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How & When to Apply

Completing Applications

By the time you have arranged for the parts of your file which must be produced by others (transcripts and recs) and have completed all your supplementary documents, you should have begun receiving the catalogs you requested. Now you must begin the tedious chore of completing them. Each catalog must be carefully read, and the application must be typed and proofread, a time-consuming and tedious task.

But It's All Online!

"Can't I just use the LSACD?"  Yes, you can.  This doesn't negate the need to enter data carefully.  You still have to proofread -- LSACD does not provide a spell-checker and spell-checking is not proofreading.  Here's an example.   It does not fill in the data in a form that fits the space provided.  And the online application often doesn't have info about optional essays, resumes, etc., that you can only see by reading the instructions printed in the catalog.  

Law Services now makes it possible to get a fee waiver and register for services online.  However, Law Services is much more strict about whom they grant fee waivers to than most admissions officers.  If you're above the federal poverty guidelines, but not by much, you should download the paper application from LSAC.org and contact your local law school.  

Law schools do care that you take the time to complete their applications carefully and accurately.  Sloppy work or skipped questions are taken as a sign that you don't care about the law school, or that you don't pay the meticulous attention to detail required of a good lawyer. Accordingly, you should give each application the attention it deserves.

Stupid Application Questions

Every application season I get asked a bunch of really stupid questions. The only thing that keeps me from either screaming at these poor souls (if they're clients and I have a stake in the outcome of their application process) or laughing at them (if they're strangers dropping in for a bit of free advice) is that I realize they don't hear the same question I do.  So as a public service, I am including some commonly asked questions, my interpretation of them, and the answers thereto.

Question: "It says to list my activities here. Should I do that or just attach a resume?"

What I Hear: Should I follow the instructions or ignore them?

Answer: I dunno; depends on whether you want to be accepted there.

Question: "They say they want the application typed. Do I have to do that?"

What I Hear: See above.

Answer: See above.

Question: They want a two-page personal statement. Mine is 1500 words, but if I play with the margins I think I can make it fit. What do you think?"

What I Hear: I've decided not to follow the rules. I think they're too stupid to notice, or that they'll agree that their rules don't apply to me. Please tell me I'm right.

Answer: Nope; you're wrong. In fact, just the other day an admissions officer mentioned to me how wrong you are.  

Question: "I have an arrest record, but I really don't think I have to tell them about it because (fill in Extenuating Circumstances of your choice). What do you advise?"

What I Hear: I'm thinking of committing fraud, and inviting you to be a co-conspirator; want to join me?

Answer: I can understand your being stupid enough to ask, but what makes you think I'm stupid enough to advise committing fraud in writing?

Question: "What should I write my personal statement about?"

What I Hear: Do you have a superficial and generic answer about how to make myself sound insightful and unique?

Answer: If I did, I'd post it on the web and go write the Great American Lesbian Novel.

Question: "I am a mainstream applicant with a 3.x gpa and an LSAT of xxx. What schools can I get into?"

What I Hear: "I'm too lazy to open an Official Guide and look at published data. Could you do it for me?"

Answer: No, I'm too lazy too. Now if you were a minority of some sort I'd bestir myself, because published data doesn't help them without expert interpretation. But seeing as you're not, you can open the Official Guide or the Ouija Board, as you prefer, all by yourself.  Or better yet, read my web page.  You're here already, or you wouldn't be emailing me.  

What these applicants all share is a desire to get into a good law school the easy way. I don't know of any easy way to get into law school, with the possible exception of having a major alumni donor in the immediate family. Every shortcut, every failure to follow instructions, results in your rejection someplace. Enough shortcuts and in April you have a handful of rejection letters.

The best and surest way to get into law school is to follow all the instructions, jump through all the hoops, dot the i's and cross the t's. Diligence is not a substitute for gpa and LSAT, but it is a very fine addition to them. So my answer is always the same: read the instructions carefully, do what they want, give it the time and attention it deserves. You'll be much happier when the mail comes.

Do I Have to...?  

One of the commonest questions to appear in my in box is, "Do I have to...?"   Get an academic rec, write a diversity statement, put "N/A" in all the boxes that don't apply, actually go get a copy of my driving record, etc., etc.  Here's my latest answer:

No, you don't have to; you can get by with less.  Now do you want to get by with, or do you want to make your best effort?  Do you want their best effort when they read your file?

Compiling the Information

The first step you should undertake is to prepare a basic fact sheet of the commonly asked questions for your own reference. It is unlikely that you will complete all the applications in one sitting; having a reference sheet will save you from having to recheck information for every application. Every applicant should be prepared to provide the following information:

• all colleges, the dates you attended them, and your grade point average at each school;
• all the dates on which you took the LSAT and the score you received, if you know it;
• all jobs, with the dates and the number of hours worked;
• all extracurricular activities and honors, along with dates and titles of any positions of responsibility; (you should decide the importance of each activity, for those schools which ask for only the most important).
• your mailing address and phone number during the school year and over the summer, and the date when you want the school to switch to your summer address.

In addition, you should gather data for any of the following that apply to you:

• If you are not a U.S. citizen, note the details of your citizenship and visa status, including the visa or permanent resident ID #.
• If you served in the military, note your enlistment and discharge dates, rank and responsibilities.
• If you identified any "problem" areas while completing your personal statement (leaves of absence, arrests, academic or disciplinary action), the details of the event, including dates, the reason for the action, the outcome, and the explanation.

Full Disclosure

Law schools seem to be getting upset with applicants who don't fully disclose misconduct.  Two schools that I know of have "beefed up" their disclosure statements.

Minnesota

Have you ever in your entire life been charged with, or arrested for, the violation of any law including traffic laws, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, felonies, or the equivalent?  

You must disclose this requested information even if  the charges were dismissed or you were acquitted, the conviction was stayed or vacated, the record sealed or expunged, or you were told you need not disclose this information.  

Iowa

Have you ever either as an adult or juvenile been cited or arrested for, charged with or convicted of any violation of the law?  ...  

You must disclose each instance even if you were granted any type of pretrial diversion, even if  filed charges were dismissed, even if charges resulted in a deferred adjudication, even if you were acquitted of such charges, or even if such charges resulted in a conviction that was reversed, set aside, vacated or expunged.  

I Got the Cell Phone Blues  

I had actually written a bad song to go here, but even I knew it was bad, so I spared you.  The message behind the song is, you're filling out law school applications.  You list your cell phone for home, school, work, and permanent.  Then your cell phone becomes unavailable:  It gets broken, or lost, or out of range, or out of batteries.  And you become totally unreachable.  Then what happens?

Preparing the Applications

The second step is to download each app from either Law Services or the law school's web site and highlight the problem areas.  If you're using paper apps, I recommend making two copies of each. The first should be completed in pencil for use as a typing guide; the second should be saved in case of emergency (the disastrous typing error which accumulated five layers of white-out and is no longer readable, or the spilled cup of coffee).  

For each school, prepare a separate file pocket (the kind with closed sides to prevent papers from falling out) or envelope, labeled with the name of the school; this will help keep you from mixing up the numerous essays and supplemental forms which accompany each application.

You can simplify the application process considerably by using  the online software developed by Law Services.   I require all of my clients to use the online version, so that I can review the apps personally.  However, using the online software can create a new set of problems.  

The cursor doesn't move

Have you begun completing your applications online?  Does the cursor move at a snail's pace?  Here are instructions from Law Services on how to fix that problem:

1) Right click on any open space on your desk top;
2) Click on properties;
3) Click on the tab appearance;
4) Click on the box labeled Effects…;
5) Go to the second item and change the setting to Standard;
6) Then unclick that item and the Standard box should be shaded grey;
7) Click ok on that Effects window and then on the Display Properties window.

The applications won't open

If you're using Windows XP, you need to add LSAC as a "trusted web site" before your computer can download the necessary plug-ins.  To add LSAC as a trusted web site, use the following steps:

• Open Internet Explorer.
• Click on Tools.
• Click on Internet Options.
• Click the Security tab on the dialogue.
• Click on the Trusted sites icon.
• Click on the Sites button that has become active.
• Uncheck the check box labeled “Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone.”
• Type the following on the blank line to the left of the Add button: *.lsac.org.
• Click the Add button. The text you entered will appear in the Web sites box.
• Click the OK button.

You will now need to close and restart Internet Explorer to activate the changes.

If you want to see sample screens to go with those instructions, go to www.lsac.org and log in.  CLick on the link in the "Important" box just below your name.  

Now you can start completing the apps.  

Prioritizing the Work

The third step is to prioritize the files in the order you wish to complete them.  Do not try to send all apps on the same day.  Mass production leads to mistakes!  

Prioritize first by deadline.  All other things being equal, you should send the apps with the earliest deadlines first.  

But of course, all other things are never equal.  Send a safety or two off earlier, even though they tend to have later deadlines.   An early acceptance at a safety will raise your spirits, and may save you the time and money of applying to schools with similar reputations or programs.  

If you are applying late, complete the applications to your safeties first; your chances diminish with each passing day.  Complete your target schools second; you don't want to be closed out because there are no seats left.  Save the safeties until last; they're going to set your file aside until later anyway.  (Huh?  Don't they read them in the order they're received?  No.  See the note on Top-down admissions.)

In prioritizing schools, you should check to see whether you will have to write additional essays; you might want to finish the easy ones first, and save the more complicated applications until later.

Typing the Applications

Once you're ready to begin filling out the applications, allow a full evening (three or more hours) for each one.  Allow two hours even if you're using the LSACD package. There are a lot of glitches and tricks to the system; I've listed the one I know about here.  There are many variations in even the basic data, and you should never try to rush the process.  Read the instructions carefully.  If you're completing apps on paper, make notes of the answers on your copy of the application.  If any questions require further research or writing, make a note to yourself of what is required.  Fill out your copy completely before beginning to type the application.  Efforts to combine writing and typing often lead to mistakes.

You should type the application if possible, since it is much easier for the admissions committee to read. With the free application software on many web sites, there is virtually no excuse for a hand-written app.  

Never leave a question unanswered. Questions about military service or citizenship should be answered with a "no," a notation of "n/a" (not applicable) or a line drawn through the space.  If you simply leave a blank, you may cause the admissions committee to wonder whether you are hiding something; the application may be returned to you as incomplete, or you may be rejected.

Enclosures

The application is rarely complete with the few pieces of paper you see. Forms for residency or a dean's certification (to prove you really are a student in good standing at the college) and addenda must often be enclosed.  Accordingly, they must be organized and kept with the application, so you don't lose them. In addition to these forms, there are other enclosures to keep track of.

Photos

Some law schools ask you to enclose a picture of yourself. This is used to compile a "yearbook" of students for use by students, faculty, and staff. It is not used to make racial or ethnic decisions, nor to judge the appearance of the applicant. Usually the school requests a black and white photo of about 2" x 2". There is no need for you to purchase professional photographs or to provide color pictures. A photo of you in the law library will not sway the admissions officer with its suggestive power. You could have a semi-skilled friend take your picture in an uncluttered setting, or use the machines in an arcade or train station. Make sure the photo can be cropped to the appropriate size. Do not use the kind of film that self-develops in one minute; efforts to cut them can destroy them.  Digital printouts may work, depending on the file size.  DON'T send a floppy disk with a file on it.

Samples of Your Work

Except for the résumé, do not send unsolicited materials. Law schools do not want to see your thesis, newspaper clippings about your election to the citizen's board, or a videotape of your performance in Swan Lake. Your inability to limit what you send may be seen as a lack of judgment. The only exception I might make to this rule is when a hobby or skill is the focus of your personal statement. For instance, if you've written about poetry or photography, you might want to enclose a sample. (If the work was published, do not send the whole book; few will bother to find your name on page 77. Instead, send a copy which lists the name and date of the publication.)

Videotaped Interviews

A few schools once permitted students who apply early to include a videotape of themselves. This may be just a gimmick, or it may actually help them choose a prospective applicant.  If you're thinking of availing yourself of this opportunity, here are a few thoughts to consider:

• Television is very unkind to most people's physical appearance. You have to be brighter, more animated, and fairly charismatic to come across on screen. If that doesn't describe you, you're taking a big risk.
• Most people are camera-shy. You won't know what to say, you'll stare woodenly at the camera, and you may stammer just a little. Prepared statements, either memorized or read, do not help you to project to your audience. A good way to overcome this might be to choose a few topics you want to discuss, then review them with a friend with whom you can talk very comfortably. Sit down together, get the camera running, and chat for the specified length of time.
• Unless you're a pro, don't try to edit the tape. Amateur editing has never really added anything to a presentation, in any media. If you really think the tape is abysmal, wait a day or two and start again.

"Dear Sir, " or "Who was that Black Woman?"

I received an almost-lovely e-mail from a reader once.  It said, "Dear Sirs, Thank you for your most informative site."  I replied, "You're welcome.  But there are no men here."   I forget that many readers cruise the FAQ and the "What's New" without looking at the Program Info, and so don't realize that this service is being provided by a radical lesbian of Russian Jewish and Italian Catholic heritage.  For those of you who have made this error, please note that this little corner of the world is not run by a man, a WASP, or a heterosexual.

But the truth is, this issue had already been brought to my attention by an applicant attending a Law Forum.  He asked, "Who was the black woman at X's table?" The answer, of course, is that she is the Dean of Admissions.  You might find it helpful to know that as of 2004, only 34 of the 180 admissions officers I  know are white males.  Only 22 are males of other ethnicity. 124 are women, and 42 of those are women of color. (20 or so are gay or lesbian, to the best of my knowledge, but this is much harder to ascertain, so we'll have to settle for a guesstimate.)  Of the USNWR "Top 25" law schools, only 7 have white male admissions officers.  4 are represented by men of color, 7 by women of color, and 7 by white women.  

So please think  twice before addressing your letters to "Dear Sir," or before expressing any racist or homophobic comments in your application materials.  And to those of you who have worried about turning your fate over to an Establishment male who might not understand what life is like for the rest of us, relax a little.  Your life is still being scrutinized, but not necessarily by the person you most fear.

Mailing the application?

Should you mail your application or submit it electronically?  Most law schools prefer electronic submission; it saves them from entering data into the computer manually.  However, some schools have not updated their fee waiver system to allow for electronic submissions; in those cases, you'll have to mail a paper application in order to use the fee waiver. In addition, electronic submission of essays and resumes can change the format, or cause them to exceed the space provided.  Make sure you open the pdf version of your essays and addenda to make sure they still fit in the space allowed.

When you're filling out online applications (either through LSDAS or through the school's web site), it's common to write your essay in Word and then copy and paste it onto the application template.  At the Chicago Law Forum, an admissions officer (and I'm sorry to say I don't remember who) mentioned that essays often come through with the formatting and editing changes marked.  A good way around this problem is to copy your essay into Notepad, save it as text, then copy and paste it onto the app.  

If you're getting close to the deadlines, check to see whether the date is for your mailing the app or the law school's receiving it. Some schools will process apps received a few days after the deadline if they didn't receive as many apps as they'd like or if the applicant is someone they'd like to have as a student. Other schools will simply return the unopened app to you.  

In mailing your applications, do not assume that all the applications will require the same postage; varying numbers of pages and paper weights can make a difference in the amount of postage required. Take each one to the post office, have it weighed, and send it first class or 2 day priority. You need not send it classified or registered, since most law schools will send you a card acknowledging receipt of your application. DO NOT fill out a form that requires a signature; many apps go to a university mail room; if there's no one to sign, the app may be returned to you.

When to Send the Application

The traditional wisdom of apps is “the earlier, the better.” My personal philosophy, though, is “a strong file late is better than a weak file early.” But, as with everything else in the law school admission process, it all depends. Here are some of the considerations that should govern your decision.

Do I have an LSAT score?

If you have a score, you know at least some of the schools to which you will apply. Even if you are retaking the LSAT, you can send in some files now. And if you know your LSAT score was waaaay lower than your practice test scores (8-10 points), you can apply to some schools that want a higher score.

Whether or not your application has already been sent when you register to retake, the papers that the law school receives from LSAC will NOT show that you are registered to retake.  You can ask a school to make a decision based on your current LSAT score, or just not mention it.

If you have no LSAT score yet, or one that leaves you totally out of the ballpark at the schools you want to attend, you should wait to apply until you have a score you want, unless money is absolutely irrelevant to your decision. Even then, be sure to apply to schools up and down the LSAT scale. Optimism often results in waiting a year to attend a lesser school.

Do I have my recommendations in hand?

A few schools require “self-completing” applications -- you have to enclose the recs with the app. (2005 note:  now that recs are sent by Law Services, this may no longer be true.)  If your recommenders have not completed your recs, you cannot apply to these schools.  At the very least, there is the chance something will get lost.  At worst, recs sent later might get tossed, or the school might decide it doesn’t need a student who can’t follow directions.

How good is my personal statement?

A really good personal statement can turn a rejection into a waitlist, a waitlist into an acceptance, even for the perfectly mainstream applicant. If you deviate from the norm in any way and your personal statement explains or adds insight to your life’s circumstance, it can turn a rejection into an acceptance. For any applicant, it’s worth holding the apps for another week or two for a good personal statement.  For a person with some diversity to highlight or obstacles to explain, a good file is worth more than a month of “earliness.”

Are there any problems in the process of being fixed?

If you are in the process of correcting a transcript problem or are awaiting an adjudication on a criminal charge, there is no advantage to applying early, and good reason to apply later.  If the outcome of the disposition is negative, you won’t get into certain schools anyway.  If the outcome is in your favor, your file will be a lot stronger with no evidence of the problem.  A file that is strong at the outset presents a much better image than a bad file that has been “amended” to be good.

Note: If the “problem” you are having solved is to have a criminal record expunged or sealed, go ahead and apply. This technicality will make no difference in your ability to be admitted, and you are required at most schools to report it anyway. Even if this law school doesn’t ask about the record, the Bar Examiners (those wonderful folks who will give you a license someday) will, so you might as well ‘fess up now.