Podcasts

What exactly is an “optional” essay and is it really optional?  Separate and apart from the personal statement, many law schools offer applicants the opportunity to submit “optional essays,” on a range of topics and to explain certain aspects of their application through an addendum.  When should you write these essays and what should you say?  We asked deans of admission, an admissions consultant and a prelaw advisor when an applicant should choose to answer these supplementary questions, how these essays are used by schools to evalute your application, how to choose among topics, and how optional essays and addenda can be used to round out your application.

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jdMission is a professional law school admissions consulting firm. We specialize in helping applicants identify and showcase the strongest aspects of their candidacy. Our dedicated consultants—who are law school graduates themselves as well as published authors—are committed to helping you create an application that will dazzle the admissions committee at your dream law school. Whether you are a JD candidate or an LLM candidate, a first-time applicant or a transfer student, we will not stop until you are completely satisfied with your application. Your legal career begins with jdMission. We will give you the competitive edge you need to secure a place at the law school of your choice. For more information and to sign up for a free 30-minute consultation, visit www.jdMission.com. (more…)

It’s no exaggeration to say that the logical reasoning section is the most important part of the  LSAT.  Since two of the four scored sections consist of logical reasoning questions, it accounts for half your scaled score on the test.  So, mastering the questions in these sections is twice as important to as any other single portion of the test.  With that in mind, we asked our experts to break down the types of questions you’ll encounter, how best to prepare yourself and what you need to know on test day to achieve your highest possible score. (more…)

Planning and getting through the law school application process can be a daunting task. Where should you start? How should you map out the next year so that everything gets done and gets done well? When should you take the LSAT? When should you make your list of schools? When should you actually fill out the application. Prelaw advisors, a top admissions consultant and a student give you solid advice on when to start your law school application process, addressing issues like research, how and when to tackle the application, the LSAT, managing recommenders and school visits. And they will help you plan your candidacy before you apply and throughout the process. (more…)

You probably think you’re a pretty good “reader,” but the reading comprehension section of the LSAT catches many test-takers by surprise.   It’s easy to feel rushed when reading long passages on dry material and to struggle with answering complex questions with the correct answers.  And while these passages and question-types are similar to what you’ve seen and done before with other standardized tests, this familiarity may not translate into success on LSAT test day.  Our guests caution students who overlook this section in test prep that they may be leaving valuable points on the table.  Listen as our guests give you tips to help you maximize your speed and accuracy and increase your score.  (more…)

The legal specialty of sports and entertainment law sounds pretty glamorous. If you’re thinking about a career in this field, you may be drawn by the prospect of representing celebrities, athletes, authors, entertainers and their employers.  But what exactly is this practice area? What do sports and entertainment lawyers actually do?  How can law students pursue a career in this specialty?  We explore this topic and speak with lawyers who serve as outside and in-house counsel in some of the leading sports and entertainment organizations and firms and also with the director a program at a top law school with a special curriculum devoted to this exciting  area. Listen in to learn more.

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Support for Law School Podcaster comes from The Association of Media & Entertainment Counsel (AMEC).  AMEC is the only organization designed to support the career development and to honor the achievements of in-house counsel and business affairs attorneys at major entertainment and media companies.  Are you a future lawyer considering a career in the area of entertainment, media and sports law? AMEC has a Law School Section especially for students!  The mission of this group is to educate students and to promote interest in the practice area of entertainment, media and sports law.  The AMEC Law School Section will host student-sponsored events at law schools throughout the country.  Learn more about how you can get involved by visiting the AMEC website at www.theamec.com. (more…)

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What’s the toughest part of the LSAT?  While each test-taker has his or her own strengths and weaknesses, there’s a general concensus that most people find the Logic Games section the most intimidating part of the test.  The good news?  It’s also the section where, with preparation, test-takers also see the biggest score increase.   We’ve gathered our test prep experts to offer you their strategies to helping you  beat this challenging section and achieve your highest score possible. (more…)

It’s a well-known fact.  First–year grades are really important to law students. And second-semester grades are your best chance to distinguish yourself.  These are what law firm interviewers and prospective employers will look to when you’re hunting for summer work next year and beyond. Plus, master these basic skills now and they will serve you well for two more years.  Hear from law students and professors. What study techniques worked? What didn’t? What to do if first semester grades disappoint?  What do your professors want to see? Listen to what our guests have to say to help you earn top grades. (more…)

Law school is expensive and the choice of where to go is likely the biggest invesment decision that you have yet to face. Should you opt for a school near where you want to live and work or the school with a high ranking or big national name? How do you calculate the return on your investment? Will the regional schools get you where you want to go, or do you need a national law school to meet your career goals? In this show, representatives from different schools talk about the challenges – and the benefits – of getting your law degree locally or at a more national school, a consultant tells you what recruiters are thinking, and our guests give you tips for whichever path you choose to guide you to success.

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Veritas Prep offers the industry’s most comprehensive admissions consulting services to help applicants gain admission to the world’s most competitive law schools. Their admissions experts can show you how to make the most of your candidacy with refined personal statements, strategically crafted resumes, and a personalized Law School Game Plan™ for attacking the admissions process. The Veritas Prep team of admissions consultants represents all of the top 14 law schools, including Yale, Harvard, and Stanford. These experts have the insider information and experience need to successfully lead law school applicants through the admissions process. Law School Podcaster listeners can receive a 10% discount on any law school admissions consulting service by registering at veritasprep.com/law with the code LAWPOD09.

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