Applications: The first step

I can say now that I have been admitted into law school! While I was crazily busy during the past few months applying to law schools, now I can look back on my journey and make comments as to what I could have done better and what I am proud of. Hopefully this will help make others who are viewing this blog, and make their application process go smoothly and perhaps even pain free! The first step, even before cementing the law schools you want to apply to, is to take the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test). I suggest taking this the summer before the fall you want to enter law school, or the December during your application process. For example, if you want to enter law school in the fall of 2009, you should have completed your LSAT by December of 08. Keep in mind though, the earlier you take the LSAT the better, because it becomes difficult to study for your LSAT and work on your applications all at once. It is better to get the LSAT out of the way early so you can focus all your attention on your applications.

While some find it helpful to take a course for the LSAT, I didn't find it very helpful. I bought into the course which cost me a little over 2G's, and didn't add much to my study process. The key to your process is discipline. If you are disciplined enough to study on your own, a little every day, then you most likely don't need a course. But, if you think you need a little more structure and guidance an LSAT course is probably the way to go for you. The most important thing is to take practice tests, at least one every week, and work on your problem areas. Don't underestimate the power of a high LSAT score. I learned during applying and by talking to others who have already been through the process that a high LSAT score can overshadow even a mediocre GPA. However, a high GPA does not always have the same effect with a low LSAT score.