Preparing for Law School

Preparing for Law School

at

Houston Baptist University

Pre-Law Advisor: Dr. Christopher Salinas, Ph.D.

Office: Brown Administrative Complex 218 – E Phone Number: 281-649-3000 ext. 2248

A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has a better lawyer. -- Robert Frost

HBU’s Pre-Law Program 1. Introduction

2. Law School Application Timetable

3. Pre-law Information for Freshman and Sophomores 4. Pre-law Information for Juniors and Seniors

5. Choosing a Law School 6. Applying to Law School

a. The Law School Admissions Test b. Law School Applications

c. Law School Recommendation Letters d. Law School Personal Statements

Introduction

Three young boys climbed over the fence into Farmer Bell’s huge orchard, burgeoning with fresh new apples and pears. The boys gorged themselves, then threw more fruit around and tore the place up. When Farmer Bell happened upon them, they were in the midst of stripping his biggest apple tree of all its fruit. The angry farmer was certain he would suffer a huge loss and insisted on pressing charges.

The three boys were dealt with harshly by their families. When the contrite threesome appeared in court with their angry parents behind them, the judge took pity on them. He asked them if they had learned from the experience.

Freddy spoke up first. “Your Honor, my dad’s a doctor, and I know now that eating fruit that isn’t fully ripe can make me real sick, and I’m never going to do it again.”

Bobby then spoke. “Me neither, Your Honor. My dad’s a professor, and he says I’ll never get to college with a criminal record. I swear I’ll never do it again, sir.”

“I won’t do it again either,” the third boy added. “But my daddy’s a lawyer, and I’m gonna sue Farmer Bell for damages. His fence tore my brand new jeans!”

While lawyers are plagued by jokes of this nature, their importance to our society cannot be overstated in a society governed by the Rule of Law. The purpose of this document is to clarify the processes involved in attaining a legal education and direct you to the resources available to you at HBU in achieving a degree in law.

Unlike other graduate programs, law school does not require a specific set of courses. The benefits to this are that you can major in what is interesting to you and have a degree to “fall back on” if you change your mind about law school. Even though law school does not require a specific major or even specific course requirement, you should

remember that law schools will examine your analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills. All of these are essential to your success in law school and in the legal profession. The information within this document will help you prepare and apply for law school. In addition, please contact the Universities Pre-Law Advisor, Dr. Christopher Salinas, Ph.D. (281-649-3000, ext. 2248/Admin 218-E) for personalized advice on a legal career and the law school application process. Please note that a professional advisor (such as pre-law) is not an academic advisor – it is always recommended that you seek an academic advisor in the major of your choice.

Deciding on a Legal Career

There are many factors to consider before applying to law school.

1. The cost of law school can be extreme, and while scholarships, student aid, and loans are available to most law students expect to be paying student loans back for some time.

2. A degree in law does not automatically ensure employment as an Attorney. The rate at which firms hire attorneys varies with the economy. The top paying firms are highly selective and look at: grades, achievements, and the law school attended when choosing summer and junior associates. However, having a law degree does not mean you have to be an attorney. There are many opportunities for people with law degrees outside of law firms and outside of legal practice. This does make a law degree one of the more versatile degrees you can earn. 3. Attorneys work long hours in a highly specialized and technical field. Expect to

spend most of your time researching and writing. On the other hand, if you enjoy thinking, writing, and problem solving, then a career in law could be a right fit for you.

4. The income and social status of being an attorney can be rewarding. Many lawyers go on to live very comfortable lives.

5. The rigor of legal study provides intellectual stimulation that demands reasoning and analysis. This sort of intellectual challenge is highly desirable by many. 6. A legal career provides the opportunity to make a difference in the world based

upon your values. It can provide great satisfaction to those who seek to uphold justice in society.

7. Law school is challenging and will test the capabilities of the best students. 8. The practice of law is diverse, and a result of that diversity a legal career provides

many opportunities such as: litigation, business law, tax law, environmental law, intellectual property law, family law, and a host of other areas. Many attorneys never operate inside a courtroom. This diversity allows attorneys to specialize in an area that they find interesting.

Self assessment can help you decide

Although you might or might not have been aware of the previous facts, it is important to consider yourself when considering law school. Ask yourself questions like:

1. What is it about the practice of law that attracts me?

2. What skills do I have that would make me a good attorney? 3. How do my values and ideals relate to a legal career? 4. Do I know exactly what lawyers do?

5. Could I spend the rest of my life doing that?

6. What other options do I have if law school does not pan out? Why not to attend law school

The decision to attend or not attend law school will be a personal one, however, if you wish to attend law school for one of the following reasons . . . think about it some more.

1. I have nothing better to do with my history, English, political science, philosophy, or communications degree.

2. I’m good at arguing.

3. I’ll be making six figures before I hit 30. 4. My family wants me to be a lawyer. How to use this guide

This information is designed to help guide you through deciding on a legal career,

preparing for law school, applying for law school, and deciding on a law school to attend. This guide is not meant to be a stand-alone document. Instead, it is designed to

supplement the advice and comments of your pre-law advisor.

It is important to remember that this guide is not absolute. There are many opinions on the best law schools, when to start preparing for law school, how best to prepare to law school, and the usefulness of a law degree. This guide is designed to allow you to decide for yourself the best course of action, and to offer advice to help you on your way. Remember, like at most institutions, there is no standard pre-law curriculum or program at Houston Baptist University. Instead, we can only offer advice in good faith.

Law School Application Timetable

Time Frame Action Needed Check

Here!

March/June Prepare for the LSAT _______

April/May Apply for LSAT (registration deadlines are one month prior to test date)

_______

June Take LSAT _______

July LSAT results are available _______

August/September Subscribe to LSDAS*. _______

Complete transcript request form. _______ Request law school catalogs, applications, purchase Law Services

CD ROM, and financial aid information.

_______ September Check LSDAS report for accuracy. _______ Contact faculty/references for letters of recommendation. _______

Write personal statement. _______

September/November Meet with admissions representatives at graduate fairs or regional law forums.

_______ October/November Complete and send law school applications. _______

Formally request letters of recommendation from pre-arranged references.

_______ November/December Check to be sure application file is complete. _______ Follow-up with faculty references on letters of recommendation. _______ January File your financial aid application. _______

December/May Visit law schools. _______

April/June BE SURE TO PAY YOUR SEAT DEPOSIT! _______

* LSDAS, or Law School Data Assembly Service provides a means of centralizing and standardizing undergraduate academic records to simplify the law school admissions process. Most schools require that you register with the LSDAS. There are four basic steps to completing your LSDAS file: 1) Register for the LSDAS and pay all required fees. Make sure you order and pay for the number of law school reports you need. 2) Take the LSAT or use a prior LSAT score that is valid and reportable. 3) Request that one official transcript be sent to LSAC from the registrar’s office of each school you attended. You should also request that letters of recommendation be sent to LSAC. 4) Apply to law schools. The schools will then request your report from LSAC.

Pre-Law Information for freshman and sophomores

If you are a freshman or sophomore considering law school, the most important thing you can do is to learn as much as possible about legal careers and law school itself. This will help you determine if a legal career is the right fit for you. Although there are no set curricula for those who plan to attend law school, those interested in a legal career should consider the following.

1. Academics. Your undergraduate GPA will be one to the major determining factors for admission to law school (the other major determining factor will be your LSAT score). Therefore, you should start keeping it as high as you can from your very first semester. Remember, the longer you are in school the harder it is to change your GPA, therefore it is always best to keep it high as early as

possible.

What should you major in? Law schools draw students from a variety of majors. With this in mind, you should consider three factors when deciding upon you majors. First, you will have to spend a lot of time and energy on you major. It is always best, to major in something that you enjoy or have a great interest in. This does not mean to major in a hobby, but you should find something that will keep your interest for the next four or five years. Second, law school is demanding – much more demanding than most undergraduate programs. Therefore, after you have chosen a major that you enjoy make sure you are challenged academically. To be a successful law student (and attorney for that matter) you will need strong study skills, high reading comprehension, strong critical thinking skills, and strong writing skills. Make sure your choice of classes prepares you for these skills. Finally, have a backup plan. Many students enter college gung-ho about going to law school, something happens and they no longer want a legal career. There are also many who get to law school and decide that it is not what they had in mind. This could happen to anybody. Therefore, it is recommended that you keep an alternate career in mind as you make your way through college. Plan your curriculum so that you have something that you would enjoy doing if law school does not work out for you.

Penn State University offers the following list of considerations when choosing majors, classes, and instructors.

A. Learn to write and speak clearly and effectively. Choose courses that emphasize skills in argumentation, rhetoric, presentational speaking, forensics, and logical reasoning.

B. Achieve depth in one or more fields of knowledge. However, if your major covers many areas in general, focus on depth instead of breadth.

C. Develop an understanding of the moral and ethical problems of our time. These topics are addressed in any number of courses in sociology; philosophy; political science; and Christianity.

D. Develop an appreciation of other cultures and times. Take advantage of classes such as music, art, foreign languages, and literature.

E. Develop a critical approach to the ways in which we gain and apply knowledge in the areas of literature, art, history, math, and the physical and biological sciences. Although these suggestions were written for students at Penn State, here at HBU you have a great opportunity to fulfill these suggestions through our double major system and through the variety of courses available in the Smith College

requirements.

2. Extracurricular and Work Experience

Relevant work experience and extracurricular activities can help you figure out if your interested in pursuing legal studies and can be helpful in filling in your application. One of the most important things to remember is that law schools will be interested in your leadership qualities expressed in dedication to a few organizations rather than surface membership in many organizations.

The HBU pre-law society, Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) is an organization dedicated to helping its members apply and be accepted at law schools. This is a good way to meet others with similar expectations and experiences. Others that are going through the same process as you are invaluable sources of support, help, and information.

The HBU Forensics Team offers you the opportunity to become involved in an activity and learn skills essential to a legal career. The forensics team offers students the opportunity to become involved in, individual speaking and interpretive events, and various forms of debate. Participation gives you the chance to hone critical thinking skills and develop important communication skills while representing HBU at tournaments across the country. An additional upside to the Forensics Team is that it is a funded organization – which means there are no dues to pay and all travel is paid for during competitions.

A significant portion of the HBU Forensics Team is spent participating in the American Mock Trial Association. The mock trial teams compete with colleges and universities from around the nation. Participation is open to all students and should be of special interest to pre-law students. It has the benefit of an active extracurricular activity at a minimum cost to the student, while educating on the methods and values of the American legal system.

Internships and work experience can also help to refine numerous qualities that will be relevant to law schools, such as your organizational abilities,

communication skills, and determination. Although any work experience will be helpful in rounding out your application, law-related positions can be particularly beneficial in providing insights into potential careers in the law.

Finally, remember that the worth of extracurricular activities and work experience on your application is a minor consideration. Although they do provide you with important skills, as far as your application goes they are always secondary

considerations behind your LSAT scores and your GPA. With this in mind, remember that your grades should always come before any work or

Pre-law information for juniors and seniors Junior Year

1. Grades – Make sure your grades are up to par. If you plan to attend law school immediately after graduation, then the grades from you junior year could be the last reported on your transcript. Don’t count on bringing your GPA up during your senior year.

2. Continue to explore the legal profession. If you can get in contact with an attorney, it might be a good time to ask them about their job, their

education, and their experiences. Some people are surprised to find out that a career in law does not often resemble the glamorous portrayals of it on television and in the movies.

3. Start investigating law schools. There are several considerations to keep in mind when considering a law school: location, size, prestige, cost, special programs, student body, chances of admission, etc. Check out catalogs that rate and comment on various law schools, ask your pre-law advisor, or check some out on the Internet.

4. Letters of Recommendation. Most law schools request two faculty letters. The most persuasive letters are often written by faculty who know you well and for whom you have done your best work. Consider taking another course from such professors or ask them early on that you may invite them to write you a recommendation letter in the next year. 5. Your junior year is also your last chance to correct any remaining

weaknesses in your academic skills. If you are a slow reader, have a weak vocabulary, poor writing skills, or have trouble critically thinking about things, then you might take courses that would help you in these skills. 6. Make an appointment to meet with the law advisor. Currently, the

pre-law advisor for HBU is Dr. Christopher D. Salinas, in the Department of Communications. Discuss law schools, your application strategy, and the nature of the legal profession.

Summer between Junior and Senior Years

1. Pick up an LSAT/LSDAS Registration Packet from your pre-law advisor’s office. Read the packet and make sure you understand all the steps in the application process.

2. Register for the LSAT and LSDAS.

3. Complete a list of law schools you would like to attend. These are the schools that you are going to apply to. You should place the schools into three categories: dream schools, schools you think you can get into, and schools you know you can get into. You don’t have to apply to all of these schools but it gives you a starting point.

4. Prepare for and take the LSAT. You should prepare for the LSAT in one of two ways. First, invest in a professional course (Princeton Review or Kaplan) to help you study for the LSAT. These courses are useful but are not a magic formula, it

will still be up to you to attend classes, study the material, and take practice examinations. The second option is to invest in a test preparation manual and selection of practice tests. These can be found at most bookstores. Read and study the material along with taking practice tests. Also, Phi Alpha Delta holds test preparation activities throughout the year. The advantage of taking the June test is that you will know your score before August and can better select an appropriate range of law schools. If you cannot take the June test, then plan on taking the test in October.

5. Develop some means of keeping track of application details and materials. One suggestion is to dedicate a small file box in which to store all of your application materials in duplicate. This will help you stay organized and quickly replace material as needed.

Senior Year

1. Request applications to law schools.

2. Set a meeting with the pre-law advisor to discuss the application process. Issues to discuss should include: your grades and LSAT scores, ideas for a personal statement or essay, letters of recommendation and financial options.

3. Use the transcript matching forms in your LSAT/LSDAS packet to request that the registrar send your transcript to LSDAS.

4. Obtain financial aid applications if you plan to apply for financial aid.

5. Finalize and send your applications (with the Law School Matching Forms in the LSAT/LSDAS Packet) to law school before Thanksgiving, if possible.

6. By mid-January check to make sure law schools received everything. 7. Wait for responses from the law schools.

8. Make your decision on which offer to accept, send in your seat deposit, inform your pre-law advisor and recommenders of your decision, and arrange to have a final copy of your transcript sent to the law school you will attend.

9. Graduate.

Applying for Law School

The most important step in the application process is picking up an application booklet from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) from the office of your pre-law advisor. The LSAC is a non-profit corporation whose members are 200 law schools in the United States and Canada. The purpose of the LSAC is to coordinate, facilitate, and enhance the law school admission process. The LSAC will collect your admissions data and distribute them to member schools you may wish to apply for.

There are essentially four variables that constitute your application to law school: the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), your Law School Application, letters of recommendation, and your personal statement. Each of these will be covered individually.

The LSAT

The LSAT is a half-day standardized test that consists of five multiple-choice sections. Only four of the sections make up your score, the other is used for experimental

purposes. Included in the test are reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. The logical reasoning actually takes up two of the four graded

sections. A 30-minute writing section is administered at the end of the test. Although it is not scored, it will be sent to the schools you are applying for. The score scale for the LSAT is 120 – 180, but the percentile you rank in against others taking the same test may be a better way to determine your level of success.

If you are planning on attending law school in the fall term, then most recommend taking the LSAT the summer before or the fall of your senior (or graduating) year. Once you have your scores you will have a good idea to which law schools you have a realistic chance of gaining admittance. Be very careful if you decide to take the LSAT a second time. Remember that all of your test scores are sent to prospective schools and the LSAC indicates that schools are likely to average your scores out. This means that unless you are certain that you will score a great deal higher on a second test, you might as well stick to your initial score. And if your second score is lower than the first, it still is reported to the schools to which you are applying. Above all, this means that you should not take an official LSAT as practice.

You should prepare for the LSAT. Although some students are able to perform well on the test without any preparation, it is advisable for most students to prepare themselves in some manner. The LSAC does not recommend any particular commercial course or guide to help you in your preparation. However, the following possibilities exist.

1. An individual review of the tests format and content. You should plan on spending four to six weeks preparing for the test. There are many guides and practice books available for purchase online and at most bookstores.

2. A commercial course taken with a class. The most popular of which are Kaplan’s and Princeton Review. These can be expensive but scholarships are sometimes available. Many students insist that the cost is worth the help in preparation for the test.

3. The pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta, provides many instructional and practice opportunities for members throughout the year. These are an inexpensive way to begin preparation for the LSAT.

4. Many students combine the above techniques to maximize their test-taking potential.

Law School Applications

While it is possible to apply to some individual law schools, you will most likely still have to apply through LSAC. The LSAC conducts the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) for students and law schools. This process actually makes the entire

application process simple and efficient. The LSDAS contains all relevant information necessary for a school to make a decision on your admission. The LSDAS report contains:

1. Biographical information

2. A year-by-year, college-by-college summary of undergraduate grades and credits. 3. Photocopies of each transcript sent to LSAC.

4. Up to 12 of the candidate’s most recent test results since 1997, including cancellations and absences, and an average LSAT score.

5. Photocopies of the last three LSAT writing samples. 6. An admissions index, if requested by law school.

7. A “yes” or “no” notation of whether the candidate has ever been the subject of a misconduct or irregularity in the admission process determination.

8. Documentation of disability.

9. Copies of up to three letters of recommendation.

For more in-depth information about the LSDAS and fees associated with it, please see the pre-law advisor for a LSAT/LSDAS Registration and Information Book.

Letters of Recommendation

It is your responsibility to seek out faculty who will write good letters of

recommendation. This faculty member does not need to be from your major. You need to build this relationship early in your academic career in order to provide the strongest letters of recommendation to the law schools of your choice. Always ask yourself the following questions before making contact with a particular faculty member:

1. Will this person write a good letter of recommendation?

2. Does this person know me well enough to write the letter without any reservations?

Be prepared to visit with the faculty member when you ask them to provide you with a recommendation. You may want to make an appointment beforehand to make sure you have enough time and are not rushed. More importantly, you can be sure you are not imposing on the faculty member’s time. Be sure to provide the following information when you approach the faculty member:

1. A copy of your personal statement. 2. Current unofficial transcript. 3. Resume.

4. List of relevant course work if not listed on your resume.

5. If the recommender must use a form provided by the law school, make sure that you complete your portion of the form before giving it to the recommender. 6. REASONABLE deadline dates for completion of the letters of recommendation. 7. In necessary: a stamped and addressed envelope directly to the law school.

Tips for meeting with your faculty member:

1. Indicate which issues you hope to have his or her comment on, such as the potential for academic achievement, personal qualities, job performance, initiative, reliability, etc.

2. Remind the recommender that you will not have an opportunity for an interview with the law school.

3. Remind him or her about your academic achievements in his or her class and bring copies of related exams and papers if you have any.

Your Personal Statement

The personal statement is part of your application to law school. It is a short essay in which you get a chance to tell the admissions committee why you are worthy of acceptance into their law school. This is a chance to set yourself apart from the thousands of other applicants.

Like any good writing, your personal statement must exhibit clarity, conciseness, and candor. You can achieve clarity and conciseness by writing, proof-reading, and re-writing, until the statement is perfect. Nothing is a bigger turn-off for admissions personnel than a personal statement with glaring grammatical errors or misspellings. Don’t be afraid to approach a writing consultant at the Academic Resource Center for help and your pre-law advisor. Candor is something that you must work on from the outset. Honesty cannot be placed in as an afterthought. It should guide the entire process.

The following are some tips gathered to help you in the preparation of your personal statement.

Do:

1. Write well – make it flow. 2. Have a strong first sentence.

3. Double space your text and use wide margins.

4. Type or use a computer; make sure the ink is dark; and use spell check. 5. Keep it within a responsible length (if not length is prescribed go no more than

two pages.)

6. Put your name on each page. 7. Be specific and accurate. 8. Be truthful.

9. Statement should support and be supported by the rest of your file.

10.Look beyond fraternity/sorority offices or athletic experiences – there will be plenty of these.

12.Turn negatives into positives.

13.Mention sensitive subjects in an appropriate way – not overly dramatic. 14.Tell them why you’ve chosen law.

15.Show them who you are – this is your interview. Don’t:

1. Overuse the thesaurus

2. Use clichés or quote others extensively. 3. Misspell words.

4. Use third person. 5. Title your statement.

6. Send multimedia presentations/modeling photos.

7. Gush about law school or philosophize about the role of law in society. 8. Pat yourself on the back too much.

9. Be too cynical.

10.Come across as a victim.

11.Excuse LSAT by claiming you are not a good test taker. 12.Excuse a poor GPA – focus on what you have excelled in.

13.“I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer.” – not how much you want to be a lawyer, but explain why.

14.“I want to become a lawyer to fight injustice.” – its okay if you want to do this, but be careful because it can be too clichéd.

15.Recapitulate your numbers (high GPA & LSAT score) in your personal essay. Regardless of how well you’ve done, there will be someone out there who has similar or better scores. Use the personal statement to move beyond the numbers and set yourself beyond them.

Choosing a Law School

Here are some key considerations to keep in mind while deciding where to apply and where to attend.

1. Geography. Unless you plan to attend a top ten law school, plan to attend law school in the state you want to practice in. There are several reasons for this.

A. Employment – schools with ties to a particular state or city most likely have ties to employers in that state or city. This means that most

employers interview at schools in their own state, have a history of hiring graduates from schools in their own state, and you may be interviewed by someone who attended a school in their own state.

B. Bar Exam – each state has specific laws and subject matter that will only be covered by schools in that state. This will help out a great deal when it comes time to take the Bar exam.

C. Contacts – most people plan to practice in the geographic area of their law school. You will meet lots of interesting people in law school; it would be nice to continue your relationship with them after law school.

D. Finally, this is the easiest way to dramatically reduce the number of law school you apply to.

E. An Exception – notice it says above, “Unless you plan to attend a top ten law school.” Most people who attend top ten law schools (and a few other well respected law schools) plan on practicing at some other geographic location. This is possible because the top employers from every part of the country (and some parts of the world) will interview candidates at the top law schools. But keep in mind, even many top tier law schools are restricted somewhat by geographic considerations.

2. Specialization. If you have decided exactly what area of law you wish to practice, and a law school has an excellent specialized program in that practice area, then that should be a consideration in choosing a law school. Most of the time, however, a specialized practice or niche is not determined until after you have a job.

3. Prestige. Regardless of how law schools end up with their reputations, you want to attend a well-respected school. It will enhance your employment opportunities a great deal. However, don’t overly focus on the Yales and Stanfords out there, your goal should be to get into the most prestigious school you can get into. After that, make the most of your education.

4. Personal appeal. If you have a chance, visit the law schools you are considering. You will spend a lot of time and money on this endeavor so you should find something and someplace that is acceptable to you. Consider the facilities, the neighborhood, living conditions, environment, culture of the school (competitive vs. relaxed) and anything else that matters to you. Remember that every law school will try to convince you that they are the best, but usually a visit is the best way to decide for yourself.

5. Employment prospects. Where do alumni work? How much money do they make? What percentage of graduate are employed within six months? What is the bar exam passage rate? How many major law firms interview on campus? Remember, you are probably taking out a massive amount in loans to pay for law school; the least you can do is make sure you will have the opportunity to pay them back. You should not count on hanging up your own shingle right away, most people want an attorney with experience and the only way to get experience is through employment.

These are some considerations to keep in mind while choosing a law school. Make a list and decide what is most important for you.

Internet Resources

Law School and Legal Education

Law School Admission Council – http://www.lsac.org

Access Group – http://www.accessgrp.org

FAFSA form – http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/express.html

FAFSA – http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FAFSA

Princeton Review – http://www.review.com

Kaplan – http://kaplan.com

Peterson’s Law Channel – http://www.petersons.com/law/

U.S. News – http://usnews.com/usnews/edu/beyond/bcrank.htm

Internet Legal Resource Guide – http://ilrg.com

American Bar Association prelaw guidelines –

http://www.abanet.org/legaled/prelaw.html

PLANC – http://planc.org

FIN AID – http://finaid.org

FASTWEB – http://fastweb.com

American Jurist – http://www.wcl.american.edu/pub/journals/jurist/jurist_index.html

The Legal Profession

American Bar Association – http://www.abanet.org

National Association of Law Placement – http://www.nalp.org

National Law Journal – http://www.lextra.com/nlj