sample law school personal statements

The career services departments of law schools work with law firms searching for “new blood” to be able to match the intership or job position with the right applicant. Many law firms woo potential interns and employees through various benefits and perks but the potential applicants should first meet the law firms’ standards.

Skills in communication

Without a doubt, lawyers have to have above-average skills in communcation. As an applicant, you should be able to display excellent written and oral communication skills. After all, your tasks as an intern or employee usually involve drafting legal briefs, arguments, and other documents that may be used in actual proceedings.

Exceptional grades

Having excellent grades is definitely a plus when applying in top law firms. There are law firms that mainly target students or applicants who belong to the top percentile of their classes. If you don’t have excellent grades, however, don’t despair. Grades may be the easiest factors to measure but it is not the only basis of law firms when looking for potential interns or employees.

Loyalty

Law firms also consider an applicant’s loyalty and staying power in determining if he or she really deserves a slot in the company. There are law firms that offer their prospective employees with perks like expensive dinners, allowances, trips, etc. This is for them to see who among the group of newbies or interns would stay on after the internship phase. A good intern would accept these perks and still do their responsibilities with full efficiency.

To summarize the things law firms look for in applicants, it’s best that you exhibit excellent communication skills, above-average critical and analytical thinking, and the right attitude. Although grades are not the sole criterion of many law firms, your academic performance says a lot about your ability to cope with pressure and still produce excellent results.

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A qualifying test that allows those with law degrees to practice law in a jurisdiction, the bar exam is composed of different parts that include essay questions and multiple-choice items. Take note though that bar exams in each state is different. This is because every state has its own regulatory board. It’s best to take the bar exam in the place or state where you mostly likely plan to practice law. An ideal way of knowing more about the kinds of bar exams a state requires is to surf the net and check out the official site of a specific state bar association. Another way is to seek data from your school’s career office.

Enrolling in review schools

An option for you to be well-prepared for the bar exam is to enroll in a review school. In a review school, you will be guided accordingly as you review the different subjects of law. When enrolled in a review school, it’s good to treat the bar review like a full-time job. This means you have to commit yourself into your bar review classes. A bar review school could give some exercises anchored on topics from past bar examinations.

Travel and accommodations

If you are taking the bar exam in another state, make sure to book the flight early and have reservations for lodging. Looking for a place to stay when you arrive at the exam venue can cause unnecessary stress. It’s best to have the logistics arranged even before you leave home. Also, keep in mind possible problems that may occur in relation to the number of students taking the exam such as traffic on the actual exam day.

Other tests

Aside from the bar exam, there are states that require law degree holders to go through character evaluation before they are allowed to practice law. The MPRE or the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination is a group of standardized exams that have to be taken across all states, save for the following jurisdictions — Washington, Puerto Rico, Wisconsin, and Maryland.

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Getting a law degree is never cheap. That’s why law schools may offer scholarships to students or establish their own financial assistance programs. For law students who need additional funding in pursuing law education, here are some good options:

Financial assistance based on need

Law schools could offer support to students who urgently needs financial help to keep on studying. There are some need-based assistance with set amounts to give away. Other financial aid providers, however, may use special calculations. The amount of financial assistance may be based on the student’s income, among other requirements.

Financial assistance based on merit

To seek financial assistance based on merit, the student has to maintain a certain grade or GPA as part of the requirement. Law students can seek financial aid by applying for scholarship or study grants.
They may look for these programs through private organizations, foundations, business companies, and certain individuals who may willingly offer sponsorship. Aside from these, law schools may also have their own programs. Take for instance the scholarship program of Duke University.

Loans

Student loans can also be a good option in financing law school education. These are usually provided by federal agencies, private organizations, banks, and other financial institutions. There are numerous plans and packages to choose from when applying for student loans.

Other payment option

There are other ways to pay a loan such as committing to public service after graduating with a law degree. The same principle is used by Harvard Law School. The school will offer free tuition to third year students if they spend five years of their legal career  to public service after graduation. Other law schools also have their own payment terms, so might as well read the terms and conditions before applying for any kind of loan.

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Aside from proving yourself through an exceptional admissions essay and high LSAT scores, you may still be expected to go to an interview. When you are called for an admission interview at your dream law school, take it as a good news. This is because the interview is one more opportunity for you to show them what you’ve got and convince the admissions panel that you deserve a slot at your dream school.

Prepare yourself

Just like when you read sample law school personal statements as preparation before writing your own essay, you also have to prepare for the interview. When you get an invitation for an interview, make a confirmation as soon as possilbe. Jot down the instructions, such as the place and time of the interview. Another tip is to ask who the interviewers will be. Knowing who the interviewers will be can help you prepare better; you could research about these interviewers and know something about them before the actual interview.

Practice

Practice in front of the mirror so as to give you the necessary conditioning. When the interview day comes, dress accordingly. Formal business attire works best for both men and women. For the women, minimize the perfume as some people get distracted by strong scents.

Do some research

Doing some research about the school’s history is a good preparation for an admission interview. You can also research some biographical bits about the members of the interview panel. Checking out the latest issues concerning the school is also a good way of preparing for the interview. When you were writing your admission essay, you most likely read sample law school personal statements to prep you up. Exerting the same effort when preparing for an interview can work wonders on your chances of getting admitted into your dream school.

Review your law school admission essay

It’s possible that some of the interview questions will be based on your submitted admission essay. So, it’s best that you review your admission essay, much like when you were reading sample law school personal statements to give you an idea on what to include in your own essay.

Do an ocular inspection

It is best to go to the school grounds itself days or weeks before the interview and learn where the interview venue is. Knowing where the interview venue is in advance is beneficial especially if you easily get lost when you’re in an unfamiliar location.

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Competition for internship in top law firms among students is quite fierce. To help you stand out from the rest, here are some tips on how to land an internship in a prestigious firm:

Gather experience and training

Preparation is one key when aiming for that much-coveted internship at a top law firm. Applying for an internship even before you are required by the school to do so is a good idea. An apprenticeship or internship at a small law firm may mean less prestige and a smaller paycheck but the experience you’ll get is definitely worth it. Aside from small law firms, the office of the DA and private companies fighting for human rights and environmental issues are also good training grounds. Plus, such experiences are good additions to your resume later on.

Talk to your school’s Career Services Department

If your school offers career services, take advantage of such services. Give your resume to the career counselors prior to internship. Many schools have good relationships with reputable firms who are searching for prospective workers, along with alumni who are already working for or own top firms.

Create an exceptional resume

To create an exception resume, include attributes that make you the perfect choice for the internship. Examples are knowledge in various computer applications and leadership qualities. Aside from having an impressive cover letter, make sure that your resume is reader-friendly. And remember, an ideal resume should only be 1 to 2 pages long.

Impress potential employers during the interview

Making a good impression during an interview means you have to dress properly. Be conscious of your body movements and be confident when you answer questions. Also, do not forget your credentials and other important documents your potential employer may require from you. And of course, arrive at the the interview place on time.

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As a lawyer, you can choose from two main tracks — public and private practice. Depending on your interests and preferences, you can work for corporations, private firms, or companies as a private legal counsel. But if you wish to work for the state or government, then being a public lawyer is the path for you. Depending on your preferences and goals, each track presents various options for you as a legal defender.

In private practice

As a private attorney, you can set up your own law firm, or work for a firm or corporation as a legal counsel. Cutthroat competition and politics are more felt in private law firms, especially if the usual cases they handle involve rich, powerful, and influential figures. If you plan to set up your own firm, your salary will depend on the client base you have and the number of cases your firm plans to handle. Practicing law in private is of course, more lucrative. The higher your position is in a company or law firm, the higher your salary is.

In public practice

The government or state employs lawyers, and if one is a public lawyer, he or she would usually be given the responsibility of giving legal counsel to those who could not afford a private attorney. Majority of cases shouldered by a public defender are criminal cases, but quasi-criminal cases could also come up. The salary of a public lawyer is the responsibility of the state or government. There are times when one would be called upon to perform pro bono work. Being a public lawyer may not be as lucrative as compared to being a private lawyer, but benefits such as civil protection continue to attract many lawyers to go in public practice. If you wish to enjoy a higher salary, such as those working at the US Attorney’s Office, you can join the Federal Public Defenders.

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Getting a law degree doesn’t necessarily qualify you to hold a public office position. This means that  politicians don’t have to be lawyers just to be a good public servant. But what makes lawyers potentially good public officials is the training they had acquired as a legal professional or law degree holder. In terms of policy-making, lawyers can handle the task with competence and ease as experts on the field of law. The leadership traits and negotiating skills they’ve developed are also good qualifications in becoming an effective politician.

So, what are the skills necessary to become an effective public servant? Here’s a shortlist:

Effective communication

Dealing with clients and presenting the case before the judge and jury do require effective communication skills. The same is true for politicians who also have to deal with public officials and the people they serve. These makes them good lobbyists and debaters when tackling important social or economic issues. With good communication skills, lawyers-turned-politicians can easily win public support.

Logical thinking

With their ability to pinpoint both the good and bad points in each case, lawyers can also be good politicians when addressing various issues at hand. They also possess the ability to persuade and make logical arguments. This will help them tackle issues objectively, with the benefit of people and the entire nation first in mind. Years of case studies trained them to be able to delve deeper into different discussions, cases, and issues.

Analysis

To become a lawyer, you need to have good analytical skills. As most politicians have to review policies and existing rules to make reforms and implement changes, lawyers may competently handle the task. The training in law school and the court room prepared them for this. This allows them to make good legislations for the benefit of many people. As a competent leader, they can easily climb the political ladder.

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Based on the training and skill set most lawyers have, many of them are groomed to hold a position in the public office. It seems like becoming a politician is another popular career option for lawyers. Why is this so? Being a politician entails the responsibility of making policies and governing people. What makes  lawyers potentially good public servants are the skills they have developed as professionals in the execution of law and the judiciary system.

Training on policy-making

Politicians toward law-making or executing the rules of law. As legal experts, lawyers may competently handle these tasks. With background on constitutional rules and other legal policies, they can easily review and reform existing rules.

What makes them effective politicians is their ability to comprehend large amounts of information. Years of research and case studies have prepared them for this. They can easily tackle issues and even lobby for a special cause. As part of their court room training, lawyers are considered good debaters when it comes to logical arguments. They also possess good negotiating skills that can help them win more public support.

Training on good governance

Good governance doesn’t require a law degree but a good heart for the benefit of more people. Despite this, lawyers can still use their excellent communication skills to be effective politicians. This comes handy when proposing a new bill or law or expressing opinions on issues that affect the people they serve.  With their ability to see both the good and the bad in each case, they can lead people to greater good. Their negotiating skills make them influential leaders for people to follow. With expert skills, knowledge, and training in the field of law,  they have skills in making new laws, implementing  rules, and proposing changes to the community. They can easily analyze different situations and focus on the details of various issues they have to deal with, just as they do in a court room.

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Some may claim that once you become a law student, you may say good bye to life. But with effective time management, you can surely squeeze in some time for your friends, family, and other fun activities. You just need to know which comes first and how to maximize the use of time. How? Here are some time management tips for law students:

Set your priorities

Think of how important a particular chore is and put up a calendar of things to do- be it on your cellphone or on a traditional organizer. Avoid the overlapping of activities and make sure that your schedule is organized.  If you have a final exam next week, take time to study as early as now or whenever you have free time. This way, you’ll have a more orderly time flow instead of cluttering all things at one time.

Know your “zone” time

If you happen to be a night person, then might as well do more important tasks during the late hours. Try to maximize the use of time when you’re most productive. This way, you’ll get to accomplish more  in less time. Know when you’re at your peak and base your schedule on this.

Rest is crucial

Even if you are more active at night, it does not mean you should not sleep. Take time to relax and rest fully. Having enough sleep will help sustain the energy you need for everyday. Include a good diet and, if you could manage it, do exercise routines regularly to keep you strong and fit.

Social life should be scheduled

The spur-of-the-moment party may no longer be an option, if you have your law degree to think about. Lunch out with friends or even your boyfriend or girlfriend should be scheduled so it won’t affect other more important activities. You should also know when to say “no,” especially when you have an upcoming crucial exam. Spend time with family and friends, but never take your other responsibilities for granted.

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Just like other colleges and universities, those recognized as the best law schools in the nation put so much importance in grades when they assess the performance of a student. Because of the recent grade inflation, which refers to the increase in number of students getting high GPAs, the grade percentiles of several institutions of higher learning were also raised. This is to ensure that what they get are only the top students who made the cut. And because many law firms also see school grades as factors in employment, a raised grade percentile would mean a more selective process of choosing students and applicants.

Non-Grade based law schools

For these institutions, they do not use the traditional percentage-based system. Take for example Berkeley Law’s Boalt Hall. In this school, they use the following ranking system:

HH – High Honors
H – Honors
P – Pass
PC – Substandard Pass
NC – No Credit

This system is based not just on the academic performance of a student but also on other factors too. Non-grade law schools give recognition to students who don’t necessary excel in every subject but are have good performance in other activities or aspects.

In these law schools, students are more relaxed as opposed to those in grade-based law schools. For students of these law schools, getting numerous pass grades and receiving just a few honors is not really a major issue because such grades will not prevent them from being employed by top companies.

Grade-based law schools

In a grade-based law school, school life can get stressful. This is because the grading system is very selective; it gives the top ranks to a very select few. And because grade-based law schools put so much emphasis on grades, some raise their grade percentile whenever grade inflation arises. This helps very selective law schools keep up to their “standards.” The result is a very competitive school environment, wherein students truly learn the concept behind the phrase “survival of the fittest.”

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