For those interested in law school, there are 2 Admissions Panels coming up - a great chance to get advice from law school professionals! (Note: We encourage you to attend these programs even if these particular schools aren't on your "must-apply" list. Why? Because many of the tips you gather will relate to the admissions process as a whole.)
NYU, Duke, Cornell and Stanford
Thursday, September 23, 12:30-2:30pm, Dowling 745B
California and Oregon Schools (Chapman, Western, Lewis & Clark, Santa Clara and Southwestern)
Thursday, October 14, 3-5pm, Dowling 745B
Additional fall law school info sessions:
University of Miami, Tuesday, October 5, 5-6pm, Dowling 701
Harvard - Tuesday, October 12, 1-2pm, Dowling 745B
Columbia - Wednesday, October 13, 12:30-1:30pm, Dowling 745A
While we're on the subject of law school admissions, how about answers to some FAQs, courtesy of an alumnus who attended BU School of Law. Here goes...
Every law school is different and will have different answers for each of these questions. Prospective applicants should devote time to researching their questions through the LSAC.org website and applicant websites for each law school. Questions like “How do I choose a law school?” “Should I take time off before law school?” “How many schools should I apply to?” and others are personal to each applicant and warrant much reflection and research. Many thanks to Chris Valente, A05, and Kelly Curtin, former Assistant Director of Admissions at BU Law School, for providing answers to FAQs from the BU Law perspective.
When should I apply to law school?
APPLY EARLY – towards the beginning of the period (Sept. - Dec.). Be aware of early action deadlines for some schools.
Does undergraduate major matter when applying to law school?
No. BU Law likes to see a wide variety of classes indicating a well-rounded student who challenges him/herself with upper level classes during Junior and Senior years.
How will it influence my law school application if I drop a course, graduate early, or do/do not study abroad?
Kelly says: I understand it happens, but multiple withdrawals/dropped courses raise questions. If it’s more than a few, include an addendum explaining why. Don’t be afraid to use the addendum to give the admissions committee a fuller explanation of your grades, transcript, scores or anything else. Whether or not you graduate early is generally a non-factor, however, it means that you will only be able to show the admissions committee 2-2.5 years of coursework. Also, fall grades will be particularly important. Finally, most students don’t realize that even if they don’t go abroad in undergrad, there are opportunities to do so in law school.
When should I take the LSAT?
Take the LSAT if and when you feel prepared. Kelly recommends June and October. The earlier the better, particularly because it is difficult to maintain focus during senior year. Also, if you are sick or something happens and you can’t get a good night’s sleep, don’t hesitate to skip the test and take it at the next sitting.
How important is each piece of the application? Are LSAT scores & GPA more important than anything else?
BU Law, as well as most other schools, do place a strong emphasis on LSAT scores and GPA. However, BU does consider each candidate based on his or her entire application and not just LSAT scores and GPA. Each school has certain median or average numbers that prospective students should look at to judge their chances based on their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, BU Law’s medians for the Class of 2012 are 166 and 3.70. These numbers represent the middle of the class. There are people who are above these numbers and people who are below these numbers.
Should I take the LSAT more than once?
It depends; have you done as well as you could? Be aware that some schools will take the higher of the two scores while others will average the scores.
How important are recommendation letters?
They are important. Be sure one is from a faculty member, someone who knows you, for example, your honors thesis advisor. If you’ve been out of school for a while, choose someone with whom you have a professional relationship. Family/family friends are not helpful as recommenders.
What is the difference between early action/early decision?This varies by school; each will define it on their website.
What is the LSDAS Report?
“Law School Data Assembly Service” – LSAC compiles this report which includes GPA across all schools, LSAT scores, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and the LSAT writing sample.
What is a Dean’s Certification form?
This form is completed by the Dean of Students to ensure that a student is in good standing and to give notice of any academic or disciplinary issues. Schools are moving towards only requiring this after applicants have been admitted, as is the case with BU Law. On reporting academic and disciplinary problems generally: ALWAYS report them. Applicants should realize they’re going into a profession that puts high emphasis on character. Lying on admissions applications can come back to hurt candidates when they apply for the bar and there are discrepancies between their bar applications and what they disclosed in their admissions applications. Here is another good place to use the addendum.
Is financial aid available for law school?
Yes. Consult school websites for complete details.
Finally, how about a shout out for Justice Scalia, now the longest-serving member of the Supreme Court. That's right, 1986 appointment - before you were born!
