Mistakes to Avoid During the Law School Application Process

Completing applications for law school takes time and effort to ensure you present yourself in the best possible way. The obligations and stresses of everyday life sometimes lead applicants to rush the process or make mistakes. Below, I cover mistakes you need to avoid during the law school application process.

Poor Timing for the Law School Application Process

I recommend submitting your law school applications in September or October. To meet this deadline and submit a strong application package, you need to begin planning in February or March. If you wait too long to start the application process, you risk not getting the acceptance and scholarship offers you want. This includes giving yourself enough time to study for the LSAT, take the test, secure letters of recommendation, write a compelling personal statement, etc.

Poorly Written Personal Statement for the Law School Application Process

Planning is key to submitting a strong law school application. This is especially true when it comes to your personal statement. Some applicants rush their statements and do not take the time to craft one that grabs their readers' attention. All things being equal, the committee reading your application will accept applicants with the best personal statements.

Instead of rushing through the writing process, take the time to brainstorm. Then, include the powerful stories and experiences in your life that motivated you to apply to law school. Choose what you want to include in your statement and create a detailed outline. Once you have a strong outline, your statement will practically write itself. Learn more about things to avoid in your statement here.

Leaving Out Supplemental/Optional Essays & Addendums

Life happens, and people face challenges that sometimes lead to poor performance. From family emergencies to medical issues, many things can impact your ability to perform on your LSAT, create gaps in your undergrad education, or lead to less than stellar academic performance. Law school admissions committees understand this and provide an outlet for you to explain any prominent negative areas in your application. It's much better to explain yourself than leave the admissions committee wondering what went wrong.

Serious law school applicants always need to complete supplemental/optional essays, including diversity statements. These do not typically address a negative aspect of your past performance, but they do provide a way for you to give more information to those reviewing your application. Of course, you want to offer information the committee cannot find elsewhere in your application, giving them deeper insight into why you will be a good fit for the school.

Bad Letters of Recommendation

The number of letters of recommendation you need for your law school application depends on where you apply. Your goal is to fulfill the requirement with quality instead of quantity. If you need to send two letters, it's better to have two quality letters of recommendation than four bad or mediocre letters. Law schools want an outside perspective of your ability to thrive in their program, making letters of recommendation crucial to your application package. You can increase your chances of receiving good letters by cultivating relationships with your professors and providing them with your CV or resume and other background information.

If you have been out of school for a few years, you might need professional letters from a supervisor or boss. Regardless of the type of letters you submit, you need them to speak to your ability to think critically, write, research, and other things that demonstrate you will thrive on campus.

Choosing the Wrong School

Some applicants apply to every school they can and choose from one or more schools that accept them. This can be a disaster. Choosing the wrong school can leave you with major debt, no high-paying job to pay your debt, or entering a program that isn't necessarily the right fit. Instead of focusing on rankings, you need to consider other factors when choosing a law school. First, apply to schools that offer strong programs in the type of law you want to pursue. Do you want to work in "Big Law," or is public interest law more your thing? On a broad level, this choice helps you decide between pursuing a high-paying role in a large law firm to pay for law school or taking advantage of loan forgiveness programs often associated with public service.

Similarly, find a law school whose alumni have a hefty median salary. You do not want to take on significant debt only to make 50K for you after graduating. Finally, look for a good fit on a cultural level. Talk to students, professors, and other campus groups to ensure you are in a place that will foster your growth during the three years you spend there.

Not Negotiating Financial Aid

Most law school applicants want to get through the best program for them for the least money. Accepting your financial aid package without negotiating can be a mistake that costs you thousands, especially if you have leverage. After you apply and fill out your FAFSA, you will receive a funding package if you are accepted. Packages include need-based aid and sometimes merit-based aid. Merit aid is negotiable. Speak with the financial aid officer to let them know you need help. Typically, you need to request reconsideration for merit aid in writing with an admissions officer. Make sure to include admission and scholarship offers from other schools, especially schools that rank higher.

Not Creating a Connection With Admissions Staff

Whether you attend a law school or not, it's always in your best interest to create a connection with the admissions staff. Some people you interact with during the application process could be sources of valuable information, support, and mentorship. Additionally, the legal community is smaller than you think. When you treat the application process as relational instead of transactional, you connect with admissions staff in a way that could benefit you later on in life. The best way to engage with admissions is through information sessions, digital forums, and other forums a school provides.

Inadequate LSAT Preparation

As mentioned above, planning is key to submitting the best law school application package. You need to give yourself enough time to prepare for the LSAT. Your score is not the only thing that matters, but it is important. Higher scores open up more doors. Thus, investing time and effort into studying and taking practice exams are worth your effort. You need at least three months of three hours a day of studying. Many people need six months, nine months, or more. Take a practice exam to get a diagnostic score and give yourself enough time to take a course, get a tutor, or deal with any unforeseen circumstances.

Learn More About the Law School Application Process

For more information about how to work with me, visit my website to learn about my law school admissions consulting packages. You can also download my free Essential Guide to Applying to Law School.