Law school admissions consulting is a great way to strengthen your chances of acceptance and gain skills you will use long after you are accepted to your top-choice law school program. But does everyone need law school admissions consulting to get in? Not every student hires a consultant and some students choose to go through the rigorous law school admissions process alone. But there is no doubt that every single applicant can benefit from one-on-one law school admissions consulting. Why? Read our article to learn more. In this article, we will discuss what law school admissions consulting is and what it does, and how it can be your competitive edge among thousands of other applicants. Finally, we will answer whether you really need law school admissions consulting.
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How Hard is the Law School Admissions Process?
Law school acceptance rates are notoriously competitive, and many students seek outside help to increase their chances of success.
There are nearly 200 law schools in the US alone and on average, law school acceptance rates are sitting at 45%. However, in well-regarded, more competitive law schools, such as Harvard Law School or Yale Law School, the acceptance rate drops to under 20%. For prestigious top-tier schools, the acceptance rate is under 10% and sometimes even under 5%.
For law schools in Canada, the competition is just as fierce. If you’re thinking of applying to the University of Alberta law school, for example, the acceptance rate is typically around 15%. Law schools in Ontario, like the University of Ottawa law school, Queen's Law and Osgoode Hall law school, show similar admissions trends. For example, according to the latest statistics, the Osgoode Hall law school has an acceptance rate of just over 10%. The University of Toronto law school has an acceptance rate of about 8%.
This should give you a rough idea of how competitive law school admissions process is and that you need to do something extraordinary to get accepted. And there is another huge hurdle that law school applicants face - different law school requirements. Every single law school will have its own admissions requirements that you need to fulfill, which means that you must have superior organizational skills to make sure you comply with them. Most law school applicants apply to 8-10 law schools, which means that you are preparing 8-10 applications even if you are using unified application systems like the Ontario Law School Application Service (OSLAS) or the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Not only will you need to make sure that every single application component is of outstanding quality, but you will also need to communicate effectively with every school and keep up with each school's deadlines.
All in all, it's safe to say that the law school admissions process is very challenging. Every student has his/her own strengths and weaknesses: some find the law school admissions essays incredibly challenging, some find the LSAT impossible, some freeze during a law school interview, and so on and so forth. This is why many students reach out to law school admissions consulting for expert advice and guidance on how to overcome these challenges - not only during this particular process, but in the future as well. So what does law school admissions consultants do and how can they help you? Let's find out in more detail.
What is Law School Admissions Consulting?
The purpose of law school admissions consulting or a law school advisor is to guide you throughout the entire law school admissions process and make sure that you get accepted to your chosen law schools. They are there with you every step of the way, from gathering your transcripts to replying to your admissions offer. The admissions process is lengthy, complex, and competitive. Law admissions consultants can help you prepare the best application possible, as well as provide invaluable tools and skills you will need during the admissions process and beyond, such as communication, writing, interviewing, self-reflection, and critical thinking.
Many law school admissions consultants are former admissions officers from top law schools, so they’ll know the admissions process inside and out, and more importantly, they’ll know what school admissions committees are looking for in their candidates. Law school admissions consulting services also hire lawyers and offer their consulting services to up-and-coming law students. Essentially, law school advisors have inside knowledge of the admissions process, failproof application and interview strategies, and experience as working lawyers so they can provide you with the full picture of this career path. Law school admissions consultants offer personalized, customized guidance in crafting your application. They’ll show you how to create a customized admission timeline and personalized strategy to be your guiding plan. They’ll also provide you with tips on how to study for the LSAT, coach you on writing admissions essays like law school optional essays or law school personal statements and any other part of the admissions process. Law school admissions consultants can also counsel you throughout your application to and preparation for law school and provide you with options in case of waitlisting or rejection to your top schools.
In other words, law school admissions consultants are there for you throughout the entire law school application and interview journey. They can even help you post-acceptance if you need help with financial aid applications and scholarship applications. Their job is to guarantee that you get in. Your job is to follow their advice and prepare the best application possible, as well as ace your interview.
One final note about the role of a law school consultant: they do not do you job for you. They do not write your personal statement; they do not sit the LSAT for you; they do not reach out to your referees for you; and they do not sit the interview for you. Law school consultants are there to support you and teach you important skills that you can use long after you are accepted to law school. Do not take this for granted! Take this opportunity to grow as a professional.
How Can Law School Admissions Consulting Help You?
There are many advantages to seeking the aid of a law school admissions consultant:
#1 Finding the right law school
Firstly, admissions consultants can go over with you which schools may be the best fit for your personal and academic needs, rather than just choosing the easiest law schools to get into. Narrowing down your list of potential law schools to the ones you have the best chance of being accepted to can streamline the admissions process and save you a lot of time and money. A law school admissions consultant can review your experiences and your stats, and based on these, advise you on where you have the best chance of getting accepted or what you'll need to do to boost your chances of getting in to your top choice law school. Admissions consultants have the inside knowledge to help you find out what admissions committees are looking for and how to wow them. If your goal is to get into very competitive law schools, like Columbia Law or Stanford Law, a law school admissions consultant is a great idea, since your application will need to be very impressive.
#2 Expert admissions advice and guidance
Many law school admissions consultants have personally gone through the law school admissions process. Furthermore, many of them have been members of law school admissions boards, so they really have inside knowledge of the process and how students can stand out. Not only will the law school consultants help you choose the right schools to apply to, but they will be able to advise how to preset yourself as the best candidate for each school you pursue. Based on your grades and LSAT score, your skills, law school extracurriculars, interests and personality, a consultant will help you create an application strategy. For example, they'll help you brainstorm how to start your law school personal statement to capture the readers' attention; or advise whether you should submit optional essays like the law school diversity statement; or explain what you can do to get into law school with a low GPA; or suggest whether you should apply to law schools that don't require the LSAT if your score is too low. Essentially, after getting to know your background and experiences, a consultant will devise a strategy to get you accepted.
Would you like to see examples of law school personal statements that got accepted? Check this out:
#3 Professional application review
The law school application is a huge challenge for many law school candidates. There are many moving parts and components that are quite challenging, such as the law school personal statement and other admissions essays, as well as law school resume or law school letter of intent. Most of these components require strong critical thinking skills, organization and time management skills, as well as superb communication skills. If you want help developing these qualities, you will benefit from working with a consultant. For instance, they will know the latest law school admissions essay topics or can provide you with some law school essay prompts so you can start drafting your submissions early. Or they will know exactly what experiences to note in your essays so you can stand out.
The truth is that the written application components can often be the best way to stand out in the application review stage of the admissions process. In order to remain competitive with thousands of other students, many with better grades, you need to find a way to stand out - the essay and resume can really be that place for you. Consultants work with students to identify their unique stories and experiences that can impress the admissions committee. After working with thousands of students, we know that most applicants struggle with figuring out what they should include in their essays to stand out. For example, many students do not think they have anything to say in a diversity statement - but this is false! A consultant will help you realize how much your peers can learn from you and how you can change their perspectives! Or sometimes students are hesitant whether they should apply with their LSAT score or retake the LSAT - the consultant will help you make this decision because they will know whether your score will be competitive enough in your chosen schools.
Most importantly, a law school admissions consultant will help you avoid re-application. Reapplying to law schools is expensive and time-consuming, so it’s best to get in on the first try! If you’re unsure about your application, consider hiring a law school admissions specialist to go through your application and coach you on where to improve.
#4 LSAT test prep
The LSAT is a big challenge. Law school admissions consultants offer personalized tutoring for the LSAT for students, as well as advice on how to study for the LSAT and tips on choosing the right LSAT test date. Law school admissions consultants usually have additional study resources for students, too, such as practice exams and practice LSAT questions. If you prefer group courses to one-on-one consultations, law school advisors will know of useful LSAT prep courses you can take to make sure you're ready for this challenging test. If you're looking to skip the LSAT altogether, a law school advisor can point you in the direction of any law schools that don't require the LSAT.
Looking for some LSAT study advice? We've got you covered:
#5 Interview prep
Along with application review and test preparation, admissions consultants give guidance on how to prepare for a law school interview. This is perhaps one of the most nerve-racking aspects of the law school admissions journey, but also one of the most important ones.
Interview skills are acquired skills - no one is born with them. This is why interviews are often so feared - students are never certain whether they are ready for the law school interview questions they'll face on the day of their interview. But if you use the help of a law school admissions consultant, you will be certain that you are ready. The job of a law school consultant is not to let you interview until you are absolutely, 100% ready. By using mock law school interviews and giving personalized feedback, the consultant will help you hone the right interview question strategies and appropriate interview behavior. These skills will be useful to you for the rest of your life! There is really no other way to prepare and improve your interview skills. This is you golden opportunity to learn what you do right and what still needs improvement.
#6 Help with financial aid applications
With law school tuition being so expensive, particularly at top schools, a consultant can help you decide which programs also fit your budget. Many consultants also offer help with applying for financial aid programs, which can give students a chance to attend a top-tier school they might not otherwise have. Many law schools offer financial aid programs, but these can be tricky to navigate, but a law school advisor or consultant will be able to walk you through applying.
How to Find the Best Law School Admissions Consulting Service
Every student's journey is unique and every student has their own strengths and weaknesses. The key to finding the best law school admissions consultant is to identify what you really need help with. Some students only need help with one aspect of the admissions process, while others need help throughout the entire process. Here're our suggestions to finding the right help for you:
Do You Research
Start by reviewing available options. There are thousands of law school admissions consulting services. Some focus on the application materials, some focus on LSAT prep, some help with interview prep, and some help you with every single step of the admissions process. Identify the services you need and most importantly, make sure they provide one-on-one personalized help and feedback. This is really key. You do not want your consultant to provide group sessions – do not waste your time with general advice.
Read Reviews
After you find some services that appeal to you, check out their reviews and students’ feedback. Make sure to review verified feedback. Find out how the services helped students in the past and whether the students express satisfaction with the help they got. Make sure the service has proven tack record of success.
Set Up a Free Consultation
Law school admissions consulting services should offer free strategy calls or free first consultations if they are legitimate. Take advantage of these calls to learn more about the service and how it can help you get accepted.
Can Law School Admissions Consulting Help Me Get Accepted?
The job of a law school consultant is to make sure you get in on your first try. They will work hard to make sure that you stand out as an applicant. Here's a quick look at how a law school admissions consulting service can help you stand out in a crowd of qualified applicants:
Conclusion: Do You Need Law School Admissions Consulting?
Applying to law school is a significant undertaking. Many students want that extra help when they see the complicated process and extremely competitive environment of law school admissions, so they seek out the help of a law school admissions consultant. While not every student need this help, there is no doubt that every student can benefit from this professional service.
Law school admissions consultants not only help students choose a law school and coach them through the process, but they help prepare students for the significant academic and professional experience of law school. Consultants can help you to develop and sharpen the professional skills you’ll need as a lawyer and give you a head start on the work you’ll undertake in law school.
With so many options available for law school admissions consulting, it’s important to choose the service that fits your personal needs and budget best. It’s also key to choose the one that will prepare you as best as possible for the next step in your law school journey.
FAQs
1. What is law school admissions consulting?
Law school admissions consulting is a service which helps prepare students for law school with a comprehensive, personalized approach to admissions planning and strategy.
2. Do I need law school admissions consulting?
Not every student chooses to use law school admissions consulting. Students can still be successful in applying to law school without it, though some students find it is beneficial to them in the competitive law school admissions environment.
3. How competitive is law school admission?
Law school is famously competitive and difficult to gain acceptance to. On average, law schools in the U.S. accept only 45% of their applicants every year.
4. I need help with my LSAT preparation. Where can I find it?
Students often consult with tutors who specialize in LSAT preparation, but law school admissions consultants sometimes offer this service as part of their regular packages, too.
5. What do law school admissions consultants help students with?
Law school admissions consultants help students with not only choosing the right law school and area of law to study, they offer help with professional skill development, admissions essays, personal statement writing and sometimes LSAT test prep and more.
6. Does being a minority help with law school admission?
In general, statistics show that being an under-represented minority can help push your law school application to the top.
7. Can I contact law school admissions if I’ve been waitlisted?
It is acceptable to contact the admissions staff at your choice of law school if you have a question about your application. Just remember that law schools are inundated with applications and not to call or email every day asking for updates.
8. How soon should I start the law school admissions process?
As soon as possible. Start your admissions process early to give yourself as much time to prepare as you can, as it can be a long and complex process.
9. I have high LSAT scores. Should I hire a law school admissions consultant?
Law schools typically regard high test scores and GPAs more favorably than a well-written admissions essay or law school personal statement. However, it is your decision whether you feel you want some extra help with your application from a law school admissions consultant for other sections of your application.
10. Is hiring a law school admissions consultant expensive?
Law school admissions consultant services can be expensive, ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on the services offered. Some consultants work only with students applying to top 10 law schools, and therefore charge significantly more.
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1 Comments
Hayden Young
I am starting to apply to Law Schools and have my personal statement written but would like to have it revised and looked at, I would also be interested in doing anything else to help me get accepted-only applying to schools that accept the GRE.
Reply