Law School :
Is It Right For You?
Bryan D. Mackay, Esquire
Atkins, Hollmann, Jones, Peacock,
Lewis & Lyon Inc.
3800 East Forty Second Street
Suite 500
432.331.1600
[email protected]
WHY?!?!
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A LAWYER?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH A LAW DEGREE?
SELF-ASSESSMENT
BEFORE YOU INVEST THE TIME AND MONEY IN LAW SCHOOL,
ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS.
- Are you a “feelings oriented” person?
- Do you dislike antagonism?
- Are you terrified of public speaking?
- Do you prefer “nurturing” environments over “nonnurturing?”
- Would you like a flexible career that provides plenty of free
time?
- Your career won’t require you to take work home.
- Are you going to law school to better your chances of finding
a job?
- Are you easily bored with details?
- You do not take criticism well.
- You do not like people who “game play.”
- You are a creative person.
- You want to work outdoors.
- You like to “see” the results of your work.
- You are not good at tolerating discomfort for prolonged
periods.
UNDERGRAD
WHAT CLASSES SHOULD YOU TAKE?
 No preferred course of study or major that will increase your chances of getting into
law school.
 Take classes that interest you as you are more likely to obtain high grades and
challenge yourself by taking rigorous courses, writing a thesis or working on research
projects.
 So, study what you love, and along the way look for opportunities to hone your critical
thinking skills, writing skills, analytical skills, and oral communication skills.
I’VE GRADUATED, NOW WHAT?
TAKE THE LSAT!
(Law School Admission Test)
The LSAT is a five-section, multiple-choice, standard-scored "aptitude" test, followed by
a 30-minute writing sample. Taking the test requires 3 hours and 25 minutes, not
including rest breaks and the time needed for the distribution and collection of test
materials, as well as other test center procedures.
 The five multiple-choice sections, containing a total of about 120-130 questions, are
separately timed at 35 minutes a piece, with a brief (usually 10-15 minutes) break in
between the third and fourth sections.
 There are three different question-types:
Reading Comprehension
Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games)
Logical Thinking
LSAT CONTINUED . . .
 One section of both Reading Comprehension and Analytical Reasoning and
two sections of Logical Thinking questions are used to produce your LSAT score;
a non-scored section, that can be any type, is included in each test but cannot be
identified as such while you are taking the test.
 The LSAT score is a three-digit number ranging
from 120-180, determined by the number of
correct answers on the four scored sections,
generally covering a total of about 96-104
questions.
 After the five-section, multiple-choice test has
been administered, and after a second short (5
minutes) break, the writing sample will be
administered. (The writing sample is unscored;
however, copies of your sample will be sent to each
law school to which you apply).
LSAT CONTINUED . . .
SO, WHEN SHOULD ONE TAKE THE LSAT?
 The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is offered four times a year: February, June,
October, and December.
 If practical, you should take the test by the June prior to when you plan to apply to
schools. This allows you to devote more time to your applications during the fall and
enables you to take the October test if you decide that a second test is necessary.
 DO NOT take the LSAT unless you are adequately prepared, if you have to retake the
test your scores will be averaged.
 REVIEW COURSES- not mandatory, definitely helpful.
 KAPLAN: Self paced starts at $799. For more information, call 1-800 KAPTEST.
 PRINCETON REVIEW: Self paced starts at $799. For more information, call 1800-273-8439 to speak to an Enrollment Advisor.
LSAT CONTINUED . . .
SERIOUSLY . . .
PRACTICE,
PRACTICE,
PRACTICE!!
LSAC . . . HUH??
WWW.LSAC.ORG - WRITE IT DOWN, TRUST ME HERE.
LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS COUNCIL
 You cannot take the LSAT without registering with the LSAC. Here, you will find a
lot of useful information about the LSAT, law school applications and other helpful
hints. Take some time here, check out the site and become familiar with the
requirements of law school applications.
 LSDAS: The Law School Data Assembly Service
(LSDAS) is the system maintained by LSAC that
allows you to apply to any ABA law school. Most law
schools ask for similar information. Instead of
submitting that information for each school, LSDAS
allows you to just input the information once. It is also
the centralized repository where your letters of
recommendation will be sent and where you will
upload your personal statement.
PICK YOUR PONY
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL?
WWW.LAWSCHOOLNUMBERS.COM
 Be mindful of application fees (average $60.00 per school).
Talk to career services office at the law school. ASK FOR STATISTICS. Determine
who interviews on campus and who is interviewed. Do recruiters go only after the top
10% of students? How many people are hired through on-campus interviews? What are
other ways the office supports students, whether or not they are selected for on-campus
interviews?
Talk to recent grads about their experiences finding employment.
Determine where you want to live after law school.
Be realistic when it comes to taking on debt. A lesser-ranked law school will preclude
you from some career options- you wont be clerking for the Supreme Court and you
may not be considered for a career in academia. However, you may scholarship your
way through, finish debt-free and know that your $60,000 - $70,000 dollar salary out of
school wont be paid to Sallie Mae.
Keep an open mind about your options and analyze them carefully. Only YOU know
what choice is best for you.
APPLICATIONS . . .
THE DREADED APPLICATION- SERIOUSLY, IT’S NOT SO BAD!!!
 LSDAS- we spoke about this earlier. Suck it up, pay $95 dollars, especially if you are applying to more than one
school.
 PAPERWORK- Make sure your applications are NEAT, typed and complete. Many schools allow you to
download applications from their websites- DO SO. (LSDAS sells a CD-ROM).
TIMING- Most schools use rolling admissions, which means they decide whether or not to accept you
immediately. GET YOUR APPLICATIONS IN BY OCTOBER. This means you need to write your essays and
request recommendations during September.
TRANSCRIPTS- Send them all, good and bad. Don’t forget summer programs, study abroad, your first year of
D’s somewhere and transfer institutions. Clear up any “incompletes” before you send anything. (Oh- and make
sure to account for the D’s in your personal statement).
RECOMMENDATIONS- Most admission officers aren’t reading for the signature at the bottom, but they ARE
looking for the following three things:
1. How well does the recommender know the applicant?
2. Does the recommender feel the applicant will be successful in law school and the profession?
3. How psyched is the recommender to praise the applicant?
DEANS LETTER- Ask in advance. This letter promises that you never lied, cheated or stole anything during
your tenure at the University.
UMM- PERSONAL STATEMENT?
THAT’S RIGHT, IT’S EXACTLY WHAT IT
SOUNDS LIKE!!!
 Your personal statement is a major part of your
application.
 You are the best person to determine the content of
your own statement. It is for you to decide what
information you would like to convey, and the best way
to convey it.
The Personal Statement can be an opportunity to illuminate your intellectual
background and interests, or to provide information about yourself and your
achievements that may not be fully evident through other information provided in the
application.
 In many ways, you are preparing a case. As in legal writing, it is important to be
persuasive, clear, and succinct. There are few substitutes for careful forethought and
planning in this process.
 Candid, forthright and thoughtful statements are always the most helpful.
GOOD
LUCK!