Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Applying to Law School
But Were Afraid to Ask

Jeremy Buchman
Associate Professor of Political Science
and Pre-Law Advisor 
307 Hoxie Hall
jeremy.buchman@liu.edu
(516) 299-3023




Here are some links that should get you started in your quest to find, and apply successfully to, the law school of your choice. I'll start by tackling what is perhaps the most common question I receive: "What major should I pursue if I want to go to law school?" Here's what the American Bar Association (ABA) has to say on the subject:

"The American Bar Association does not recommend any particular group of undergraduate majors, or courses, that should be taken by those wishing to prepare for legal education; developing such a list is neither possible nor desirable. The law is too multifaceted, and the human mind too adaptable, to permit such a linear approach to preparing for law school or the practice of law. Nonetheless, there are important skills and values, and significant bodies of knowledge, that can be acquired prior to law school and that will provide a sound foundation for a sophisticated legal education."

Your choice of major, in the end, should be dictated by your scholarly interests. Pursue your passion, challenge yourself intellectually, and develop the skills that will serve you well in your legal career.

If, however, you're having second thoughts (or first thoughts) about your decision to go to law school, then I'd recommend Letter to a Young Law Student, courtesy of Slate's Dahlia Lithwick.


Here's a link to Columbia Law School Professor Michael Dorf's "How to 'Think Like a Lawyer': Advice to New and Prospective Law Students"

For advice on maximizing your odds of acceptance to the law school of your choice, I'd recommend this page, courtesy of Dan Pinello of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York. Also highly recommended is FindLaw.com's collection of pre-law links.

And here's a link to the Law School Book of Lists that has so much information that it merits special attention. Want to know

If so, you'll want to check it out. Warning: the PDF runs several hundred pages, so be prepared for a sizable download.

And if you're a prospective or current C.W. Post student who is wondering where Post alumni have been admitted, here is a list.

Some other sites of interest:


·  2008-2009 test dates and deadlines: In addition to providing a handy calendar of LSAT test dates and deadlines, this Law School Admissions Council website also offers directions for those applicants who seek information on test date changes and refunds. When deciding on a test date, keep in mind that (1) each school has its own application deadlines, and (2) many schools have rolling admissions, which means that applications will be considered on a first come-first served basis.

·  The Incoming One-L FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions): Want some sense of what to expect during your first year of law school? Charles Glasser, a graduate of NYU Law School, offers advice designed to help you survive the numerous challenges that 1Ls typically face.  

·  Internet Legal Resource Guide's Pre-Law Student Services: One-stop shopping for links related to all aspects of the law school application process. You can find information related to test preparation, scholarship and financial aid availability, school rankings, median GPA and LSAT scores for schools, and so much more. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 

·  Internet Legal Resource Guide's Law School Information Index: Includes law-school rankings, links to pages of schools' web sites (both American and international), and internet directories.

·  "Is Law School Right For You?": Courtesy of Princeton Review, this page also includes links to articles such as "Dispelling the Myths about the LSAT and Admissions" and "The Complete Guide to the LSAT."

·  JD Jungle : This site contains the on-line version of JD Jungle magazine. It features sections on law school admissions, success in law school, and job hunting , as well as a variety of career tools. Thanks to Jason Miller for directing me to this site.

·  LSAT & LSDAS (Law School Data Assembly Service): At this site, you can register to take the LSAT and to use the LSDAS, which prepares reports for each school to which you apply. Virtually all ABA-accredited law schools will require you to register with the LSDAS. The Law School Admissions Council recommends that you register for LSDAS about six weeks before you plan to apply to particular law schools. If you are absolutely unable to pay the required fees for the LSAT or LSDAS, click here for information on applying for a fee waiver.

·  Links to New York-area law schools and their application deadlines : There's an amazing amount of material made available on the Web by law schools themselves. Want to know whether a school has a program in entertainment law, or loan forgiveness for those seeking to pursue public-interest law, or minority scholarships? Curious about the faculty there? Take advantage of the bounty of readily available information. 

·  Paying for law school: This page has links to sources of information about scholarships and loans.

·  Test-preparation: These folks offer a variety of courses to prepare you for the LSAT, and their websites contain a wide variety of information and advice.

.  Writing the personal statement: Oftentimes, students don't quite know where to start when writing their personal statements. Here are some sites that offer various strategies and insights you might find valuable.