USA School of law and the application

Author: blind and foolish

In recent years, more and more students plan to go to beauty and law school, want to know more information about this. At present I 2011-2012 law school is over. For better score of 175 in the LSAT test got the scholarship and a certain amount of JD admissions at University of Chicago law school. The combination of the application process itself and the collection of information about the current situation of USA law school and application methods, and they hope to help everyone.

To explain, in recent years due to the economy of low America, at the same time lawyer industry saturated, causing a lot of lower ranked law school graduates can not find work, so want to go to beauty and law school classmate at school and do the students return on investment analysis must be careful.

Law School Rankings

First talk about American Law School Ranking and selection. Every March, USNEWS will rank USA was nearly 200 of ABA approve law school. (about the latest situation this ranking can refer to the USNEWS website). Though many are ranked very has the objection, but frankly quantifying all the school to be ranking is a very one-sided approach, however, USNEWS rankings are still largely influential, and also many students choose one of the important reference to choose the school, an important basis for the also America big firms recruit law school graduates.

Within the ranks, USA law school have a recognized Top 14 statement. There is the 14 law schools are ranked the top 14, there are obvious gaps between a ladder with after law school. At the same time, the 14 schools have been recognized for national school, i.e., these schools in the United States have very high popularity, after graduation in each state has good job opportunities. Relatively lower ranks the law school is not so great influence throughout the country, so it is called regional school. After graduating from regional school, usually only in this state, or it is possible to find the neighboring state law related work, of course, is not absolute.

The Top14 school also has its own pecking order. Although the annual rankings may fluctuate slightly, but generally remain echelon form as follows: Top3 (YHS), Top6 (CCN), Top10 (MVPB), as well as the rest of the Top14. The so-called T3 (YHS) refers to the Yale (Yale), Harvard (Harvard), Stanford (Standford) three top schools. Yale law school year ranked first, Harvard and Stanford 2-3, over the years, each victory. The next CCN refers to the Columbia (Columbia University), (University of Chicago) and Chicago NYU (New York University), perennial in the 4-6 rankings. The Chicago good in academic, graduates are opportunities like T3 students into the Federal Supreme Court justice clerk, or as a law professor, of course, also can enter the big firms. Columbia and NYU are located in the American big firms most of New York City, the firm's geography graduates be richly endowed by nature. To illustrate a point about NYU. NYU law school is the abbreviation of New York University Law School (New York University law school), and some time ago to have a name and NYU is similar to New York Law School (New York law school), its graduates sued the school employment data by the fraud to mislead into students apply for admission. The school is basically a pheasant university, although very much like NYU names, but has no relationship with NYU. In recent years, although the legal employment market downturn, but the T6 graduates employment prospects are basically can still guarantee.

The next MVPB is respectively UMichigan (University of Michigan), Virginia (University of Virginia), UPenn (University of Pennsylvania), and UC Berkley (University of California Berkeley). The remaining T14 were Duke (Duke University), Northwestern (Northwestern University), Cornell (Cornell University), and Georgetown (Georgetown University). These are also very good law school. Princeton (Princeton), MIT (MIT) and Dartmouth (Dutt Maus) and other famous universities because there is no law school, the law school rankings do not see these schools.

The big firms USA (known as biglaw) to the standard starting salary of law school graduates is $160000 a year, then considered the business ability and performance may be increased year by year. But many only from biglaw Top 14 recruitment (some may only hire from the Top 6 school). There are a small part of Top14 law school USA students may be due to law school performance is very excellent or good network and other reasons, can enter to the big firms. But China students if not into universities, large firms is very difficult. Especially in recent years, due to America legal market weakness, the serious oversupply of lawyer, graduated from the law school ranking by the Americans are often very difficult to find the law related work, Chinese is even more so. So if you want to stay in the United Chinese applicants for employment, we must try to read the top law school. If ready to graduate to not worry about employment, or to go abroad just to get some experience, experience of living abroad, need not too care about school ranking.

JDTo apply for the

USA law school a total of three degrees, respectively is JD , LLM and JSD. In the American mind, talk about the basic law school refers to the JD (Juris Doctor) degree. This degree although translated as "doctor of law", but not with the ordinary PhD, the same level, but also to the foundation of America law school education (and PhD equivalent is JSD degree). But the most important JD is America legal education, but also American law school the most competitive degree. Americans generally only JD, while the JD after graduation in the American arbitrary state register bar (license). The lawyer qualification examination of bar, can be engaged in the related work includes any law judge, prosecutor and lawyer.

The JD lasted three years, must have before the application (or will) get a college degree, but the undergraduate professional no limit. So the illegal students domestic professional can apply, and at the time of application will not have any weaknesses. In fact, the undergraduate education American no legal professional, so the application of JD Americans are without any legal training.

Talking about law school applications, many Americans will say this is a "numbers game" (numbers), indeed. The JD application is the most important reference standard is the LSAT test scores and bachelor's degree average (GPA) the two numbers. In addition, letters of recommendation, work experience or public activity and the personal statement and other soft factors also have additional effects, but not decisive role.

The rigid condition:

1LSAT

The application of a digital method of JD is the most important LSAT scores, for China applicants this score can account for the role of 70%-80% in the application in package. The so-called LSAT refers to Law School Admission Test, namely the law school admission test. This is the most difficult of all English exam accepted standardized test. The test does not test any knowledge related with law, logic analysis capabilities and English mainly to test the candidate's fast reading, out of 180 points. Chinese shall enter a school, generally at least to the school in LSAT median, namely the 50% bit line. (School of LSAT median can be found on the Internet). For example, Harvard over the LSAT median is controlled in 173 minutes. Chinese if 172 or less "Harvard may hope very slim, because if you would lower their median, and that median directly affects the school's ranking in USNEWS. So if not what special case, less than 173 of LSAT Chinese basic no hope to get into Harvard. Generally better than median at least 1 points, is applying to Harvard to 174 points or more before more drama.

LSAT examination only paper-based forms, each year around the world held a total of four times, respectively, in February of each year, in June, 9 (or 10) and December. At present, only in June and December Chinese can participate in LSAT test, test sites were located at Peking University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. The mainland examinee to in February or 9 (10) months can travel to Hongkong or Singapore to participate in the examination. The specific examination registration information can be found in the LSAC (Law School Admission
Council) official websiteHttp://www.lsac.org/. The general China students to apply for the school in the year (that is, the fall semester) words, it is recommended that the best exam in the year October. Because the general examination about three to four weeks to announce fraction, and LSAC finishing applicant material to school and the need for some time. The first batch of admission in 12 month or 1 month issued. Therefore Chinese if you take the exam in December and got score and then submit it may chance of successful applicants to some extent. LSAT test only allows candidates to participate in the three in most every two years time. For multiple LSAT fraction of applicants, because the high school now only need to enroll students, high school applicants therefore tend to take. But if a few scores of similar, some schools will take an average of. If after an exam 7, higher than the previous 8 points or more, the general is necessary to write an additional note at the time of application, to explain why, for example, the previous examination didn't play well, not prepared or physical discomfort. The highest such general schools will take you.

2GPA

Another important figure is bachelor's degree GPA (grade point average), is the university four years achievement by weighted average credit calculation. Due to the international students undergraduate GPA without reporting as school ranking data, so the GPA processing to the international student's law school is relatively loose. But the law will put Chinese applicants undergraduate GPA as an important index to measure the ability of learning. So the general Chinese even if the LSAT is high enough, but if the undergraduate weighted average of less than 86, to come to T3 school is also very difficult. If less than 80 words, to enter the T14 may have more problems. If you have read the graduate or doctoral applicants, in graduate or doctoral students during the GPA will also be a reference, but the Quan Zhongyuan as undergraduate GPA. GPA how much do not own conversion, just put a school report card original and translation mail to LSAC, they will make evaluation.

Some students because of the fun doesn't study hard when undergraduate course, leading to poor grades, the average less than 80, so that he even has the ability to get high LSAT, to enter the elite law school also life-long hopeless, so very frustrated. In fact there is a "Quxianjiuguo" transfer road twists and turns, but. The first is to have a higher LSAT scores, even as the undergraduate is very low GPA can enter into a passable school. And then to study very hard in the first year of law school, for a whole class of 10% GPA. It can be expected in the first year of the summer transfer to rank high school. Specific transfer programs can refer to the school website. General JD project of smaller schools, such as Yale, Stanford, UChicago each year to accept transfer students rarely, so little hope. But Harvard, Columbia and NYU in larger projects, the annual accept transfer students can achieve more than a dozen or even dozens of people. If the transfer is successful, it will start to the second grade of learning in the new law school after graduation, with degree is the new school. However, Chinese to obtain good results in USA law school, is really not easy.

3 TOEFL score

Most school JD project does not require international students with a TOEFL score. But there are a few, such as University of Chicago, Vanderbilt University, and Boston University, provide TOEFL scores or not in America undergraduate international students studying. (a particular school need TOEFL scores can refer to the school website). These schools require even if you are already in America read graduate student, but if not American undergraduate reading, but also to provide a TOEFL score. TOEFL must at least meet the minimum requirements of the school. For example, University of Chicago for the TOEFL iBT must reach 104 points or more, of course, to high as far as possible to test high. If no line must test the application, or absolutely hopeless. The application just let ETS send a transcript of TOEFL to LSAC. LSAC will copy the copy to your TOEFL score to apply the law school.

Generally speaking, LSAT and GPA one of the applicants is basically decided he could into the school grades. A LSAT 165 points China applicants basic no hope into T14; similarly, a LSAT 175, GPA can be a person, if no accident should ensure into T10 or T6 or higher school.

Some soft conditions below to some fine tuning of applications. If it reaches a certain grade schools require LSAT and GPA but ultimately failed to enter into this school, it may be because the soft condition is not good enough. But soft condition again good, if there is no enough LSAT and GPA support is of no use.

Soft conditions:

1Graduate of University Reputation

This if it is in the America attend undergraduate is more, because the University of their own country American law school more familiar. The same LSAT and GPA applicant, if elite undergraduate background is preferred. If it is China undergraduate, North China and other domestic famous American University is recognized, at the time of application will be plus. But for the next China university law school, America on the not too familiar with, so at the time of application are treated equally. General can get to the USA top law school China students are graduated from famous domestic Chinese. Partly because Top law school general preference for China elite undergraduate graduates. But to a great extent is because can reach Top law school LSAT score requirements China students are learning ability is strong, so they are in the domestic elite undergraduate. But as long as LSAT and GPA enough, not the elite undergraduate applicants can also enter the top law school.

2Whether has obtained a degree in American

This is often neglected by domestic applicants. Many domestic undergraduate graduation directly Deuteronomy JD. This kind of applicants even if the test of a good LSAT scores, the application results are also likely to lower than expected. Of course, we apply directly to American top law school JD people have graduated from the undergraduate, but relatively rare. Can often go to the top law school Chinese either in USA read undergraduate, or read undergraduate in the China and in American read an advanced degree, such as PhD, LLM, MBA or other professional master. Usually only in exchange for a semester at American University project possible action is not enough. On the one hand, read a degree in America English skills improve, it can get a better LSAT score. On the other hand, America law school is like, and even individual's Top school only recruits has gained a degree of international students in the America, reason is the Law School of English and American social cultural background requirements are very high, far more than the general professional, so Chinese undergraduate graduates to apply for the school of law, will think you are not competent for the knowledge society and language requirements. So determined to apply to the T3, T5 Chinese students, the best first attend a degree in America apply again, there will be a great bonus.

3Working experience and special experience

Some schools, such as Northwestern University law school pay more attention to the applicant's work experience. So if several years working experience would be a bonus for this type of school. But there are also many schools don't care whether the applicants work experience. In general, undergraduate work a few years to re apply for law school is not bad. The work of a few years later, the mind will be more mature, understanding of society will be more in-depth, all these contribute to the study of the law, the law school certainly aware of this. Have work experience, find a job in JD after graduation will have certain advantages. Comparison of job experience may include legal, financial, securities, finance, accounting, university faculty, or major international occasions of conference interpreting. If there are some special experience, such as a large debate, English speaking, mathematics or chess match winning experience and so on, can also write in your resume, there will be a plus. But so long ago, such as the glorious deeds school would not have said, of little significance. Membership also does not have the harmful, wrote.

4Recommendation

General schools require two letters of recommendation, wherein at least one must is academic, namely school professors to write letters of recommendation. If the applicant has many years work experience, also can ask the boss to write a letter, to evaluate the applicant from professionalism or people skill angle. Chinese generally can only find domestic professor or supervisor to write a letter of recommendation, so relative to the role of the very limited. If there is exchange projects or overseas study, work experience, you can try to find foreign professors or boss to write a letter of recommendation, may effect will be larger than the domestic professor. Generally speaking, unless you can please the Americans also recognized the "grandees" to give you write, or letter of recommendation is the basic form, the effect can be ignored, so the application need not too entanglements. Of course, the basic grammar letter of recommendation is to ensure the correct words.

5Personal statement (Personal Statement) and resume

Relatively speaking, the importance of JD when applying the personal statement with MBA documents is much lower. General personal statement just write about why they want to read JD, after reading what is intended, and briefly explain their experiences related or special can. Control the number of words in 600-700 word, two pages or so. Try to smooth plain language, not a grammatical error, but also need not dig hollow thought how wonderful instrument. No LSAT with GPA support, documents write flowers also useless. In contrast, LSAT high, a plain and simple personal statement is enough to send you to the top law school. So Americans will law school application called "numbers game". Law School of general application, in order to save time and can only write a general personal statement, to apply for a dozen or twenty law schools can. If a school you are particularly fond of, also can be in the school special to write a personal statement, to express its special "sentimental", there may be some points. Some schools require additional is your best to write a short essay, stating why to apply for their school. If you want to enter the school, had better write out this additional instruments. Of course, to write this article to do research. For example, the study found Northwestern University pay more attention to the applicant's work experience, and you also have work experience, it can be said that this is a match. The University of Chicago's academic done relatively well, you can say that you admire their teaching quality, etc..

To clarify a point, is not necessary because of the fear of what "immigrant" and in the personal statement said that we must return to work after graduation. The immigrant visa not only in that the visa officer know good, the visa officer did not see your school to apply for the personal statement. The law school is generally want the students after graduation to stay in American firms to work, at least to have ambition to remain in the United States, because the employment rate and starting salary of graduates is directly related to the school's reputation. If you directly after graduation to work, may be given a starting salary of only a fraction of USA firms starting salary, this is the law school do not want to see.

Resume control in a page, the content is your fine not more expensive, don't share what is written. General multi highlight their learning ability, such as papers, grade ranked high, and got a scholarship, race winning etc.. There are big companies work or internship experience words to highlight. Resume production can not be sloppy, format should be neat, try not to have a syntax error. But the style is simple, don't make a very fancy word what.

Several common problems of the application:

1    Application time and application process

Generally speaking, submit the sooner the better. For Harvard, larger projects may apply for later problem is not too big, but Chicago, smaller projects, each year only a Chinese. If there is a Chinese because early application and meet the standards so the admission quota share, you submit your application, then even if you also meet the admission standards, even better than the man has admitted, generally only give first place on waitlist, such as admission to the school take it, that would be very suffer.

As for the application process, are in the LSAC website, the website for the LSAT fill in the application information, upload the electronic version of the documents and materials, the credit card payment. Concrete steps can refer to this website. To send a copy of school transcript to LSAC for evaluation, recommendation letters to be sent to them. The agency will collect all of your materials, and then copy the copy to all the law school you want to apply for the. So the general material only one copy is enough.

2Yield Protection

The law school admissions when data is called yield rate, is that the actual accept a law school applications for the law school when the total issued admission ratio. For example, Harvard general annual total issued more than 800 admission, these people have more than 500 people finally enrolled in Harvard (which generally only 2-3 Chinese). Those who do not accept to Harvard students may go to Yale or Standford, and some may get scholarships is very high so decided to go to Chicago or Columbia. So Harvard general yield rate is generally in the 500/800, which is more than 60% or so (Yale yield rate in general about 75%). USNEWS uses the data to be one of the ranking of each school, think this data is higher that the school more applicants are welcome, indirectly reflects the school. So many schools pay more attention to this data. While the law school applications because it can use the same application documents, so do the material time cost is very low, so the general applicants tend to apply for more than ten and twenty schools, many schools are for safety, so inevitably there are many sent you admit you don't go to school. Such safety school yield rate will hit. This situation has caused the school yield protect approach. If the school you think LSAT and GPA will let you into better than their law school, that they may not immediately accept you. Some may pull a few months to ignore you, and then ask you for an interview. If you have been accepted to a school is better than them, you may want to tell them the interview time, then you will reject their interview invitation and active withdraw application. The school will not give you hair a you must not accept admission, and effectively protect our own yield rate. Some schools take the approach is to put you on the waiting list for waitlist. If you really want to enter their school, often received on the waitlist immediately after school for so-called LOCI (letter of continued interest) to the table loyal. They know that you really want to go to their school and not take their base will take your admission. But often the admissions officer through the admission data of the previous or can accurately determine that you can get to the grade school. If they think you over qualify your waitlist, it Nive out of ten you really get into a better school, so you won't go to repair materials in favor of alternate your school. Of course, the general T3 schools do not engage in yield protect, because they think only got you, you Nive out of ten will come, so there is no need to. T3 waitlist the words of the general or that they got better than you.

3Some results of application (admit, reject, hold, waitlist)

Generally through the LSAC website to submit application materials within 2 months, may receive some law school echo. If the law school want to recruit you, will soon come to a admit, to the satisfaction of all. If you think you are not qualified, directly to a reject, it will be game over the door. Most of hold and waitlist two kinds of situation. If the earlier you materials, and your situation in the Law School of thought to bring can not move, not the material with other applicants compared before you make a decision, may be the first to inform you, your material "hold for further review". Then in late April, some hold may be admitted, some hold was rejected out, some of the hold is on the waitlist candidate list. This class if the school make yield protect, admitted in April that you may have better schools, so there's no need to ignore them. But if you get admitted to the school as the candidate of your school, it is often that candidate is because you have a little. They accepted the people better than you. If those who are admitted in the last choice to other schools, the school have extra seat empty out, may also offer you. But generally only accepted the Chinese not only possible for the waiting list Chinese top up. Generally speaking, encounter this kind of situation, if is the school you want to backup your words, you can send them a supplemental material LOCI to hard to kiss them ass, said how to admire their school, if sent you admitted you will go and so on, can be more nauseating there are many nauseating. Don't the material with email hair, be sure to print out, an envelope, write down your name on the envelope, LSAC number, and an indication of what materials. And then send to the admissions office. But in the end can not be accepted or can see the seat vacated. If the same is waitlist applicants, in the premise of seat vacated by the table, be faithful than not faithful are more likely to be admitted.

4Audition

Most JD projects do not require no interview. Some schools, such as Harvard, Cornell etc. the hope to recruit students will be asked to conduct an interview. General to take the call or Skype interview. Some schools, such as Northwestern and Vanderbilt, applicants are encouraged to actively with the interview appointment, don't think about the interview can also. Generally speaking, the law school interview besides expressing test your ability to communicate and to increase the understanding of you outside, more important is to test you on the school's attention degree. If your interview you push off, or encourage you to interview you don't ask, they will think you are not sincere about their school, just take their base, would likely candidate or directly to you. So if you want to go to school, or to participate in the interview, in order to increase the acceptance probability.

5Advance group (Binding Early Round) application

Some schools offer applicants apply for opportunities in advance. (Harvard no such opportunity). Generally if the applicant in the specified deadline (usually in mid November) to submit an application in advance and indicate is batch of words, the school at the end of 12 will give you a reply. If you think you deserve, you will immediately direct admission. But as the condition, you must immediately delivery of the deposit, sign up to receive the admission, and immediately withdraw applications to other schools. The application can only participate in a school in advance, also must be recorded in advance. Therefore, only the school is the first school your circumstances in approve ahead of schedule for. When the initial notification is said to hold your file for further
Review's words, that your application will be transferred to the normal regular round. If is the final admission in regular round you, that is not subject to the limitations of binding, which you can choose not to accept the offer to other schools. Generally speaking, if you apply for a school in advance, be equal to is to show them that the school is the first choice of your school, but admitted after you will go, so even if you than their usual applicants a little bit worse, they may also accept you. Especially if the high LSAT and low GPA applicant (known as splitter), the application in advance may slightly raise admission probability.

Tuition and the school of law (help) award scholarship

At present, the first law school JD tuition for one year at $47000 to $52000, plus living expenses and other expenses for a total of 7.2 to $77000 a year, three years a total of $about 200000, it cost very large. But universities, normally starts in the second grade summer vacation to find that firms practice to make money, after graduation, if found big firm job, high income, should be able to quickly recover the investment. General T3 law school scholarship no pure merit-based. But if T3 students admitted to prove that they are poor, can apply to the very rich need-based grants, grants and without you having to repay grants. More is to rely on loans. The average school student loans is relatively easy, because lenders believe you after graduation can find better work, have the ability to even bring interest to repay the loan, so they are willing to do this business.

Some of the rankings are not the most top schools, may be willing to re Scholarship (for example three years tuition is free, and some even brought a monthly living allowance) for high LSAT applicants, to help schools to improve the ranking. Some even very top school, will also give a small part of the applicant to provide high scholarship, to recruit those who may choose to apply for a higher ranking school subjects. But high scholarship is not easy to obtain, to LSAT and GPA are more than 75% sections of the school is more likely.

LLMIntroduction

LLM is a master of law. Many Chinese according to its prefix abbreviation to this degree nicknamed "old rascal", but this just make fun of, the actual degree without any relationship with old rascal. Application of LLM must have a law degree, the foundation such as JD, or to get an a in the USA outside state law degree (America itself has no degree of law undergraduate). LLM than JD is the biggest benefit of short duration (one year), but not test LSAT. But the disadvantage is that, only a year of time not very systematic study of America law. At the same time, only the LLM degree, only in New York a few states admitted to practice law in. LLM theory is more high than JD order degree, but generally its gold content as JD. International students can only apply for attending the LLM, Americans read only JD. There are very few "elite complex" heavy Americans, perhaps because reading JD didn't can apply to a good school, so after JD graduated or work for a period of time to apply for a school read LLM the elite addiction.

In recent years, due to USA law of weak market, even the school graduated from LLM Chinese is also very difficult to remain in the United states. But read a LLM plus before the related work experience, after returning home may be able to get a good job. In addition, the method can consider to read a LLM, thereby obtaining a USA degree, also on the way to familiarize yourself with the USA law school life, and then apply JD, there will be a great bonus. Many Top JD projects are generally only recruit has gained a degree of international students in the American.

JSDIntroduction

JSD is Doctor of Juridical Science, generally translated as "doctor of law", (JD is "a doctor of law"). JSD is the highest order America law school, equivalent to PhD level degree, duration is three years, the application does not need to participate in the LSAT test. JSD is a pure academic research degree, students are rare, and generally Americans will not attend this degree, are often foreigners to read, do their own country with American legal comparison research. Americans when either the judge or being a professor is only JD degree is enough. Professor USA many schools teach JSD teacher is only JD degrees. If Americans read JSD can generally firm but don't like for him, because he felt the academic gas too. Chinese if want to home or go to Hongkong and other places of higher learning in the teaching of law case, you must read a JSD degree, or have a professional PhD. At home or University of Hong Kong generally do not employ only JD degrees Chinese.

Application of non conventional wayJD

General in the usual way for JD to test LSAT. There are also some way not to test LSAT application to JD, but this kind of application is one of the few.

1LLM to the JD

One method is to read a LLM, apply directly into the school JD project and then finished, so no need to test LSAT, but this way. Successful people LLM grades must be very good. General top law schools seem to not allow this turn, some words are just one year 1-2, places are very limited.

2The Joint Program joint degree a ride

Suitable for Chinese is JD/MBA joint degree. The two degree if read apart (JD three, MBA 2) need a total of five years, but read the joint degree in just four years. For example, the Northwestern University Business School (Kellogg) than its law school rankings a little higher. So if you can get the Kellogg business school MBA admission (the only need to test the GMAT), you can also apply to the Law School of Northwestern University, JD. Often the university law school will give schools face, no need for you to take the LSAT will be accepted as you apply for the joint degree. But considering the Kellogg School of business MBA is inherently difficult to apply to, so in fact this joint degree is not easy. The only advantage is can not test LSAT. So the experience is strong, suitable for MBA, but not so good at the LSAT exam and want to read JD applicants, this is a choice.