Kyle Davis YES this is my question exactly!!!!!
Thanks for watching the videos! Unfortunately, I’ve never practiced in criminal law and procedure. Though I suspect that an expungement of the felony won’t help you on applications as they ask “have you ever been convicted of a felony.” Failure to disclose the conviction would be evidence that you’re not being honest.
Your Neck tie is really cool, can you please tell me where you got it from? I want to buy one for my father, he is a lawyer as well
Thank you for knowledge sir
So nice of you
5:19-6:24 So you're saying it's okay for a parent to make a call for their kid to get into law school when they know the faculty members.. However, when a parent doesn't have connections it's looked down upon if they call on their child's behalf. The fact that this behavior is so normalized in law school admissions departments that they actually reserve seats for these kind of students is sickening. Can't even have law in law school smh
First time I saw this was when I was serving on a law school admissions committee. We were asked to let a weak student into law school because of his connections. I fought it but lost.
I mean yeah of course it's not great but that's how everything works. No one there is looking fondly at the kid who's daddy got them in, but they know their boss is telling them to make it happen so they make it so.
I love the honesty. This stuff happens in every facet of life, including and especially politics and plea bargaining. The fact that he doesn’t pretend like it doesn’t happen makes me trust what he says more. Med schools like to pretend this crap doesn’t happen.
I am going to work in April, installing and servicing the ancestor, clients a built and delivered crying free inheritance plan with the Iterdiction trust Administration 105 security provisions going globally.
all those requirements?? awsome
unfortinately in our country is accessible for everyone
i optained 81% score in my baccaloréat exam ( semular to gcse in gb) and i was surprised by finding law students who 've got 50% in their baccaloréat
I am there's
Schools: We take a holistic approach.
Learn Law Better: Yeah, if you have the LSAT and GPA they do.
Me and Kira: I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!! I KNEW IT!!!!!
The holistic approach is often used to deny someone, not admit them. For example, when someone has committed a crime or has a significant disciplinary issue from college.
When he brought the pillows out I was weak😂😂
Thank you for the insights!
My pleasure!
5:40 I remembered this part when I learned of the recent college admissions scandal. It comes across as if it's accepted people bribe or get into school just by knowing someone and not merit.
Some people cheat. Some with money, and probably some use sex. Pathetic.
What if you have a high lsat and an average gpa?
Splitters can still get into more competitive law schools, but often at the end of the admissions cycle when a law school has a better sense of what their entering class looks like.
dont you apply through lsac?
Each law school has an application process. They use LSAC to create a standardized report with your GPA, LSAT score, and other information. Each law school will ask for additional information as part of their application process.
Learn Law Better where can i locate where to apply? on their website?
Yes, each law school's website will have a prospective student's page.
Hello, thank you so much for all the advice that you give it helps so much .am great ful
Does the college I graduated from matter when applying to a law school?
Not much. Maybe at the elite law schools it matters, but with a high enough LSAT you’ll be fine.
I know you mention the presumptive deny group if someone has a low GPA and LSAT score. However, what if someone is a splitter and has a high GPA but low LSAT score? My GPA for a particular school is higher than their 75th percentile mark but my LSAT score falls in their 25th percentile.
Each admissions department will have their own criteria.
Hello Professor, thank you for such an insightful video. I hope this message finds you well. First, I’d like to state that I will likely be a ‘splitter’ as my uGPA is far lower than the median for the schools i will be applying to. However, I’ve been frequently scoring well into the mid 160s in LSAT practice exams (i will be sitting for the August 29th exam). I am currently an MBA candidate with an expected graduation date of Dec 2020. My question is, should i wait until I’ve completed the MBA program to submit my applications to the law schools? Or, since the graduate GPA does not impact the LSAC uGPA, would it be better to submit the applications as early as possible with the unofficial graduate transcripts? Wish you well. Thanks!
Early admissions is generally better. They will see that you will soon complete the MBA, which should be fine.
Learn Law Better awesome. Thank you for your response.
What are the most important things international applicants have to keep in mind? What usually causes their applications to be denied, if they otherwise have great GPA and LSAT scores?
I don't have much experience in this area, so I can only speculate. My guess is that a law school might limit the number of international students each year. This means you are competing with that pool, not all applicants.
Professor
Thank you for spending the time to educate us on these guidelines.
I'm 31 years old and I had a very poor GPA in undergrad where i majored in fine arts but minored in art history, (all my writing courses got relatively high grades due to my writing and analytical skills) . I'm currently taking high school courses to try to get into another undergrad to prove to admissions committee that I'm capable of doing well academically.
Do you have advice on someone like me who's struggled, but still has that goal to work as a lawyer one day?
Thank you.
Great to see you working on improving your skills. Keep in mind that once you graduate, no additional undergraduate courses you take will improve your GPA-those courses are ignored by LSAC in the GPA calculation. An admissions committee might look at them and might make decide to take a chance. You will want to spend a lot of time on LSAT prep so that you can earn a high score.
I recall a couple of applicants in your shoes. They earned high grades in a masters program after a poor performance in college. We did take a chance on them. Wish you well.
@@Learnlawbetter Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I will still go back to school to further my education, even though I know now that they won't matter to the LSAC, but they will have mattered to me. I was going to score as high as I can on the LSAT regardless, so understanding what I'm up against is very helpful. Thank you professor.
Man, postgraduate education of any kind seems like a huge pain. Better to just finish an engineering or computer science degree in 4 years of undergrad, make good money right away, and save yourself from the pain and extra cost of time, money, and health that you go through in med, law, business school, or any other kind of postgrad.
@learnlawbetter what is considered on average a good lsat score to get admitted into a law school?
With a 150, you can get into many law schools.
Interesting like always
Does applying to law schools during early admission increase your chances of acceptance? (even if your LSAT score is par/sub-par in comparison to their avg)
No, it doesn’t. Was just reading on Reddit that someone applied applied to NYU 309 days ago and was admitted today. If you are in the middle of what they are looking for, then early admission will likely help. Versus them holding your application for a few months.
Does it increase the chance of admission if a student has an MBA?
Law school admissions is driven by LSAT and GPA. An advanced degree is not going to compensate for a low LSAT or low GPA. If you are applying to a law school, and your LSAT and GPA is in their bottom quartile, an MBA can help in a tie situation towards the end of the admissions cycle. As the law school is filling the final seats, they pull out the files and determine who gets one of the remaining seats. At that point, an MBA (especially with good grades) can help.
What can you tell us in terms of GPA requirements, what is considered TOO low as well as with LSAT
A few law schools take students in the low 140’s. Unlikely that you’ll get in with anything below a 140. GPA is another story, if the LSAT is high enough.
Learn Law Better So to get into a T-14 school, if your LSAT is 175 or above, do you think that will compensate for a gpa that is in the range from 3.85 to 3.9?
If you get those scores you will be competitive at most of the T-14
Does having a low credit score and traffic tickets would effect your admissions. Can you start. Law school when your 45 ? Second career
I don’t think any law school is pulling FICO scores. Also, traffic tickets should not be a problem-just disclose whatever is asked of you in the application.
As to age, you can begin at any age. Might be a bit tougher for you because you’ve been out of school for a while. Also, there will be fewer job opportunities for you at graduation. Most of my older students started their own firms.
Sir, i recently subscribed to your channel an have been going through your videos.
I had a question regarding the resume itself and have not been able to get a clear answer. I’m an officer in the army, soon to be applying to law school. Where in the resume would I put the courses I did in the military? I got certifications from said courses, and in the army it is considered TRADOC (ie school house). Examples include BOLC and Bradley Leaders Course. So would these go in the education portion? A certification portion? The work experience portion? Any advice would be appreciated.
Maybe towards the end in a section called “Additional Training.”
Hello, thanks for the insightful information. However, can you share your views about early admission binding decisions and how to explore its possibilities. I think it will be helpful if there are strategies to manage putting students on hold for accepting early decision binding and overcoming its challenges.
This is a great topic. I was thinking about something for my next video in two weeks, and this looks like it might work for the time of year. Thanks for the idea.
I want to ask a question does my undergraduate college matters i mean for example if I attend ivy league college and apply to harvard and if I will attend state college an apply harvard will it make difference
This doesn’t make as much of a difference as it used to. This is because the two primary factors in law schools admissions is LSAT and GPA.
Hello
Is it too late to
Start law school at age 42? And i have a BS in criminal justice
I’ve had students start law school much older than 42. But you need to realize you will likely have fewer job options than others, and fewer years in the work force. This means not borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and instead looking for a value priced law school like North Dakota, or scoring high enough on the LSAT to get a full scholarship.
I’m 61. I just want to be able offer free legal services for those in need. I’m not worried about the cost of school or needing a paid position after graduation. I just need to get accepted somewhere. I would actually prefer a blue collar school. Online would be great. I saw my GPA slashed by the LSAC due to the number of credits I was awarded for my military schools that had no grade assigned. Also, my 4.0 earned by taking further classes at another University after graduating were not included because they say that it’s considered graduate work. Waiting for the LSAT results. I’ve been averaging 150-154 on practice tests. Is there any hope for me?
If you score 150 or above you should have no problem getting accepted in at least 50 law schools. The higher the LSAT the more options you’ll have. Hope you land somewhere you enjoy.
Is 45 too late to go to Law school? What are advantages and disadvantages of attending Law School later in life?
I usually have someone in there 40's or older every semester--have one right now in my Torts class. The advantage tends to me discipline and experience. Older students know more about the world and are willing to work hard to get what they want. The main disadvantage tends to be the the shortened career length and the cost of law school. What I mean is that most students can't afford to pay for law school, so they have to borrow money. Even good value priced law schools, like the University of North Dakota, still are not affordable to most without student loans. Most students then repay those loans over 30 years, so someone starting at 45 is looking at paying off their loans in their mid 70's. But with some discipline, loans can be paid off earlier. Also, the reality is that many employers don't want to hire someone who is older, so it might be hard finding a job. But if you are thinking about solo practice, then that won't matter.
Learn Law Better thanks. Being a Veteran eases the pain of tuition. I am thinking of the critical thinking and using it as a career builder. Possible CEO? Thinking of focusing on contracts law to go with my 20 years as a government contractor
Law school definitely teaches critical thinking skills, though once you become a lawyer people will think of you as a lawyer and not as something else. It would not be an easy jump from in-house counsel to CEO, though some lawyers to manager to make that career change.
Do top law schools (IVY-Top 20) care if you spend an extra year undergrad? I just finished my first semester at UMiami with a 3.9 as a transfer Junior. I would like to spread out my classes to have the best opportunity to succeed. I can graduate with a 3.7, 5 year average or a 3.62, 4 year average. So I think my choice to stay an extra year is the right one. In addition, will being on the Presidents list (4.0) or Provost's Honor Roll (3.75) multiple semesters be well noticed by the Ivy's?
The number of years you take doesn’t matter.
Omg I just found you Chanel and I am a sophomore in high school but I have been interested on becoming a lawyer since I started middle school, but During freshman year and the half of freshman year U was sick so my grades were not great but right now they are way better, I wonder if that would affect my college application.
While it will affect your college application, law school in the US is a graduate program. Once in college focus on earning top grades as that is what law schools will look at.
Thank you so much!! Is Law-related internship highly preferred or required?
Neither. No need for any legal work prior to law school.
@@Learnlawbetter Thanks a lot!!
Learn Law Better I wonder to what extent could a high LSAT (170+) compensate for a low GPA (3.4). Should students with those two apply for top law schools or not? Thanks a lot!!
You. could get into many of the T14 with those scores.
Is neuroscience a good major in college to get into law school ?
Law schools don’t really care about your major. They care about your GPA and LSAT score
What are the most important skills( both academically and as a person) one must possess to get in to law school
Law schools don't measure skills to get into law school. Well, they do so indirectly by looking at your college GPA and LSAT score. To succeed in law school you need excellent writing skills because most of your exams are in essay format. As far as non-academic skills, I would say diligence is essential because of all the work you need to complete.
Hey Professor Baez, I've got a question about admissions. I get this is all speculative, but I'm curious your thoughts on this. I am a year out from my undergrad (changed my major, did 5.5 years) to get my accounting degree from a reasonably good state school. My first year and a half at a private I did very poorly, just having to get my act together. My last few semesters I did very well, but still ended with a cumulative 3.3 gpa.
I have been working for a top 10 public accounting firm for almost a year and I am in process of getting my cpa license. My question is: if my goal is to get into a T14 law school, will it help my admissions chances if I acquire the cpa license first, or will the admissions council not give it much consideration (assuming I get that 175 lsat score, great letters of rec, etc to pad the admission packet)?
Thank you for making these great videos! This has been great insight for someone who doesn't know anyone with experience in the legal profession!
My sense is that it comes down to two factors: LSAT and GPA. But law schools have a great deal of leeway with the bottom 20%, so the CPA might help if you are just below their bottom quartile.
Very informative thank you! If you apply in July right before the end of the cycle to start that august and you are under the median lsat by one point are your chances of being admitted good or bad?
Fewer options in July as many law schools don’t accept July LSAT takers. Probably a better chance at that point because they are wrapping up their cycle, which usually means accepting students below the bottom quartile.
Any recommendations on what material to use to prepare for the LSAT?
Check out LSAT blog
@@Learnlawbetter thanks! It’s a really helpful site!
How did you like Georgetown? I am considering GULC.
Georgetown is a large law school, with many different electives. It is just a few blocks from the Capitol and the Supreme Court, which I wish I had visited as a student. If you attend, live on the Red Line metro so you can get to school quickly. Lot’s of opportunities to work at government agencies during the year, which I did for one semester.
@@Learnlawbetter Awesome. Thanks for the input.
Very helpful advice! I’m currently waitlisted. I have a STEM PhD and 3 years of work experience. Is there anything I can provide to the Admissions Office at this point to help?
A waitlist at this point means being patient. The law school has a certain number of seats they want to fill and they have done so. As they find out about those who’ve changed their mind they will go to the waitlist. Maybe contacting them once a month, indicating that you are still interested and asking them if they need anything else. That might get you bumped up a few spots. Good luck!
Learn Law Better Thank you! Can’t wait to see the next video from Learn Law Better!
Can you get into Law School without a Bachelor of Science but with a PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) graduate degree?
Any 4 year undergraduate program works. As I recall, a PharmD is a five year program, so no problem.
What law schools was he an admissions rep for?
I've been out of undergrad for 10+ years did not do well for the first two years however I stepped it up the last two years while working full-time finished with a 2.5 GPA. My practice LSAT scores are 149-153. I'm applying to a lower-tier law school part-time program due to the fact I have 3 different businesses I run with a staff. I'm a non-traditional student as well. What are my chances or what should I be looking at?
With your stats you should be able to get into about 50 law schools. But you should plan on scaling back on your businesses. Not impossible to succeed doing two things, but very hard. Especially for those with lower indicators of success.
Learn law school is very helpful sir
Thanks for watching.
So who should we consider for recommendation letters? I’m thinking of my professors but do you think of anybody else which can have a better impact
You want a letter from someone who can speak to your knowledge, skills, abilities, and potential. Most professors right generic letters, which are okay, but nothing exciting.
Hello,
Do law schools see your undergraduate class list from lsac? And how is community college GPA factored into your overall GPA. Also does attending a community college inhibit one’s chances from being admitted to a top tier law school if there overall GPA and LSAT meets the schools numbers?
Thank you.
I don’t know how LSAC calculates grades. They try to equalize scores between universities. For example, I attended an institution that graded on a 12 point scale.
As to community colleges, that shouldn’t be an impediment. They only care about your overall GPA.
Learn Law Better Thank you! Your videos are very helpful.
Hello
How can I get full scholership in the top 60 universities in America as a foreign(Iran)? For the LLM programme
I mean what should I have in my CV(e.g an essay, Moot court, .....)
Thank you so much
I’m not familiar with any law schools offering full scholarships for LLM students. This is because LLM programs are viewed as income generators for law schools.
@@Learnlawbetter By saying full scholership , I mean full tution wave for the LLM , is that still your opinion?🙏🙏
This would be rare, if they even exist. The full ride scholarships that exist are at the JD level. LLM programs are designed to generate revenue. I’ve heard of partial scholarships.
Do you recommend using a consulting service or firm to assist with the application process? If so, what specific criteria should we look for to determine which is best. Thank you.
The advantage to using a professional admissions consultant is that they can help present your application in the best light possible, and assist you in finding the best schools you can get into. I haven’t done any research on these services so can’t say what criteria I would use. I suppose someone with many negative reviews would be a red flag.
Very good video. I like it. May I ask if the admission is more difficult for foreign students?
For those from countries where English is not the main language, there is also a TOEFL requirement that measures your English language skills. To be honest, without strong English skills, law school is very hard. This is because our exams are timed essays, which makes it hard for foreign students. But other than the TOEFL exam and evidence that you can pay for law school, the other requirements should be identical.
Learn Law Better Thank you so much. It is really good to hear from professionals. I will improve my English.
Zhejia Hu Read good English literature: novels and magazines. Not technical English.
Learn Law Better Thank you for your advice. 😀
I loved the video! Quick question: I am going to be applying to some top 15 law schools (Northwestern, Duke, NYU, etc.) and also some more reach schools (Chicago, Harvard, Columbia). I will be applying with around a 3.72 GPA (from Brandeis University) and 171 LSAT. What would you say are the chances, purely based on scores, to get into any of these schools? Thanks!
Not really sure as I don’t have their stats in front of me. But if you look at their websites, look at their median scores for last year. If you are near the median, you should be in good shape.
1. Does LSAT provide scholarship?
2. Which country will be best for a international student, Canda/Usa?
3. Can they work their after graduation?
4. How much time needed to complete LLM? Is their any further degree needed after LLM?
TNX IN ADVANCE
LSAT: If you go to the LSAC website (the administrators of the LSAT), I believe they offer limited scholarships--not sure if this applies to international students.
US or Canada: I suspect that Canada is the better option for international students. This is because they are more open to immigration over the United States.
After graduation: It will be difficult to stay in the US after graduation. Not impossible. but it will require a firm to apply for a work visa on your behalf.
LLM: The LLM is the second law degree, after the JD. In the US and Canada, you need a JD to practice law. Depending on which State you want to practice in, you might be able to earn your first law degree in your home country and then get a US LLM. But not every State allows this. Over the years I've had foreign lawyers in my class, working on their JD because their foreign law degree wasn't any good for practicing law in the US.
That's a great suggestion sir ❤❤
I hv just completed my LLB.. So, should i apply for JD now? I mean is it another kind of course or programme -which i hv to attend?
In simple- what is your suggestion for me for further step?
The JD is a three year program. I can’t recommend that you apply-that’s up to you. If you attend an elite law school you might have a better chance at finding a firm that will help you get a work visa after graduation.
Is it though to get a LAW related job after LLM?
Do top law schools accept international students if he has a great grades from turkey for example and is your undergraduate University ranking matter?
Because I'm in high school and I'm afraid that top law schools don't accept students from turkey even if they have a good grades and high last score
I don’t know-sorry.
@@Learnlawbetter no problem but do you who should I ask Universities , lsac ?
LLM programs don’t have the same reporting requirements as the JD. You might want to send an email to a few top law schools, LLM admissions, to see what they tell you.
@@Learnlawbetter im talking about jd degree and thanks for your time
Scholarships are available. First, your undergraduate degree needs to be comparable to a US bachelor’s degree-I don’t know how they will view a degree from Turkey. Second, they will want a high TOEFL score. And a high GPA and LSAT score.
I have a 3.82 GPA and took the LSAT on Sunday (I typically score around 164-167) I'm praying for at least a 165, but hoping for a 167. Would applying for an binding early decision at a reach school like Vanderbilt Law School help my admission chances at that school?
They will only admit someone who fits their profile. If you are in the bottom quartile for them or lower, I would not expect them to admit early. They’ll likely waitlist till next March.
I have learned theres no chance for me to get into lawschool
Same :,(
I graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 and am currently learning about the LSAT and considering my options. My resume, however, is less than stellar. I have had to take jobs to support myself and family, and they aren’t always the best jobs. As a candidate for a counseling masters (my undergrad degree is in psychology, the pre-clinical track), your resume is a consideration when determining whether you gain admittance. Is this another stumbling block to law school? If so, how do I mitigate it?
Your resume isn’t that important in the law school admissions process, other than at a few elite law schools. Every admissions officer is different, but GPA and LSAT are the two most important factors.
Do you need a second language for law school
No, not in the United States. 100 years ago Latin would have been useful, but today there are very few Latin words left in the law. And the few that do exist can be learned quickly, like the phrase "res ipsa loquitur" (the thing speaks for itself).
Thank you
@@Learnlawbetter is legalese considered a " diffrent language "?
Every discipline has its own jargon, or language. Law is no different. Though as an insider I probably don’t recognize it very much.
@@Learnlawbetter 😀😃Thanks!!
Hi there! Love your channel. It's been highly informative for me as I navigate this process.
One question, though. In your experience, would a slightly higher GPA make up for a slightly lower LSAT score during the admissions process? Naturally if an applicant's LSAT score is drastically low, there's not much to be done. But assuming their GPA (along with other materials) are on par with, or exceed the school's standards, will it make up for an LSAT that is a few points lower?
Thanks! Keep the videos coming!
The LSAT is much more important than GPA. This is because GPA can vary widely depending on the major or college. The LSAT, on the other hand, is a standardized test.
Hello! Do you have any advice for freshmen entering law school? Like what can a freshman do during the summer before attending law school.
It's really tough to find a legal job the summer before attending law school. I was able to do that, but only because a close friend's father owned a law firm. My friend got me a job there, where I was able to do some legal work that summer. If you just want to see what a firm does, many large firms have entry level jobs. These could include sorting mail, making photo-copies, or making deliveries to the courthouse. Not exciting, but these jobs can help you see how a firm works.
Thank you!
Hello sir
I am planning to do my LLM in HLS but I had done my undergrad in India. So what are the requirements?
Not sure, but Harvard is an elite law school. They will look for someone that received perfect scores, or pretty close to it. They might also require a TOEFL score.
Do you have any recommendations on how to best study for LSAT?
I started about 10 months before the exam. I signed up for the Kaplan Test prep, first taking the classes. I then did the practice exams. Once summer hit, I worked on LSAT prep full time over the summer. The key is taking practice exams, and then really analyzing the questions you got wrong.
Learn Law Better what about 4 months before the LSAT test?
I suggest viewing the LSAT as a marathon rather than a sprint. I recall a friend of mine who spent the weekend before the exam preparing and he did okay. But he is a bright guy and could have done much better with more time and practice. If you only have four months then come up with a schedule to use that time as best as you can.
Thank you for your wonderful advice!
Frederick Walzer I studied for 4 months. I did quite well, but obviously not as well as I could have had I taken more time. I used the 3 LSAT “Bibles” and did/analyzed about 30 full/partial practice tests.
The most important thing I can emphasize is timing yourself. Once you’ve learned the skills, taking an LSAT practice test without the stress of a time crunch is useless and will actually hurt you come test day.
Does having an LLB as your undergraduate degree give you an advantage or disadvantage when applying for a JD and later on a job in a Big Law firm?
It might actually be a disadvantage in a JD program. This is because you might not work as hard, believing that you already know the law.
@@Learnlawbetter Ok thanks. How would it affect my application to a top tier law school in the US?
Not too many international students get in, but with top grades and a high LSAT score you should be able to get in. Law schools don’t care very much about your college major.
Learn Law Better Thank you
Hey. I m from Europe and i would like to go to a law school in Nyc. We take different exams from the ones that are in us. That means i have to take yout types of exams?
Yes, our exams use the essay format. Also, they are timed. This is why you must have strong English reading and writing skills to succeed at a US law school.
Learn Law Better thank you
How long does end of cycle application responses take on average? Is it proper to call the admissions office if it seems to be taking a while (a month or two) for a response? Will law schools always respond to you one way or another?
I Have a comment about the filming, maby take the camera a bit further away
Thanks for the advice.
Learn Law Better
By the way I am not from the U.S.
I am a law student here in Israel we have in our degree we have not mandatory courses that we need to choose from (family, criminal and so on).
Is it the same in your country?
If so I hope you can do a video to help me decide which area of the law to focus on.
Thank you for making informative videos.
In the United States all, or most, law schools require students to take the following classes in their first year: Torts, Contracts, Civil Procedure, Property, and Legal Writing. After that, students are generally free to take whatever classes they want. Those who are interested in litigation will take those courses. I was interested in Tax so I took classes in that area.
I am planning on applying to law school next year. I have been out of college for about 6 years and have no contact with my old professors. How do I go about the letters of recommendation portion of the application?
Here is what LSAC has to say: “The most effective letters of recommendation are written by professors or work supervisors who know you well enough to describe your academic, personal, or professional achievements and potential with candor, detail, and objectivity. Letters that compare you to your academic peers are often the most useful.”
So if you have a supervisor who can provide this for you that would also work. Keep in mind that these letters are often not read. This is because most decisions are based on GPA and LSAT score.
Luis - try to have lunch with the one who will remember you the most. Ask them for advice and let them know your goals. They may still write you a LOR. On top of that, have your managers write you a letter. If you work in a professional business you can even have a top ranking peer write you one. A professor LOR really helps, so I would try to connect with them anyway. Good luck!
Hello, thank you for your video super helpful. Is there anyway I can send a private comment or message to you?
If you go to my website you will see a contact form: learnlawbetter.com
Hello, I am a senior with a 2.6 GPA currently studying to take the LSAT. I have a decent resume and currently have 3 letters of recommendation from reputable professors who worked as judges, attended Harvard and worked in Washington. I plan on explaining why my GPA is so low in my personal statement, mentioning health issues, problems with a stalker, family matters and multiple car accidents. With being said, do you think I even have a realistic chance? Approx. what LSAT score should I be rooting for to balance everything else out?
It all depends on where you apply. With a 150 LSAT score you will be fine at about 50 law schools. A higher score means more options. The letters of recommendation are not very important. The two most important factors are GPA and LSAT.
Learn Law Better awesome, thank you so much for your help!
Ashlay Leger hey! just wanted to check in on your progress. Have you already taken the LSAT/are you applying for 2020 or 2021? i’m also in a similar gpa situation, taking the LSAT in August and applying for 2021. Just want to offer some words of encouragement, since i know LSAT prep is TOUGH lol
I graduated undergrad with a liberal arts degree and a GPA around 3.2. Is there any chance of admission to a T-14 Law School with a GPA that low if I score extremely well on the LSAT?
Also I am currently serving active duty in the military as an officer and I would like to know if that has any effect on the admissions process.
With an exceptionally high LSAT, you should be able to get into several T14 law schools. You military service is unlikely to make a difference, but it might depending on whether you are on the margins of who they are willing to accept. It comes down to what the admissions officer thinks about the military. By the way, thank you for your service.
Very nice video ;) Keep it up! Your one of the best lawyer youtubers ..Another example is "LegalEagle" you should do a video with him :) i will reccomend to him to make a video with you at his mext video :)) But first .. Do you want to make a video with him ??
I haven't thought about collaborating with someone else, but am not opposed to the idea. Thanks for asking.
Learn Law Better I am relevied :) I am gonna ask him at his next video . And then you should search for my comment and ask him how you could contact him. Or just comment yourself if you want but he would see my comment first because im his subcriber since
veeeery long :)
P.S. Sorry for my english im from romania and people here dont reeeaaly know english but csgo teached me english :))
It sounds like you are basically saying you all don't even give the person who paid the mandatory $85 - $130 application fee a read if you dont like their lsat score, which is unethical, immoral, and theft by deceit considering the website encourages ALL to apply by not including a disclaimer that claims certain scores will not be considered.
That is an astute observation. The admissions director read all of the applications and alerted the faculty committee to any extenuating circumstances that might warrant looking at a candidate with lower scores. One or two got in, but they were by far the exception.
For example, anyone can send an application to Georgetown, but don’t expect something in the personal statement to sway the committee’s criteria. Yes, it can happen. But it is rare.
I’m a junior with a 2.98 GPA. Am I screwed?
You will need a good LSAT score. But your GPA isn’t that bad.
It depends on what you mean by "screwed", haha. Law schools are not like Medical schools; it's super easy to get into a law school. Any law school will take you. If your goal is just to get into A law school, you'll get in just fine as long as you get over like a 150 on the LSAT, which is super doable. But, remember that getting into a law school doesn't guarantee a secure future. Your GPA isn't super horrendous, but you'll need to get about a 170 or so on the LSAT for good schools to take you seriously. I would check out the stats on lawschoolnumbers.com/ and officialguide.lsac.org/Release/OfficialGuide_Default.aspx to see what schools you could get into with your GPA and LSAT scores. Honestly, if you can get like a 165 (which is totally doable), then you're in a good spot to get into a top 75 or even top 50 school.
I want to go to law school when I graduate college. 🦄
How bad are 4-5 withdrawals on a student’s transcript, if their overall GPA is 3.85 and lsat is 170.
I never looked at the transcript. Only the GPA.
So do you recommend withdrawing from a class as opposed to risking your gpa
!?????
U sound like baldi
I just got off the wait list. I'm so excited! It was my top pick. :) The waiting is agonizing, especially for someone who really likes to plan.
What really helped was connecting with a former professor from undergrad. He was a Pre Law professor with the business school and after having lunch and asking him about law school in general, he wrote me a fantastic letter of recommendation, without my asking, and submitted it to the admissions director. My scores were in the lower end of what GSU admits, but I felt hopeful (not only that, I was also accepted/waitlisted in the other top law schools in GA).
Having an interesting career pathetic prior to law school, connecting with good law firms and having them write a LOR as well as a professor who can truly attest to your skills is major. Especially if you're not a strong test taker like myself.
Congratulations! A letter of recommendation from someone that knows you well can make a difference at the end of a law school's admissions cycle. I hope it goes well.
Congratulations! I noticed this comment is 3 years old. How has your kaw schook experience been?