July 1
DC Debrief
[Artwork courtesy of LSAC; photo courtesy of Pablo Moretto. Thanks, Pablo!]
So What Does it Mean?
That attendance was up 46%. Oh, you want the implications? You law school applicants never do develop a sense of humor!
As you can see, data provided by LSAC indicates a correlation between Forum attendance and applicants. However, individual Forums do not track as neatly. If you click on that link and study the city-by-city data, you'll see quite a bit of variance. But if I had to predict, I'd predict an increase in applicants for the fall of 2010.
The bigger news is the increase in LSATs administered:
Data from that same page shows that while applicants are holding steady, test-takers have skyrocketed. This could mean that a lot of people are taking the LSAT, seeing a low score, and deciding not to apply. More likely it means that applicants are playing LSAT Roulette, trying again and again to get the magic number [and, from all accounts, failing most of the time]. |
Don't Bother Waiting
All the wait list news was, "no news." There has been virtually no motion around the country, at least from what I could tell.
Transfer Instead
However, transfers are bigger business than ever. Some schools are actively pursuing it in their "World Series" strategy of chasing the USNews ranking; others are resignedly going along as a necessity of keeping up with the Jones's law school. But whether they play eagerly or reluctantly, they play.
100% Placed -- Again!
For the 4th year in a row, I've placed every person who completed the application process. Some are still on wait lists, some are deciding whether to defer, but everyone has a seat.
Okay, I don't count the people whose contract I had to void for misrepresentation. I omit those who chose to wait another year, hoping for a higher LSAT. And there was one guy who only had wait lists and withdrew from them because they weren't high enough. But except for that one, every client who completed the application process with me was offered a law school.
How big a deal is that? Okay, one more graph:
When applicants were at rock bottom, in the mid-1980s, about 65% of all applicants were admitted. When applicants skyrocketed around 1990 and again in 2004, about 40% were offered seats. In between about half got lucky. So 100% makes me very happy.
Another Admissions Officer Joins Us!
Karen DeMeola, Dean of Admissions at UConn, discusses the disadvantages of attending a public college and suggests ways to overcome them. Click here for her words of wisdom.
Last Chance to Register
As most of you know, your 1L (a/k/a first year) grades determine both transfer potential and employment options. Recruiting starts in September of your 2L year, and the only record the recruiters have to look at is your 1L grades.
That's why I offer an Intro to Law School class. The success rate has been pretty stellar; almost everyone has made a journal, Dean's list or both. Enrollment is limited to 10, so contact me now if you're interested in joining us on July 24.
Soft Majors, Hard Cash!
All you communications majors who've been told that law schools aren't interested in you have a chance for your revenge. You can win a scholarship of up to $10,000 by submitting a video!
Jocelyn R. Dangler,
Regional Sales Director of the
Access Group, writes:
This year's law video contest, "My Inspiration," is calling for current
and entering law students to create and submit a brief video describing
their inspirations for becoming a lawyer. The top ten videos, as chosen
by Access Group, will be posted on YouTube.com and the student whose
video receives the most votes will win a $10,000 scholarship. Access
Group may also award up to five additional honorable mention
scholarships valued at $1,500 each. Deadline for entries is July 15,
2009, with judging set to begin August 3, 2009. The winners will be |
For more details, including the official rules and deadlines, go to: www.youtube.com/MyInspirationContest