STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

tri_sarah_tops · Marc Jacobs

Prepping for law school (non trad student)

valenciana · Dooney & Bourke

though i can only speak from second- or third-hand info (my husband just graduated from law school last may), i do know that they definitely go for candidates that are "different." yes, at least 70% of the people in law school probably majored in poli sci or government and went from your Harvards and whatevers straight into law school, but they definitely want people with some work experience, people with diff. academic backgrounds (hubby has a bachelor's in psych), and people who can demostrate that they are dedicated, etc. i think if you acknowledge the fact that yes, you may have dropped out of school, but play up the fact that you went back, and you made it work for your lifestyle because earning that degree was important to you, not just because mommy and daddy were paying and the frat parties were awesome. i think military experience also speaks very highly of your dedication, work ethic, etc. you can also express an interest in JAG (even if you don't think you will go this way in the end)...basically, play up your strengths, and spin your experience so it shows how everything you've done has led you to this decision, make connections between business, HR and law (working with people, maybe? solving problems?).

you'll do great!!!

tri_sarah_tops · Marc Jacobs

Valenciana, thanks for your response, I really feel much better now.

I am super competitive and I guess I'm just worried that everyone else who applies is going to be so much more than what I am. I just need to remember that I have plenty to offer and that being different could work in my favor.

honey · Gucci

tri_sarah_tops wrote:

Valenciana, thanks for your response, I really feel much better now. I am super competitive and I guess I'm just worried that everyone else who applies is going to be so much more than what I am. I just need to remember that I have plenty to offer and that being different could work in my favor.

that's a really excellent way to look at it. ime (limited though it may be) i think it depends on what you want to do and where you want to go to school. from what i've heard law school is really about stats. honestly i wouldn't worry too much about your gpa, a 3.7 is pretty damn high, and if you do well on the lsat i think you'd be a competitive candidate for any type of program you want to go too. plus the fact that you're coming from a different background is always a plus, since it helps you stand from a sea of similar candidates.

don't worry too much about the recs. since you're coming from a non-traditional background i think it's almost expected that your recs. will come from people who aren't necessarily in an academic field. congrats on your decision, and good luck!

uesgirl · BCBG

I would agree with honey-- a lot of law school admissions is stats, plain and simple. They want people who have the best combo of LSAT and GPA (although at many schools, LSAT matters more than GPA really). That's why so few law schools interview candidates, and why so many of them accept generic personal statements and recommendations that get filtered through the LSAC. Admissions are a lot less personalized than for college certainly!

I went to a top ten school and certainly there were a ton of people from Yale, Harvard etc. (but then-- the people who got into those schools for undergrad probably always did very well on standardized tests and did well on the LSAT). There were also a ton from not as elite schools who did just fine, and I don't think they were hurt getting in as long as their GPAs and LSAT score were where my school wanted to be.

Your story may be a bit more unique so they may look at your application a little more closely, but it sounds like an interesting story so I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think it would hurt you. Just prep for the LSAT, do as well as you can, and it will probably pretty much be a non-issue.

-- Edited by uesgirl at 08:17, 2006-02-07

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

Yeah, what honey said. I think that US News ranking judges only gpa, not where the gpa was earned, so schools don't care either. Also, the rankings don't really factor in work experience, so again, schools will admit a certain amount of cool work experience so they can brag about it in the catalouge, but it doesn't matter that much as far as getting into a better school. It could be a way to stand out in a field of similar applicants, though.

Check out jd2b.com and the lsdas website - I lived on these while I was applying. And good luck!

Bastet · Kate Spade

I think the fact that you'll be a veteran when you apply will look really good on a law school application.

Especially if you apply to a public law school. My law school *loves* veterans. There were so many that we had a military law society/club. Also, a 3.7 is a fabulous GPA!

Kari · Dooney & Bourke

I think you'd make a great candidate for law school. I have gotten to know our dean of admissions pretty well and the fact that your appilcation will be interesting to read will help you tons. They get sick of reading the same old crap. You're GPA is great. You've had some great real life experiences, military is wonderful, and you find time to volunteer too! You are a well-rounded individual.

Just OWN your strengths and write about them passionately in your personal statement.

You are going to do great!! Good luck!!