CHAPTER SEVEN 
OTHER ADMISSION FACTORS 

TOPICS 

  

The LSAT score and the undergraduate GPA, very likely in that order, play a very crucil role in almost all law school admissions. In many cases, perhaps after a curory glnace at the personal statement and letters of recommendation, the LSAT and the GPA play the only role in law school admission. In this chapter, we considered the PERSONAL STATEMENT, LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION, and some minor factors which, in most cases, are not relevant to the admission decision. There are cases where an impressive personal statement has moved an applicant from just under the borderline to over the borderline.

OTHER ADMISSION FACTORS. At some law schools, some of the following factors may play a role in borderline cases:  
         Diversity (In Section 3)
          Extra-curricular Activities (In Section 3)
          Geography
          Graduate or Professional Study 
          International Applicant
          Legacy
          Resume 
(In Section 3)
          Study Abroad  (In Section 3)
          Volunteer Work,
          Work Experience

Graduate or Professional Study.  The graduate school experience is one of the many factors that law schools consider when reviewing applications.  
     Is it worth at least one-year of full-time study to earn a graduate or professional degree in order to perhap impress a law school admission committee? Not in my opinion unless your PLAN B requires you to earn this graduate or professional degree.


Law schools receive a copy of graduate school transcripts with the law school report, but do not calculate an overall grade-point average combining undergraduate and graduate school performance.

Law school applications usually require: 

  • LSAT scores  
  • Transcripts from all academic institutions attended
  • PERSONAL STATEMENT
  • Dean's appraisal (only when requested; only about 25 law schools request this)
  • LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (two or three)
  • Resume (often optional)
  • Addendum (optional)
Tim Lenz, the prelaw advisor at Florida Atlantic University, discusses how law schools decide whom to admit and the various factors that play a part in LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION.
CHAPTER TOPICS .
  • PERSONAL STATEMENT
  • OTHER ADMISSION FACTORS




  • WHAT YOUR LSAT SCORE AND UGPA
    CAN DO FOR YOU
     

    LAW SCHOOL

     

    AVERAGE LSAT

     

    AVERAGE GPA

    USNews RANK

     

    25th Percentile - 75th Percentile

     

    25th Percentile - 75th Percentile

     

     

     

     

     

    1-10

     

    167.5-172.2

     

    3.61-3.87

    11-25

     

    163.4-167.5

     

    3.42-3.79

    26-50

     

    159.2-164.6

     

    3.31-3.76

    51-75 

     

    157.5-162.1

     

    3.25-3.71

    76-104

     

    155.5-160.3

     

    3.13-3.66

    Tier 3

     

    151.9-157.2

     

    3.09-3.64

    Tier 4

     

    150.0-154.9

     

    2.95-3.49

    All

     

    155.6-160.5

     

    3.17-3.66

     



    GENERAL WRITING TIPS RELEVANT
    TO LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION

     
    • Begin wriiting soon enough to allow yourself enough time to finish at least two weeks before you intend to submit your admission packet.
    • Type double-spaced and have good margins
    • Make sure ink is dark enough.
    • Follow instructions.
    • Avoid typographical errors. Lawyers have to be able to keep track of the little details. 
    • Have several readers review your written work at several stages of its development including, but not limited to, the final draft.
    • Make use of the Prelaw Office.
    • Be especially careful about your use of plurals and possessive as spellcheck won't catch improper use.
    • Your personal email address says something about you. If it is not a professional choice, such as your name, consider choosing a new email address.

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