False "Realities" of an LSAT prep company
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 11:20 am
I was in my gmail account and clicked on this advertisement which purported to dispell LSAT myths. I would venture to say that every one of these "realities" listed is false or misleading.
http://www.my-prep.com/LSAT-Myths.html
Myth: I can apply to a top law-school only if I have a 170+ LSAT score.
Reality: Only 2% of all LSAT takers score 170 or higher.
A look at the sheer number of applicants tells us that the range of those
applying to top Law-schools is from 150 onwards. But remember that the rest of your
application needs to be positioned in such a way as to complement your score.
Myth: Law-schools have cut-offs for LSAT scores.
Reality: Not really. However, In case your score is much lower than their average score, you
would need to really sparkle in your Essays.
Even though most schools claim Not to have a cut off, most of the top schools have an average
LSAT score of 160+.
Myth: I can retake the LSAT as many times till I get my desired score.
Reality: You can, but the better option would be to prepare well and take it only once or twice.
Apart from the fact that it costs $$ each time you take it, your scores of the last 3 years are
reported by to the schools. So if your scores are very different each time, you might
need to explain why.
The reason usually is inadequate preparation first time, but this will show you In poor light
before the admissions committee.
Myth: It does not matter where you went to college.
Reality: You do not have to go to an ivy-league school to get into law school, even an ivy
league law school. But the Admissions committees like applicants who went to schools with
which we are familiar. In addition, LSAC generates a sheet for every applicant that details facts
about the undergraduate degree-granting school. So, if 49% of graduates from your college
score in the bottom 10% of the LSAT, this shows up and instantly discredits your gpa.
Myth: It does not matter what your major is.
Reality: It does not matter whether you major in Poli Sci, English, Business, History, Biology,
Engineering, etc. However, it does matter whether you major in a subject that is widely
recognized by admissions committees as an "academic subject."
Law school is about reading, analyzing, and writing, so your gpa should reflect how well you do
in those types of activities. So, a major that is unclear to outsiders as to the content of that
major is not a safe choice. Admissions committee members get very concerned with applicants
with high gpas in majors that seem either artistic (Dance, Theater, Design, Music
(Performance)) or physical (Kinesiology, Corporate Fitness). If this is your love, minor in it or at
least minor in a more traditional subject.
Myth: Admissions committees respect work experience.
Reality: Not unless your work experience is really interesting or amazing. Then the
experience stands out as an interesting or amazing thing on your resume, not because it is
work experience. I find it interesting when applicants were in Teach for America, Americorps,
Jesuit Volunteer Corps, or the Peace Corps. Or people who followed a dream for awhile. But
no one ever says, "Given this applicant's outstanding record of service for the past two years
at [Name your favorite retailer], I think he/she would be an excellent J.D. candidate."
http://www.my-prep.com/LSAT-Myths.html
Myth: I can apply to a top law-school only if I have a 170+ LSAT score.
Reality: Only 2% of all LSAT takers score 170 or higher.
A look at the sheer number of applicants tells us that the range of those
applying to top Law-schools is from 150 onwards. But remember that the rest of your
application needs to be positioned in such a way as to complement your score.
Myth: Law-schools have cut-offs for LSAT scores.
Reality: Not really. However, In case your score is much lower than their average score, you
would need to really sparkle in your Essays.
Even though most schools claim Not to have a cut off, most of the top schools have an average
LSAT score of 160+.
Myth: I can retake the LSAT as many times till I get my desired score.
Reality: You can, but the better option would be to prepare well and take it only once or twice.
Apart from the fact that it costs $$ each time you take it, your scores of the last 3 years are
reported by to the schools. So if your scores are very different each time, you might
need to explain why.
The reason usually is inadequate preparation first time, but this will show you In poor light
before the admissions committee.
Myth: It does not matter where you went to college.
Reality: You do not have to go to an ivy-league school to get into law school, even an ivy
league law school. But the Admissions committees like applicants who went to schools with
which we are familiar. In addition, LSAC generates a sheet for every applicant that details facts
about the undergraduate degree-granting school. So, if 49% of graduates from your college
score in the bottom 10% of the LSAT, this shows up and instantly discredits your gpa.
Myth: It does not matter what your major is.
Reality: It does not matter whether you major in Poli Sci, English, Business, History, Biology,
Engineering, etc. However, it does matter whether you major in a subject that is widely
recognized by admissions committees as an "academic subject."
Law school is about reading, analyzing, and writing, so your gpa should reflect how well you do
in those types of activities. So, a major that is unclear to outsiders as to the content of that
major is not a safe choice. Admissions committee members get very concerned with applicants
with high gpas in majors that seem either artistic (Dance, Theater, Design, Music
(Performance)) or physical (Kinesiology, Corporate Fitness). If this is your love, minor in it or at
least minor in a more traditional subject.
Myth: Admissions committees respect work experience.
Reality: Not unless your work experience is really interesting or amazing. Then the
experience stands out as an interesting or amazing thing on your resume, not because it is
work experience. I find it interesting when applicants were in Teach for America, Americorps,
Jesuit Volunteer Corps, or the Peace Corps. Or people who followed a dream for awhile. But
no one ever says, "Given this applicant's outstanding record of service for the past two years
at [Name your favorite retailer], I think he/she would be an excellent J.D. candidate."
