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Law
School Admission Becoming Increasingly Competitive
Applications to law schools have hit record highs. While
this is not good news for aspiring lawyers, it does make
sense. For one thing, the economy is down and law school
provides 3 years of safe harbor. For another thing, the
average starting salary for graduates of top law schools
going into private practice is $125,000. Not too shabby,
huh? For more information, visit our article on
JD application
volumes.
Additionally, many law
schools – Northwestern University, for example – are increasingly seeking out older
applicants with full-time, post
undergraduate work experience. While
it should remain possible for applicants right out of college to
gain admission to a top school, it will become increasingly
important for such applicants to demonstrate leadership
potential through part-time employment and extracurricular
activities.
Your Starting Point
Please make sure to check out our
top
10 JD admissions tips. Among other things, you may learn
that a large
number of graduates quickly leave the law field
because they realize it is not for them.
Even if you know that law is
your calling, you still need to take the time to articulate
why this is the case. We interviewed an admissions officer
at University of Pennsylvania and she told us that approximately half of the
applicants she gets to know have inadequate reasons for
wanting an education. Needless to say, these
applicants receive rejection letters from Penn.
The Selection Process
We believe there is a program for virtually every applicant. Take the time to
research different programs and what they have to offer.
If you are not going to be comfortable in an ultracompetitive atmosphere like Harvard, then
don't apply there. It's not just 3 years of your life, it's
also true that you will learn more and earn the highest
possible grades in a program better suited for you.
Are you still insisting on
applying to schools based solely on their rankings?
Well, perhaps then you should consider that your chances are
indeed lower at those schools where you are not
a good fit. Consider this quote from an
admissions officer at Northwestern1:
"In my position I very often refuse
great applicants because I know that our school is just
not the right place for them and that both of us would be
happier if they went to one of their other choices. This
does not mean that they are bad students; it just means
that we think they would be better served elsewhere."
1. Quote supplied by
AdmissionsConsultants
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