Meet the Law Admission Experts:
Nicole Vilches
Assistant Dean for Admissions
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Janet L. Hein
Director of Admissions
Indiana University – Maurer School of Law
Rebecca Ray
Assistant Dean for Admissions & Financial Aid
University of Illinois College of Law
Katherine Scannell
Vice Dean for Institutional Success
Washington University School of Law
Read the Q & A:
Q: What do you wish more applicants would do (or not do) in the application process?
Click on the arrow to see the responses:
Chicago-Kent:
“You should create a timeline for applying since advance planning is key in the application process. You should plan to devote about six to eight months to the process, including time to study for the LSAT, prepare your personal statement and resume, request letters of recommendation, research schools, attend law school information sessions, and visit schools in person. It is also important to allocate sufficient time to prepare for the LSAT. You should plan to take the test once and only retake the test if you are fairly certain that your score will improve. You should also take the test early enough in the application cycle that you have time to register for a later exam without significantly delaying your applications. As you complete your applications, you should carefully proofread all of your application materials and make sure that you have fully answered all of the questions. You should also anticipate questions the Admissions Committee might have (for example, a period of weak undergraduate grades) and address those in an addendum. We would much prefer to hear directly from you rather than be left wondering about something in your application.”IU Maurer:
“DO: Plan ahead and create an “applying to law school” timeline. DO: Speak with a variety of people involved in legal education from a variety of perspectives (pre-law advisors, admissions professionals/counselors, current law students, faculty, alumni, and lawyers) DO: your own self-assessment about your ultimate goals, and is law school the path to achieve them DON’T: use social media for law school research – seek out the experts including your pre-law advisors and law school admissions professionals DON’T: ignore the non-statistical pieces of the application, particularly the personal statement. This is your opportunity to make your “case” for admission by expertly communicating your passion for this path. DON’T: wait late in the cycle to apply! Don’t rush either, but make sure you have a well-planned application timeline so that you apply well before law school priority deadlines.”UIUC:
“I wish more applicants would take advantage of the resources available to them. UIUC students are very lucky to have a robust and expert Pre-Law Advising department. The flip side of this is that I wish students wouldn’t put so much stock in what they read on the internet about the law school application process. In short, I wish students would rely on the bona fide experts, i.e., Pre-Law advisors, and less on anonymous message boards.”WashU:
“Apply early! Like most law schools, our application opens on September 1, and our admissions committee makes decisions on a rolling basis. Although we review applications in the same way throughout the cycle – quite frankly, schools have more capacity – and more seats to fill – early on. Confirm whether the schools you are applying to make admissions decisions on a rolling basis, or wait to review applications until later in the cycle. We encourage candidates to supplement their application throughout the cycle with updates to their resume, letters of recommendation, accomplishments, LSAT score, etc. Supplementing also gives candidates an extra touchpoint with an admissions team, and a way to express continued interest. While there are certain pieces of the application that do need to be in final form before submitting – I encourage candidates to view their application as a living document – apply early and supplement, rather than waiting to apply when every piece is complete. WashULaw appreciates knowing about your interest early, even if we need to hold your decision until your application is complete. Be sure to check the preferences of other schools on your list.”
Q: What do you think is the most important thing for freshman and sophomore students to focus on if they have ambitions toward law school?
Click on the arrow to see the responses:
Chicago-Kent:
“It is very important to confirm that the legal profession is the right career path for you before you reach the point of applying to law school. You should look for opportunities to learn about the legal profession. This can be done through joining prelaw groups, attending presentations, conducting informational interviews with attorneys, and through internships and work experience. In addition, many law schools allow prospective students to visit first-year classes. This is a great opportunity to learn what the law school academic experience is like. It is also very important to take classes that will develop the skills that you will use in law school and legal practice. You should take classes that will develop your writing skills as well as your research and analysis skills. Finally, there are costs associated with applying to law school and visiting schools, so it is never too early to start saving funds for this purpose.”IU Maurer:
“ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL SUCCESS. Grades are extremely important in the application process of course. But take advantage of everything your college has to offer both in and out of the classroom.”UIUC:
“We are looking for students who make the most of the opportunities in front of them. Your first two years of undergrad are a great time to start doing that! Keeping undergraduate grades as high as possible should be a focus, but not to the exclusion of other activities. Students should be well-rounded. That will look different for every student, but it could be a part-time job, extra-curriculars, or volunteering. None of this needs to be law-focused unless the student wants it to be.”WashU:
“Pursue curiosities and try different things! Your freshman and sophomore years are opportune times to try your hand at a variety of subjects, and see what fits best. This advice is two-fold: first, if you are interested in the subject area, you will be more motivated to study it; and second, if you study hard, you will (usually) do well in the subject, which translates in your performance….. (do you see the connection here?!) You do not need a political science or history degree to go to law school. WashULaw is looking for students with unique backgrounds who will bring a dynamic perspective to the classroom and broader community. It is not unusual for us to have an entering class with 50 plus different undergraduate majors!”
Q: What is one of the simplest ways an applicant can stand out in a positive way?
Click on the arrow to see the responses:
Chicago-Kent:
“Put together a thoughtful and compelling application package. Everything you include should enhance our understanding of you as a candidate for admission. You should also be strategic about your extracurricular, internship, and work experiences. Think about why you are pursuing those activities and how you are developing as a result of the experiences you are gaining.”IU Maurer:
“We are not looking for applicants to stand out. We are looking for the best fit for our law school and applicants are also looking at the best law school fit for them. Applicants need to be honest, open, and detailed in all aspects of the application. This can take the form of many things, depending on the context of the applicant’s situation, experiences, and life. This will be apparent in letters of recommendation, resume, and personal statement.”UIUC:
“Applicants stand out positively for lots of different reasons. The best way to do that is to be authentic to who you are and not try to fit any kind of mold of who you think we’re looking for. Be yourself, and you’ll end up at a law school that is the right fit for you.”WashU:
“The little things matter! It sounds obvious, but make sure your written materials are typo-free. If you are offered an interview or visit a law school, make sure you put your best foot forward and show that you are happy to be there. Positive energy spreads!”
Q: What is one of the simplest ways an applicant can stand out in a negative way?
Click on the arrow to see the responses:
Chicago-Kent:
“Submitting an application without giving it the proper time and attention. This includes things like typing the entire application in lowercase letters, poor proofreading (especially in supplemental statements), failure to follow the application instructions, and failure to provide full and complete information in response to the application questions. You should take each aspect of the admissions process seriously.”IU Maurer:
“A poorly communicated application. There are many ways this can go negative such as descending grades (with no explanation), negative letters of recommendation, and/or a poorly written personal statement.”UIUC:
“The easiest way to stand out in a negative way is to not follow the application directions.”WashU:
“Project confidence, not arrogance. Also, admissions offices understand candidates are typically applying to more than one school – make sure your written materials include the name of the school you are applying to (and not the name of another school where you are applying…believe me, it happens!).”
Q: What is an example of a good experience or activity to engage in as an undergraduate student to prepare for law school and why?
Click on the arrow to see the responses:
Chicago-Kent:
“As I mentioned earlier, it is important to make sure that the legal profession is the right career path for you before you apply to law school, so anything that will give you insight into the day-to-day practice of law will be helpful. In terms of the admissions process, we don’t have specific activities and experiences that we are looking for since our applicants come from a wide variety of backgrounds. You should pursue activities that are meaningful to you and that align with your interests and career goals.”IU Maurer:
“An experience that is outside of an applicant’s comfort zone, and communicating that expertly to an admissions committee. This can also take the form of a leadership or leading role in the activity. If the experience was tried and ended up not being a desirable one, that is a lesson as well.”UIUC:
“Students should be intentional about getting to know their faculty. I’m not a fan of doing things just because you think it will help you get into law school, but this will help you no matter what you decide to do post-undergrad! Go to office hours. Take a second (or third!) class with a professor you enjoyed. From a practical standpoint, this will lay the groundwork for letters of recommendation down the road; however, I suspect most students will value these relationships for reasons beyond a positive letter of recommendation. Being intentional about this process is especially important for students at larger universities, such as UIUC.”WashU:
“Any opportunities that require extra writing or public speaking experience. Research or TA positions are great. Try out moot court or mock trial. Speech and debate organizations, any publishing opportunities, writing competitions – really any activities that allow you to hone research, writing, analytical, and communication skills. Substantive internships and work experience will also be beneficial. Work experience doesn’t have to be legal.”
Q: What is one thing that many applicants may not know about your school, but you wish they did?
Click on the arrow to see the responses:
Chicago-Kent:
“Chicago-Kent has outstanding faculty members who excel in teaching and involve students in their research. Our faculty is ranked 40th in the nation based on scholarly impact and we are one of only three law schools in Chicago to be recognized on this assessment of faculty scholarship. As a student at Chicago-Kent, you will have the opportunity to study with professors who are recognized thought leaders and who are dedicated to training the next generation of lawyers. Read more here.IU Maurer:
“The high level of intellectual engagement coupled with the overwhelmingly strong bonds between students as well as students bonds with faculty, staff, and alumni. Our students are extremely engaged in activities outside the classroom including projects (within the first month of their 1L year), involvement in student organizations, and community involvement. And all in one of the best college towns in the country.”UIUC:
“Despite being in Champaign-Urbana, we have strong ties to the Chicago legal market. Most of our students work in Chicago post-graduation. That’s not to say that they don’t end up in other markets around the U.S., but Chicago is the third-largest legal market in the country, it is our largest alumni base, and we have a lot of positive brand recognition there. Our students can spend their last semester in Chicago through our Chicago Program.”WashU:
“WashULaw is adept at helping each individual student find their best path, and being flexible as that path changes. A part of that is our Career Center, which starts working with the incoming class as soon as the applicant is fully committed to WashULaw. This is important because legal recruiting starts very early, and our students go all over the country – typically to over 30 states and several countries each year, including Washington, DC, New York, Texas, California, and Illinois. Because students go everywhere, it is critical that students have an individualized career plan. Speaking of individualized strategy – if you have any questions about WashULaw, the dynamic city of St. Louis and what makes it great, or the law school application process generally, schedule a pop-in or a consultation. No question is too small!”
Final Thoughts
Click on the arrow to see the responses:
Chicago-Kent:
“Founded in 1888, Chicago-Kent College of Law at Illinois Institute of Technology is the second-oldest law school in Illinois. Chicago-Kent’s forward-thinking approach to legal education combines academic rigor with practical training, readying graduates for a rapidly changing legal industry. Our students receive a comprehensive and practice-focused legal writing foundation that empowers them to be successful at every step of their careers. With faculty who are both scholars and practitioners, a dynamic legal externship program, pioneering legal clinics, and award-winning moot court and trial advocacy teams, Chicago-Kent provides students with skills-based learning opportunities that prepare them to practice law in one of the largest legal markets in the U.S. and beyond.”IU Maurer:
“As a top 20 public law school, we have earned national acclaim for our programs in business, criminal, environmental, intellectual property, tax, and international law. Our unique Legal Professions course is one reason we are considered a top innovative law program. The collegial community fosters an environment in which our students learn about the roles law plays in structuring society. From day-to-day transactions to the most controversial topics of the moment, our remarkable students come together to learn from our faculty and from one another. We have 10,000+ alumni, located across the country and around the world, and include the first African American to serve on any state supreme court, the first Japanese American admitted to the bar in the US, the first woman chief justice of Wisconsin, and the first woman chief justice of Indiana. IU is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful college campuses and college towns in the country!”UIUC:
“Students are welcome to make an appointment to meet with a member of the admissions team, take a tour with a current student, and/or sit in on a first-year class. Email law-admissions@illinois.edu to schedule an appointment!”
