LSAC conducted a survey in 2006 of 157 US and Canadian law schools regarding whether they utilize the LSAT writing sample in evaluating applications. Here is a breakdown of the results:
“How often do you use the current writing sample to evaluate a candidate’s qualifications for law school?”
Always 9.9%
Frequently 25.3%
Occasionally 32.7%
Seldom 25.3%
Never 6.8%
As you probably know, attending law school can be an expensive endeavor. Applying for financial aid is an integral step in your law school application process. Below are a few resources to get you started (if you haven’t already!).
Iowa State University has a very good overview of the financial aid process for law schools. The Law School Admission Council also has an excellent Web site with video and guide to provide you with relevant information.
Please review these resources to ensure you are completing everything necessary in a timely and thorough manner.
Remember that the law school is your primary source of information for financial aid information!
Some good starting points (head to the step-by-step guide on LSAC for a more detailed account).
1) Apply for Federal Aid and fill-out the FAFSA form. Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to get started (this is a free application).
2) Prepare your tax returns as early as you can after the beginning of the new year.
3) Learn about the financial aid process at each law school you are applying to. They may have institutional aid forms or deadlines as well. You may have additional forms to complete, such as the CSS file or Need Access. Many schools have early deadlines so please visit their Web sites or contact their financial aid office for information!
4) Research private loans. You may need to obtain your credit report (LSAC has some good information about this.)
Additional Web site links as obtained from the LSAC resource:
www.aals.org
(Association of American Law Schools)
www.ed.gov
(U.S. Department of Education)
www.fafsa.ed.gov
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
www.finaid.org
(The Smart StudentTM Guide to Financial Aid)
www.nalp.org
(The Association for Legal Career Professionals)
www.equaljusticeworks.org
(formerly National Association for Public Interest Law)
Get those Dean Certs to me right away if you haven’t already. It takes some time to process as a few different departments are involved in checking for everything that is required (if you submit them to me, they will NOT be immediately sent along to the law school!). Head over to the Dean Certification page for additional information.
A quick announcement regarding a volunteering opportunity on-campus: Our Student Advising Services department is looking for students to sit-in on a panel that discuss programs, services and activities on campus. They are looking for students like you to offer your opinions on all sorts of topics, and basically ensure we’re creating services that appeal to students from a student-perspective. Your job would be to simply express your opinions and offer any suggestions you might have! This could be a very fun way to get involved. They are specifically looking for more Pre Law students. If you’d like to learn more about this fun opportunity, please contact Lisa Tuyn or Dalene Aylward, the advisors organizing it.
First week of classes are over with and it’s freezing cold outside. Many of you may be mainly interested in staying home and watching a good movie. Given “Law” is a common theme on this Web site ;), I thought I’d list a bunch of movies you might find interesting and fun.
I stumbled upon this Listmania “Law in the Movies” and looks like a pretty comprehensive list.
Remember, if your law school application requires a dean certification from University at Buffalo, please head over to this page for directions and how to contact me. Thanks!
Some important dates taken from the Calendars Web site.
Adding / Dropping and Resigning information:
1/29 - Last day to drop/add Spring 2007 courses without a grade of “R”
3/30 - Last day (by 11 p.m.) to resign Spring 2007 course with a grade of “R”
Spring Recess:
3/12 - 3/17
Last Day of Classes, Reading Days, Final Exams:
4/30 - Last Day of Classes
5/1 - 5/2 - Reading Days
5/3 - 5/10 - Final Exams
Pre Law Deadlines: Please keep in mind that a Dean Certification may be required for your application. Those deadlines are approaching very fast. Head over to the Dean Certification page for additional information.
LSAC.org has several educational and informative videos on the Law School application process. Today I’m highlighting their financial planning video.
A law school education offers many benefits and involves certain costs. Your dream of going to law school must involve some practical financial planning. Financing a Legal Education: Investing in Your Future features law students and new lawyers talking about how they were able to achieve their dream as well as pay their bills. These students and lawyers, along with law school admission and financial aid experts, talk about how to select from a number of financing strategies tailored to your particular needs, ways to cut costs while living on a budget, repayment options after graduation, and mistakes that you can avoid. The program poses questions you should be asking yourself and your financial aid advisors when exploring this very important part of planning and preparing for law school. (20 minutes)
Link to Financing a Legal Education video.
From the LSAC news page:
Now in its third year, the Lloyd M. Johnson Jr. Scholarship Program will award 10 fellowships at $10,000 per year for each of the three years of law school. About seven additional students will receive a one-time scholarship gift of $10,000 in support of their law school education. The scholarship program, sponsored by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), is open to all students who have been accepted into an accredited law school for fall 2007. MCCA intends to foster mentoring opportunities for all selected winners and to assist in the placement of the fellows and scholars in paid summer internship positions at leading corporations.
Application deadline is June 1, 2007. For more information, go to www.mcca.com. The application process is administered for MCCA by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Students may apply online at www.uncf.org. Any additional questions should be directed to Kimberly Hall at the UNCF at 703.205.3443.
Head over to the Workshops tab to find descriptions for each.
Spring 2007 Pre-Law Workshop Series
LSAT Practice Test
Saturday, February 17. 11:00 am – 2:30 p.m. Kaplan (UB Commons)
LSAT Test Strategy and Admissions Workshop
Wednesday, February 28. 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Kaplan Center (UB Commons)
Introduction to the Law School Application Process
Thursday, March 1. 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. 145 A Student Union.
Perfecting the Law School Personal Statement
Wednesday, March 7. 1:00 to 1:50 p.m. 145 A Student Union
LSAT Practice Test (2nd Session)
Monday, April 2. 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Kaplan Center (UB Commons)}
Perfecting the Law School Personal Statement (2nd Session)
Wednesday, April 4. 1:00 to 1:50 p.m. 145 A Student Union
Careers in Law and Financial Success
Thursday, April 12th. 1:00 to 1:50 p.m. 145 A Student Union
LSAT Test Strategy and Admissions Workshop (2nd Session)
Thursday, April 12. 6 – 7:00 p.m.
Kaplan Center (UB Commons)
UB Law School Informational Session
Wednesday, April 18. 2 - 3:00 p.m. 145 A Student Union
LSAT Practice Test (3rd Session)
Saturday, May 12. 11:00 am – 2:30 p.m. Kaplan Center