{"189431":{"#nid":"189431","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Preparing for Law School","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs you would expect, the top-tier law schools are highly selective in their admissions decisions. However, there is no required undergraduate major. A law school admissions committee wants to see that applicants have successfully completed a rigorous curriculum and have demonstrated the potential to excel at the professional school level. Whether students major in science, engineering, management, or liberal arts, they can become competitive for admission to highly regarded law schools.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome general considerations for anyone contemplating law school:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EVisit the Georgia Tech School of Public Policy pre-law website at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.prelaw.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ewww.prelaw.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E. It contains an overview of the pre-law program and the law school application process. Students and parents are also invited to subscribe to the pre-law newsletter to stay up to date on various matters related to pre-law and law school. Visit \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.prelaw.gatech.edu\/about\/newsletter\u0022\u003Ewww.prelaw.gatech.edu\/about\/newsletter\u003C\/a\u003E for subscription instructions.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETake some pre-law classes at Georgia Tech. The Law, Science \u0026amp; Technology minor or a pre-law certificate helps students make a more informed decision about whether law school is right for them.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETake at least two classes that will require a 10-15-page research paper. Effective writing skills are critical to success in law school and law practice.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEngage in extra-curricular activities such as a mock trial competition, which also helps students make a more informed decision about law school. Mock trials are fun, teach fundamental skills, and look good on a resume. Be advised, however, that the mock trial team requires a serious commitment, so students should not expect to get by with minimal effort just to fill out their resumes. Extra-curricular activities don\u2019t necessarily have to be related to law, but the more selective law schools will look for accomplishments is honor societies, charitable organizations, or pre-professional associations.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGet to know some of your professors whom you may want to ask for letters of recommendation. Ask for recommendations well before you need them. Don\u0027t expect a professor to complete a letter within a week after you ask for it.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome specific considerations for students as the application season approaches:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBecome familiar with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC\/LSDAS) website at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.lsac.org\u0022\u003Ewww.lsac.org\u003C\/a\u003E. The site contains critical information regarding the LSAT and the application process. Most students apply to law school through the CAS, formerly known as the LSDAS.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStart working on your personal statement well before you intend to submit your application package. You can find a lot of information about writing the personal statement if you enter \u0022personal statement law school\u0022 into an Internet search engine. However, always consider the credibility of the websites you find.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERegister for a commercial LSAT preparation course. They cost about $1,300, but it\u2019s considered a good investment. Kaplan and Princeton Review have the biggest presence on campus, although there are others as well.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETake the LSAT in June prior to the start of your senior year if at all possible. Otherwise, take the test in September of your senior year. I discourage students from waiting until December of their senior year, and very strongly discourage them from waiting until February of their senior year.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe application season starts in October. Students should submit the completed application package in October if possible. Early applications have an advantage in the rolling admissions process. In any event, submit your application prior to the end of the fall semester.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI encourage parents and students to contact me at \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:%20robert.pikowsky@pubpolicy.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Erobert.pikowsky@pubpolicy.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E or 404.385.7222 if you have any questions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs you would expect, the top-tier law schools are highly selective in their admissions decisions.\u0026nbsp;Whether students major in science, engineering, management, or liberal arts, they can become competitive for admission to highly regarded law schools.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":"","uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2013-02-04 13:21:16","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:13:33","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2013-02-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2013-02-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.prelaw.gatech.edu\/","title":"Public Policy Pre-Law"}],"groups":[{"id":"1298","name":"Parent and Family Programs"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"21871","name":"applying to law school"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERobert Pikowsky, JD\u003Cbr \/\u003E Director, Pre-Law Program and Adjunct Professor of Public Policy\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:%20robert.pikowsky@pubpolicy.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Erobert.pikowsky@pubpolicy.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E404.385.7222\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["parents@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}