Albany Law School
Albany Law School is one of the oldest and best law schools in the nation. In fact, Albany Law School holds the title as the oldest independent law school. Since the school’s establishment in 1851, it has developed into a premier educational center that is known around the world. Amongst the Albany Law School alumni are a number of successful people, including President William McKinley. The school’s law review, the Albany Law School Journal, is the country’s first-ever law review that is edited by students. To learn more about Albany Law School or to apply to the school, visit the school’s homepage and the Albany Law School admissions page.
Appalachian School of Law
What began as an attempt to increase economic activity in the region around Grundy, Virginia quickly became one of the best law schools in the country: the Appalachian School of Law. Since the school’s founding in 1994, the Appalachian School now has numerous programs for those pursuing a degree in law. The Appalachian promotes an education that forms and develops the student’s mind and character. The well-rounded, quality education at the Appalachian includes community service requirements and courses in professional responsibility and alternative dispute resolution. For information on applying to the Appalachian School of Law, people can visit ASL’s admissions page.
American University Washington College of Law
American University’s Washington College of Law is an institution that is known for its high quality education and its reputable student publications. The Washington College of Law has developed into one of the best schools in the nation, especially because of its public rights law and human rights law programs. WCL is also respected for its active involvement in promoting public sector work. The American University Washington College of Law has an easily accessible admissions page for those who want to apply to this school.
Are you reading sample law school personal statements because you’re planning to go to law school? Or are you already experiencing the four grueling years? Whatever situation you’re in, movies related to law school and the legal career are break time perks. Such movies are not only interesting but also tell more about what happens in law school. Below are five examples of law-related movies you may watch.
1. Paper Chase
The 1973 film directed by James Bridges is an adaptation of John Jay Osborn, Jr.’s novel. It centers on Hart, a Harvard Law School freshman who becomes the competitor of a Contract Law professor, Charles Kingsfield, Jr. As the story develops the conflict, Hart finds out that the girl he is dating is Kingsfield’s daughter.
Paper Chase is a movie that garnered many positive reviews through its engaging and emotional plot. Hart is played by Timothy Bottoms while Kingsfield is played by John Houseman. The movie is an accurate depiction of law school experience.
2. The Trials of Law School
A must-see for all law school students, The Trials of Law School is about the lives of several University of Oklahoma College of Law students. The students are from different backgrounds and struggle to finish law school with their own hopes, dreams and expectations.
3. The Pelican Brief
Starring Julia Roberts as Darby Shaw, the movie Pelican Brief is based on a John Grisham novel. The movie’s suspense theme narrates how Darby, a law school student, discovers interesting information about the death of two Supreme Court Justices. After doing more research, Darby presents her theories to her law professor, Thomas Callahan. He confides the findings to his friend Gavin Verheek but both are killed after Darby runs away in fear to save her life.
4. Reversal of Fortune
Another law-related movie, Reversal of Fortune is about how a Harvard law professor and his students conducted researches and investigations to gain acquittal for a man convicted of the attempted murder of his wife.
5. Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde is more of a comedy than a serious law-related movie. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Legally Blonde is about how the rich and popular seemingly-dumb-blonde-sorority-president Elle Woods struggled to get into and stay in law school to recover a boyfriend who dumped her. Although she initially faces law school hostility, Elle proceeds with her plan with full determination. She also, eventually, becomes one of the best students in her class and prompts an interesting twist in the plot.
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Other than worrying about the LSAT, personal statements, sample law school personal statements,
and law school application forms, a student has to think about how to fund his or her law school education. Getting a law degree costs quite a lot but, fortunately, law schools offer scholarships to qualified students. Here are some of the scholarships you may want to apply for when you go to law school.
ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
The deserving students of the American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law schools may enjoy a yearly scholarship provision of $5,000. The students may also ask for a renewal of the provision for
another two years if academic performance requirements are met.
American Counsel Association Scholarship
The deans of different law schools submit student nominations for scholarships to the American
Counsel Association every year. Qualified law students, third years in particular, are granted
scholarships based on their financial need and academic standing.
Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship
Students who study in ABA-accredited law schools and who live in Alabama may be awarded the
Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship. The Alabama Law Foundation, as sponsor, selects qualified students who are in their second year in law school and have a financial need. Students, in addition, must be dependable, conscientious, dedicated and involved in civic activities.
Carl A. Vergari Scholarship
The Columbian Lawyers Association of Westchester County,
Inc. awards the Carl A. Vergari Scholarship to
students who live in Westchester County, are studying at accredited law schools, and have very
good academic standing.
Erie County Bar Association Scholarship
Students applying for the scholarship must request for an application form from the Erie County Bar
Association or fill up an online application form. Qualified applicants are students enrolled in accredited law schools, who have a financial need and who live in Erie County, Pennsylvania.
Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship
US citizens who want to study law may apply for the Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. scholarship. It is sponsored by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association and is given to students who have a financial need, a good academic standing, an interest in community service and cultural diversity, and leadership skills.
Samuel Krugliak Legal Scholarship
The scholarship is sponsored by the Krugliak Wilkings Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A. Qualified students are those who intend to practice law in the Stark County and who are enrolled at ABA-accredited law schools. In addition, applicants must be current or previous residents in Stark counties, Columbiana, Mahoning, Summit, Carroll, Wayne, Tuscarawas, or Holmes.
Wally Davis Scholarship
Hispanic law students who reside in or are from Orange County, California may apply for the Wally Davis Scholarship sponsored by the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association. Qualifications for freshman applicants include at least a 3.0 GPA while second to fourth years must be part of the better-performing half of their batch.
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So you’ve read sample law school personal statements, written your admission essay, got into law school and graduated. But you realized you don’t want to pursue a career in law. What are you going to do?
Well, you’re not really lost. With a law degree, you still have a lot of career options. In fact, because you’ve undergone four years of college and another four years of law school, you’re more qualified for various jobs than many of the other applicants. You just need to know your interests and skills to discover the career that’s right for you.
Here are some career options for a law school graduate:
1. Education career
Who else is better equipped to teach legal subjects than someone who has at least a bachelor’s degree in law? You can effectively apply all that you’ve learned in law school especially with the skills in analysis, persuasive communication, research, and writing you have developed during those four grueling years in law school.
Some subjects a law school graduate may teach in college or law school are law and economics, law and society, law and history, law and psychology, legal studies, business ethics, environmental policy, intellectual property, and criminal justice. You, as an educator, may also pursue a master’s degree in law or a doctorate in Juridical Science to be more effective in your career.
2. Entertainment and media careers
Believe it or not, entertainment and media careers are also an option for law school graduates. In fact, there are some Hollywood actors and actresses who spent a few years in law school and later pursued an acting career. One example is Gerard Butler who played King Leonidas in the movie “300″ and the Phantom in the movie remake of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of The Opera.” But of course, an entertainment career applies only if your heart is in acting.
On the other hand, law school graduates like you may use your research skills in some media careers. Examples of possible occupations are legal editor, law correspondent, legal newspaper publisher, legal publisher account representative, sports agent, literary agent, or publishing house acquisitions editor.
3. Administration and management careers
Many large companies are looking for qualified persons who can perform jobs like foundation executive, grants management specialist, unclaimed property administrator, management analyst, or program analyst. Having a broad knowledge of the law and various legal issues gives you leverage for such positions.
4. Environmental career
If you have a background in science or studied the sciences during college, you may work as an environmental consultant, environmental advocate, environmental protection specialist, environmental policy analyst, or hazardous waste management consultant. You may also opt for positions like safety and occupational health specialist, technological program hazards specialist or coastal zone resources manager.
5. Other careers
Further suggestions are careers in:
- Financial services
- Journalism and research
- Real estate
- Human resources and employment
- Law enforcement
- Criminal justice
- Insurance and risk management
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A kick-ass personal statement may get you a slot in the law schools of your choice no matter what your grades are. But for your personal statement to be effective, you may need to read some sample law school personal statements and use them as guides. You must also cite a few realistic, genuine and agreeable reasons for wanting to enter law school. For your reference, below are the top five acceptable reasons for deciding to study law:
1. “I loved the type of work I had to do when I worked as an intern at a legal organization.”
This first reason is, perhaps, one of the most effective and acceptable reasons an applicant may cite in his or her personal statement. The admissions committee looks favorably upon applicants who, out of their interest in the field, worked to get some experience in a legal organization. Getting an early work experience and observing lawyers do their jobs help prepare a person for law school and the career itself.
2. “Researching about careers both legal and non-legal made me realize that a legal career is ideal
for me.”
Researching about different careers and the one you prefer most shows the admissions committee
that you’ve done your homework. By researching, you become knowledgeable about the hard work
the careers entail and the benefits you will enjoy. You will also show the admissions committee that
you are like a lawyer–that is, someone who makes logical conclusions based on valid reasons and evidences.
3. “I read many materials about law and have a desire to help solve people’s legal problems.”
This reason shows that you are very interested in the field to the point that you often read what you can about law. But more than your interest in the field, the reason shows that your are focused on implementing solutions and putting what you have learned into action.
4. “I learned about the legal career by interviewing lawyers and I want to do what they do.”
By interviewing real lawyers, you get three benefits. One is that you get your information about the legal career from a credible source. Another is that you get as much answers as the questions you ask. You get to know the ins and outs in the field and the good and bad experiences of a lawyer. Finally, by interviewing lawyers, you get to show the admissions committee that your research skills are adequate.
5. “The law school classes I have attended made me more inclined to have a legal career.”
Law school classes are, in fact, one of the avenues for you to see if a legal career is right for you. Experience in law classes allows you to directly see how well you perform and how the subject becomes fulfilling to you.
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